Friday, September 5, 2008

J.Crew Plays Favorites: Are You One?

Jacquelyn and I received an extra special surprise in the mail yesterday from J.Crew. In a regular cream envelope, with small words that read "(Don't miss what's inside J.Crew)" on the back, there was a $25 reward card. Inside (which is shown in the image above) explains that J.Crew is offering $25 (with no restrictions or minimums) towards the next purchase (either at their stores or online by 10/15/08) for their "favorite customers" who they "wanted to thank ... with a special treat". (Jacquelyn also pointed out that J.Crew implies in the card that we should get a J.Crew credit card to receive reward cards like this. Sidenote: neither Jacquelyn nor I are card members.)

First and foremost, I am thrilled to have received this gift from J.Crew. {So "thanks!" goes to J.Crew!} I really feel lucky to get this (especially since I did not expect it at all). Second, I am a bit curious why I was sent this and who are getting these. Is J.Crew sending these to customers who have experienced online order issues (which both Jacquelyn and I have)? Are they sending these to customers who don't have J.Crew's credit card (in hopes that customers will sign up)?

Update: A J.Crew employee (Anonymous at 7:08 AM in this post) let us know the reasoning: "[Are they sending these to customers who don't have J.Crew's credit card (in hopes that customers will sign up for one)?] Hi, I'm a J. Crew employee and I just wanted to let you know that this was the reason you received the mailing. ..."

Update2 (on 9/13/08): J.Crew has been sending these out in staggered weekly intervals. Also, they have been sending customers different reward cards amounts (either $25, $50, $75, and as much as $100!) :)

Did you get one of these cards in the mail as well? (If not, you may be getting one in the next couple of days.) If you did get one, how are you planning to spend that $25, $50, $75 or $100? ;)

134 comments:

  1. Oh man. :) I wish I had gotten one of these in the mail. I can't even get J.Crew to send me a catalog though!

    One thing I have to say about this blog, I love how varied my wardrobe is getting. Hearing other people talk about online / catalog only items makes me give them a second look and be more adventurous. Also, beforehand, ordering online meant returning at least 50% of it due to sizing issues. I don't know if my credit card (and my fiancee) will thank this blog, but I do. :)

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  2. I didn't receive one of these either, but I've been a longtime J.Crew credit card holder and I've gotten plenty of promotional $25 in the past (doesn't mean I wouldn't appreciate getting another one!) I think it's great they're reaching out to customers like this and giving them a few benefits even if they don't have the 21% high interest rate card to pay off. A good customer's money still spends. :)

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  3. Hmm...I'm a J Crew card member who has had issues ordering online in the past and I haven't gotten a promotional card. :( My accessories catalog just came in the mail today though, so maybe they're just behind. I spend enough dinero at J Crew I could use a $25 promo card!!!

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  4. I didnt get one of these and I also didn't get the september catalog with the discount in it. I now feel totally slighted and annoyed! I shop there ALL the time and I emailed them about the catalog and why I was waiting for mine (the discount) and they said you've been re-added to our mailing list and I should get it in 2-3 weeks. Well great thanks, J.Crew. Glad the fact that I stuck with you through all of this B.S. wasn't enough for you.

    Sorry for the rant I am just really POed

    P.S. My verification word was Hoax! I feel like it couldnt be a better fit!

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  5. Alexis, congratulations.

    I dont know how they select who to send "freebies" to anymore. In the past I have receieved this gc and one christmas, they sent me a cashmere scarf with a very nice note. But that was 2 yrs ago...and even though I am spending much much more...I hardly even get the catalog on time.

    Maybe they know I will keep buying no matter what. Pretty sad state of affairs....

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  6. Btw...the extra20 is now on for Final sale.

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  7. I just got mine in the mail today. The only reason I can imagine for receiving it is that I do a lot of online buying at J. Crew, but I don't have a J. Crew credit card -- perhaps this promotion is meant for those customers they're trying to entice.

    BTW, I just found your blog and I love it. I have been shopping at J. Crew forever, and just love hearing from other addicts. :)

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  8. I didn't receive the favorites $25 or the accessories catalog (so far), though I did receive the Sept. catalog. I've spent about $900 in the past month but only some of that I put on my JCrew (regular green) card, and used a mix of phone orders and in-store so I don't know how they keep track of their best customers, especially since past orders no longer show up in the online system. I definitely don't spend $900 every month ; ), but the final sale love/hate relationship really escalated in August! (Did anyone else see the Piazza jacket pop up yesterday?)

    OT: i was in the B&M today and the metallic bow belt that was mentioned previously (orig $50) rang up as $9.99, then additional 40% + student discount = $5! I was going to by it at the marked price ($30), but for $5 I bought several ; ) fyi, it comes in S, M and L, and IS marked on the belt but very hard to read (de-bossed on the backside). The bow also detaches so you can use it sans bow for a different look. I think it's worth it for the online price! Hope this helps.

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  9. I haven't recvd the accessories catalog or the $25 card. However, they seem to stagger mailings so perhaps a card is in my future. Can't say a J Crew credit card is, though. Unless they make the benefits way more attractive...

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  10. I haven't seen the $25 reward card in my mailbox either! I wish I got one!

