"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta & Rosa, who shared the following email J.Crew sent this morning. The email reminds us about J.Crew's Personal Shopper (PS) service (click here to sign up).It's like J.Crew's marketing team can't be bothered. Why so mean? Because this is the same email they sent back a few months ago (refer to the October 8th "J.Crew Email: Our best-kept shopping secret" post). Not only is the subject of the email the same, but so is the text. The only difference is the photo. Way to rock it Marketing.
How about a killer promotion instead of this stock email? J.Crew, I know you know that I know you have a lot of Holiday merchandise being returned from brick & mortar (B&M) stores. So let's see some discounts and sales. And while we are it, don't be stingy with the free shipping offers. You know you want to. ;)
Ugh, the styling in that photo - if I wore that many layers I would look like the Michelin Man! It almost looks like they 'stretched' the picture vertically a bit.
ReplyDeletePhooey! I don't even bother getting up for an update anymore. I have all I want; I actually didn't even bother to check the JCrew website until just now (after 10 EST) and there are STILL over 750 items in the sale section; it appears nobody else is shopping either. A good markdown, an extra % off, and FS will entice me to grab the extra goodies that my closet wants but doesn't need. Thinking about it, I have purchased most of my sale items in-store with better markdowns AND a nice % off. I don't have a lot of self-control when it comes to JCrew but I guess even I am frustrated with their stinginess when it comes to getting rid of their old(er) merchandise. No JCrew, I cannot come out and play ;-(
ReplyDeleteI would kill for just one fs/no minimum offer, or a lower minimum than $150, at least. And they could lower some of the sale prices a bit, too--some stuff has been sitting there forever.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have an opinion or comment on J.Crew Personal Shoppers? Just curious...
ReplyDeleteI don't understant the point. They act like we should be so appreciative of this service. I can't picture a situation when I would use one. I feel like a personal shopper would just be trying to get me to buy as much as possible. I see enough commercials and product placements, I don't need a salesman plugging products to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree! We need to see extra discounts for the sale! Anyone has any idea whether there'll be one soon? Doesn't Jcrew need to move their sale stuff? I'm tired of seeing the same items everytime I go to my B&M...
ReplyDeleteStarfish - I have had a great experience with my personal shopper (I have online only). I've been hesitant to develop a relationship with one in-store because I feel bad for taking up their time and not making a purchase (but that's me - I don't feel a lot of pressure from the ones I have spent time with). They do usually put together some great outfits, and get you to try on things that maybe you wouldn't have considered.
ReplyDeleteMy online one is great - I usually e-mail her to place orders because I get a student discount (better than paying first then getting the discount), and also to get information on fit/sizing. She's also been able to help me get some orders cleared up (had some wrong things shipped, wrong credit cards charged, etc.). If you order on a fairly regular or frequent basis, I think it's worth it.
I love the freshness of the colors and the fact that this picture evokes Spring (in the dead of dreary winter) but I also wouldn't wear all of that. As for the PS..my in-store one, rocks. I haven't ever tried online..I can do fine on my own;)
ReplyDeleteOh my... My abdomen is hurting from reading the hilarious comments. Its ok Jcrew, I do not need any more of your ideas .Ugh ..about those personal shopper ladies in cardigans and layered necklaces over a ruffle top, I am imagining them right now with their ''kind'' smiling faces.. Aaaarghhh.. HELP!
ReplyDeleteJCrew used to do 40% off sale items online. Oh, the good ole days--probably gone forever...
ReplyDeleteI love the springiness of this look as well. I own the dried orchid jackie and I am thinking now of pairing it with a pink t-shirt since these colors look pretty together on the model. Silver-lining I think this would work better than the button down and jackie-twinset and I have to agree with you that I cannot pull off all that layering either!
ReplyDeleteI've had excellent experiences with my PS. Now, I only shop when she's working, plus she hosts private shopping events too... She's never pushy or tried to sell me something that wasn't flattering. She gives me her honest opinion and never hesitates to say something doesn't look good on me. Her style is low-fuss, which is exactly how I like to dress, but she always has a knack for putting things together. I suppose there are probably some bad PS's out there, but I've had a great time with her. Mine's at the Towson, MD just for reference.
ReplyDeleteOT: Does anyone here know if J Crew will accept a return from a Crewlett store? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am officially finished reading this blog. I'm tired of hearing you complain about the new styles and beg for free shipping... then when free shipping comes, you complain that there's nothing you really like enough to purchase in order to receive the free shipping. Whats the point?
