"Thanks!" to many of you, including Cass (in this post), who shared the following news: Brick & mortar (B&M) stores are making this sale Final.Unfortunately, I was upset to find this out first-hand tonight too. The store associate stamped my receipt as Final without telling me beforehand. (The signs at the store never stated it was Final either. Although three store associates told me there was an additional 30% off the sale items, not one told me it was Final.) I explained to the store associate that the email & website ad *never* stated it was Final Sale. She said that it was according to Corporate. And so there it is.
I love the promo, but altering the terms kind of sucks. Grrr.
Cass, this is totally bogus. You (we all) have to fight it. They have no right to make it a final sale if the email offer doesn't mention it. Tell them to show it to you in writing and call the customer relations department.
ReplyDeleteI too was extremely upset about this today when I went to my local B&M. Right before I was about to pay, I asked if the item would be final sale and the SA replied yes. What pissed me off is that the SA's are not mentioning this at the register! Now, I did see after the fact that the signs do say "All sales final," but still this is so ridiculous! I almost didn't buy my item, but in the end I did because I was sure it would be a good purchase. JCA's, beware!!
ReplyDeleteThe signs at Bellevue Square all said final sale and the SAs were telling everyone. I can't believe there is a promo that is actually better online than in stores.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see that for once the online sale is better than in stores. It should be. You cannot try on the item first.
ReplyDeleteI for one and fine if my in store purchase is final sale--but it should have been noted in the email sent out. I never (to very rarely) return a store bought item.
Online purchases should ALWAYS be returnable IMO.
Alexis, I applaud you for pointing out to them that there was no mention of final sale. Hopefully pointing out the lack of documentation will cause the store to put a sign up for other customers.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for people who don't know how these crazy rules/ sales go. You can easily pay more in store for items that are now final sale if you don't know better.
What about online?
ReplyDeleteI am fine with things being final sale in store. At least then you are sure of what you are buying. If the discount is good enough, I will risk it. But final sale online is ridiculous and I, with the help of Amex, have never abided by it.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they're bringing final sale back already, especially before the holidays when customers are shopping for Christmas gifts. Didn't I read that purchases made as of 11.17.10 are part of the *extended holiday return policy*? So with final sale going on, it would mean that if you buy something on sale during this promo, you can't even be part of that...completely ridiculous if that's the case.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, the SA's have been really hit or miss about mentioning if an item is FS. I feel bad for them to have to deliver that news at the register. I was in line behind a woman buying a lot at the last % off/FS in store, and after the SA mentioned it was final sale she changed her mind about at least half the stuff in her pile (can't say I blamed her!). Another way I've heard it mentioned was for the SA to ask if you wanted to take advantage of the % off on your purchase, which would make the item FS. The signage/emails could be better about this.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, my local Talbots outlet has random "Final Sale" signs on racks of clothes, so one would think those clothes are FS. However, as it turns out everything in the store is FS. Why not just put a big sign on the front door? (Ha, I think we all know why!) I get why some stores feel they have to do FS, but they must know that their customers won't like it, because they're never totally on the up-and-up about it.
FFM,
ReplyDeleteThe special extended return policy is for regular price items only. I was told that if you buy a gift on final sale; well, it is final sale.
I agree with everything you said, Genny. Exactly what I was thinking!
ReplyDeleteAren't stores required by law to post their return policies near the register (or maybe that's CT state law)?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I don't mind it that much if I'm buying it in person and I know what the policy is BEFORE I pay.
Thanks for the information Genny. Sometimes I wonder what they can possibly be thinking with all these customer UNFRIENDLY policies. You would think they'd want to encourage people to buy, especially during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteFFM,
ReplyDeleteI agree. JCrew is not very customer friendly right now.
I was very disappointed when the educator's discount could no longer be used online. I keep forgetting and want to place and order and then don't!
And the new return policy just seemed to twist the knife even deeper!
I didn't know stores were doing 30% off final sale and sometimes SA's don't mention it until they've actually rung you up.
ReplyDeleteAs FFM mentioned it's totally ridiculous JC is making all sale purchases final with the extra 30% off preventing any gift returns/exchanges.
Honestly, given the declining quality I wouldn't give any JC as a gift. I'd be so embarrassed if the giftee ended up with some of the problems that JCA's have encountered!
ReplyDeleteI am committed, final sale means no sale. Honestly, if EVERYONE followed that, they *could not run* such a promo.
ReplyDeleteRE: Talbot's final sale, Loft, etc. The reason J Crew's final sale is so obtuse is that the prices are still relatively high for a final sale item. When Loft goes final sale, the item is usually DIRT cheap, and they just want it out the door and gone. Not sure about Talbot's since I don't shop there, but usually stores that do final sale are offering much more reasonable prices than J Crew does.
ReplyDeleteWas in the Prince St, NYC store today - it was kind of funny, the ground floor was empty but downstairs, there were women crawling all over the sale section. "Final sale" mentioned on the signs, my cashier told me before she rang me up. I don't mind FS in the stores-- you can try things on-- and I got a blouse for about $20, which was certainly priced to move, but don't see it as being worth it for some of the pricier items (cashmere still above $100, etc.), as there'll be other price cuts.
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ReplyDeletePS I returned a size 12 crushed metallic jacquard pencil skirt there; it was $29.99, and now there's the 30% off. Seems like a good deal for someone, but it fit funny on me. Runs small.
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