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  11. Honestly, this makes me a little jealous/pissed/mad like Blumre....PLUS, I got an email now saying sorry but we can't get to your VISA/gift card refund of your returned items..."we have several thousand cases at this time". Be patient...I returned my items Aug. 4. This is ridiculous. I am just really upset and I think very LOWLY of JCrew right now.

    CEG

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  12. JCrew just completely lost my shopping bag. Add that to this, and my catalog issues, my anger is brewing.... =[

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  13. Woot. My items have been shipped. It took them only 3 days this time to ship it. Last time took them over two weeks to ship the item. Maybe they are getting better.

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  14. Well, I guess now the site's completely down. Anyone notice how this always happens right before a sale is over? =(

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  15. Sounds like only customers who do not have the JCrew credit card AND spend a nice chunk of change there...I spend about $1200 a month and I do have a JCrew credit card even though I don't use it much...I did not get one.

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  16. My 7 year love affair with JCrew is dying a slow death:

    Removed free shipping codes with unlimited amounts

    Have to now enter a code to get extra percent off sale goods so can't use free shipping OR the teacher discount...only one code per transaction...they are cracking down on this...big time...per my experience this week compared to last week.

    Slow with refunds.

    Cancelled too many orders to count

    And I don't have a store nearby

    Just not feeling the love anymore...very sad:(

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  17. I didn't get one but I still have hope!

    BTW, sale items on the website are an extra 30% off today.

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  18. Oops sorry it's extra 20. I had my hopes.

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  19. I rec'd a $25.00 gc 3 weeks ago for all of my online issues, it was given to me during a complaint call.

    I have already spent it this week along with my 15%, and FS. The order was filled within 2 days and the inventory was low on 1 item, and I everything I ordered shipped to me.

    Things are improving, I just hope I receive what I ordered and not another person's order.

    Maybe the gc is being sent to people who have ordered less during this mess, and JC are trying to get your business back.

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  20. Lucky you! Darn it, I want one! I spend enough, LOL :)

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  21. I haven't gotten a lookbook (or whatever the smaller format catalogues are called) since I moved to another state 6 months ago, but I think my catalogues are finally getting back on track.

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  22. I did get this $25 Favorites in the Mail yesterday...it was an unexpected surprise, and I am thrilled to have gotten it. I am also NOT a Card Holder, but do purchase from J.Crew quite frequently. I received the September catalog AFTER everyone else, and have not gotten the accessories catalog at all.

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  23. [Are they sending these to customers who don't have J.Crew's credit card (in hopes that customers will sign up for one)?]

    Hi, I'm a J. Crew employee and I just wanted to let you know that this was the reason you received the mailing.

    For cardmembers, they receive for every $500 they spend. They are sent out quarterly, if you spend less than $500, they carry over to the next mailing. If you spend more...I've seen rewards cards for $125.

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  24. Yet another "weird" JCrew idea...Let's reward the people who don't have our credit card by sending them $25 which our current cardholders have to spend $500 just to get...nice one JCrew....you've just made me even madder than I have been in the last few months since your messy downgrade...

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  25. Hello,

    Can someone tell me how you look up old catalogs on google?

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  26. anon @7:27: Here is a link to some of the older catalogs: Click Here . :)

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  27. OT After reading some comments I just tried a little TEST to place an order for a full priced item using the FALL 15% and my educators discount. I was told I could not use both so I hung up.

    I tried a second CS and tried to order a final sale item and use my educator's discount and was told I could not use both. I hung up once again.

    Don't know what is going on but I was friendly, polite and I felt upbeat in my tone...neither one would budge.

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  28. wow, if that's true, that makes me mad too. i have gotten a few rewards cards for being a cardholder. but yes, i do have to spend money to get them. i am happy that people on here are getting free jcrew $$, but it really is a slap in the face to cardholders if we're not getting one too.

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  29. Alexis, For those of us that don't have the Paris catalog. Is there anyway you can post it or have you already? Or is there anywhere I can view it on line that anyone knows about?

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  30. I actually got 2 $25 cards in the mail, one at my business address and one at my home. I am NOT a cardmember, I thought it was a promo to get one the way it was worded. Or maybe to get back in people's good graces due to all of the messiness they have been having? I do spend a great deal with them in a year, and yes, had a load of problems. So, from what I read, its baffling how they picked people to get these, as I got 2. I also did get the 15% insert in my catalog, but no accessories catalog yet. I however still cannot order online for about 2 weeks now, as I cannot load the items details anymore, there goes that fun of shopping online! I also just got 2 duplicate orders this week that were cancelled and then sent. So, I gotta deal with that now so the gift cards are minor compared to the time I wasted dealing with CS!

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  31. Just another thing to add to the post "and the point of having a JC card is...?". :) Congrats to all of you that got a card! What are you going to put it towards?

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  32. I received the $25 coupon and am not a cardholder.

    Too bad I've come to my senses and stopped being addicted to their website. I do not think the clothes are worthy of the lofty price tags, and I don't appreciate the fact they are marketing items on the Final Sale page that can/could be purchased for 40% off a lower price in the store.

    Sorry for the negative comment but I used to be addicted to the site and am now FREE of it! (Thanks for the web-fiasco JCrew.)