ReplyDeleteIf you dislike J.Crew so much, perhaps there are other stores that would better suit your tastes?
I liked my PS (Online, because my size isn't sold in stores) She really helped me with an event I'm going to in Feb. She was never pushy. Showed me all the best styles for my figure, and yes I made a purchase. I do have to say I do remember getting this email last year, and do wish there was more variety. You know, a reason to be excited about getting an email so much that you want to search the store ASAP. I mean that is some of the reason for these emails (besides telling you about promotions). I am such a fan that I don't mind. not getting shipping codes, or many discounts often. Just have to learn to shop when you can, and all will be well.
ReplyDelete*Props to my PS Heather (online)*
Megan:
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're done with this blog because it's a great resource and Alexis puts a lot of time and work into it but I don't see a problem with people wanting quality merchandise for the prices J. Crew is charging. Of course people want more reasonable shipping rates or discounts on disposable albeit trendy merchandise and of course most of us back out of purchasing once J. Crew does throw us a bone because they play inventory and price games.
I also see nothing wrong with voicing our opinions on the direction J. Crew's style is heading when they're abandoning the classic quality looks that attracted us in the first place. And if you've read more than a few posts, you'll have noticed a lot of us are taking our shopping dollars elsewhere with the classic J. Crew look in mind.
I recently found a great Personal Shopper in another city that I travel to often. It is a much bigger store with Crewcuts and WAY more than my local store. I just e-mail her when I am looking for something that I cannot find in my store locally or is sold out online and she is AWESOME at finding it for me. She often will not only check her store but a few others for me. I have never had good luck with the 'We will find it service' but love having a great PS to help out. I have to admit that I like the picture & styling except for the button up shirt under the jackie shell??
ReplyDeleteMegan: You are entitled to your opinion. Just like I am entitled to mine (hence this blog). I give my opinion and that includes the good & the bad of J.Crew. I love J.Crew overall & am an avid follower, but should I love *every* aspect like a blind follower? If that is what you are looking for, then this place ain't it.
ReplyDeleteLastly, I am sorry you are no longer following this blog. (And this whole comment is pointless because you won't be reading it.) I understand. However, I have a sneaky suspicion you will be back. At the very least looking for the latest J.Crew promotional code. ;)
Alexis- LOVE the blog- the good, the bad, and the badly styled:)
ReplyDeleteDon't we always complain about the things we love the most? our jobs, our families, our lack of % off @ Jcrew- but we always come back for more! Keep up the great work it is much appreciated.
I think what Megan is saying is that it gets tiresome to sift through all the complaints/negative comments to find the one gem of useful info that someone else has posted. Let's keep it constructive, gals! I agree JCrew could lower prices, offer more promos, improve quality, offer free shipping, blah blah blah. But to hear it all the time...come on now! We all know that already. Let's move on, and if you don't have any NEW information to add to the conversation, maybe reconsider whether it's worth posting? (Okay... backing up into the corner now... don't shoot me!)
ReplyDeletemade a trip to my local J Crew outlet and ALL the cords and sweaters were gone..... I was thinking about another pair of cords because winter is making me cold. Outlet had spring items and Frenchie jackets...like that item but did not buy it on line and did not buy the outlet version. Cords on line are mostly still full price. Where does the outlet stuff go when they ship it out? (Buffalo where it is colder? A new store in Canada? Taiwan?) Just curious.
ReplyDeleteI love my ps (in store). I never feel pressure from him to buy. In fact, he knows I'm a teacher and can't buy everything I want to! He's always honest when I ask him to choose between items b/c I can't buy all. I have also tried on items b/c he asked me to and ended up loving some of them. I think it just depends on who you get. It's certainly worth a try, although it takes a few visits to get to know each other.
ReplyDeleteTwiga: Thank you for the words. You are very nice! :)
ReplyDeleteCheryl: I hear what you are saying and you have a valid point. :) However, one person's "complaints/negative comments" on prices, improving quality, etc. might be someone else's constructive information. I think what makes this place so great is because we can share our thoughts, which include venting our frustrations. There is comfort in knowing you are not the only one with a tissue tee that has a hole in it or a missing item in a package. As long as the comments aren't rude or a personal attack, I don't see any harm in them. Especially since we can just read over the comments we don't want to read. :)
Since I don't want to get this post off on this new topic, this will be the last I write about it. :)
Alexis, I love your blog and all the hard work you put into it.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, thanks for your hard work. Your responses are always perfect too. I am long time lurker. Decided to finally start contributing. How 'bout a post on PS. "Rate your PS" Readers could provide names and locations to help us find a good PS.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is one of the best and I have no issue with the good and the bad comments. When you get together with your friends, do you not mix your complaints along with your raves? And yes, it's dreary winter and we are so over it and ready for spring! We feel like the next rollout is never going to happen and then it does and we're happy for a bit. It's all just good fun.
