A big "thanks!" to Heather:D & Marissa who shared with us one of J.Crew's latest emails.J.Crew is reminding us about their student and teacher (aka: educator) discount of 15% off. They are also very clear in the email that this discount is only for (1) full-price merchandise, and... (2) purchases made at their brick & mortar (B&M) stores.
As mentioned in a previous post (refer to the May 1st post: "News About J.Crew's Student and Educator Discount {what's the deal?}"), J.Crew recently changed the discount so it would apply only to full-priced items. (Before it could be applied to any item, regardless of promotion.)
However, I was not aware that this discount is limited to in-store only use. I was under the impression it could be used for online and phone orders too, as long as it's a full priced item. {sigh} Maybe that is still the case, and the email forgot to mention that the discount can be applied for online & phone orders. {fingers crossed!}
Did you receive this email? Were you aware of the recent changes in the discount's applicability? Have you been able to use the discount for your recent online and/or phone orders? If so, please share! :)
I guess the update of this policy reflects outcries a while ago on this blog about people who use an old school email or who use a friend/relative' school email to apply for student/teacher discount. I personally don't think there were many cases of such cheating. Jcrew now is very cynical towards customers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer that the discount can't be used on internet orders :( Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteI use my student discount making phone orders regularly. I have never had a problem (so far). They do ask for the valid student email and I think they check to see if it is valid because it always takes a minute to check.
ReplyDeleteOT -- I reviewed the yellow stadium cloth Winnie coat today:
ReplyDeletehttp://gigisgoneshopping.blogspot.com/2009/08/j-crew-stadium-cloth-winnie-jacket.html
I wish J. Crew would offer this 15 percent discount to everybody in store AND online, because I would buy a ton of stuff right now. I'm holding out for a discount and free shipping.
ReplyDeleteThis store's rules and regs just convince me they are made of evil.
But I hope all the school teachers and students have fun. I will live vicariously through you.
Well, they gave me my teacher discount on an online order as recently as August 4. Hope this isn't the new deal, as I'm a long way from a B&M and many things are catalog/online only! Maybe they now have different policies for students and teachers?
ReplyDeleteSo they are switching to more of an online/catalog focus yet are not allowing us to use this discount on those orders? Hmmm.... I have tried 3 times to find the new fall items I want at various stores without success. I don't think I'll be placing a fall order now without an extra discount incentive.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to offend anyone, but I don't understand why teachers are entitled to a discount and no one else? I earn about the same or less than teachers, I'd love a discount!
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to get into a HUGE DEBATE but teachers typically are choosing a lower-paying job, over a higher-paying one, because they see the job as important and community-minded.
ReplyDeleteIf a retailer wants to reward that mindset I think that's awesome.
(Not a teacher; if I were I would use the heck out of that discount probably thereby defeating the purpose.)
Cliquot, I couldn't agree with you more!
ReplyDeleteI love teachers and students and have friends and family who are both, but I don't understand why they get this discount and I don't. It pisses me off, quite frankly. Why don't lawyers get the discount? Or nurses? Or a cashier at McDonald's?
What the hell? All of our money is green.
We teachers don't make the rule as to which retailers apply discounts or not! I think that's a corporate decision. Now, while I don't think it's a good idea for them to take it away from online orders, I can also understand why they would do it. All the ask is an email account, and I'm sure maybe people abuse of this benefit.
ReplyDeleteJust my 2 cents.
I wonder if they take away the on-line promo if they would let teachers and students order the items (with 15% off) from the red phone as long as a SA has verified that they have a legitimate id. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteAwhile back, someone had mentioned that one of the big reasons for the student/teacher discount had to do with marketing; you get a 1st grade teacher surrounded by other teachers and parents asking where she got her dress/flats/suit and the word of mouth spreads brand appreciation like wildfire. Whether or not any of that is true, I have no idea.
ReplyDeleteTeachers do need to be celebrated! But I'm not convinced that a retailer giving preferential treatment to a specific profession is frustrating!
Re: dinagideon
ReplyDeleteIt'd be so unreasonable if Jcrew took that away!