    Maybe people with the $25 coupon can swap their coupon with a blogger who did not receive a coupon, and has an item of JCrew's they want to part with.

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  33. I would not be angry about the coupon if you're a cardholder. Companies offer incentives to non-members and potential customers all the time. Look at the cable and satellite companies. They offer discounted rates for a limited time but only to NEW customers.

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  34. I don't have a J Crew CC and I've had shipping problems - but alas no promo like you received. All the best!

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  35. I order the majority of my J Crew on my mother's "silver" card (just another way to get around my husband seeing how much I spend...plus when I order on her card the boxes go to her house!!) She (mom) did not receive the $25 promo card. However, I also order J Crew on my own VISA and I did receive one. Therefore, I am quite sure that it is an attempt to get people to sign up for the card as others have mentioned.

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  36. Anony@7:42! Yes, I too was addicted to the website and now I go days and days and don't even look at it. I am FREE too...JCrew is not addiction anymore:) One good thing the downgrade brought...I have much more $ in my savings eps. towards retirement someday...

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  37. jcrewjunkie: I finished the Polyvore sets for your Navy Elizabeth and Striped Katie last night if you want to preview them. :)

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  38. I spend a TON on my silver J. Crew card, and I did not get a $25 card. Now I'm angry. I guess J. Crew is betting that those of you who got a card will increase your spending enough to compensate for the lack of spending they're about to experience from disgruntled customers like me...why can't they just treat everyone the same??? I love this company, but my major complaint is total inconsistency.

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  39. NOOOOOO, I DIDN'T GET ONE AND I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. >:-(

    It's not the money, it's the "favorite" designation. This fits right into Hexicon's bad boyfriend theory!

    I did get the accessories catalog yesterday. Would have preferred glossy. I suppose the newspaper is more environmentally conscious, but it looks dull.

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  40. I wonder how many of these coupons will go unused while there are so many wishing they had one? I may part with mine (but not just yet). They expire Oct 15.

    Maybe on Oct 6 or Oct 13, if you're not going to use your coupon, you could submit a notice on the Monday swap & give the code out via email. (One time use only code I'm sure.)

    Or just don't use them at all in hopes JCrew will see this minimal gesture as insufficient, and see they need better rewards for using their credit card.

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  41. I didn't receive the promo card, but then J.Crew never shipped me the September catalogue, or the accessories one, either :-(

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  42. I also didn't get the card or any catalogs. And I've been dropped from the email list multiple times and had to re-subscribe. I guess I'm REALLY not a favorite. :)

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  43. I did not receive a $25 card, but I have not purchased anything from J Crew since the no minimum free shipping codes went away. (I did purchase a J Crew dress on Ebay last night, however! I'm sooo excited.)

    I'm not surprised they've done this to be honest; it seems a little unfair, but any illusions I had about this company are gone. There are many people who have been burned by the website issues, card holders and non-card holders alike, and they need to convince ALL of us to trust them again.

    I hope those who got the card enjoy it!

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  44. Melanie: I agree with you. My wardrobe has definitely been including some pieces I would not have normally purchased, thanks to this blog! Too bad J.Crew doesn't offer the members of this blog a group discount. ;)

    Lynzeeroo & Molly: Congrats on getting the Accessories Catalog!!! :) (I am hoping that I will get one too- I love looking at the catalogs in person.)

    Blumre: I can totally understand the frustration about not getting promos from J.Crew (like the catalogs with the offers). Hopefully the "re-adding" you to the list will work. :)

    Mom-NYC: You got a cashmere scarf - that is awesome!!! :)

    Courtney: Welcome aboard-We love to hear from new Aficionadas!!! :)

    bellemarie: Great price on the belt!!! Congrats on the fabulous find! :)

    CEG: I am sorry to hear that they haven't refunded you yet! That seems way too long for them to not have refund you too. I would be upset as well.

    Ms. Cupcake: First, I love your screen name. Second, I am sorry to hear about losing your shopping cart- I hate when that happens. :(

    NE-Guy: YEY! That is super fast shipping on J.Crew's part- that is so great! Congrats on your order too! :)

    FFM & jcrewjunkie & Anon at 7:36 AM & 7:42 AM : Congrats on getting one of these cards as well. :)

    Anonymous at 7:33 AM: I think I still have the catalog- I will try to find it. If I do, I will definitely post it. :)

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  45. Alexis, the "J. Crew employee" is wrong, right? Because 1. a lot of non-cardmembers got them and 2. it's not time for a reward yet, is it??

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  46. FFM: I saw your post about the Striped Katie. I peeked at your polyvore outfits. I have not worn mine yet (Charleston, SC - way to hot now) and didn't have that many ideas. I love the turtleneck paired with it. Thanks for sharing your talent. It helps someone like me that is a little "matching impaired." I have learned a lot from you and the other bloggers.

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  47. I spend about $20,000 per year at Jcrew and did not receive the $25 promo card and I consistently use my jcrew silver card. I also did not receive the 15% discount card in my sept. catalog.

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  48. Beachbum: I think what the employee was trying to say (and I could be wrong) is that they are sending these rewards card to non-card members in hopes that they will sign up for a J.Crew credit card. Which would explain why I got one (because I am not a card member).

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  49. Oooh, that makes more sense. Thanks for the clarification.

