Friday, May 1, 2009

J.Crew's Shop & Share Program {tell me more!}

A big "thanks!" to Twiga (in this post) and Emily (in this post) who let us know about J.Crew's latest program: Shop & Share. This program is where customers can save money by encouraging friends to shop at J.Crew.

Both Twiga & Emily heard about the program through an employee of J.Crew (store associate & personal shopper). Emily shared with us the following: "...has anyone recieved a call from their PS about some new promo called Shop & Share? My PS left me a voice mail about it. It's called Shop & Share and basically you bring in 3 friends and they get 25% off if they each spend $125 or more and you get 20% off your purchase. I can't rember if someone already posted about this".

I hadn't heard of this offer so I really appreciate Twiga & Emily sharing. (I was at a J.Crew store yesterday too, and no one mentioned it to me either.) :) It sounds like a pretty good offer if you have friends who also share your love of J.Crew. (Sadly, I do not.) ;)

I wonder if you have to have your friends & family shop at J.Crew at the same time for you to get the credit. I also wonder if the 20% off is good for a period of time, or just a one-day use. Hopefully J.Crew will provide more information about this program (either through an email or posting it on their website).

What are your thoughts on the Shop & Share program? Were you told about this promotion? If so, please let us know and share with us, some more details! ;)

42 comments:

  1. Um, I don't know. I guess it's an okay concept. However I would think that if you could convince a few people to spend $125 at JCrew right now...when the selection isn't as great as it has been...then the reward should be much greater than 20% off.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I miss the JCrew depicted in that picture. Not a ruffle or frayed chiffon trim in sight. Wasn't too long ago, Fall 2005, I believe?

    ReplyDelete
  3. omigosh that is an awesome incentive! although how do they keep track of who already got to use the discount? in theory, wouldn't me and my 3 friends just bring in each other so that we could all use the 25% discount vs. only 20%?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think this is interesting, but would be kind of hard to coordinate with that many people's schedules, at least for me. Maybe I need more shopping friends, ha! It could be a great reason for a JCA meetup too... you would get a discount with your newfound friends! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fall 2005 is the best. I want it back ....

    Too much ruffle and beads nowadays...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mrs. Obama is in J.Crew again! :)

    http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2009/05/01/2009-05-01_first_lady_michelle_obama_kicks_in_own_foot_feat_for_fashionistas_lanvin.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alexis, I received a really cute gift from JC thanking me for being a good credit card customer... I might post pictures later. I wonder if anybody have gotten one also?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anon 4:16

    Good -- she's not wearing anything that I particularly like. Whenever she shows up in the news wearing something cute it immediately sells out and then I have no chance of waiting for that sale!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. While at the store yesterday, my SA told me about the shop & share program. I told her unfortunately my friends & family are not J Crew Crazy like me. Even if I did know three people who would spend $125 in one visit, I do not think a 20% discount is enough incentive to bother. The Mickey card was a much better deal!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have not heard about the promotion, but why would my friends get 25% off and I only get 20%???? Makes no sense.

    ReplyDelete
  11. My question is, what would stop me from teaming up with a couple of shoppers already in the store and presenting ourselves as friends for the Shop & Share program?

    I know, I know. MORALS. *slaps wrist* I wouldn't actually do it, but I could see it happening. They should almost be mailing out cards for this instead, the way Gap does. Just my two cents.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would be hard-pressed to find three other people to go to J.Crew with me, let alone spend $125 (each! ack!) Not sure of the scenario where this would actually work out - for, um, anyone - but maybe there are "group" shoppers out there somewhere who make large purchases in teams. :) Don't think I'll be taking advantage of this one...

    ReplyDelete
  13. J. I got a gift box as well. There are some cards inside. I am not sure what Jcrew expect me to use them for.

    ReplyDelete
  14. J I got a gift in the mail today too! Did you get notecards or are there are "special" gifts floating around?

    Here's what mine look like.

    ReplyDelete
  15. No friends here...May 1, 2009 at 4:50 PM

    Seriously, no one loves jcrew as much as I do...all my family/friends think I'm crazy to begin with, especially buying that much from only one company (loyal, what can I say?).

    ReplyDelete
  16. RatsOnParade:

    Those are what I received as well. Originally, I thought jcrew mailed me the cards because I was an ebay reseller and jcrew wanted me to insert the cards to my customers.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh good, another discount incentive to be applied with inconsistency. Let the whining begin.

    ReplyDelete
  18. That's cool some other people are getting the cards too. I was half expecting another luggage tag. ;)

    For anyone who's interested, here are a few more details on the notecards:

    I received a small box in the mail today with the words “A little something from J.Crew….” on the label. Inside was an envelope tied with a bright pink grosgrain ribbon.

    The card on top read:

    Just a gift to say thank you…for being one of our best J.Crew Credit Cardmembers.

    Enjoy the enclosed custom-designed note cards. They were illustrated by one of our women’s designers, Somsack. We fell in love with the whimsical illustrations, and we know you will too.

    Your friends at J.Crew

    24-7@jcrew.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is just a pathetic attempt to rival Gap & BR Friends and Family, which is wildly successful and much better IMHO. I wouldn't be able to find other people to go with, either.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I don't often shop with friends as my shopping time is pretty limited... do my kids count? I guess not as they aren't going to spend $$ hmmm.... Not sure how this will work for me, but I did like the idea of making new friends who are already in the store:)
    Twiga

    ReplyDelete
  21. 20% is not incentive enough for me. Family and Friends discounts are usually much higher and you just go and spend with out needing others to buy as well. I get 30% and even 40% off cards from other stores about every two months. I had a 40% off one this week in fact for a store in my area. Whole store; nothing limited.