My guess is that they will keep that. Using the ID at a B&M and through a red phone would both allow the SA to verify our ID.
I've been able to get the student discount on every online order that I have purchased, including one from last week. Thats disappointing, since the only store they have here in Hawaii never seems to carry the items that I want and are only available for me online.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the props & post Alexis!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'm a little puzzled by this email tho'.
In my experience, many retailers offer education related incentives -- either donating a % of the purchase to a school selected by the customer or a disc. to the student/educator at point of sale. Also, there are several retailers who offer petite, tall, & plus sizing in store. With this particular offer, customers can benefit from the edu discount only if they buy from the items available instore.
I appreciate that jcrew offers the discount & that they make (some) items in the petite sizing I prefer. I also appreciate that they offer the red phone as a courtesy to those of us who can't find the item instore. Although, from what I've read, jcrew has also restricted matching sale pricing over the red phone. I have to wonder... if it is a courtesy to help customers why won't they include the discount & price matching? It feel like I have limited options:
1)buy the petite on the red phone & save the shipping (after I've spent the gas $$$ to get to a B&M) without the discount
2)buy the reg item at full price & use my card privileges for alterations
3)buy the reg item & use the edu discount to pay for the alterations
or
4)go to some other retailer that offers petites instore & more flexible sales/discounts
***SIGH**
I don't want to sound ungrateful, but sometimes I wish jcrew offered a little more support to the little / tall / curvy gal.
Mickey, if you're reading this, please re-consider offering discounts (& price matching) over the red phone!
Thanks again for the post Alexis,
Heather:D
No, not worth a debate at all, it's not teachers' fault if JC wants to give them a discount :)
ReplyDeleteI'm just sayin' that there are many jobs that are low earning and/or community minded -- it's just weird that one profession gets singled out, that's all.
I don't think that J.Crew uses the student/educator discount to reward anyone's dedication to higher learning or public service. Rather, JC has made a calculated decision that it can sell FP merchandise at at a discount to a certain group of customers and still make a profit.
ReplyDeleteWhat I've learned from this: they can do the same for me. I limit FP purchases to PS, "Mickey" cards, or rewards cards.
I just placed an order this morning with Ann Taylor for a few new tops and sweaters with a 30% discount code I received recently. The tops were new stock and were already buy one get one at 50% off.
ReplyDeleteI also placed an order with Talbots for a really cute little cropped leather jacket and a sleek ivory silk tank to wear under my ocelot merino cardi from J Crew. I had a 20% discount and free shipping code.
I have a 40% off any one retail item coupon good at Banana Republic for tomorrow only that is burning a hole in my pocket. Monogram trenchcoat, here I come.
I have a full shopping cart at J Crew and just can't seem to pull the trigger given the other retailers are offering some exceptional clothing at really great prices. I wish J Crew would do better than just free shipping before I burn through my fall/winter wardrobe budget.
By the way, I asked this on an earlier post, but does anyone have an opinion on the fit of the chimera jacket?
I'm pretty sure they still offer the teacher/student discounts on online purchases. The latest email I received after requesting my discount be applied stated this:
ReplyDelete**********************
We have been delighted in providing this special discount for those of our customers living and working in the academic community, and look forward to continuing this service. As of May 1, 2009 however, the basis for determining qualifying orders has changed.
The education discount will continue to be applicable to all regularly priced and promotionally priced merchandise selected for purchase at our J.Crew retail stores, at jcrew.com, or via a phone call. Any merchandise that is reduced to a price ending in 99 cents will not qualify for the additional 15% price reduction.
***********************
I doubt they've gone back and changed the policy YET AGAIN. That would just be ridiculous. Surely it's just an oversight...
I very rarely buy full priced items at J. Crew so I am unable to take advantage of the teacher/ student discount even though I am a student and qualify for the discount. I will say that in the past I have had my PS apply my student discount on orders placed through her and over the Red phone have had no problems.
ReplyDeleteMy husband just got a job as a real college prof and i keep telling him how excited I am about the JCrew educator discount! how silly... maybe it will work in my favor since we both like the wool mini and the orange tights in the sept. catalog.
