J.Crew sent an email announcing new arrivals for their {adorable} Crewcuts collection, both online (click here) and in stores.This got me thinking about all the emails J.Crew was sending during the holiday season. Sometimes they would send up to three or four emails, reminding us about the same promotion. Now, I feel that frequency has decreased. Although I do not mind not receiving multiple emails about the same promotion or offer, it makes me wonder if I am receiving all the emails they are sending. ;)
Have you been getting J.Crew's recent email promotion (some or all of them)? Do you prefer getting more emails from J.Crew or less? :)
I didn't get this one, but I think it's maybe because I said I was only interested in getting e-mails about women's stuff. Does anyone else remember having this choice when they signed up for JCrew's e-mails? It's been a while since I signed up so I could be imagining things...
ReplyDeleteI didn't get this one (yet, sometimes I get them a few hours later) not that I care because I don't have kids and it doesn't interest me that much, at least right now! Yes I noticed a lot less emails lately.
ReplyDeleteI haven't received email since Christmas, up until then I was receiving most of them.
ReplyDeleteYes there is a choice which emails you want to receive.
I got this one but I did not get the free shipping with $150 purchase. I don't know why......
ReplyDeleteYes, unless you mark Crewcuts as a preference (there are boxes to check) you may not get this one.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your comments! :)
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear that I am not the only one noticing a drop in the number of emails from J.Crew. Maybe J.Crew is pulling back from the multiple email marketing.
I did get this one, but I seem to usually get emails later than they are posted here. Also, I get the higher amount needed for FS mails which is funny since I always use the "lowest bidder."
ReplyDeleteSince Christmas, I get emails to my hotmail account which I do not use for order confirmations etc. The account that I use for ordering hasn't received any emails except to let me know when something has shipped. I find this weird.
ReplyDeleteHere's what I've received:
ReplyDelete->Today: the crewcuts email,
->Yesteday: the free ship when spending $150 'beads please' email,
->Thursday: the free ship when spending $150 email.
One email per day for 3 days. I'm kind of immune to them & delete them sometimes so I don't remember how many I rec'd during the holidays.
I have not rec'd a catalog in the mail (picked one up from the b&m).
I can't afford to dress my kids up in all things pink and sparkly! They just seem to destroy everything they put on :(
ReplyDeleteI haven't received this one yet, but I'll probably get it later tonight or tomorrow. I do agree that there are fewer emails being sent out in general, though.
ReplyDeleteAs for Crewcuts: I was over in Tampa yesterday and visited the J.Crew there, and they have a Crewcuts section (Orlando doesn't). I was able to purchase 3 little boy sweatshirts, a little boy tee, and 2 pair of little boy boxers for under $50 with the 30% off Final Sale. YAY!!! The clothes really are adorable, and it was fun to see them IRL, too. :)
I hardly ever receive emails despite signing myself up for them multiple times, and despite spending MUCH more than I should at JC. :(
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I have noticed that associates have recently been giving me either their direct extension number or their email address (usually both) whenever I have a problem, without my asking for either. They never used to do this, even when I DID ask for a way to contact them personally to follow up on something. Has anyone else noticed such a change?
I've also been receiving direct extensions and names recently, and I don't remember that ever happening before (but then again, I also don't remember this degree -- or any degree -- of ordering problems occurring before). It's a nice touch, and I appreciate not having to start all over with another CS rep.
ReplyDeleteI also recently received an apology email from an online PS when a gift I recently ordered for my best friend (tulip Jamie bag) was cancelled. In her email, she said she'd checked all the stores to see if they had any (even though it was a sale item) to no avail and suggested the burnt sienna Jamie, which she said would go wonderfully with the upcoming spring line. Too bad my friend is a pink nut. She also offered to take off 10% and add free shipping for my inconvenience, which I thought was nice. And when I emailed her a question, she emailed me back within 5 minutes. The best customer service I'd had in months from J. Crew!
I like getting their emails. But can I just say I hate Crew Cuts? What is up with their sizing? I ordered a rugby in size 8/9 for my eight year old. It came...and was too small for even my 6 year old! I've ordered shirts from them before for my sons - and the sizing seemed OK, but the fabric is just too thin.
