This is the weekly "Looking to VENT with J.Crew" post, a place to share our not-so-stellar experiences with J.Crew.If you have recently experienced a frustrating situation with J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.
Please feel free to share your story on almost any topic— including poor experiences with purchases & orders, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.
Purchased the Silk and Sequin Scoopneck tee today in the B&M because it was on sale and I had my red card to use. Was super excited about it until I got home and took it out of the bag to hang it up. It was only then I realized that there were about 10 pin holes through the back of the shirt. Looked like it had been used as a mannequin display item. I probably should have checked it closer in the store, but I normally am more concerned with the front of the garment than the back.
ReplyDeleteI called the store back and I had apparently bought the last XS they had. The SA was nice and offered to steam it for me if I brought it back in, but I have a feeling the holes will not completely disappear out of the thin silk. Anyway, after calling every. single. store. in the greater SF bay area, I finally located another one in a store about 40 minutes away from me. Going to pick it up tomorrow... if it has pin holes I will probably scream.
I purchased online a pair of khaki trousers in size Tall 0, which I thought would fit me, as I bout items in size 0 (regular) and they fit me. However, it's cut way too big in the waist area (and even along the thighs). It gaps horribly at the waist when I sit and it looks obviously too big even when I stand. I don't know what to do, as I can't return it. Is it possible for a seamstress to fix a gaping waist?
ReplyDeleteI don't understand, as 0 is my usual size. Are the Tall sizes cut larger? If so, that's seriously misleading (especially as the sizing chart doesn't say that they are!).
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ReplyDeleteJ.Crew really needs a wishlist or save-for-later option. With the holidays approaching it would be especially good if the wishlist was sharable, like a gift registry. How much easier could shopping be when they know exactly what item, size, and color you want?!
ReplyDeleteI usually use one browser (Firefox) to hold my wishliist and another (IE) to actually shop and check out. Lately though, things that are on sale in one browser are not on sale in the other, I have to search for them as a hidden item and even when I get the sale price in the search results, the full price item often comes up when I click through. There's no consistency that one browser is always the sale price and the other the FP.
Now I have to use both browsers to shop and decide which sale items are more important to the order. So I am now copying my wishlist links to save in a document and it's nowhere near as fun as looking at my stacked up shopping cart.
xoxo, I second your nomination of the Save-for-Later option! I use Banana's save-for-later feature all the time.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree on the wishlist option. There are so many things that I would like to put aside to get later. I then have to go through the whole process every time I go on to their site all over again instead of it just being there waiting.
ReplyDeletexoxo: I never would have known those differences existed shopping with different browsers. I'm too lazy to save my cart and it is time consuming to reload it.
ReplyDeleteJC seriously needs to make online shopping easier and more pleasant considering a lot more items offered online than at B&M and simply a lot more people are shopping online.
Here are some suggestions for you, JC:
1. Please make scroll over magnifying features for products instead of having to open another window and then clicking in to zoom over.
2. Products should have exact percentage of fabric contents.
3. Wishlist option or save-it-for later features as mentioned by other JCAs.
4. No more FINAL SALE for 1st markdowns!
I'm truly tired of checking out the suiting category for work options and seeing "falls above knee" as the length description. I'm average to tall and that translates to 2-3" above knee, which becomed 5-6" above knee when I sit down. I don't know who at J. Crew thinks that those who work in professional office environments can flash thigh. I can see shorter lengths for casual clothing but for office attire? And the same dresses are offered in petite so it isn't as though the regular is the only choice and shorter people would be stuck hemming. These ultra short minis - like the ridiculous 15" tweed - are another pet peeve of mine. Even Forever 21 doesn't do skirts that short.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the wishlist / save for later option....honestly, I can't think of a website I shop from that DOESN'T have some form of this...except maybe Madewell (duh).
ReplyDeleteAs far as sharing holiday wishlists, xoxo, have you tried another site like Wishpot or Shopstyle? I like those because you can add items from different websites and share with people, and Shopstyle even has a weak attempt at letting you make Polyvore-like collages out of your wish list. HTH!