ReplyDeleteWell, up until last week, I was able to email them from my school email address after placing an order to receive the educ. credit on my orders online. This is news to me. My SA in the store loves to order for me, over the red phone, and she always gets me free shipping AND the discount - so I suppose I will just need to do that if this is to be the case.
ReplyDeleteOh, I cannot stand the insanity of YET ANOTHER debate: I want the discount too--Why do teachers get it and I don't--I don't make a lot of money either.
ReplyDeleteReally people this has been debated to death and beaten to death and well--death. Let this be the end!
I just ordered the Wool Flannel Schoolboy Blazer from the red phone yesterday because my B&M didn't carry the color I was looking for, and I got the student discount without a problem. So I assume it still works for red phone orders, at least.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnd P.S. - I also got the free shipping, even with the student discount.
ReplyDeleteI also got the student discount to work on a phone order on Sunday. I ordered the wool pleated galleria dress and got the student discount as well as free shipping for over $150. I tried to get it tax free too (last weekend was tax-free weekend in TX), but I guess that was asking too much :(
ReplyDeleteI think tax-free here in Texas was on items up to $100 - I got my order tax-free automatically from the website on qualifying stuff.
ReplyDeleteCliquot,
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more!!! Like Susan said all of our money is green.
I just want to know what makes teachers so above anyone else....what about doctors, nurses and those that put their life on the line everyday like firefighters.
I really hope this message does not get deleted, it is here not start an arguement but I for one would really like to know J Crew's thought process on how they pick and choose what is a "important" job in order to get the discount. :-)
Sorry, Genny, I wasn't around when this was discussed before; my fault for raising it again. I was just curious, that's all.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI used my student ID card at two factory stores last month. The SA took 15% off my entire order - mostly clearance items. No questions asked. Great extra discount
ReplyDeletekitsmommy,
ReplyDeleteIs the Talbots code more than one use? I'd really love a 20% off / free shipping coupon!
Thanks!
If you can't get the 15% on online orders, you can always bring the items in to your B&M for a price adjustment.
ReplyDeletePakola, I just used the same Talbots code this morning and it worked for me. I found it here. It's the first one listed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tjoos.com/Coupon/19237/Talbots
Got a pair of the new knee-high mid heel boots.
I actually just placed an order right now over the phone and was able to get the 15% discount and the free shipping (Some SA's say they aren't allowed to put in 2 promotions, so I just call until I get an SA that will).
ReplyDeleteI was told just give JCrew your school address and they would apply the discount.
ReplyDeleteI was just at a B&M on Sunday. The store had a cardigan on clearance, with an additional 30% off and I also used my educator discount for an extra 15% OFF. This is the only way I am able to afford JCrew. I will not be able to purchase items now that you can only use 15% on Full price and only at B&Ms. My closest BM is atleast 40 miles away. Not good for buisness, JCrew, not at all
Thanks Cass!
ReplyDeleteAmy--
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious to know how the wool pleated galleria dress fits! What do you plan on wearing with it?
Thanks!
Emily
When I received my educator's discount at my local b&m over the weekend, the store manager told me that they are very eager to get more faculty in (I'm at the univ. here--really, the only game in a one horse town) but don't quite know how to promote their program. (Our univ. email system blocks their emails as spam.) The point behind the strategy, I think, is that professors and instructors are in front of one of J. Crew's key demographics: undergrads and grad students (a slightly different point from Emily's above). I can't tell you how frequently my students ask me, always sheepishly since it has nothing to do with the courses I teach, where I get my clothes. This sort of exposure is what drives, I suspect, the singling out of educators for this privilege. Free advertising.
ReplyDeleteOT: I just posted a review of the Pilar knit dress and the herringbone bucket hat on my blog. I know some of you were asking about the dress in particular...hope this helps!
ReplyDeletedoes the discount work at j.crew outlets as well?
ReplyDeletethanks
I'm not a teacher, but my sister is and I will be dragging her along on my next shopping trip :)
I totally agree with kitsmommy. I've bought a good amount of stuff from other retailers so far for fall. I have my JC cart all loaded up, but am not buying until there's something better than free shipping.