    Then they shouldn't have told non-members that they're "favorites" - ouch! (I'm a card member.)

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  50. Wow. I'm almost speechless. Almost. I'm a silver card holder that shops online almost exclusively. I drop *thousands* of dollars at J Crew and wear their clothes almost exclusively. If that doesn't make me a favorite customer, I don't know what does. It would take a lot to make me stop wearing their stuff, but...wow.

    All I have to say is, I better see that envelope in my mail in the next day or so. :-/

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  51. Lou, I feel the same way. Why didn't they say something to the effect of, "Look what the card members are getting - don't you want to get rewards too?" More direct, and it doesn't offend existing card members.

    I almost fell off my chair when I saw that I'm not a "favorite," as my shopping habits are very similar to yours. Maybe I'm being tetchy, but before I felt like I had a relationship with this company, and now they're cheating on me!

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  52. Yes, it is the use of the word "favorite" that made me mad....someone in marketing really goofed...I find this offensive too when I spent over $7,000 there last year too!

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  53. I think that this promotion was a really good idea on their part, many companies offer incentives to lapsed customers or new customers to get them to purchase. However I think that the piece that's missing is that they need to look at their best customers and ensure that they're treating them so well that there's no bitterness that new customers are getting something they're not. It's all very well to offer a potential new cardholder $25 but when an existing cardholder has to spend $500 to do that, that doesn't seem fair. It's all very well to offer an existing customer a 15% off coupon to try and increase their spending but what are you offering those who already spend more to keep them and encourage them to spend more? I work in marketing for a company whose product is very different than J Crew's but our conversations around promotions always include how an offer will be perceived by our loyalists. As a J Crew cardholder I'm annoyed, especially about the "favorite" designation!

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  54. I am a longtime J.Crew Silver credit card holder, and I have not received this promotion. To say that I am annoyed is putting it mildly. I wonder why they wouldn't recognize loyal cardholders like us, who shop there all the time. J.Crew is in the doggy house!

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  55. ANON 4:24 AM
    Get on the phone--screw the online website ordering. They will give you all that you want--free shipping and 40% off sale.

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  56. I just wanted to chime in with previous posters who said their JCrew addiction is over -- I agree! I used to check the website regularly, now it's just an afterthought. It's not nearly as enjoyable as it used to be (sale section is awful now), and I feel the prices are just climbing too high. JCrew is taking on a "lofty" air that just doesn't appeal to me. So now I'm in search of a new favorite clothes source...
    - Emily

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  57. Anon: Actually they aren't even doing that on the phone any more. They wouldn't combine my teacher discount with the 40% off.

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  58. Blumre-
    My point was-- ask for free shipping and I ask for 40% off sale and I tell them I need to be able to return some of the items..and I get it all...everytime. "Ask and you shall receive"

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  59. Anon- I have asked... I normally get and receive too.. and they wouldnt do it for me. I tried 4 different associates last night. they are getting stricter

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  60. BLUMRE-
    I didn't see that you were trying to stack student discount on top of 40% off sale. That's a little different request.

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  61. boston_brit, well said...As a once? loyal customer I feel like this is just the icing on the cake to make me look elsewhere for my clothes! 90% of my closet is JCrew and this idea of JCrew playing favorites really makes me upset with all the other problems I have experienced with them in the past 2 months...

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  62. They're seriously not stacking student discounts with other promos? I JUST emailed them about this last week and they said they would honor them. If they refuse for the last 2 orders I've placed-- which, by the way, HAVE ALREADY had an item canceled-- I'm just done with dealing. I may go to a B&M, but really, it's irritating.

    @Alexis: TY! =) It's a nickname.

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  63. It's not the money, it's the "favorite" designation. This fits right into Hexicon's bad boyfriend theory!

    Molly: I felt the same way! When I saw the word favorite, I was like "Hey ..." It just gives it a bad connotation, especially those who aren't "favorites" found out they didn't get one.

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  64. Maybe there are more cards in the mail. We shouldn't jump to conclusions yet. The cards may be intended as a reward for those who have spent beyond a certain level

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  65. As the JCrew rep stated this is for people who currently DO NOT have a JCrew credit card...if you already have a JCrew credit card you won't be getting one:(

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  66. i got one and i have card

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  67. Heh, the bad boyfriend just showed up on my doorstep with flowers and an apology, erm, I mean a $25 gift card.

    I do have a J.Crew card. I wonder if it was sent to those who provided "feedback"?

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  68. Wow, I can't believe how angry you're all getting. As someone who's worked in marketing for a long time, I can tell you that it's completely acceptable to try to get non-card holders to sign up and BECOME cardholders by sending them offers like this. And, when a marketing department thinks up the wording for their mailings, they don't expect the recipient to post it online to share/compare with other people...they consider this a personal offer. If it hadn't been posted here, you wouldn't have known the mailing even existed and you wouldn't be offended that someone else was referred to as a "favorite."

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  69. Anon, J. Crew expends a lot of effort and money to get us to feel this passionately about and to be this emotionally engaged with their brand. They probably should have foreseen any "issues" with our response.

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  70. PS. If companies still think this way, they're pretty stupid:

    And, when a marketing department thinks up the wording for their mailings, they don't expect the recipient to post it online to share/compare with other people...they consider this a personal offer.