Claire, thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely check out Wishspot and Shopstyle for sharing holiday wishlists. Even better if you can add from several stores to one single list!
ReplyDeleteDitto to the Wishlist request! I love Anthropologie's website because you can have (a) a wishlist (b) your shopping cart and (c) you can still "save for later." Makes online shopping a much better experience! Also would be nice for the upcoming holiday season.
ReplyDeleteI *hate* that items are hidden. I don't understand how this helps to sell items. I just ordered the Merino Whisper Ruffle Sweater, which cannot be accessed unless you do a google search for it. Its on sale and there's a ton of sizes and colors left. Why isn't is listed in the sale section?! So weird and annoying.
ReplyDeleteMy vent is sort of off topic but I just reported an Ebay seller (who, I hope is not the JCA who purchased the dress from me), who posted my photos on their listing without my permission. Will probably have to start watermarking photos just like Gigi and other JCAs, sigh.
ReplyDeleteI swear that JC used to have a wishlist because I remember having it send an email to my boyfriend to indicate what it was I wanted. Am I crazy? If they did have it, I wonder if they did away with it because they weren't able to handle the storage of all that data at that time.
ReplyDeleteOT, but Talbots changed their site a month or so ago and removed some of their functionality, like being able to sort by price. It bugs me when they remove abilities that make the shopping experience easier.
I have to say, I really hate that J Crew is doing these random "selective" promotions. I didn't get a red card, which is a bummer. I called the store and the SA said managers have the ability to give anyone the discount, but will likely only do it if they know you. That is a big bummer. I am a sale shopper, so no personal shopper/manager connection for me. Also the promo codes for the sale section this week are different. I am so glad this site gives them all to us. But what is the merit in giving some customers free shipping at $100 and others only at $175. That is super frustrating and it doesn't seem to be connected with anything relevant like spending. I am a JC Card holder so it is even more frustrating that they do these selective/random promos rather than giving them to card holders like Banana. I don't spend enough per quarter yet because I am a student so I dont really get any of the benefits of the card, so these random promos irk me even more.
ReplyDeleteThe manager at my B&M knows me and I have to wonder if he would be surprised to find that I didn't receive the card or if he felt I buy so much I wouldn't care about the discount. Either way, it feels like an uncomfortable conversation. I'm going to wait until the promo is over, make a casual comment to him that I didn't receive the card and not buy for a while. He will definitely notice.
ReplyDeleteI have many a pair of Favorite Fit Everyday Chinos in size 8 short. I took a risk on the online final sale by ordering the same style, but in size 10 petite, in two different colors (khaki and fatigue). The fatigue pair fits fine, but the khaki pair is completely unwearable as I cannot even pull them up over my hips! They simply must be mis-marked/mis-sized. How could the "fit" vary so greatly from color to color?! Both are marked 10 petite on the paper tag as well as the tag on the garment. I understand the concept of final sale, but to be unable to rely on any kind of sizing consistency is unacceptable. I've been buying the Favorite Fit Everyday Chinos for years! So strange and disappointing. The final sale just seems to be a grab bag of stuff - you never know what you're going to get!
ReplyDeleteStacy, call cs and ask them to put a note on the order. A mislabeled item is also a defective item. Especially when you have same pants to compare. J crew takes back final sale items if it's defective. I've had a similar case with crewcuts. I just brought "too small to be sz 10" with other sz8 crewcuts pants (which were bigger) to the store. The SA took them back. If there's no store your return shipping will be waived.
ReplyDeleteI am finally quitting J.Crew. The past couple of years I've been getting gradually sized out of their blouses and tops (sweaters fit fine). My latest episode pushed me over the top though, with back to back orders of continuous giant-sized tanks, blouses and camis.