ReplyDeleteBTW, ebates has great coupons for ATLoft and AT.
I understand why people feel there's a disparity on who J. Crew gives discounts to but I get it. It's their demographic, it's who they market to, it's their brand. Look at their catalogs. Look at their marketing campaigns. More often than not, they are placed in libraries, fields holding Steinbeck, etc. The men are in tweeds, the women are in glasses with all their Tina Fey braininess. I believe Apple markets this way as well. They are a business first and it's how they want to be perceived. And no, I'm not a student or a teacher, although this time every year, I want to be. Something about fall makes me want to walk under leafy trees holding books in either capacity.
ReplyDeleteOff topic- Does anyone think the blush tweed skirt can be worn with black tights or are the colors in the skirt too light?
ReplyDeleteKitsmommy - I actually wanted to buy that little leather jacket from Talbots too. Would you be willing to share the coupon code, or is it one time use? Their new catalog is amazing. I heard that they now have an in-house designer for the entire line, it sure shows.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJessie,
ReplyDeleteI have the code written down at work and I would be glad to post it tomorrow. I do love some of the new pieces and their lookbook is worth a viewing. The outfits are amazing! They have a tdf shearling jacket coming out in October. If I didn't live in Florida....
I am still having trouble with the fit of some pieces as they are just too big and boxy for me. Also, the smallest size in my local stores is a 4 and their 4s are generously cut, so I always have to order a 2 or try petite sizes (especially in skirts which are cut overly long to be stylish on my 5'4" frame in regulars). I wish they carried more smaller sizes.
Kitsmommy - It IS tough if you are tiny. I am not a small girl though, so Talbots works really well for me. I buy pants and wardrobe basics from Talbots and then get my fashion forward pieces and accessories from J. Crew. If you could post tomorrow, that would be splendid. There are no codes on Retail Me Not and I do not want to wait on that jacket. I have two previous Talbots leather jackets and it is very nice quality. Did you get the palomino color or the black?
ReplyDeleteAlso - Shipping from their red-line phone just became free about a month ago. It was always $6 flat before. Lastly (and this is wonderful is you have an SA you really like), the stores are now getting credit for red-line purchases, which will really help smaller stroes that do not carry as much merchandise.
The teacher's discount does not bother me. But what I would love to see is some sort of break for petites, talls etc. . There is not a single B&M that carries these sizes. The fit is not always perfect either which makes buying them even more frustrating because you can't buy in store. I personally hate driving down to my B&M to avoid paying $17 in shipping on a 1 pound item.
ReplyDeleteAh, heck.. I would just be happy if J Crew dropped the insane shipping charges. I don't care if they give discounts to people who own poodles. I just want to see reasonable shipping charges.
Now Little Red Bean Pancake you have really irritated me. I own a doberman and will not get a poodle discount. Who the heck do you think you are to be dissing my dog like that? Why should poodles get the discount and not my noble dobie. So typical.
ReplyDeleteJules--yeah, the lady on the phone said something about that when I made my order, but she kind of mumbled (or my phone wasn't turned up enough) and I didn't really understand what she was talking about. Thanks for clearing that up.
ReplyDeleteEmily--I tried on the dress at my local b&m, but the smallest size they had was a 2, which was a little big, especially in the top (I'm small chested), so I went with the 0 online. I'm usually a 0 in j crew dresses, so hopefully this one fits TTS. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to pair with it yet. I'm thinking a t-strap shoe like this or maybe a skinny belt. The day I tried it on, I was wearing a pearl necklace, which looked lovely with it as well. I also tried a light pewter jackie over it, which looked very nice. I think there's a lot you can do with it. I bought it primarily for work (and because I thought the pleated details were adorable, oh, and because I LOVE navy and have a huge softspot for j crew suiting dresses, etc.) Hope that helps! :)
OT - To the blogger who posted on the weekly exchange as "jcrew" with email jcrewsavvy@gmail.com, could you please check your email?
ReplyDeleteThe Victoria cami I purchased from you August 4 still has not arrived and I would like proof of shipment please.