ReplyDeleteI always seem to get the emails later than the rest so I don't really rely on them. This blog always has the coupon codes several days before I get the emails. :) However I did sign up for crewcuts so I did get this one. But I don't buy much crewcuts until the markdowns. My favorite though this year was the boy's crewcuts Sherpa hoodies! The sherpa was thicker and warmer than the girl's, women's and men's version so I bought the boys version for both my daughter and son. They are superwarm and really comfy.
ReplyDeleteMy two daughters (ages 10 and 7) don't like Crewcuts clothes. My 10-year-old only wants Hollister and Abercrombie (yuck), and my 7-year-old wants to look like a Disney channel kid (Miley Cyrus, etc.). None of the kids in their elementary school (in Fairfield county Connecticut) wear Crewcuts. I don't think it will last...
ReplyDeleteO/T I hit my local B&M this afternoon...I was surprised to find a couple of bargains. I bought a Storybook bracelet (which I have been stalking unsuccessfully on the web sit) for $55.99. I also decided to try on shimmer python skirt and I loved it (I didn't expect to). Although I'm not sure were/when I will wear it, but for $48.99 I figured I would figure it out.
ReplyDeleteStores are regularly sending out emails - it's a sign of how desperate they are to remind people to come shop with them.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I love your blog because I get all JCrew promos and news from it. I order regularly from them and rarely get an email. :( Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteJust watched the two videos below.
ReplyDeleteI liked the interview with Jenna Lyons. She came across as someone with passion. I don't like the interview with Tracy Gardner. Some of her answers did not sound genuine.
Anon at 5:00: I totally agree! Crewcuts sizing is a bit off to say the least. I have a VERY slim/short 8 year old boy who was wearing Crewcuts 8/9 when he was 6!! He doesn't even fit into most of their stuff now. I recently got rid of about 10 tees that were too short.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 5:56: I hear ya! My kids want "cool" clothes (which I still haven't figured out! LOL) and everytime I suggest Crewcuts, they look at me weird! My 8 year old boy used to LOVE going to JC with me (Mission Viejo, CA store) because they had Crewcuts and he would always find something he liked. Now that he's at the ripe old age of 8, I guess it's not cool enough. My 11 year old daughter is past JC, Gap, etc. and only wants Hollister, Abercrombie, or American Eagle. I would love to dress them like those cuties in the catalog, but they will have none of it!!!!
This is a bit off topic but I am browsing jcrew given the free shipping deal (I am so much more likely to order when it's free shipping!!!) and wondered if anyone has a review of the Merino Lilli cardigan in desert brown? just saw it in InStyle and thought it was so cute on the model!!! I already have the bow necklace sweater in heather oatmeal and wonder if it is too similar?? Thanks!
ReplyDeletePS and given all the reivews about the Victoria Ruffle Cami and Merino Portland Cardi, I am getting those too!
I visited my B&M today and got a J,Crew Collection look book that is going to test my resolution to spend less money and not buy at full price!
ReplyDeleteThe palette is muted, but mixed with some vibrant colors and prints so the collection is more interesting than what has rolled out so far. And flowers are big part of the look. Very soft and feminine and thankfully not a single model wearing mens' pants!
One of my favorite looks--a silk cami that has the same halter cut as the Elizabeth. It is an abstract flora printed in tropical aqua on golden cypress. Collar is braid and has this gorgeous flower detail. Shown with a pencil skirt in spearmint that resembles the Pembridge Dot. Beautiful, sophisticated and fun.
Interesting thing about the look book--no prices listed! Guess they plan on seeing how it goes.
I so wish I had a means of scanning it!
I buy many Crewcuts clothes for my 7 year old. I specially love the puffer jackets, they are very good quality and warm. I picked up one for $57 (down from $118) during the TURKEY promo. She also looks adorable in ruffle tops, Glenbrae boots (I know, I went a little crazy and had Santa give her a pair @$98..., swimwear and pretty dresses. With some exceptions (super thin T's), everything I have bought so far is TTS, good quality and very cute. I have NEVER bought anything full price, I think it's too overpriced.
