Monday, November 10, 2008

J.Crew Email: New Arrivals + Gift Guide

J.Crew sent an email letting us know about their "very merry gift guide" (click here) that is available online. The email also announces new arrivals for November and up to 50% off their fall sale.

I am hoping that the fall sale online gets more (and new) merchandise. Unfortunately, the sale section is a bit "hit or miss" in terms of stock availability. Like many of you experienced recently, an item I ordered online on Saturday morning, just got canceled this morning. (I really hope that when the new system works properly, customers cannot order items that are not "in-stock"-- it is such a downer to get that cancellation email.) I am also curious as to why the sale section does not show all the sale items that are available on the website.

Also, it appears that most J.Crew stores are no longer offering an "additional 50% off" sale merchandise. (I just called ten J.Crew stores and they all said the sale ended Sunday.)

Do you use J.Crew's gift guide when gift giving? What are your thoughts on the current fall sale? Are the sales in the stores better or worse than the sale online? Are you planning to wait a bit longer before making purchases? :)

74 comments:

  1. Does anyone know if the 50% of sale in stores is over as of today?!
    What a bummer and discouragement to go in a b&m today and think that you could have got your $100 sale purchase for only $50 today.

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  2. I think they said the addl 50 was thru the w/end, but you could always ask. I am planning to WAIT awhile longer before purchasing stuff from JC in hopes of a sale.

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  3. I've noticed that sale items at the B&M are marked down at a higher price point than items in the sale section on line. It's almost equivalent if you factor in the 50%off in B&M vs. 30% off on the website.
    For example the Metallic Clea in the B&M is $179 vs. the website price of $129.

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  4. I am trying to get a brownish peacoat or outerwear for my husband. This is the first year i've looked and they only offer navy and black. He has an university coat from last year in a dark charcoal color so he wanted a brownish one this year... his suggestion was a peacoat, but any brown would do. Does anyone ever remember Jcrew having brown last year or in the past?

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  5. Wait, they sent an email today saying that sale items are 50% off? I'm confused. There's no sale on the website and the sale in the B&M's ended yesterday.

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  6. Anon @9:22 here: I just read Alexis's post re: price matching the the B&M price with the online sale price with the additional 50% off. That's great if all of the stores are consistent and allow price matching.

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  7. In the fine print of the email it says: Total savings of up to 50% is off of original prices.
    This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Tricky wording so who knows what the sale is (interpretations will surely vary in store, red phone, online, etc.).

    I just called two stores and both SAs put me on hold to go ask.
    Georgetown - not having 50% off
    Pentagon City - is having 50% off

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  8. Oy! Slightly unrelated, but I was just told that stores no longer carry size 10 (only flip flops/slippers). Annoying!!!

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  9. Whitney, are those 2 stores having any % off? Thanks!

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  10. No coupon codes available? I mean JCrew has got to the one and only online retailer with no coupon code right now!!!!

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  11. Amy - from my post ...

    Georgetown - not having 50% off
    Pentagon City - is having 50% off

    If you hear otherwise or go into confirm, please let us know!

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  12. It is sad, no free shipping code... I had my shopping card full, but did not want to pay for shipping. Finally I decided not to buy anything untill there was a free shipping available.

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  13. Whitney- oh wow, missed that (about pentagon city still having 50% off). Thanks!

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  14. btw, am quite sad...was hoping the wool twill university pant would go on sale! ;)

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  15. whitney, this must be a new development, as my B&M had quite a few 10s. It would be foolish to discontinue carrying larger shoe sizes as the average American woman is growing taller and has larger feet.

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  16. I don't think I will be buying gifts from J.Crew. However, the New Arrivals are nice, and I look forward to seeing more of them in December. :)

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  17. Good morning everyone! I called ten J.Crew stores this morning, and they are all no longer offering the "additional 50% off" sale. So chances are most stores are not offering it either.

    There is no current "additional percent off" being offered either (I did ask and they didn't have any and they didn't seem to know when the next one will be either). Hopefully they will run another similar promotion soon! :)

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  18. JCrew's site not working AGAIN! Grrrr....what's new though! I am so sick of it!

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  19. A. - Thanks! Good to know ... I thought that was weird. I called to ask if Pentagon City had any 10 boots left and said they don't carry the size anymore. I will continue checking - you never know! :)

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  20. I am QUITE surprised they haven't had a 20% off regular/new stuff promo--seems they would be due for this or for that matter would WANT to stimulate sales of the newer items (people are not as willing to pay FULL PRICE!) Very strange.