Original Post:
jcrew said...
NWT Jcrew victoria ruffle cami sz 10 Ivory - $35 shipped
jcrewsavvy@gmail.com
August 3, 2009 7:46 PM
I just wish it worked online...
ReplyDeleteI use my discount both on phone orders and with my PS through email. Last week I ordered over the phone and asked to have the teacher discount applied to the full price item. The associate on the phone must have full access to my file since he knew the address, had my credit card on file and could see that I regularly get the 15% off.
ReplyDeletejessie b, i posted the link to find the talbots code above--it's at http://www.tjoos.com/Coupon/19237/Talbots. The first one is the one I used and it worked for FS plus 20% off.
ReplyDeleteCinderella,
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line:
if you cannot afford JCrew-don't shop there. A little 15% discount is not going to make or break the bank.
Summer,
ReplyDeleteWOW....Please re-read my post I asked if anyone could tell me why J Crew picked teachers as an "important" job as opposed to others.
I never once said I could not afford it, that was never part of my post.
Maybe you should think or read twice before you start giving advice.
Have a wonderful day.
I think a lot of people would be well served if they remember that the student and teacher discount is a PRIVILEGE, not a right. J.Crew isn't required to give you any kind of discount, and they have a right to make changes to it. Rather than talking about its limitations, how unfair it is, how it's not enough, and in general talking about how "bad" it is, maybe we should just be glad we're getting a discount at all, and stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly, the discount can't be given to everyone, or else it would not be a discount. The theory behind the decision, I'm sure, is that students and teachers are a demographic that is likely very attracted to the JCrew aesthetic (preppy and polished), while being a demographic that is also less likely to buy at full price because of salary or lack thereof. By giving these groups a discount, JCrew can include them in their customer base, without really losing any money. Let customers buy at the price point that they are willing and able to pay--that's also why many of us only buy on sale. The important thing--from their perspective--is making money, so this decision is a purely business oriented one.
ReplyDeletePlus, as others have mentioned, it's an excellent grassroots market, where you will find other students and educators looking for similar looks. While students and teachers are not the only "worthy" or "important" demographic, it is one that makes good business sense for their particular aesthetic. I doubt you will see Bebe or Forever 21 offering educator discounts, simply because it's not a demographic that makes sense for them. By offering the student/educator discount, it attracts customers who might be less likely to shop there without one--customers who might otherwise shop at Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, etc.
And many of the people who are complaining about the policy are in effect proving the point: even without a discount, you continue to buy JCrew. Therefore, you are not within the demographic that they are trying to attract with the discount--people who wouldn't without.
I've bought a $50 cardigan and gotten both discounts in the past: free shipping and 15% off.
ReplyDeleteSo I called J.Crew to place an order today for items that were catalog only/ not available at m local store. They told me if I went in store they would give me 15% off and free shipping on full priced items, but could only give me one discount over the phone and online. Then I argued with them and said, "So basically you want me to go in store just to use your store phone." And they made an exception and gave me both discounts over the phone. :)
Hi, I was just at J crew yesterday and was able to get my 15% off and FREE shipping over the red phone. I also got 10% off for opening a J Crew card.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found this site because J Crew is my new favorite store and I plan on buying a lot from there.
My sis and I went to the J.Crew outlet the day after Thanksgiving (yes, we are insane) and they took the student discount there. It didn't matter if the items are on sale or not. I bet the regular J.Crew store is the same.
ReplyDeleteI just ordered something by phone and got my student discount! =)
ReplyDeleteI am able to use my teacher discount online if I then follow up with a call to customer service. If I do that within 1 hour of making the order, they'll edit the total right then. Otherwise, they take the discount off at time of shipping. One time they did neglect to issue me the discount after shipping, but when I called they gave me the credit. I also sometimes just call instead of going online. When I call, I'm able to give the code for free shipping (when applicable), and also get the teacher discount. I was told that if they offer a % off deal (such as 20% off sale items), I couldn't use the teacher discount on top of that. But I don't know about it only applying to regular price items.
ReplyDelete