Some of you have pointed out (throughout posts) that (1) J.Crew prices for certain items have increased this year (from previous years) and (2) that prices for items online are different than the same item in-stores. I thought this definitely needed its own topic to see if this is something that many of you have been recognizing as well.For example, NE-Guy (in the "J.Crew's Fumbles Impact Stock" post) mentioned: "...in the men's section, their suit vest which was once $98 a couple of months ago, now sell for $118! Also many of the other outerwear item have increased $20 dollar as well..." Another example is a comment by Weab (in the "J.Crew Website Is Updated With New Arrivals" post) where she saw "...the Stephanie is $128 in the store and $98 on the web".
I have also noticed prices for certain items (like basic cardigans) increasing. As a result, I have been adjusting my expectations in terms of price. In particular, I have been "raising the bar" on what I believe are acceptable prices for items. :) Although prices of supplies (e.g. fabrics for items, gas for transportation) have definitely increased over the years, I am not sure if J.Crew's prices have risen by the same percentage.
What are your thoughts on prices increasing at J.Crew? Have you noticed any price differences for the same item when its online versus in-stores?
Also, the Watercolor Floral Rosette Tank (96101) is $98 on the web and $88 in stores. And the silk twill blouse (can't remember the name) that came out two seasons ago, I pre-ordered at $110. Then as soon as it was available in stores, it was marked at $88! So annoying! Lesson learned!
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks ago the Olivia shell was full price on line, yet $99 plus 40% off in the stores. Now the Olivia is on sale online, but not the additional percentage.
ReplyDeleteEvery season the prices have been going up. I find myself buying less each season too. Ballet flats that cost $90 2 years ago now start at $150. It is getting a little ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved J Crew's ballet flats. However, the newer styles are now around $150 and have manmade soles, not leather. Accounting for inflation, there is no reason for shoes to increase in price by 50% (from $98 to $150). Now when I shop online or at B&M, I head straight to the sale section where most of the shoppers are. I believe several years ago, the same criticisms were leveled at Gap. Prices were getting higher with no appreciable difference in style or quality. Guess who was at the helm then? Mickey.
ReplyDeleteNot only have the prices gone up but the disparity in prices between what is offered in store vs online leaves me depressed. We, online shoppers, are getting the short end. Case in point, the metallic giraffe coat can be purchased for about $180 in store but we have to pay $300 plus tax online.
ReplyDeleteMom-nyc, I am so with you. There are several items I'm interested in but I just feel paralyzed about ordering online. Completely aside from the technical issues with the website, I don't feel confident I'm getting the best price.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, the Astrid suiting was 20% off for the first few days it was on the web--but it's back up to regular price. I wonder what's up with that--and what the price is in the store.
I haven't been a dedicated JCrew shopper for as long, but I do see the difference when compared to places such as Anthropologie and BR. If I go to Sweaters at Anthro, I see a decent variety (not all of it my speed) around $150. Step into JCrew and my choices are limited at $150. Granted, part of it is choice of material, but it's eye-opening what that price point can buy you at each of these stores.
ReplyDeleteThis discounting/pricing game is tiresome to me. I distinctly remember feeling this way about Gymboree and the kids' clothes. I just stopped purchasing from them period. Ironically, I get 20-40% coupons from them all the time and I haven't stepped foot into that store for 2 years.
Everything has done up, their jeans (used to all be under 100), cords (used to be $50 something now 79.50)even their t-shirts used to be a reasonable price. It seems to me that J-Crew is pushing out the middle class shopper.
ReplyDeleteJCrew prices are just outrageous...
ReplyDeleteI feel like they have good sales if you live near a store...I used to buy a ton of sale stuff but now that I have moved and don't have a store nearby I don't shop online...I really need to try things on and with their high shipping rates I don't want to have to pay return shipping fees as well. I did buy a lot to try when they had free shipping on unlimited amounts...then I didn't mind paying the return shipping fees so much...
Now, with the website problems, I am just looking and not buying...
I am just really shocked at the prices....quality it not going up (going down if you as me) and the prices are going up...
Prices are definitely increasing...I commented about this in a previous thread:
ReplyDelete*I think J.Crew is raising its prices because customers are willing to pay. Didn't one of the articles on Mickey say that he asked SA's if customers were complaining about the prices yet? No complaints, full price sales still taking place, and he figures why not raise them even more? I also have a theory that the whole *waistlisted*, *no longer appearing on the website*, and *sold out even though it's brand new* issues are all a ploy by J.Crew to generate *buzz*, *excitement*, and even *panic* over certain pieces, so that sales are increased...hmmm...could it be?*
As many say...customers have now just become accustomed to the higher prices and shop accordingly, instead of complaining to Mickey, Tracy Gardner, or CS about it, OR not purchasing at the higher price point. Unless J.Crew and Mickey know that customers don't appreciate the price increases, or customers stop buying at the higher price, then J.Crew will continue to raise them...