ReplyDeleteI am a student, shop final sale/sales with the exception of some black label items, order online only (because they carry more petite sizes), am 5'4" on a good day, and a size 0/XS in tops at many other retailers. I just don't understand why J.Crew has so many inconsistencies with their sizing where a 2P in dresses is like a size 0, or a 0 in blouses is more like a 2 or 4, or 00 is like...what? a 00 still is too big?! yes. yes it is J.Crew, giant sized clothing brand who cuts all of their blouses with giant rectangle patterns. I mean, can I see a back dart or pleat on a blouse once in a while? Please? Come on! I'm tired of all the blouses fitting like tunics on me. I don't want to have to belt everything! AND, it really irks me that when they offer petite blouses, there are no petite models to show me how it would fit. True, the petite cut is shorter in length, but the cut of the decollete is that of a regular sized woman. Petites are petite in the shoulders, chest, and torso!! Straps and neckline are always too long or too low.
Whew. That feels great. I feel liberated. Wrote them a letter too with an irresolute response. A PS told me to go to crewcuts because their sweaters might work. HELLO?! I wrote that sweaters/knits fit fine for me. It's the blouses that are GIANT. Help me with these giant blouses.
With that said, and to whomever is still reading... I have this 20% red card (yes, it's red) that came in my catalog. Will give it to you. Just ask.
Bye-Bye Forever J.Crew! Good riddance. Will probably sell my collection too cause I'm just that mad.
whoops. If you are interested in the card, email me at lisasuos@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for this blog! Everyone here is really great :)
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, I went in to my B&M today, and did a $1200 return of the new fall items I'd purchased, while hoping/waiting to receive the Red Card (I was travelling away from my home store, so wasn't able to check my mail).
Upon returning home, alas, no Red Card for me. I was both angry and sad, as I've been a loyal client for years. Hearing that corporate and store managers were able to "choose" who deserved and received the cards, I got even more upset, as I thought I had a good relationship with all of my home store SAs.
Left a note for the store manager,telling her to feel free to give me a call if she wondered why I had done the huge return, and asked the SA who processed my returns to attach it to my receipt.
An hour later, the store manager whom I've purchased from for the past two years she's been at my home store called me, and before I could even explain why I was feeling so hurt and rejected by one of my favorite retail brands, she apologized profusely and said "I knew exactly what had happened when I saw your name!" She explained that it has happened to a number of her "top/favorite clients" in the past week.
Here's what might be the interesting part for you, Elizabeth, and any others whom have gotten burned: store managers have been given the ability to extend the 25% discount to those clients who are "in the know" -- and it probably helps if you've made a purchase in the past, too.
In any case, happy resolution: purchased back everything I had returned, with the 25% discount, and she has told me that I will continue to receive the discount through 10/11, by simply letting the SAs at the store know that she (the store manager) has approved it. Stores have a generic bar code for the 25% discount (my store keeps their daily/weekly corporate updates on a clipboard by their register) that they can enter. And yes, the cards all had individual barcode IDs so corporate could track purchases during sale.
My store manager said she and the company at large has received huge, and "well-deserved" complaints about the unfairness of the distribution system of the Red Cards, and that corporate is becoming aware how much of an issue this is causing amongst some of their most devoted clientele.
In other words, if you know your SAs or Store Manager, it's worth going in and having an informal chat. It saved me over $300. And it saved J.Crew a shopaholic who drops in on a weekly basis.
Hope this helps!
Mika.
Victoire, yes, the Tall pants definitely run large. I'd say a whole size large. I always size down... they really should mention this on the site!
ReplyDeleteMika, that's a great story. I just hate the discomfort of bringing it up. If you buy a lot, does it seem petty that you would want a discount? The whole thing makes me uncomfortable and they should know that for every person that mentions something, there is a larger percentage that are not saying a word but are silently stewing.