    All marketing people should be aware that their customers talk amongst themselves and they always have. The conversation is much more accessible now, on a larger scale thanks to the interwebs.

    Go read some Seth Godin then come back and talk to us about marketing departments and what they think about.

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  71. I am very surprised at the feelings this marketing ploy has stirred. J. Crew is still a business trying to make money. They can send out $25 cards to anyone they want. So I didn't get one this time, maybe I will next time. Also, the use of the word "favorite" doesn't offend me. Maybe it hindsight is will not be the best choice of words, but to me, it just seems like they are trying to make people feel like they are part of the in-crowd. That is what the lifestyle they are selling is all about.

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  72. This totally pisses me off...I spend so much money with them, and I am not a credit card holder. Just this week I spent $300 with them. I usually make four to five purchases a month with them. And not all sale items. So, I guess I am not a favorite customer? Seriously how much would I need to spend to qualify? I'm emailing them right now...because frankly, with the thousands and thousands of dollars I spend with them a year, you would think they could treat me as a special customer.

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  73. I'm jealous...congrats to those that received a gift card!

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  74. I think what's making some people angry is the seeming randomness of it all.

    I am a cardholder and I wasn't going to be especially peeved if J.Crew decided to target a benefit to steady customers who don't have a card. But if the stated purpose is to promote the card to those who don't have it, then why send it to cardholders like me?

    It's kind of like the 20% off coupon given to selected B&M customers as an "apology" to the web customers who were affected by the site problems. That really annoyed me, because as a web customer I was affected by the web problems, but the random B&M might not have been (and I also think B&M customers generally get better deals, like the aforementioned cashmere T "secret sale"). IMHO they didn't do a good job tailoring the response to those who were affected.

    But, I will be in a B&M on Tuesday and am hoping that the cashmere Ts are still on secret sale them.

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  75. Speaking of strange marketing techniques, does anyone else think it's strange that they're promoting their accessories as "Guilty Pleasures"? I think "Indulgences" was silly enough. I hear "guilty pleasures" and I think chocolate truffles or Lifetime movies.

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  76. Being a cardmember, I'm completely fine with marketing sending out incentives for non-cardmembers (just like any other credit card), but given JCrew knows about blogs like this and reaps the benefits of how we enable each other to spend more ; ) ...they probably could have seen the 70+ comments on here coming.

    It was not the best choice to use the 'favorites' wording and offer the exact same amount as what cardholders need to spend $500 to get. A $15 certificate and different wording, and we might all (?) be happy for the non-cardmembers and not feel like un-favorites.

    The cardmember who got the $25 with the exact same wording(?) is inconsistent with the "using it to attract non-cardmembers" post though. Maybe the upgrade will manage the customer info and all of this better.

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  77. Personally, I didn't get a card. I don't feel entitled to one, nor offended that I'm not a "favorite." Whomever posted about marketing seemed right-on to me -- this is a marketing campaign, it's a lure for non-cardholders. If I went to my bank and saw they were giving out free toasters/coolers/whatever, I wouldn't feel aggrieved that I wasn't getting one. I'd just understand the bank is soliciting new business, and that's their way of doing so. JCrew is doing something nice for some people; they could have not done anything at all and we'd all be without cards, so I don't see the point in getting all worked up. It's not like we're being penalized, we're just not getting something that someone else is.

    If you have a separate issue with shipping or whatever, then call and ask for some sort of compensation. Companies doing select marketing campaigns is nothing new; I think a) most customers aren't usually in-the-know about what other customers are getting, and b) even if they knew, I think most would just shrug their shoulders and say "Oh well," luck of the draw. It's a bonus, not something we were promised.

    That's just my two cents.
    - Emily

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  78. Just chiming in that it is pretty annoying to be a card holder and to not get any extra perks! I became a card holder fairly recently, so I've yet to get any extras.

    It really seems like card holders should get a deal on shipping. Come on! Throw me a bone!

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  79. While I would love to receive one of these cards, I'm not angry because I didn't get one. Maybe I still will, or maybe in the future. If not, it's their decision who gets one (well, a computer decision probably) and they can give money away to whomever they like. However, I will be watching my mail for the next week in hopes of one! :)

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  80. I think it's a cheesy marketing ploy if the intent of the card is to attract new Jcrew card holders. New accounts already get 10% off their initial purchases. I don't have a problem with it if they are rewarding a select group of loyal customers.

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  81. I e'd CS to see if I would get one, and I was told that I would not currently get one. The $25 gc is a program they're currently testing. :-( I don't spend big bucks there these days although I've bought lots there over the years. I guess they don't think about blogs or friends talking to one another to think about those not getting cards being disappointed. Oh well.

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  82. the logic escapes me. jcrew tells non-cardholders, "see, this is what cardholders can get all the time," meaning the rewards cards... but if you continue to not be a cardholder, we'll send you these anyway and you don't have to earn points to get it! hmmm, wonder what that would make me do...

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  83. I wondering what the spending threshold is. I usually spend $300 a month and didn't get a card. Makes me angry since I put up with the crappy website ordeal and I just got a windfall and all I could think was that I can pay for what's currently in my shopping cart. Now I am thinking I should save that money. $25 would barely make a dent in what I was going to spend, but not being a "favorite" is a bummer.