ReplyDeleteI love the crewcuts cotton dresses for my daughter. Comfortable and cute. I also love their long sleeve tees. Honestly compared to other children's stores Jcrew makes a pretty good product. Crewcuts aren't cutesy or tartlike. The only other retailers I love for kids is Boden Kids and Naartjie. Pricey (Boden) but the clothes last and look good wash after wash.
ReplyDeleteI love the crewcuts tees for my 10 year and he's normal in weight/height. The fabric is silky soft and thin. The Crewcuts fits TTS for him on the bottom and a size big on top.
ReplyDeleteI got him the italian chino suit and it worked out very well. It's too bad that crewcut max size is 10. Not sure where people buy clothes for kids 10 to 14 as they are too big for Crewcuts/Gymboree and too small for adult.
I love Crewcuts. It is about all my 7 year old daughter wears. I have created another JCRew addict but the truth is their pants fit her so well. It is what got me started with JCRew 7 years ago after having her...the pants are great!
ReplyDeletei remember reading that you can get free shipping always via the code "JUSTASK"... haven't tried it though so i can't guarantee it'll work.
ReplyDeleteanother way to save is to stack coupon codes with purchasing through a cashback site like
ebates. ebates gives the highest cash back rebate for J Crew shopping: 2%! click through via that link and get $5 just for signing up!!
FFM:
ReplyDeleteI'm traveling to Tampa this week and usually try to visit the J Crew at the, is it the Fashion? mall. I noticed you said you were just there. Worth the trip? Did they have a lot of merchandise out? I'll be there from Thurs. on. Now if only I could pull you thru this computer screen to help me pack!
Good Morning ladolcevita! The J.Crew in Tampa is at the International Plaza near the Tampa Airport. The sale section wasn't overly thrilling...lots of cords, high heel flares, pleated tops, quinn camis, basically the same items that have been in the sale section for awhile now. They did have the Resort collection in the store, as well as the Crewcuts section, which I really enjoyed seeing, and the International Mall is really nice overall.
ReplyDeleteAs for packing...the weather will be nice all week (around 70), and will cool down a little next weekend: Local 7-Day Forecast . This is for Orlando, but there isn't that much of a temperature difference b/w Orlando and Tampa. I have been able to wear capris, sandals, and a cardigan recently...no need for a heavy coat. :) HTH!!!
FFM:
ReplyDeleteRight! International Plaza. I do like that mall. Thanks for the weather tips.
Can't wait to get there! I want to bring my lulu's in tulip and am thinking of wearing them with jeans. Any suggestions on what to wear on top?
ladolcevita: Do you have the Tulip Licorice Candy Tee?
ReplyDeleteI receive a lot of emails from J.Crew and I did receive this one although I do not have small children. I've been receiving email since before Crewcuts was launched so I think they just send me everything. The clothing is a adorable. I wish my son were little again. ;)
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, I have two email accounts that receive email from J.Crew. The one I use to log in most of the time receives the higher limit for free shipping emails, while the email account I never use always receives the lower limit for free shipping emails. Perhaps they are sending the lower limit to entice me to buy thinking that email account has not made a purchase for a while.
The only reason I have two email accounts is because when they upgraded the site last summer all my info was deleted. At first I thought I would use one email address, then I decided to use the other email address. I've been ordering for a long time and they have had my email long before sharing it would net you a % off deal.
Greg, JUSTASK does not work for free shipping. It used to and whenever I don't have a code I try it, but it never works anymore...
ReplyDeleteFFM:
ReplyDeleteNO! And regret daily that I bought the version in cream with orange.
Speaking of Crewcuts, in the Feb. issue of InStyle there is an interview with Bobbi Brown who says that "my family would be naked without J. Crew" - referencing her 3 boys.
ReplyDeleteladolcevita, please don't suffer daily regrets over a graphic tee. There is more to life. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have any problems with Crewcuts sizing for my 7 year old daughter and she has been wearing crewcuts for years....since day 1 that they came out.
ReplyDeleteShe is 7 1/2 and wears their Large for ages 6-7. She is average height and weight.