ReplyDeleteAlexis: I agree, someone's complaint about a tissue tee hole or excessive cashmere pilling is useful info for others, including myself. I was referring specifically about comments about wishing for more markdowns, free shipping, etc. But yes, enough said about this matter. :o)
ReplyDeleteI DO love your blog, by the way, and the ladies here are very helpful with sizing, styling & fit advice. I do appreciate the camaraderie among us crewholics.
I just want to say thank you to Alexis for the time and effort that you put into J. Crew Aficionada! As a blogger myself, I know that it can be challenging to come up with content for a post and I really appreciate the hard work that you put forth daily in keeping this blog going.
ReplyDeleteJ. Crew Aficionada is a great resource for anyone who shops at J. Crew and reads this blog but it is also a valuable resource for J. Crew. It is no secret that J. Crew reads this blog regularly. Positive and negative comments to posts let J. Crew know how the reader/ customer feels. I would like to think that J. Crew values this kind of information and that negative comments would be used to improve things. Complaints about promos/ free shipping lets J. Crew know that readers would buy more if they had an incentive to. J. Crew can be pricey and sometimes it is hard to pay full price but a little something extra in the way of a good promo certainly makes it easier to spend money.
I’m a longtime lurker, and I want to back up what Megan and Cheryl said.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I don’t mean this as an attack on Alexis, and I don’t believe the other women did, either. I really appreciate that Alexis has created an area with news, promotional codes, previews, etc., for people who love JCrew. Also, Alexis seems like a lovely person.
The problem I have with some people’s posts is the lack of appreciation for and snarkiness toward creativity and anything that isn’t exactly what they have seen before or would buy for themselves. Everyone has different tastes, and it sounds as though most of you like traditional clothes. However, the point of fashion is that it is supposed to be fun and expressive of who you are—and that varies by person. I greatly admire Jenna Lyon’s creativity and vision, especially when pieces are more unexpected.
If you have read most of the recent articles about JCrew’s success, it is clear that the old JCrew wasn’t going anywhere, but by changing things up JCrew is doing extremely well in the current economic climate. In essence, they have had to become different things to different people. So, they will have the more traditional staples that many of you crave, but they will also have more fashion-forward pieces. If you don’t like the latter, just ignore them—no one is forcing you to buy them. But some people love those pieces the same way you love your pieces. It would be nice if people were more respectful of that—and of the creativity behind the label--and focused on what they liked instead. If we all want our beloved JCrew to continue to flourish, it will only happen if you accept that it is different things to different people.
Laura : You are right about Jcrew being different to different people, but why take the comments so seriously ? I think the snarkiness is just in good humor and fits for good, gossipy laughing .
ReplyDeleteI agree with Okha.
ReplyDeleteI will continue to "complain" with th many others on this blog and lament the old JC. I know plenty of people miss it and I am not nec. talking about that long ago...many people prefer the look and styling of 2007. It is just wishing in good fun. BUT it is also to be noted that LLBean and Lands End have two new lines similar to JC of old so somebody in fashion still thinks the preppy look is worth marketing....and has good profit potential. Many wish JCrew still did.
Laura, a lot of the classic lovers are interested in the new styling as well, just read the rave reviews and questions about new items after every rollout. Of course no one likes *everything*, unless you're a blind follower as Alexis said. Even fashion-forward shoppers don't like every new thing just because it is new. A smart shopper knows what really works and what to pass up. People do like to read that there are others who have the same opinions, whether good or bad. It's just human nature. Some of the funniest comments are making light of J.Crew styles, Jenna, Mickey, etc. All in good fun. As you say, J.Crew is different things to different people. Same with this blog. Lots of constructive advice but for some it is a place to vent and it's great to have a forum for that too.
ReplyDeleteOh, and there is a good reason why J.Crew continues to offer classic pieces - people continue to buy them because they know they look good and add value to their wardrobe. J.Crew does some classic pieces extremely well so why would we not discuss that here too?