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  84. Not just for non-card holders.

    I got one in the mail yesterday. I have silver card (whatever that means) and I already received my rewards card. So this is something extra!

    But I did have trouble with one order about a month ago. So maybe that's the connection?

    I'm excited though!

    Kim in NC.

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  85. The reality is that people who got the $25 card would be smart to NOT sign up for the card, otherwise they would eliminate themselves from receiving further "marketing" promotions such as this one. I understand all of everyone's frustrations because 1. I am a platinum card holder and spend a lot at J. Crew. 2. I still have not received the Sept. catalog. 3. I have not received the Accessories catalog. 4. I did not get this $25 promotion in the mail today. 5. I have had plenty of mess ups on the many orders I have placed in the last month. BR here I come...

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  86. Hexicon & Kim(in NC): Congrats on getting one of those cards!!! :)

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  87. If this is a non-cardholder promotion then it may just be an error in their data if cardholders received them. Perhaps if you shop at J Crew on your J Crew card and also on another cc they may have based the GC on your non-J Crew card spending and not excluded you based on being a cardholder.

    I know that it's just $25 and some people feel that others are overreating however I'll stand by my earlier point that if they treated cardholders better we wouldn't be annoyed.

    Despite being a little miffed at not getting a free $25, I am trying to remind myself that for me the benefits of any loyalty program mean that I'll give that retailer preference over others if there's something I'm looking for but I'm not shopping to get benefit rewards I'm shopping for something I want/need. The benefit is a freebie for doing something I'd do anyway.

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  88. Okay, sure, I get that this is a marketing ploy. However, the term "favorite" is annoying given that as a silver card holder, I am supposedly getting perks that others would not be entitled to.

    Despite spending gobs of money on J Crew clothing, and putting up with the myriad of issues with their website and calling center, we are suddenly overlooked in a time when, if they were smart, they would be doing all they could to hang on to our loyalty. Instead, we still have to spend $500 to qualify for the $25 card, and there has been little other than a poorly worded (and often edited) apology.

    Plus, given today's age of instant and wide-spread communication tools, like this blog, you would think they would have had more foresight in how they did their marketing. Word spreads faster than ever today. Hello, Mickey, are you listening?

    Oh, and I got today's mail: no envelope but I did get the accessories catalog. Mine was printed on newsprint and I almost chucked it out thinking it was just a junk mail circular. Did everyone get it on such cheap print? I find that odd considering this catalog is touting luxuries.

    Now I'm doing whining. Carry on.

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  89. lou: The catalog was printed on recycled newspaper...that was supposed to be one of the things making it so *out of the ordinary*. Alexis had a post on it last month: Click Here.

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  90. No credit card for me and I got $75 today!

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  91. FFM: Gotcha. Sorry for skimming that post, Alexis!

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  92. Anon 4:22. That's great. How did that happen?

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  93. i have no idea how it happened
    I have actually spent less lately....and not complained either???

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  94. I just started to receive the catalog again...man I hope that I get one too!!! That's would be awesome!

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  95. I got the "Indulgences" tabloid sized mailing today, but no $25.00. Sniffle.

    PS: I'm not a cardholder, but may become one at some point. And I certainly don't begrudge anyone who got one! It's awesome! Shop on!

    PS again: If this is redundant I apologize for skimming other posts, but I was in my b&m today, and the in-store discount was 20%, but there were new things on sale--Jackie cardigans for $49.99, cashmere schoolgirl cardigans and cashmere argyles for $119, cord peplums ($89.99) and ecoles ($119.99), and those dream tie cardigans (69.99).

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  96. I received a $75 rewards card yesterday...I'm assuming these are the quarterly reward cards sent to card members. But it seems that non card members got some also...not sure, but definitely excited since I spend more than enough to warrant it!

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  97. I received a $40 gift card after trying to order the shawl collar cardigan when it was FS (for $20)at the end of June.

    It was really weird: out of the blue I got an email saying that I was going to get a $20 GC for the inconvenience of the website. I waited and waited for the GC, but it never came. I called Jcrew to ask when to expect it, and the CSR said that he'd double the original amount and OVERNIGHT it via FedEx all for a $20 sweatshirt. Not that I'm complaining :)

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  98. I got a $50 gc today and am already trying to decide what to put it towards! Any suggestions?

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  99. I am a cardholder, and while I do expect I'll be receiving a cardholder rewards card eventually (though I never received when I held a J.Crew card a previously, but I don't think it was open for a full quarter (long story!) I re-opened in early July, so it's not been a full quarter yet. Hmm, I'll probably not get the enticement giftcard either, as I AM a cardholder now! (Or, maybe I'll end up getting both - what fun that would be!) Anyway, hope those of you who did get a gift card enjoy your planning, shopping and wearing! (And hopefully the buying and shipping will go smoothly, too.)

    jcrewmama

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  100. Hey, everyone. I'm a J Crew employee that have been with the company for a while. I read on the previous post by another employee regarding the "fave" customers' special $25 GC and what he/she may be true. However, this may seem unfair to loyal J Crew card members, which they are only entitled to a giftcard only if they spend 500+. But the employee's post didn't mention all the other goodies that also come along with the card, which non-card customers will not get.
    - Free complimentary alterations for any full priced items.
    - First to be on the wait listed items. Jcrew CC > Visa, MC, Amex, etc.(Trust me, with the new collection pieces coming out, you'll NEED to be on top of that list).
    - Personal shoppers (anytime!! before and after regular store hours!)
    These are just few of the benefits of having the card. The special $25 gc is basically giving non-card customers a little dip into the cookie jar.