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  21. BTW-NOrdstrom is having Free Shipping on $100 or more and they are having their half yearly sale in womens and kids. Online code is HOLIDAY08 Also, double rewards points through Dec 31st! That's a $20 check per $1000 but now per $500

    Neiman is having First Call--up to 40% off and free shipping code for any price is NMNOV--just through today but you can always find free ship codes for them via google.

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  22. I just called Pentagon City and they are NOT having 50% off. :(

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  23. I can't believe that J.Crew does not have any code going on right now. Other retailers are increasing their promotions.

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  24. Sale section seems to have some further reduced items as well as some new items.

    However, I will wait till prices come down lower. I would love to buy some stuff for gifts but just cant justify the current prices. I love the crewcuts coats and sweaters but will wait it out for a while.

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  25. Am I the only one who's having difficulty with JCrew's site? It comes and goes for me...I keep getting the "we'll be back soon" page.

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  26. Does anyone know if the Lea cardigan is still on promotion today??

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  27. Hello, associate here...I believe that there is no longer a percentage off of sale in stores because final sale doesn't work so well with gift giving for the holidays. The percentage off the price is what makes it final sale.
    Also, I haven't heard in my store about the size 10 shoes, but I will say that size 10 is the first size we sell out of when we get new shoes in. In fact, quite a few people ask for size 11. I would be very surprised if they completely stopped carrying 10s.

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  28. Oh jcrew, please make up your minds. No offense to any ladies here, (as I am a lady too), but it's like jcrew has its own menstrual cycle. I guess aunt flo is here this week....

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  29. I noticed that the Felicia coat was reduced in price. :) I was wondering when the coats that came out in early fall, like the Felicia or Greta, would go on sale, considering all the heavy winter coats went through a pretty big sale recently!

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  30. I am ready to shop J Crew! I would love some incentive! Where are the holiday deals and steals? Where are the promo codes? You are the only retailer (that I shop with) not offering codes for free shipping, percentage off etc.

    Also- heirloom cashmere cardi is in the sale section. Along with the Harlow blouse and the Simone Peacoat.

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  31. Why won't they just put the damn sale stuff up for 30% off until it's GONE or right on through the holidays??! WTF?? It's not like there's that much in the sale section anyway! And they are so chintzy about releasing the very early Fall stuff to sale..they are STINGY MF's! I guess they would rather line their pockets despite declining retail sales.

    I cannot get over how much other retailers are pushing sales--there's another email from every retailer, every day trying to get my hard earned dollar and J Crew fights this tooth and nail!I guess it's their new hoity-toity image that they are trying to live up to. What-ev-vuh!

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  32. That is bizarre that they are no longer offering size 10 shoes. It is not a very uncommon size. I already have to buy my size 11 online. It's also bizarre that JC doesn not carry sz 14 in store--many many american women wear sz 14. Sometimes I think JC wants only small women to be in their stores. :P

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  33. Here's the hilarious thing. They'll have to answer to their shareholders when the Q4 numbers come out in January 2009. Get ready for that shitstorm, jcrew!

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  34. LOL, anon @ 12:22. The fact is, JC is not lining their pockets b/c the FP merchandise is NOT moving. They can continue to keep lots of FP inventory rather than ring sales at a discount. Considering the awesome promotions other retailers are having, I refuse to buy until I get some incentive.

    Oh, and on the extra % off point for gifts--it's only final sale when you get the extra % off b/c JC says so. They could easily change the policy to move more merchandice and make it more friendly for gift-givers.

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  35. Fit question: How do the chiffon bow city cardigans fit? I'm thinking I may need to go up a size so it's not too short in the torso.
    Thanks

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  36. I just nabbed the Snow Leopard Simone and the French Serge Coats for CHEAP on the sale page!! Check it out!!

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  37. They ruined that french serge coat when they put those god-awful snap button with the cross threads on the front.odd.

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  38. Anon 11:55 OMG--LOL!! That one made me cry--thanks for the laugh!

    Anyone notice some new items in the new arrivals? Couple of cute and of course pricey items!

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  39. Whitney -- what??!! no size 10 in shoes in stores? are they crazy? is that why I couldn't find my size in boots this season anywhere?

    I am waiting for the supposed "big" sales pre- or post- holiday. I bought a lot of things in fall full price that are now deeply discounted and still have the colors/sizes I like, so for holiday I am waiting for markdowns.