I buy Crewcuts for my 2 year old. I started in the T's and sweaters last Christmas. Now she can wear it all. Try to get it on sale, because it is pricey and quality isn't 100%. Still cute and fits her personality. She is a combo of girly but likes trains and cars. Plus, I don't like anything matchy (ie Gymboree) and a lot of Gap's things look kind of matronly/dumpy (even though Gap has great plain jeans at fantastic price). Anyway, I did not get the email, but just looked at the new arrivals. There isn't anything new. At least not in the last week or two. I keep looking for new things for our spring holiday. I need to get her shorts, and they only have one pair listed in just two colors.
ReplyDeleteI love crewcuts for my nearly 3yr old daughter. But I find she is too big for their S and too small for their M. But I do love their dresses and sweaters and bought quite a few this winter. I was tempted to buy boots but they would only last her 1 season. And I could not justify spending $80 for shoes that she'll wear one season.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am surprised that people have sizing issues with the crewcuts. I have a very large 3.5 yr old. He wears the med with no problems. Also, we too live in Fairfield County, CT and a lot of the people I know love Crewcuts. I find the quality better than Gymboree and Gap and, once on sale, the prices are similar to that of Janie and Jack. I too used to love Gap jeans for my little boy. However, they all have some kind of distressing wash on the front now. It looks cute, but makes the knees way to thin and they wear through quickly.
ReplyDeleteMy 10 year old will only wear
ReplyDeleteAbercrombie. He will wear the gap jeans and just recently I bought him a pair of crew cut jeans at the outlets for $19.99. He likes the jeans and said I can get him more. I put my 4 year old in their clothes. I purchase all of the crew cut clothing at the outlets. I don't think
there is much of a difference in quality. I was there the day after xmas and bought a red puffer coat for 27.00, sweaters for 10.00 a piece, button up shirts for 7.00 a piece and some long sleeve critter t shirts for 3.00 a piece. I would never pay full price for crew cuts, kids grow way too fast.
Crewcuts are made in China just like GapKids & Gymboree. Personally, I don't buy anything (other than coats & other outerwear) that can be machine washed. I think crewcuts original price points are ridiculous. I'd also never, ever buy cashmere for a kid - what's the point, other than to indulge the insecurity of the parent? The kid doesn't know what cashmere is, other than something he/she will get yelled at for getting something on.
ReplyDeletethat should read "that CAN'T be machine washed."
ReplyDeleteI have bought cashmere sweaters for my 6 and 8 year old daughters from Land's End (on sale but still about $40-50 each); they are great to keep them warm in the bitter cold or Northern MN. If they get something on the sweater I just wash it.
ReplyDeletesemi-related: I think as a result of jcrew's desire to expand the crewcuts line, I (and others, I'm sure) am now getting a ton of catalogs from places like restoration hardware for kids, and random high-end kid's clothing catalogs. I have never bought anything from crewcuts, I don't have kids, nor do I want any, so it's really annoying! If they want to do that, fine, but only send that crap to people who have actually bought crewcuts!!
ReplyDelete(I should add that I long ago opted out of crewcuts emails). I thought they also had an opt-out for giving your info to other catalog vendors, maybe it got reset with the web overhaul. ?
ReplyDeleteOT - I have a question about the Lattice cami, item 11837. The description states that it is "dramatically printed." I don't see ANY print. Does anyone else?
ReplyDeleteI've practically begged some companies to stop sending me catalogs. I find now that if you mention something about "better for the environment to save the paper" they're more responsive, because they don't want the bad pub. from being a not-green co., so to speak.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite was maybe 7 years ago,
Neiman Marcus sent me there Christmas look-book, where the cheapest thing was $250 pair of socks or something like that. I cut out the pages and used them as wrapping paper :-)
ack, sent me THEIR ...
ReplyDeleteI'm signing up to block catalogs left and right on Catalog Choice. It's a free service that contacts stores and other catalog senders at your request to cut down on paper waste. A lot of stores have signed up to cooperate with Catalog Choice, but even those that don't will still get your request. Every time my mailbox gets clogged with catalogs, I spend a couple of minutes entering their info. I've been doing this for two or three weeks now, so pretty soon, I shouldn't have to do this at all!