    As for the educator/student discount, this discount is only for In-Store purchases. There are few comments regarding how they won't accept the discount over the phone is simply because there is no way for them to verify if it is true or not. I'm sure you guys are honest about it, but over the phone, anyone can claim to be whoever. As for In-Store purchases, all you need to do is just present your valid educator/student ID. And yes, In-Store will give you the additional % off final sale items plus the educator/student discounts.
    Hope this post clear up some confusion and that this is informative to you guys. =)

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  101. They give student and educator discounts ONLINE as well. BUT, now they completely refuse to honor them with any other codes. The policy was changed shadily and I think it's ridiculous that if you were in a B&M both sale discounts and student discounts would apply, but not online. Even Victoria's Secret allows stacked codes.

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  102. I hear JCREW talking about this site. You ladies are truly thorns in their sides.

    I'm sure some will get it the $25, some won't. But I don't doubt that the ones that don't will launch a formal verbal complaint to CS to get your way.

    I like how Alexis likes to rile all of you up so that you all feed off of each other to start a meaningless riot.

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  103. Anony@12:26: Sorry JCrew employee but JCrew USED to accept online educator's discount and a coupon code and they just changed their policy. I have posted a more detailed response to your post in the Post JCREW FALL LOOKS FOR WOMEN. Ms. Cupcake is also correct in her statement.

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  104. Michigan_Babe, how is this site "truly thorns in their sides"? If you could elaborate, that would be great.

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  105. to the employee: I am really sick of Jcrew telling us about these "great benefits"--- the only one that isnt offered to the general public is the free alterations--- and that is only on Full Priced items. I have had personal shopper appointments after a store closed and never even once touched my Jcrew card or told the PS about them. In fact when I was checking out they offered me one and they were completley surprised to hear that I already had one!

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  106. blumre, yes you are right...you can get a PS apt. at anytime before or after the store closes with our without a JCrew credit card.

    Also, I found that the JCrew alterations person did a very poor job on my last 3 alterations. I had to go back and have them redone. I had to go back twice for each item and it was a pain.

    I am so mad that you can't use an online coupon code and your educator's discount. I didn't order anything.

    I just called and cancelled my JCrew card...not worth it...maybe I will get the next promo $25 card!

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  107. Ok, I did get the cards, I have to admit, I would be kind of miffed if I did not get the card considering the amount of money I spend.

    I know I am going to add fuel to this fire and piss a lot of people off with this remark. But, I kind of think the educator's discount is nuts. Reason being, I believe its excluding a lot of people out there who are in a profession that is just as helpful, and, lets face it, in many areas, educators have some of the best employment/salaries around. So, to me its nuts to single out that profession, 15% is a dicount I would love on every purchase considering the amount I spend. I can see the point with offering a student discount, however - teacher discount goes into sticky territory for me. And I am sure its abused as well, you can have an administrator flash and ID and they can make over $100K a year, not very logical. Especially the direction J. Crew is going in, I doubt many teachers are prancing around in huge necklaces and opera gloves and glitter heels (at least not around here! Just food for thought.

    I know this comment is going to get hell from some educators out there, but you have to admit it is a bit excluding in the same way people are getting upset about the wording and this measly $25.

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  108. Anonymous:some teachers make that much. I am an administrator at my school but I am also a social worker so it makes sense for me to get the discount. I wish all social workers could get the discount. Then again there are teachers and professors who are not administrators but they have tenure and they make well over 100K a year. Trust me, I see all the bugets as I work in fundraising and I work at an n-8 school! So don't assume all teachers make peanuts for a living. Its not true. But Jcrew gives the teacher and student discounts because they want to send the message they care about education, not because they are actually concerned about how much money we have--- trust me, I had more spending money in college than I do now.

    Who still wishes they got an allowance?

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  109. First year teaching 8th grade in 1991 I made 17,000with 8% taken off the top for IL teacher retirement....10 years later...I made $31,000.

    That says it all....I quite to stay home with my daughter...my salary might? have covered a good day care???

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  110. I know it's heresy here, but I tend to agree with anonymous @ 11:01. Sure, students often don't have any money and teacher salaries are often low, but IMHO if J.Crew can afford to give selected customers a 15% off across-the-board discount on full price items, then it is charging me too much.

    I suspect that J.Crew isn't offering the discount because it cares about education--rather, they've made a practical business decision that they can offer the discount to certain customers and still make money.

    This discount doesn't make me feel excluded or less than "favorite," per se, but learning about it has made me much more cautious about buying at full price (which I used to do quite a lot). I'm not pretending I'll never pay full price any more, because we all know about those must-have "duck tie" items (e.g., the azalea Bella discussed in the other thread). But I'm a little more careful about clicking the mouse.

