J.Crew's current sale (both online and in-stores) is *not* "final" (which means customers can return items under the normal return policy). {yey!} The decision behind this {wonderful} move is that J.Crew expects many items purchased during this {holiday} season to be gifts, which may need to be exchanged or returned by the recipients.Some news to consider while we're still in the midst of our holiday shopping... As many of you have mentioned, the non-final sale is expected to last for a limited time. An associate (Anon at 12:22 AM in this post) stated that the "sale items are returnable through January 1, 2009". I was also told by an associate (at a store last weekend), that the final sale is expected to return after January 1st.
At least January 1st is a couple of weeks away, plenty of time to shop the sale with the option to return if necessary. :)
Isn't JCrew's return policy that you can return any item (except final sale items) within 60 days of purchase? I will be away from my home until Jan 2, and would hate to be stuck with things that I bought during promotions that don't fit/are not as expected. What if you are buying presents for somebody else and they don't return it before the 1st?
ReplyDeleteJCrew has cute clothing, but can be really obnoxious with their policies.
I think it means that starting Jan 1st, any NEW items you buy that are on sale will be final sale. So if you buy something on Jan 1st, it will be a final sale but if you buy it on Dec 31st it will be returnable within the 60 days. Oh, I really HATE the final sale!
ReplyDeleteIf Jcrew were smart, they'd suspend the final sale policy well after New Years.. isn't that when sales typically slump anyways b/c it's the post-holiday season? Better yet, just keep it suspended indefinitely, that way shoppers are more willing to take risks and perhaps will find something they love and keep it!
ReplyDeleteI have vowed to boycott the final sale. I do not have a store nearby and I have made it my New Year's Resolution not to buy anything no matter what on final sale online.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: about current promo online:
ReplyDeleteDoes your order have to be $150 still AFTER the 30% is taken off to get the free shipping as well.....thanks
The manager at my local J.Crew told me that any items purchased in December are not Final Sale, and will be subject to the normal 60 day return policy...they can be taken back AFTER January 1, 2009.
ReplyDeleteShe said they are also still discussing whether or not to bring back Final Sale...maybe they will decide NOT to...that would be fantastic! :)
Oh, how I hate the final sale...
ReplyDeleteI was talking to an associate at Ann Taylor Loft yesterday, and she told me that in their system, when a customer buys something online and then returns it to a store, the online system sees a profit and the store sees a loss. What a stupid system. Needless to say, it's messing up their numbers. As a result, they're not taking any more online returns in-store after the first of the year. (And I'll stop visiting their website after the first of the year.)
I wonder if J. Crew also has some kind of weird problem due to a poorly designed system....nah, not J. Crew, never. ;-)
Anonymous at 6:32. J Crew's system does not work like that of Loft's. A catalog return is considered a "direct return" and does not count against the store. However, something bought at a store and returned to a different store does count against the store to which said item was returned. As an associate for a smaller store that does not sell high priced items, but is surrounded by stores that do, it can really hurt at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteI am in no way discouraging returns. I am a shopper and return things too. Just letting you know what it can mean to the local stores. We had a return of a $400 Crewcuts item a few weeks ago. First transaction of the day. We do not have items that cost anywhere near that and it took us four sales to catch up.
A J Crew SA told me that if you are purchasing final sale items for yourself but may need to return them to ask for a gift receipt, you won't be able to get your cash back but you can exchange or get a merch credit.
ReplyDeleteThis is OT, but I am looking for the spectator mary janes in dusty rose, size 9. Any suggestions? TIA :)
ReplyDeleteYes, if I have something purchased on final sale but need to return it, I just say it was a "gift." I've returned dozens of final sale items this way and always gotten store credit :) I still end up keeping most of what I buy, but if something doesn't fit, or the color is off...I'm simply not going to keep it!
ReplyDeleteI really dislike the final sale policy. I can't think of any other retailer that has this type of policiy, other than discount stores. I think having a 60 day return policy is strict enough. That said, I try and purchase all gifts at Nordstroms. I do alot of shopping for my daughter there too. I know that in a few months down the road I can return something that I just never wore. I hold back many times when purchasing at Jcrew because of this policy. They need to change it!
ReplyDeleteO.K., I'm starting to get desperate now. I want to buy stuff on sale but there's hardly anything I like left in my size. The santa claus red boot-cut cords are now down to $19.99. Please, JCrew, replenish! (before I buy something foolish!) :)
ReplyDeleteI bought something two weeks ago at the B&M and the SA specifically said it was final sale AND FS was written on the receipt.