    I would never use this.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The JCrew one that is--would not do/use this...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Not so great, my PS mentioned this to me. I'm not going to do it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I wouldn't be able to take advantage of this because a.) I could never coordinate a time for myself plus 3 of my friends to all go into jcrew together and b.) alot of my friends are either laid off or struggling with the bad economy so would never spend $125 at jcrew (of course none of them are a fanatic like me).

    I also think it's weird that I would only get 20% off while my friends get 25%???

    ReplyDelete
  25. In theory, this is not such a bad deal. In practice, however, not so much. I don't have 3 friends who also love JCrew so the best I could do would be to agree to meet 3 fellow JCAs at my local store and play rock-paper-scissors to see who gets hosed with only 20% off while the others get 25% off. Too complicated.

    ReplyDelete
  26. It sounds like the three friends would get 25% off ONLY if they spend $125 or more, whereas that one person would get 20% regardless of how much was spent? or maybe i'm wrong about that...

    ReplyDelete
  27. From my understanding it is only 20% off for everyone...

    ReplyDelete
  28. How about referrals for online shopping? THAT, I could manage. I shop solo in B&M.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I do not like MO's kicks in the photo but I maybe happy about the Shop & Share Program. Happy happy joy joy.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Does item 14988, the featherweight cotton sweater have pockets? In some of the product shots it shows pockets and in some it doesn't.
    thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I think the reason the 3 friends receive 25% off their purchase is because they have to spend a minimum of $125 while the friend that coordinated the event/invited their friends to shop can spend as little or as much as they please and still receive 20% off.

    I agree that the 25% Mickey card was great! Every customer that had one was thrilled and came in several times to take advantage! It even gave the customers without a J.Crew card more incentive to 'join the club.'

    I agree that other clothing companies seem to give larger percentages off, but I think the reason J.Crew is not following the exact same method is for the same reason that they no longer have an additional percentage off of sale items: They want to do something to stand out from the 'competition' and stand behind their merchandise's price points.

    Although I feel that some of the prices are a bit high (select t-shirts, headbands, etc.) I like J.Crew for what it has to offer! I love their unique prints, shapely pencil skirts, array of colorful tops/blouses, comfortable flip flops, hand crafted shoes, etc.. The things that make J.Crew what it is. And I couldn't find most of those things at another retailer.

    I think I wouldn't feel as confident in J.Crew products if they were always an additional 40% off or had everything at a 2-for-1 deal.. I don't mind spending more if it's something I love and use for seasons to come.

    ReplyDelete
  32. O/T: I'm w/Tastymoog. I couldn't help but stare at the photo.

    ReplyDelete
  33. This program will not last. Not a very bright idea...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anony@12:42
    Your last paragraph shows how you can easily fall for marketing tricks or the trade...and you are falling straight into JCrew's...it does not matter how much you pay for an item...

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anon @ 12:42 - I agree with you. It seemed odd to me to find so many heavily discounted items available this past winter. J.Crew used to be about excellent quality at a fair price. I would pay more if the quality is there.

    ReplyDelete
  36. SOOOOO Lame! Absolutely ridiculous. I guess J.Crew's SA's are not producing (snotty behavior and all) so the company is trying to turn it's customers into SA's with this "promotion".

    ReplyDelete
  37. The reason jcrew could gave heavy discounts in the past season was jcrew dramatically cut its cost by sacrificing quality. Jcrew thought the change would work and they didn't need to change anything else of its business model. However, it didn't work.

    Now Jcrew is trying everything else. Unfortunately, I do not think they are in right directions. This new program and the change of student discount policy only show their desperation. Not good PR moves.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Everything I've read (interviews with Mickey, follow ups to shareholder's reports) states that they simply had too much merch and had to unload it, since customers cut back dramatically beginning August/September. The Fall/Winter stuff I bought is of great quality. I don't judge by price. I used to shop Value City, where I would get Worth NY items (usually available only by trunk show/private showing) usually sold for $200, $300, $400 and up for $5, $7, and $9. If you are a savvy and confident consumer who can judge good fabrics, good design, and a good seam, you can get great deals. That's not to say that JCrew might not have quality issues, just that I haven't seen them. Again, maybe because I'm buying at higher price points, but only at discounted prices.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Those coat's fabric was a great example.

    Compare last year's peacoats' fabric with previous years;

    Compare last year's double cloth's fabric with previous years;

    Compare last year's plaza coat's fabric with previous years;

    BTW, why did thinsulate inside peacoats become something else?

    We know jcrew personnel post here.

    ReplyDelete
  40. 10:50, if you are calling me (9:59) out as a JCrew employee, you're wrong. I'm just a consumer. There's certain JCrew items I won't buy, including ringspun Ts, because I know they get holes. I've found the Collection stuff, when discounted, to be a top-notch value. What you say may indeed be true--I can't do this comparison myself. I also don't question other people's complaints. It's just that I don't have any--maybe I'm lucky.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I just did the shop and share with 3 co-workers last night. It was awesome!

    ReplyDelete

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! :)