ReplyDeleteAnother rant. I want to buy some J Crew suiting dresses on Ebay. Actually, I prefer to buy from J Crew directly as opposed to Ebay but I really need new dresses for a new job and the current selection of suit dresses doesn't work for me. Anyway, these resellers want high prices for their goods and won't even answer questions about fabric or fit. No response for 5 days even after I sent a reminder after 3 days. I really want the items but just can't purchase when I feel I'm paying high prices for poor service. Anyone else have experience with PaisleyPetunia or ThePinkBee on Ebay?
ReplyDeleteTIA.
Thanks for sharing the info, Mika.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Elizabeth. My store knows me very well. My PS calls me for the new collections & markdowns. I've been known to show up the same day or next, y'know, as a loyal fan would. But how uncomfortable would it be if they feel my shopping has tapered and they don't want to extend the discount? Not putting myself in position to possibly have that moment of silence.
Drunk, I have purchased from Paisley Petunia more than once and very happy with what I received but none of the items were suiting dresses. I've never purchased from ThePinkBee.
ReplyDeleteI do have quite a few J.Crew suiting dresses. I, or some other JCAs may be able to answer your questions about fit and fabric if we have the same dress.
Xoxo, Thanks for your offer to help! I'm interested in the Jayne and the Ribbon Ravine dresses. I was wondering about fit and whether these run TTS.
ReplyDeleteOn the ravine: I'm 5'3 but not sure to order petite since it looks a bit short. Also, it looks boxy so I'm curious if I should size down. I'm planning to wear it belted.
On the jayne: Could it be a work dress or is the slit too high? Love the Rose color but will probably opt for a more sensible black.
Thanks so much JCAs.
BTW: I saw the Sequin Pencil Skirt in Brown Sheen marked down to $79.99 at the Bellevue Square store. Hope that helps someone.
Drunk,
ReplyDeleteI have the Jayne dress and the slit is actually a vent, like the back vent of a pencil skirt. There is no back vent on the Jayne dress, it is replaced with this vent on the front/side. On mine the vent is 10" long but the fabric overlaps by 2.5" so it does not open far when walking or sitting and the dress itself hits just below my knee so all it shows is a little bit of knee, but not thigh.
The cowl neck is very flattering, it doesn't show any cleavage at all, and I'm busty. I have the dress in the turquoise and that limits the wearing but I have a lot of suiting so like the splash of color now and then. Black or a neutral will be more versatile and you can always add color with a cardi. It's a lovely dress and is totally work appropriate unless you are not allowed to show your knees.
I don't have the wool ribbon ravine dress. Hopefully someone else can comment on it in this topic or maybe post in the others as well.
HTH - Good luck with your new job!
Drunk, sorry, I forgot to mention that the Jayne dress fits TTS and is a flattering cut.
ReplyDelete@ Drunk, just to follow up on XOXO's comments, I have also purchased from Paisley Petunia and have had good luck. The are a little more expensive than many eBay resellers but they are more professional, and last time I checked they allowed returns for store credit, which many eBay sellers don't do.
ReplyDeleteI also have the Jayne, and I agree with what XOXO said but I wanted to add a caveat: IMO the dress does not fit in the way depicted in the JC photos. The photos depict a more shallow cowl, almost like a boat neck, but in reality it dips deeper in the center and is more drape-y. At 5'4" I am right between a P and a R, and unlike the Metro (which was way too short in a P) I probably could have gone down to a P in the Jayne. HTH.
You can see the wool ribbon ravine dress on Dina.
ReplyDelete@Drunk - I have the wool ravine ribbon dress and found the fit to be TTS. It is on the shorter side, I am 5'5" and it is fine unbelted, but as soon as I belt it it would be too short to wear without tights.
ReplyDeleteI have purchased from Paisley Petunia before, shoes once and a dress and have had a good experience. The shoes that I ordered with a 1/2 size too big and they made my return easy. They will only give you store credit but they seem to have a large selection so finding something else was not a problem for me. Also, they have a sister store Madras mango, you can use the credit at both stores.
Sorry for the long post but the dress that I purchased was a buy it now for $99 and I offered $60 and they agreed. HTH!