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  40. anon @ 11:55 - priceless.

    my boyfriend on the side (my UPS man) just dropped off an order I recently placed. i got the cashmere sequin shell - couldn't be happier with it! i am apple shaped (to put it lightly..) and this wasn't clingy or too tight in anyway! and it was a little longer then i expected, thus making it even more flattering. very happy with it. to go along with it i ordered the cashmere sequin cardigan which i was equally happy with. i asked on some post and was told there was little difference between sizes which was good advice. i did size up though because i had to with the crystal button bird's-eye cardigan, and the fit looked similair online. anyways, they look great together (perfect for some holiday party). and if you were on the fence about these items, i say go for it (especially because both have been marked down since i ordered them!) - but worth the price!

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  41. Anon^I sized down due to cashmere running so big--do you think that was safe with this shell way? Mine hasn't been delivered by my "boyfriend" yet. He, he;0)

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  42. OT: I have never shopped Black Friday before (I am in Canada). Does J Crew B & M offer Black Friday sales? I am trying to figure out if I should take the day off work and do the 4 hour drive to shop for clothing at a B & M JC store. Do other retailers like BR or Anthopologie or Victoria Secret, etc offer discounts on Black Friday?

    I would love some advise. Thanks in advance.

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  43. I wish we had coupon codes!

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  44. The gift guide doesn't really do anything for me. I think the sale in my local store is hit or miss, usually more miss than hit. I am going to wait for a free shipping code before I place another order online.

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  45. ooh does anyone have the crystal button bird's-eye cardigan in the graphite black? http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Sale/AllProducts/PRDOVR~96542/99101516876/96542.jsp

    is the darker color block part, black with silver or black with white?

    I saw the silver in the stores and didn't get it since i have the cashmere sequin in the silver.

    I hate to buy without a promotional code or free ship but i forgot all about my holiday rewards gift card lying in my desk drawer.

    maybe i should wait.

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  46. covert5 - i think if you sized down you would be fine for the shell. i had been sizing down in most sweaters this fall (with the exception of the cropped ones), and i just wanted to make sure this wasn't going to come cropped in anyway (for me it was hard to tell on the model - and a midrift bareing sequined tank was too Clueless for me ). but the length is fine, and the width is a bit loose because of my size-up but i am completely happy with it. but from the way it fits i think you will be ok!

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  47. Not sure if this is the right place to ask. Did anyone try or own the gold lame skirt or the wool Madeline dress? How is sizing? Would my usual JCrew skirt/dress size work? Thanks.

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  48. Just because one person says it doesn't mean it's true. In the last week I have bought 3 pairs of size 10 shoes at three different stores. No reason to panic.

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  49. CS recommends going down a size for The Madeline wool dress.

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  50. I totally agree about the lack of sales or incentives by JCrew ~ no free shipping, etc. I am def. gonna wait to buy ~ think about it, if sales fall off, this is the only way to signal to JC that they need to be more aggressive, like other retailers who have been inundating w/ coupons, sales, % off, etc.

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  51. sooner_girl: I would size UP for the Chiffon Bow City Cardi. I found my XS to be somewhat tight in the arms and wish that I had sized up one size. HTH.

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  52. jcrewjunkie: thank you so much!

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  53. What I have found very confusing is that sometimes I've received an order cancellation email on an item that I had purchased on-line, only to find that the next day I can go on-line, purchase and receive it. Go figure. I also agree that it's frustrating to have to search for sale items instead of them all being in the same place. Happy Hunting!

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  54. Juliet Midheels - black

    For those of you who are interested, they are on sale for 79.99 at the St. Louis Frontenac location.

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  55. FYI: the emerson blouse is on promotion for 59.50$

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  56. As long people are preordering items J Crew thy don't have to be aggressive. The inventories are low for the new November items, and I don't think that it the oldest marketing trick in the book either. It is the sign of a bad economy.

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  57. Hi Everyone! I'm thinking about getting the Lea cardigan while it's on promotion. For those of you who already own it, do you think it's worth it?

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  58. To Anon 4:24,

    I just called the St. Louis Frontenac Store and they told me black, poppy, driftwood, and blanched almond were full price. Did you see the black ones marked down at the store, or did you order them?

    Thanks!