ReplyDeleteAm I blind -- you're not blind! There's no print on the lattice cami -- they're all solid colors. Maybe "dramatically shaped" or "dramatically detailed" would have been a better description.
ReplyDeletekitch7,
ReplyDeletethanks for the link! I am bookmarking it. I'm a recycling nazi, but I wish I didn't have to recycle so many catalogs that I never even look at or wanted!
I logged in a bunch of catalogs to Catalog Choice. I did this probably 9 months ago, and most did not get cancelled. I think the website has a great idea, but I don't know what the difficulty in getting them cancelled was. Instead, I started calling the 1-800 number of the magazine immediately after I receive it. It only takes a few minutes and every magazine I called was polite and did not even ask why I wanted off. It usually takes a month or two to stop receiving catalogs because most are preprinted ahead of time. Doing this worked much faster than the Catalog Choice and I am seeing results already.
ReplyDeletehmm... I guess the best approach then would be to try the website, and also call the retailer, one way has got to work. I'm good at shaming people into being more environmentally friendly, so I will definitely try the "stop wasting paper!" angle on the CSR. :)
ReplyDeleteoh, and PS: I wish JCrew would do better than FSC mixed sources. They need to up the recycled paper content. My January '09 doesn't have any recycling content label listed, which I found strange.
Alexis--
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this would be too much work/research for you, but I'd be really interested in a post on jcrew's sustainability efforts (regarding the catalog, partnerships with other companies, store design, packaging, clothing, even in-house initiatives among staff). I might even look into myself and report back if I've got the time. :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCatalog Choice is probably much better at stopping catalogs from merchants who have signed up with CC to adhere to requests. When you enter a catalog's name, CC will tell you whether the merchant has signed up with CC or not, and if not, what number(s)/email address(es) to contact in addition to CC submitting your request.
ReplyDeleteI found another alleged free shipping coupon - TDN-30 is supposed to be valid for purchases over $150 until Jan 17. It just worked for a mock checkout.
ReplyDeleteEveryone: Thanks for sharing your situation with J.Crew emails. :)
ReplyDeleteBeachbum: Thank you so much for sharing that code. I have gone ahead and created a post with that new info. :)
Most catalog retailers are members of the Direct Marketing Association. If you put your name on the DMA's Do Not Mail list, catalogers will scrub your name off of any lists they buy and won't mail to you unless you are already a customer. I think updates to the list are sent to catalogers quarterly so there is a bit of a lag before it takes effect (plus, labels are preprinted in a month in advance, blah, blah, blah.)
ReplyDeleteI did this years ago and I get no catalogs at all until I buy something from a new retailer and then they start up again. At that point I call the company and ask to be removed from their list.
If all else fails, ask them to mark you as deceased. I had to do this once to get the catalogs to stop once and for all (not kidding!)
Re: sustainability. Cotton is a really environmentally unfriendly fabric to create and J. Crew makes tons of stuff out of cotton. Idea for a post: Would you pay more for J. Crew products if they were made out of organic cotton? If yes, how much of a premium would you be willing to pay? Do you buy any other brands that make clothes out of organic cotton (such as Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, etc.)?
Luckily my kids have to wear uniforms to school so I don't have to deal with the brands of clothing they like. But I love crewcuts for "at home" and weekend wear. I stock up on T's and other basics when they get marked down to $4.99 and sometimes I will splurge and get cute argyle sweaters for them, but only on a good discount. Both my son and husband have matching polos and its cute. I've yet to find the same top though for my daughter and I.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips on cutting the catalogs. I get so many now from all sorts of companies. I used to like them but 90% of them go directly into the trash. So much waste.
Hey Kitchy, loving the new pic next to your name:)
ReplyDeleteThanks!!! Yesterday I finally figured out how to sign myself up for a real blogger account, so now I don't have to enter my name by hand. And as a bonus, I got to add my fave J. Crew pattern as my pic!!!
ReplyDeleteI get a lot of catalogues that I just toss. I try to have them cancelled but it doesn't always work. I have been saving the J.Crew catalogues for almost two years now. I have them in magazine holders. Sometimes I like to look back at how they styled items that I have purchased, just to get ideas. I also use the older catalogues to search for past-season items on the website. Sometimes they pop up on the search and I've ordered at least six past-season items this way, including a pair of boots during the HOHOHO promo. They never showed up in the sale or regular sections, only when I did the search. They were discounted too.