Lisa- I am totally with you on jcrew's crazy/inconsistent sizing and omg the vanity sizing...ohh the vanity sizing
ReplyDeleteNow to be fair- I am very petite, 5'2. But here's what bugs me- when I was in my late teens (and was, mind you, 5 pounds lighter than I am now) it was a fair bet that I was a consistent 0 or 2 at most retailers, depending on the retailer. Fast forward a couple years, I am now being sized out of a 00??? and sometimes even their 00p? Please someone tell me how I could have gained 5 pounds and yet shrank more than 2 clothing sizes?? Now let me just say that though these blouses are literally falling off of me, I am NOT a true 00 for those of you thinking I'm walking around with no meat on my bones. It scares me to think how petite girls who are actually skinny find anything these days. Admittedly, it's not just a j crew problem, the difference being though that most retailers still cut their smallest sizes (0, xs, petites what have you) small enough to fit me right off the rack. At j crew? forget it, I spend tons on their darned-otherwise-gorgeous tent-like blouses and pants and then spend even more on alterations. Their petite inventory also sucks, with a capital S. They offer maybe 15% of their total inventory in petites, and it's usually the drab items and never the special items. NOT worth my effort anymore, at least till they get it together. Oh well, all the better for my wallet! Good riddance indeed!
I am so with you guys on the vanity sizing and the limited petite selection. I'm forced to buy certain cute items in a regular XS because they're not offered in petite. I'm not that tiny, 5'5" (but a petite top) and 113 lbs, but the XS is swimming, and they didn't used to be. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI suddenly and mysteriously stopped getting the catalog over the summer. It's weird, I received it all the time when I bought only sporadically, and now that I'm buying more frequently—to the point of even opening up a J.Crew card account—I'm being postally shunned. What gives, J.Crew?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've been having the misfortune lately of browsing through the FS, liking an article of clothing enough to click on the photo, then being turned off when I see it on the skinny, slouching, humbug-faced model. There were several cardigans and shirts I was tempted by when they were photographed flat. But when I saw them on the model, I thought, "Gee, either that looks like crap or she looks like crap. Not taking the risk I'll look like crap, J.Crew."
Oh my gosh, that is great it worked out for you Mika, but I am even more upset now. I have expressed my dissatisfaction to all 3 PSs I work with and NONE of them - not one - has offered anything except that they're sorry and they can't do anything about it. I don't have a relationship with the store manager, just know who he is. I don't want to burn goodwill with anyone, but I am really really upset now. To be blunt about it, I spend way too much money with them not to be treated as a valued customer.
ReplyDeleteVictoire, I'm sorry - that's really irritating. But it is possible to have the waist taken it. Perhaps take the pants into your B&M and explain the situation - you could alwasy ask that, under the circumstances, they waive the tailoring fee.
ReplyDeleteXoxo, GigiCa and JMels.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your helpful advice! I feel really comfortable purchasing with PP with all the great input. I am going to get both dresses and knock'em dead at my new job.
Also, to be fair to PaisleyPetunia, she just responded to my questions and apologized for the late responses.
Thanks again!
Paisley P is good as long as you don't complain. She turns very nasty and manipulative then. Threatened that I would be blacklisted by all other J. Crew eBay dealers if I gave her an negative review, and a bunch of other stuff. When you receive her items, be sure to compare them in person to the retail item. My stuff was very obviously not retail; no idea where it came from. She bluffed to the very end tho. Awful experience.
DeleteHi mommydearest,
ReplyDeleteWhat poor (non)customer service you've received so far!
If you'd like, I'd be happy to make an introduction to my home store's manager, and maybe she can help resolve this? She's been very sweet and understanding about this whole situation (and not with just me, but other clients, too, from what she's described).
Or, alternatively, I'd be happy to pick up whatever is on your wishlist and ship it to you, until you can get a better resolution on this.