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  111. I willingly made the decision to become an educator even though I knew I would never make a lot of money. And, after teaching for 15 years, I'm still not making a lot. I am single and I don't have a lot of extra spending money. In past years, I would buy 3-5 items a year from J Crew, and those were usually their chinos or cords, at the end of the season. I have bought more this year, with the discount, then I probably have in the last 5 years put together. So, by offering the discount to me, JC has made more money off of me. Instead of spending somewhere else, I'm spending with them. And because I'm in the store more often (and reading this blog), that is causing me to spend more as well. While I realize I'm not the lowest paid person around, I'm also not the highest (or even close). The fact that there are a couple of retails stores that recognize what we potentially give up to educate our youth, is nice. Many people put us down - we have all those days off and get paid for them, but there are cons to education as well. I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion about what JC does or doesn't do, but in the long run, I'm thankful. And, also just the thought that someone out there, especially a corporation, recognizes my career and appreciates me is a wonderful thing. Just m .02.

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  112. Math teacher- I applaude you being a teacher. First off, I could never do it. I don't have the patience w/children. I admire teachers because you have the passion to do your job, educate the youth, fight the red tape, and stay enthusiastic about what you do. I really, really, admire it. Some of the most important lessons I learned were from the good teachers. So, don't let anyone ever tell you that your job isn't important, b/c I sure as heck think it is....

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  113. natedac: thanks. I know my job is important, and if I didn't think I was making a difference, I'd be doing something else and making more money doing it! :)

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  114. Apparently no teacher ever taught you how to spell applaud, much less sycophant.

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  115. Sorry for the spelling error, but I like to call it like I see it. I'd rather be a positive person, rather living holed up feeling miserable about life. Being a sycophant is better than being a psycho. Quit purposely destroying this blog by following my comments.

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  116. Your insecurity betrays you. You feel guilty about your inflated prices on ebay, so you constantly need to assuage your feelings. It clearly isn't working.

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  117. You're right. I'm a miserable person that doesn't like you or teachers or anyone else on this blog!!

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  118. Hey, the more you use my name, the more my name gets out there. I enjoy clothing, I enjoy hearing feedback that people like my items, not necessarily my pricing. That's ok. Stop making this blog a bitter place for you to release your own distaste with life!!

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  119. My apologies to everyone that this nasty person has decided to ruin your blog. I'm sad that a positive comment can't be made because of what my hobby is. I enjoy peeking at this blog, but this really sucks.

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  120. I hope Ebay closes, so you won't get to sell your stuff anymore!!!!

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  121. I have a Jcrew credit card and do all of my shopping online (my returning happens at the stores.)

    I received one of the $25 discount cards, but I suspect the cards were sent to people who suffered through the recent website disasters -- it took them almost 2 weeks to deliver my most recent order and even then, it was missing one item.

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  122. Natedac, Just remember that there are several people posting under Anonymous and they are not one and the same....the person who questioned the Astrid is me and I have not said another thing about you on this site nor do I ever plan to again. It is my right to question why your jacket was different than the one on the JCrew website and to let others know it was different. I would want to be aware of that and would be glad someone told me. Just my 2 cents worth. END of conversation for GOOD. No reply needed.

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  123. But yeah, whatever, your Astrid is fake.

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  124. FMM - I didn't get a card. I sure hope I get one. I have spent a LOT of money online & in b&m in the past few months.

    Molly -- I got the accessories catalog yesterday and I agree it's dull. I also agree w/your sentiments about marketing in today's world. Everything is online! Hello! I think the word favorite might be perceived differently if the web fiasco hadn't occured. It is has been very frustrating. I think many of us have exercised patience through the myriad of changes and then to feel left out in the cool just isn't cool.

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  125. of course I meant left out in the "cold"

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  126. Anonymous at 12:26AM: Thank you for taking out the time to clarify the educator/student discount. I always appreciate hearing from a J.Crew employee. (The policy does seem a bit confusing since we hear different things.) :)

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  127. Just wanted to add to the "non-stacking" discussion. I have visited two J.Crew retail locations recently where the SAs specifically asked if I was a student so I could get the student discount (while purchasing sale items). I purchased some of the "extra 20" merchandise online on Friday, and sent the e-mail from the .edu mailing address, got the requisite "no stacking promotions" response, and let them know that I was able to do it in two separate locations. They e-mailed me back and asked me to rat out the store(s) who have been "stacking promotions"!

    I have been a loyal J.Crew customer since the days of the clearance catalogs, but they are really losing my respect lately.

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  128. Does anyone remember the post where we talked about the very bold men's pants?

    Just saw them in men's sale, marked down a lot. :) I had forgotten about those!

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  129. i also respect and admire educators. however, i wholeheartedly agree with the prior post that giving educators a discount is a slap in the face to other giving professions who don't make bank. prime example, i am a registered nurse and i take care of kids with cancer. but i don't get 15% off for that! good thing i absolutely LOVE my job, and if teachers get a discount from jcrew, good for them, at least SOMEONE is getting something for helping the general public.

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  130. I got a gift card for $100! I was surprised, to say the least. I've spent quite a bit over the last year, but I don't know why my "reward" was $100 and not $25 (I'm not complaining!).

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  131. Anon at 2:14 PM: Congrats on the $100 gift card!!! :)

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)