I wonder if they assume that those that do not live near a b&m have no idea what the prices are there? My b&m is about 5 miles away and I rarely went there in the days of FS/NM, mainly because I felt that the selection wasn't as great as .com. Ever since I started reading here, I've been going to my store more and ordering online less. Now I have to wonder if my store was having better deals the whole time, or if they just are now because of the web fiasco?
ReplyDeleteAfter looking through those archived catalogs on Google, I can tell that the prices have gone up across the board, but the more expensive pieces seem to have gone up by the most.
No, JCrew prices are not what I remember but then again they are going "upscale" so I may be priced out of buying from them soon......doesn't seem like the poor economy is effecting fall shopping on this blog though....
ReplyDeleteI can't bring myself to buy online anymore either. I feel like I'm being ripped off paying higher prices on line. If JCrew can lower prices in store they could do the same on line. I feel like I'm being duped!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, almost everything at J.Crew makes me feel ripped off anymore, because a lot of stuff goes up by $10 each year! I was just checking out the lady day coat, which has suffered (at least) a $30 increase over last year. No new design, nothing new that should have caused a 10% increase on what was already an expensive coat.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel like moaning and rolling around on the floor when I think of the sweaters I bought in Fall of 2002 for $38 regular price. These sweaters are a little scratchy, but they have stood the test of time, compared to the $68 featherweight BS merino sweaters that pill after one wear.
And while I'm upset about pricing, why does anything that says featherweight cost 1.5-2x as much as something that isn't,? Everything I have that is featherweight gets a hole in it after a few wears, and it's such crap for the price. Obviously, I don't buy these things anymore.
Help me out, J.Crew!
I sent J. Crew an email earlier this week lamenting the extraordinary price increases. I like to set upper limits on what I will spend on particular items, and many of theirs have now gone beyond my limits! I agree with anon at 4:26 that they seem to want another shopper.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 9:21, I agree completely. I'm afraid the shopper they want is someone who is not going to pay $$$ for JCrew when they can get $$$ at places like Neiman Marcus and Saks. Example-- JCrew boots are now hitting the $350 mark. If I were going to buy boots at that price point, I would get Frye boots or something similar.
ReplyDeleteI understand that price increases must happen, even if to simply offset the cost of getting the goods from the factory to the wareshouse, gas costs rise and so we pay more.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure if all the increases are tied to costs. Have all items they've increased the price of been tied to increased gas prices? And if prices have gone up otherwise is it due to a better garment or simply moving up the 'food chain' for the more affluent customer?
I agree that the prices have increased drastically for many pieces. However, the sales always make up for it. Then I look at my other choices (BR, White House Black Market, Ann Taylor...) and I think I get better quality for similar prices.
ReplyDeleteThere's a huge price gap between JCrew and something like Theory, Nanette Leopore, Rebecca Taylor which I guess would be my other choices. And JCrew has a more classic design line, cuter clothes, and a broader array than those designers.
After getting custom fitted for a new suit at Tom James and being shocked over the price for ONE SUIT (that I didn't even get to try on first), I realized how much I appreciate JCrew--even if they are killing me with their $20 increases everywhere.
The profit margin on clothing items in general is HUGE, so even with rising production/ shipping costs, I don't feel like this is the time to be passing on increasing prices to customers who are also struggling. Many people are experiencing a financial crunch right now and it's just disheartening to see pricing continually going up, when you know they NEVER lose money on clothing - not even when you get something for 80% off! In this economy, most things will go on sale eventually - so hold on to your receipts and keep tags on as long as possible so you can take advantage of sales that happen before you even get to wear your new clothes!! I'm doing just that with the Tulip coat I bought!
ReplyDeletenot sure if this is the right place to post or maybe it's old news, buty i'm so excited! jcrew has "updated" their sales section, "updated" in quotes because alot of older items from last year popped up, like the chateau cardigan, the new dream sweater dress which i bought!! the tangier print cardigan and link cardigans...so any of you still looking for items from last year, rush overnow! but be forewarned that you need to know your stuff cuz all of the last year's items don't have pictures, oh forgot to add the alice sweater tooo, which i love and own in 2 colors already actualy.
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything new and great on the JCrew sale site....must be missing something...I thought the email I got today about a website update was referring to yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI echo silver_lining's sentiments. I used to shop online a lot, but ever since the web upgrade, I've been going into my store more and more. And I've found much better deals there too! Like her, it makes me wonder what I've missed all this time by not going into the store ...
ReplyDeleteI just hope I don't get priced out of my range. Slowly things become $100+... then $125+... then you turn around and they hover just under $200. Don't want that to happen!!
ReplyDeleteIs there a typical price that changes your thinking on a piece? If a piece is under $100, I sometimes don't think twice about it, but once the number hits three digits I look at my purchase much differently and think about it for a while. Are most of you all the same way? Different amount than mine??
I can afford the higher priced pieces but I certainly can't afford as many, and if the prices keep inching higher, I will definitely be buying less.