ReplyDelete:-)
anon @ 650pm: Thanks for the remark about the DNM list! I have not been receiving any catalogs, I did not even think to connect it to the DNM list. It definitely makes sense though.
ReplyDeleteShopper555
ReplyDeleteMy daughter wears uniforms and I can't stand it. I can't wait until we move and I can send her to school with no uniforms. Fashion is too much fun!
Anon @ 6:50 - why focus on organic cotton? Truth be told, organic farming is not necessarily good for the environment either. Farming changes the ecosystem so that certain organisms can flourish, where they would not in a natural setting. That's why people invented chemicals to control pests in the first place.
ReplyDeleteNo, people should have to go out and gather their own cotton that grows scarcely in the wild and mill it into fabric themselves. Then sew their own clothes. If you really cared about the environment, that is what you should do.
anon @ 7:35--
ReplyDeleteyou must be the same anon "complaining" that while I disaprrove of jcrew's catalog recycled paper content, I buy online instead of in-store. Well, I'll also have you know that I *gasp* make some of my own clothes too! You know, not all of us who look at this blog are mindless, wasteful, exclusive only to jcrew drones, as you seem to think. If you don't have anything positive to contribute to the conversation, why bother?
I specified organic cotton because J. Crew, at least as far as I know, does not sell fruits and vegetables, therefore cotton seemed more relevant.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I actually do knit my own hats, mittens, scarves and sweaters. I don't have sheep myself, but I buy wool from a local sheep farmer who has her sheep's wool spun and dyed in the region and then does a big yarn sale each year.
I actually don't consider myself an environmental nut. I was interested in the topic more from a businesss point of view - how much do consumers value this, how much of a premium are consumers willing to pay, etc. - and thought it could make an interesting topic for discussion among thoughtful adults, a slight change of pace from coupon codes and complaints about order problems. Perhaps I was too optimistic?
Anon 6:50 pm yesterday
Anon 6:50 pm yesterday + January 12, 2009 9:33 AM,
ReplyDeleteI just posted a kind of lengthy response, but gmail + blogger are acting up! ugh! Let me try to recreate it:
Basically, blog replies are tricky b/c you can never be sure of tone, if someone is being snarky, helpful, defensive, etc. But I do agree with you that it is a much more interesting topic than sale codes!
I think some consumers are willing to pay more. Personally, when it comes to clothing or ceramics and other smaller items, I am willing to pay more for something local/handcrafted than from a larger retailer that is calling something sustainable or organic, when it is actually being mass produced in China. I'm not sure how jcrew can work towards a more sustainable end without increasing prices even more.
It can be difficult for me to reconcile my jcrew purchases with the environmentally upright life I try to lead, but I buy in moderation (plus I would say 80-90% on sale), along with thrifting and sewing--though I do covet in spades! ;) And, I do try to bike to my downtown store when possible. :)
I wish I could knit, but sewing is enough of a patience-consuming task for me! :P
Anon 9:33, I think it is a great topic to look at it from a business point of view. It is interesting to know how consumers consider where to make their purchases and what really has an impact.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I do seek out local as much as possible and I'm happy to pay more for fewer items that are more responsible and certainly if they keep the $$ local. I used to sew all my clothes when I was a starving student. I don't have the time, patience or need anymore, although I do knit for relaxation and donate the proceeds (toques, scarves and mittens) to charity. I also have a large garden every year and a few neighbors have taken up their lawn to do the same.
I'm sure the Anon will come back and blast me too, it's a topic that touches a nerve with so many people. I liked the way someone responded in a past post "don't feed the trolls". Nice.
I saw a news story recently where recyclers were no longer accepting product as they were overloaded and there were very limited purchasers of the recycled materials to use in manufacture of new products. They cited the downturn in the economy for the decrease in demand. Unfortunately they said that most recyclables were now going straight into the landfill. I will try to find a link for the story. I'm the NE part of the country but I imagine the issue could be happening anywhere.
ReplyDelete