ReplyDeleteClassic style
ReplyDeleteI have the spectator mary janes in dusty rose and they are my favorite of all J.Crew shose so far. They are comfortable and super cute. Also this color goes with almost any colors. They're sold out online but there may be some shops still carry them. HTH!
anon@8:35: I LOVE the spectator mary janes! I have them in graphite, and they are a perfect fit for my wide feet; they are the only shoes I have besides naturalizers that I don't need to add any sort of padding to make them fit. I am desperately looking for them in stores. I went to 2 last night, and I am calling a couple on the west coast later today. I hope I find them!
ReplyDeletethese sales have to be working... that's why many of us can't find stuff in the sale section in our size!
ReplyDeleteeverything I wanted is gone in my size/color
Thanks about info abt ATLoft; no wonder they were always so biothcy when I returned online items, I wondered. If that is there new policy, I too will not buy online, bec. of the hassle of returning. I didn't realize about the loss/gain issue w/ stores/online.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information about how returning items affects the sales numbers at Ann Taylor Loft and J.Crew. I generally wait until I have several items to return from online orders and it's good to know that it doesn't hurt the store's numbers if I do. I always wondered about how that worked!
ReplyDeleteclassic style-I am curious--is that the peep toe version of the same shoe with closed toe? Also, how much $ are they running right now? I appreciate any feedback.
ReplyDeleteMy SAs said I have the usual 60 days to return sale items bought in December - that's what it says on the receipt, too. J.Crew can't expect shoppers to guess what the return policy is, so go by what it says on the receipt.
ReplyDeleteThat is a really stupid policy about returns counting against a store from which it was not sold. The receipt info clearly shows the store from which it was purchased and the computer system should be capable of keeping track of which returns should be attributable to which stores.
ReplyDeletehi everyone, i am also an associate and i can give you the details of the return policy:
ReplyDelete*starting december 26th, sale purchases will again be final sale. there will be signage in the stores, as well as on receipts that dictate this. the official policy is that items will not be eligible for return or exchange, although i have heard that some stores may allow exchanges.
*items purchased from now until the 24th at an additional % off sale prices are not final sale. receipts should indicate this. these items are eligible for return or exchange for 60 days from their purchase date. items returned with a gift receipt are only eligible for exchange or store credit.
hope this clears things up!
I think it's funny how even all the associates contradict each other :)
ReplyDeletebug pin: yes they are the peep toe style of the closed toe mary jane. They are currently $149.99 plaus extra 30% off. Thanks to a tip, I was able to locate them in my size at a store, and they are being shipped to me :) I was also able to stack my student discount, which covered shipping with a little left over.
ReplyDeleteI think that final sale is a slap in the face to JCrew customers. They're saying that they really don't care if you're happy or not, as long as they can unload their merchandise. Other good stores simply don't do this.
ReplyDeleteI made a big purchase at a B&M store a few weeks back, and it was final sale with the extra 30% off. But I got the wide patent belt for $13 and a nice suit for $80 so I didn't care :) I guess FS just didn't apply online, but it did in stores.
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:29, you couldn't have said it better.
ReplyDeleteclassic_style: i'm pretty sure the manhasset store in ny has some. give them a call!
ReplyDeleteIsn't BR back sale room final sale also? When they have promotions they are returnable, I am pretty sure their clearance items are final sale.
ReplyDeleteWe should all give JCrew a break. I have never had a problem exchanging (and a lot of times returning!) items from final sale when I explained I didn't like how they fit. Seriously people, maybe you're too scared to try and ask for an exchange! I have MANY times gotten store credit on final sale items. They really do have good enough customer service that if you explain that you really don't like the item they are going to let you do something with it.
ReplyDeleteThe SA who handled my returns earlier today said that they hadn't decided whether final sale is coming back. She noted that taking it away seems popular and that the popularity is factoring in. Maybe all JCAs should mention that at our local B&Ms, or start an email campaign.
ReplyDeleteanon 12:49
ReplyDeletethanks you just set me up!! Love this blog--or maybe not, cha ching!
It's interesting to learn the different ways stores handle returns. It never occurred to me that returns might hurt a particular store (other than the one I bought the item from originally).
ReplyDeleteATL needs to rethink their strategy. I *never* shop from websites if I don't have a B&M close by for returns. And the returns get me into the store, where I usually buy more. No returns in-store = no website purchases and less trips to the B&M.
1:52, BR is never final sale. Anything can be returned within 90 days.
ReplyDeleteBR 90 normally yes, but not the sale room, the sales clerk told me it was final sale while he was ringing up the sale.
ReplyDeleteNothing is final sale at BR until after 90 days. That associate was mistaken.
ReplyDeleteI regularly buy BR sale and whether it's from the "back room" or front, it's never, ever, ever final sale.