Well, I have noticed that every time there is an additional percentage off sale online, it's 10% higher in the store. I still end up buying some things online just because the selection is so much better. I love J.Crew, but I'm too cheap to pay full price. What I usually do is wait until the very first "new arrivals" come out, see what they're looking like, and then buy the stuff on sale from the previous season that is the same or similar to what they're showing as new. Also, I buy a bunch at the end of the season and then just put it in a suitcase until the next season. I have a bunch of neutrals already stock piled for fall from the end of last year and I will just fill in accent pieces.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful to this blog, because it has taught me that the online prices typically are higher than the stores. I used to shop online much more than in the store, although I live by a bunch of them, because I liked the selection better, and the convenience. But now, I make the effort to go into the store, and will only order online if the item isn't in stock at my B&M. I know I'm getting better deals this way, and feel really badly for people like Hexicon that don't have the luxury of a store near them. From the business side of it, I know J.crew understands the B&M stores and online to be separate channels, but the disparity is really large, and I think in the long run, they are going to lose customers because of it. People are only willing to pay so much more for the convenience factor of online...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go against the tide and say that (in general) I don't think the prices at JCrew are too high.
ReplyDeleteI'm 29 and work in a professional environment. I'm looking for quality basics (natural materials, lined, double stitched hems, etc.) and a few statement pieces each season. While I love a discount, I shop according to what I need. I'll spend more if I feel a piece offers flexibility and longevity.
I consider JCrew a mid-priced retailer and I like it that way. That said, if they push things too much higher (e.g. above $300-ish for coats, purses), I would probably look elsewhere.
anon @ 10:47: I see what you mean about the old items from last year - I actually found those a few days ago by typing in the item number. But watch your order carefully, because jenn_brak tried to order a sweater and it was canceled because it was out of stock. But if your items do come, let us know! =)
ReplyDeleteYou figure that on line prices would be cheaper than in the stores because they do not have to ship them to all the stores across the country. It is not that way because consumers like myself are willing to pay fp, because the nearest store to me is 4 hrs away.
ReplyDeleteAlso, JC is still using 100% cashmere, merino wool. unlike other retail stores (BR, Gap), are using blends of materials to keep prices low.
I think their high prices are the result of a few different factors in play. First, the cost of EVERYTHING is going up - quickly and drastically. Just looking at my grocery store receipts from this August v. last August confirms that. The price of gas, and the way it has risen so quickly, has changed the game for almost every product available at market.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do believe that J.Crew prices also indicate that they are - as many others have already said - going for a more upscale shopper. Just this week I was talking with a manager at J.Crew about this. He told me that many consumers think J.Crew sees itself as a peer of BR, Gap, Antro, etc - but that is not the vision of the company. They have goaled themselves to compete with the upscale brands available in high end boutiques and department stores. When you do a direct comparison of those brands v. J.Crew - style-wise especially we are still getting a good deal. How things wear and whether you end up with holes/pills, etc., may be another story.
I am really disappointed that that is JCrew's vision for the future....
ReplyDeleteI've been shopping J.Crew for years and I've noticed their prices going up along with everything else in life. I can understand a couple of dollars here and there, but $20 at a time is a bit much. Also, as someone else mentioned, quality hasn't gotten better. I've ordered several items in the past year that had holes along the seams....I would understand if it was $2 at Target, but not J.Crew. The price of the ballet flats is just stupid to me. I'd rather go to DSW and find something less expensive that looks similar....because of course I'm not going to wear them next year.
ReplyDeleteFolks: the price of everything is going up up up! I'm in retail, and I can tell you that every vendor is responding to higher material costs. Also, the whole "Sale" mentality means that a lot of people will not buy unless an item is on sale- to make the same margin you have to mark up accordingly. Yes, J. Crew may be "upscaling" certain items, but I believe what I just outlined has more to do with it overall.
ReplyDeleteNealzebub
I have never bought anything at jcrew at full price and as far as I am concerned, I have not noticed any price increases. I guess i just dont get the hysteria about certain items. I love jcrew clothes, but I can definitely live without a skirt X or a shirt Y. So I wait till it goes on sale. In 99% cases I actually buy at on sale. Whatever is sold out.... Big deal! There are more important things than clothes to get so worked up about.
ReplyDeleteI can't figure out who these people are who can afford to regularly buy full price stuff at crew. I am exactly in their target demographic (late 20s, single professional, low 6 fig income) and I occasionally buy the full-price tshirts, but everything else is out of the question if i want to save any money (and own more than 4 outfits). Granted the stuff is nicer than comparable Banana R items, but if I could afford a $98 sweater I would be buying the $250 theory one on sale at saks or filene's basement which blows crew out of the water on quality and design.
ReplyDeleteInstead of financing the sale markdown with the jacked up retail price, they could do lots of business with moderately priced stuff because they would be my go-to shop for basics instead of only having people like me as sale-season shoppers.
I hate the price mark-ups, which have been steadily increasing over the last three to four years. It's too much for me, especially in this economy. I used to be inspired and excited by purchasing JCrew outfits; now I'll find one or two pieces (on sale) per season. I've been shopping for basics (tees, tanks) at other stores. I love J.Crew, but I was disappointed to see such steep prices in the fall catalogue. Some friends and family have simply refused to shop there any longer. I fear I may be going that way, too....
ReplyDelete