Mika mikaleigh@aol.com
I am also extrememly annoyed that I did not receive a discount card. I spend way to much time and money in the store, online etc. I refuse to purchase anything from JCrew going until teh 11th at least. It is truly disheartening when you are a loyal customer spending a good deal of money at one place and you are completely overlooked for this promotion.
ReplyDeletePEEVE #1: I did not get the red card (even emailed my personal shopper and she confirmed that I was not part of the promotion). I spend A LOT of money at J.Crew so I am surprised. Maybe it is because I use the student discount (why, shouldn't I use it, they offer it.)
ReplyDeletePEEVE #2: My B&M has gotten snippy about taking returns even though they are always accompanied by a receipt and always returned within the timeframe (even their new 30 day timeframe). I keep way more than I return.
PEEVE #3: Inconsistent policies between stores. At every B&M I can use the red phone to get free shipping on full price items and apply my student discount but not at the B&M closest to my house. Coincidentally this would be the same store that is snippy about returns.
PEEVE #4: Why are so many skirts so short? Seriously.
I put up with these things because I love J.Crew style but Banana, Anthro, Ann Taylor are looking attractive. After being snubbed on the red card 25% promotion I am thinking October will be a no J.Crew month.
I didn't get a red card and I was slightly pouty lol. I'm over it now, but it is annoying especially when I shop at JCrew religiously. Anyway, I will say that the majority of my purchases this year have come from Anthroplogie and Nordstrom. Its feels weird to say that. :/. Although I do want the Ever Peacoat.
ReplyDeleteOn vanity sizing, why can't two pairs of ballet flats (not to mention shoes) fit the same? I am a 7 (for every other retailer) and I almost float in the leather ones. So, OK now I have learned that I have to size down in flats but I had to size up a whole size in the Piera and the tortoise shell one. Which makes FS completely ridicolous!
ReplyDeleteI've been frustrated with J Crew in general these days. I used to be such a fan! I feel like their merchandise is overpriced for poor quality clothes. Their colors are nice but the fit is nearly always bad and unflattering. In addition, they seem to be catering more toward fancier styles and working girl clothes. I like the casual better. Also, I wish their website allowed reviews so that a person could better know how an item fits real people. Of course, they don't do this because then people would review that the items don't fit well. And, their items just seem so bland and boring to me. I'm definitely converting to an Anthro girl after like 12 years of being absolutely devoted to J Crew.
ReplyDeleteI got one of those postcards in my last catalogue and haven't even used it. Mainly b/c shipping is so much. But I'm esp peeved tonight b/c I chatted online with CS to ask about hip measurements on two full price pencil skirts I was about to pull the trigger on with my 20% coupon. Get this: in the SAME size, the hip measurement was 5" difference. WTF? When I questioned the CS, she confirmed and I replied that I wouldn't be ordering in that case b/c that is a huge problem. She replied, and I quote: "I'm sorry you feel that way." Really? Isn't she sorry that JC's sizes are so inconsistent that no one can purchase with any confidence? (I realize she probably can't say anything else) I had over a thousand smackers worth of merchandise in my shopping bag and I'm going to go to Talbot's instead tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with the Minnies and bought a few more pairs with this week's promo. LOVE THE FIT! I don't know WHEN the zipper back black denim ones decided to split down the seam on my behind, but I am relieved I was wearing a long sweater with them!
ReplyDeleteI always buy online and rarely at a B&M. The associates tend to be completely unexcited to help customers out and barely acknowledge me. Out of four associates, maybe one will actually crack a smile and offer to assist. This really annoys me since I buy almost all of my professional clothing from J. Crew, and I do value the quality of the clothing. I would say that more than 50% of my wardrobe is J.Crew - I even got a J.Crew wedding dress. I've had much better customer service at Banana Republic. It's kind of sad, since I did get the 25% off card, but I don't want to go to the store because it's so downright stuffy.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, I had a really great experience at Madewell in NYC - the associate was really helpful with helping me find the right jeans and even directed me to the sale section. She was SO nice and friendly, which goes a long way with me.