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  59. OT -- Has anyone seen the long puffer jacket for women marked down in a store? I'd like to buy one, but want to save some cash, of course (my hard times got worse this weekend -- longtime boyfriend moved out unexpectedly. Thanks a lot, Scott). I seem to remember someone posting that it was on sale in their local BM. The store I generally visit in Orland Park, Ill., didn't have it on sale. And I have to laugh -- the French serge day coat is listed in the regular outwear section as full price (until you click on the box and actually look at the coat, then it shows it as being marked down) AND in the sale section. Weird. Stewart

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  60. It seems that I have been just shopping buying every week or two. I really don't need anything, seriously I have too much; but I still find myself eyeing up the puffer jacket.

    I'm sure that the jacket and a few other items will show up on my door step in the famous brown box. Bet there will be a tie and possibly a sweater or shirt.

    Big surprise I know. My will power remains weak. Last week a coworker said that the J.Crew cords I was wearing were great. So you guessed it I order two more pair, one in navy the other in rope. Great to be enabled.

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  61. Like FFM I will not be purchasing gifts from JCrew this year...

    I am just very frustrated with most aspects of shopping at JCRew right now...no codes, not much sale selection, and problems on order I have placed.

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  62. anon @ 4:38 - I have 2 lea cardigans, so I definitely think it's worth it while it's on promo. It is not as short on as it looks, unless you're tall like the model. For me, it is the perfect cardigan, and I will be buying more when they get marked down more (have to stop at 2 while fp or promo :D).

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  63. I love the look of lea but the light colors are a little too sheer.

    The emerson blouse is on sale at retail for $49.99 (cheaper than online).

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  64. I called a couple of stores today as well to find out if there was an extension on the 50% off sale ... no luck but one store associate said there were a lot of markdowns taken today to make room for holiday merchandise going out today and tomorrow. She said to keep an eye out for another sale - she didn't know if they would run one, but at least there is a better selection right now to choose from.

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  65. I love the dark peony color and would love it in one of the many offerings this season but I hate the thin, cheapness factor of the merino esp the Melanie. Merino just happens to be my least favorite of the wool options due to layering--too skimpy for winter.Over long sleeves which bunch up and it ends up totally uncomfortable. Fine with sleeveless but then I want cotton or cotton/blend-think Jackie:)
    I didn't mind the weight as much on the Lea (seemed slightly thicker) but I am not a fan of that deep V cardi--it's harder for me to wear with things. Just my opinion/experience.

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  66. I have the lea in dark peony and avocado and neither are sheer. I should add that I haven't tried on any of the other colors. As for the v-neck cardigan, it's nice as a busty girl to be able to wear my cardigan buttoned. I love my jackie and tartine, but I can't wear them buttoned. JMO

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  67. To Suilove regarding Juliet midheels: I got driftwood and blanched almond for $68 ($79.99 - 15% educator's discount) each through my PS on Nov. 8. I had wanted a black pair, but it was still full price. He also told me he'd waive the S&H. The S&H didn't get waived when I checked my order today, so I called CS. She called the store to verify that info with my PS. She also told me that the store is pricing the black ones at $79.99. So I ordered a black pair from CS. Since CS already verified with the store, therefore she gave it to me at $79.99 minus 15% discount.

    I thought I saw some posts where someone was trying to look for the black Juliet so I posted.

    It's funky how price is being matched. I guess it's up to each CS.

    Anon 4:24

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  68. anon, 4:24.
    thanks so much for that info i mean i've been looking for the juliets EVERYWHERE...but when i called the STLF store they said according to the register, they didn't even have those shoes in the store and the two colors i actually wanted, blanched almond and black, were full price at 198$. i've been dreaming about these shoes for so long, would you mind forwarding the name of your PS to my email by any chance? thanks so much.

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  69. anon, 4:24, do you mind letting us know which store is offering the shoes in black for that price? I just called my local store and they are still full price. TIA!

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  70. anon 4:24

    I called the store as well and they mentioned they didn't carry the Juliet midheels. Any additional info you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

    gcg_50@yahoo.com

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  71. Hi Anon at 4:24

    I'm also interested in the Juliet mid-heels...any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated :))
    You can reach me at as01bc@hotmail.com

    Thanks!!!

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  72. I visited the Pentagon City store today and the first associate told me it was still 50% off of the sale price, but she second guessed herself and asked a manager, who told me it was priced as marked. Such a disappointment since I found a few things I was ready to buy...I just couldn't bring myself to pay double what I expected!

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  73. not sure where to post this but wanted to thank ffm and others who recommended the pink lame blouse. i received it today and absolutely love it!! it's so beautiful and fits great!! i couldn't be happier.

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  74. epicure - I love my shell pink whisper lame as well. :-)

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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! :)