I contacted J.Crew a few days ago to inquire about the student discount (refer to the "Just Asking: What Is The Student Discount?" post) and the location of the new 42 stores they are going to open in the next year (refer to the "J.Crew Investors: Conference Call Transcript" post). The following are the responses that I thought would be interesting to share:On the student discount (which is 15%):
I was originally told: "The good news is that it has been updated now to reflect the 15% student discount that we offer. You will have to shop in the store or over the phone to get the discount as it is not an Internet offer."
But a follow up email stated:"We also wanted to modify the reply to your previous query. We notice you were told that online orders are not eligible for the student discount. While it is true there is no way to automatically qualify for the discount on the website, if you send us an email from your .edu address with your order number, we will be more than happy to credit your 15%."
On the new store locations:
"Thanks for your interest in our new Retail Stores! We do not have this information at hand at the moment, but will do some further research to find out locations and dates. We will let you know as soon as we hear more."
The J.Crew CSR also wanted to share the following:
"Please share with your community that we are working diligently to finish ironing out the wrinkles in our new systems, and everyone's patience and loyalty are greatly appreciated by all of us at J Crew."
I must say that I appreciate the thoughtful response. I can't wait to find out the new store locations and their expected opening dates. I will definitely post that once J.Crew sends that information. :) I am also happy to hear that they are working on the system upgrade (but I am now just waiting for the day that the upgarde is "done"). :)
Are you excited about J.Crew opening so many new stores? Do you think that some new stores will be located in Canada (which I am really hoping for too!)? Have you been using the student discount on online orders already (or are you planning to now)?
I am just really tired of this whole be patient while we are updating thing....case in point...I have a refund of 2 gift cards coming to me...I have order numbers but they have not shipped at all in the last 10 days. I contacted CS and they told me they have no ship date for the cards and to be patient. WHAT??? This is refund not a freebe gift card. I would like to use these with my rewards card that expires soon to purchase a rather pricey item....I am just really getting sick of all of this...be patient...I didn't even receive an expected ship date b/c no one has a clue what is going on??? I am going to spend my rewards card and then CANCEL my JCrew card. thanks for letting me rant.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 11:27AM: I totally understand where you are coming from. Feel free to vent frustrations here anytime. :) I am also really sorry to hear about the gift cards of refunds taking a long time to be delivered to you- that really isn't right.
ReplyDeleteWas there any official word on whether it can be combined with other codes? They've said no a couple times when I tried emailing after an order because I'd used a free shipping code. More inconsistency!
ReplyDeleteI'm also wondering the same thing as allison. Can it be applied to the B&M additional 40% off final sale to equal 55% off!?
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous - asking for more patience at this point borders on comical. Here's a suggestion the next time J.Crew "upgrades" their website and call center - test them internally first. IMHO the entire communication strategy around this has been a complete failure. I think most customers would prefer to lose access to the site and customer service for 3-5 days so these issues can be fixed once and for all. Maybe create an added incentive for customers to visit the retail stores (outlets included) while the site is repaired. 15% off everything. Then add tiered discounts based on how much your purchase total is. Additional 5% for $75, 10% for $125 etc.
ReplyDeleteOh! Thank you Douglas! My thoughts exactly...asking for more patience is comical at this point!
ReplyDeleteOkay, as a math teacher I have to correct the math. :) Please don't be offended, it's just hard for me to let it go (I know, I drive my students crazy too!) 40% plus an extra 15% does not equal a total of 55%. They deduct 40% first, then deduct 15% off of that new lower amount. Okay, that's my math lesson for the day. :P Again, hope no one takes that the wrong way, I've just read it many times, even some cs don't seem to understand how the discounts work. Okay, no more teaching today.
ReplyDeleteHey math teacher, I'm a reading teacher and it bugged me too! I knew there was a difference too:) and I think most people do too but it doesn't hurt to clarify...I have also noticed A LOT as one word (ALOT) typed on here.....drives me crazy but it's just a blog and we all have typos but hey...it's just my pet peeve too:)
ReplyDeleteanon reading teacher: I know my kids hate my pet peeves in the classroom! Luckily, after a few weeks, they just learn to deal with it. :) I know I hate it when I read back what I wrote and see a typo, but those are expected.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they clarified the discount and are allowing internet orders to be eligible, as well.