ReplyDeleteOf all the places shop, only j.crew has this stupid policy, and when they have it, I don't buy any of their sale stuff. If they don't stand behind it, why would I buy it?
i've returned $6.99 sweaters to BR and it has never ever ever been final sale. the only time it is considered final sale is if it defective and they give you an extra percent off. this happened to me once with a dress that that a small hole in the seam but it was the LAST one anywhere. the SA gave me 20% but they said i couldn't return it because it was defective. j crew really gets themselves in a tizzy when they start doing the extra % here, extra % there, discount % here. yet the skirt/shirt is marked ON SALE for 69.99. at BR and other stores the skirt/shirt would just be marked 19.99. i know it's all marketing (and it works because i know how special i feel when i get tons of discounts) but i think it might be too much for them to handle. 30% one day, 40% the next, then 20%. then final sale, then you can return it, but only on certain days haha. no wonder these poor SA's are so confused! lucky for j crew i am undeniably obsessed :) the deals are just wonderful right now, i just wish they would pick up the slack with the website. happy holidays!! (ps i am mourning over the loss of my 25% red card...i wore black today haha)
ReplyDelete^Lindsay-too funny:)
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteAfter 60 days WITH a receipt, don't you get a merchandise credit for the purchase amount on the receipt?
Please verify.
Thanks!
yep, as long as you have a receipt you get a gift card for the amt you paid!
ReplyDeleteI do not understand why people get so upset over Final Sale and the length of time you have to return an item you purchase.
ReplyDelete1. When you own a business, you own the rules.
2. 60 days is a long time. If you cannot make up your mind about something you purchased 60 days ago, you need to rethink why you are purchasing an item in the first place.
3. If everyone would just realize each retailer has a unique customer service policy and what you think is best for the customer, may not be best for business. Customers "take advantage" of retailers policies, and that is why there are so many different policies. If each customer would act the same and obey the policies, retailers would be able to adapt the policies to be more customer friendly.
Anon @ 10:40 I'm so happy I'm not the only one who feels this way! I love JCrew. Everything about it. I'm a student and by no means capable of buying everything I love at full price but when things first come into my local b&m THAT'S when I scout things out and make my decisions on colors and sizes. After the first or second markdowns, depending on the scarcity of my size/color preference, I make my purchases. Most of the readers here seem to buy things for the opportunity to wear them or have them collect dust until they feel like they want their $29.99 or what have you. JCrew has timeless, classic investment pieces as well as basics that are to die for. I've never had any issues the way people are whining on here. Alexis, I thank you for this blog
ReplyDeleteand the opportunity to see sale info and product info, but it seems like a few of your "fans" would like to collectively put JCrew in the red and keep them there. Happy holidays!
PS: final sale is the best thing since sliced bread. They make exceptions in extreme situations but generally I'd rather not have that shirt and pants back after passing through your ill-mannered armpits and crotches.
Anon @ 6:29am, Thank you for your response. I feel there are two types of people. People who complain, and people who do not. The complainers are the people who need to get everything the way THEY want it, regardless of the rules. The messed up return policies of this world are a direct result of these types of people + shoplifters. If I walk into a store, like what I want and purchase it, I do not get angry about the return policy if I want to return it and did not understand it. I accept it and decide to buy something else I like because I like the product.
ReplyDeleteAs for the people who complain about the length of time they have to return something. They need to understand by holding onto items for more than 30 days, they prevent a retailer from selling that item at its highest current price. As all of you realize, retailers like J Crew mark items down on a weekly basis. The customer who holds onto items longer than 30 days, are stealing money from the retailer by not making up their mind which causes the retailer to try and sell the item for less money than they could have if you would return it within a week.
I never understood why people buy something in February and never ever wear it, then bring it back to a store months later. Why are you holding it for so long?
Last but not least, the comments about why each store seams to have its own policy and why some associates at different J Crew's make exceptions and others do not. Speaking from experience, each customer is different, and the situations may be different. Also, with the changes needed in policies, it is impossible to tell every associate all of the updates on a daily basis. Some associates work one or two days a week and every time they work, they need to be caught up to speed. Mistakes happen and communications are lost. Give them a break, they are doing their best to try to give the best customer service to people who never will be satisfied no matter what the policies are, because they will always complain no matter what.
Are some of you seriously complaining about people complaining? LOL!
ReplyDeleteI just started to buy Jcrew recently and found thier clothing wonderful. But I bought some sweaters that did not fit me online on December 12, without knowing the existence of their "Final Sale" policy. My question is: When did the Final Sale really start this year? Are my items, from an order placed on December 12, 2008 returnable? The nearest Jcrew store is 2 hours drive from the place I live.
ReplyDeletein the past i have never had problems getting store credit for final sale items (just by saying it was a gift and bringing it with tags attached). however it has been a while - does anyone have recent experience with this?
ReplyDelete