ReplyDeleteI keep hoping we will get a new B&M in the Orlando area even though I know the chances are slim. I also think it will be fabulous if they open several in Canada...fingers crossed for both possibilites! :)
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI e-mailed for a student discount request and was told that it cannot be used with any other promotion. (An exception was made for this case though) E-mail from CS below:
Dear Patrick,
Your inquiry is important to us and we sincerely apologize for the delay in responding to your email.
It will be our pleasure to apply the 15%-OFF student discount to your order number 1005523121.
We show your order already has the SHOP coupon entered; and, normally, only one type discount is authorized per transaction - the one with the greatest discount value.
As courtesy, on this order, we'll be happy to honor the 15% student discount as well. We would require for you to email us from your educational email address, thereby providing us with the necessary criteria, so that we are able to qualify the discount, based on your student email address. (The student ID card is useful when shopping at our retail stores, as a store associate is able to verify the ID.)
We are glad to offer more assistance should you require. Please let us know, either by email to contactus@jcrew.com; or, by phone to a J.Crew Associate at # 1-800-562-0258. Thank you for shopping with J Crew.
Sincerely,
Anne
I tried to apply the FALL code online for a final sale item, and it didn't work -- so I called to order.
ReplyDeleteI asked if I could use the FALL code and the student discount together -- at first I was told that the student discount is only available in-store, but when I mentioned this blog and the comment from a representative that it was available in-store and over the phone, she quickly gave me both discounts :)
I found that they were very eager to fix any mistakes and keep customers happy -- she even offered to allow a return on my shoe purchase (from the final sale) if they don't fit. Good customer service in an attempt to save face is fine with me!
One other grammar/spelling thing I have seen on here:
ReplyDeleteThe expression is "pique my interest," not "peak my interest."
I am not a teacher but am very type-A about these things too. ;)
Anonymous at 8:08 PM: I am thrilled to hear that CS was able to give you both discounts. Congrats!!! :)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 7:48 PM/Patrick: Unfortunately, J.Crew's answers can be inconsistent some times- which makes things confusing for the consumers (like me!) I was told that the student discount could be used with another promotion like the "additional percent off". I am happy to hear that they did honor both promotions on your order though. :)
If J Crew offers 15% off to everyone who places an order to "apologize" for the recent mess during their upgrades, then what "appreciative" benefit is that to students and teachers, if they can't use both offers?
ReplyDeleteSo far, my store has given me both sale prices with the extra 40% off, and then the 15% teacher discount off.
My most recent online order gave it twice - the 15% off new fall items AND the 15% teacher discount.
If it offers 15% off to the whole world, then why have a teacher/student policy????
anon 5:32 - Because they have screwed up big time, out of 5 order that I have placed since Aug 1, they have messed up 5 of them, either double shipments, not billing then billing twice etc etc etc.
ReplyDeleteThere is no end in sight to the screwups and inconsistent CS. 15% is a small discount compared to the aggravation that JC customers have had to go through during this computer downgrade!!
math teacher - I am much better at other subjects than math and even *I* realized long ago that 40% off plus an additional 15% does not equal 55%. I think it actually works out to 49%, right? Anyway -- I just recall one of the Aficionadas being chastized by a CS who essentially said expecting a 55% discount is unrealistic. That didn't even happen to me and it still bugs me.
ReplyDeleteI emailed J.Crew about the student discount and only one coupon per order. Since I already used the extra20 code, they didn't honor my student discount. this is a total bummer...
ReplyDeleteHey guys,
ReplyDeleteI attend school in Boston but live in New York. There is so much to do here that it gets a little overwhelming and very expensive to visit all the places I want to visit. Luckily, I searched google for student discounts and came across www.StudentRate.com. I registered for free, and immediately started finding out about tons of student discounts that businesses offer around my school. I got a lot of money off on restaurant bills, tourist attractions, and salon visits. I figured I'd spread the word about the website because I thought it was pretty cool and really helpful. It's www.StudentRate.com.
- Jenn
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteI attend school in Boston but live in New York. There is so much to do here that it gets a little overwhelming and very expensive to visit all the places I want to visit. Luckily, I searched google for student discounts and came across www.StudentRate.com. I registered for free, and immediately started finding out about tons of student discounts that businesses offer around my school. I got a lot of money off on restaurant bills, tourist attractions, and salon visits. I figured I'd spread the word about the website because I thought it was pretty cool and really helpful. It's www.StudentRate.com.
- Jenn