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.
I really adore J Crew and so far this season have not had any difficult moments!!
ReplyDeleteCome and Enter my $200 Giveaway from Fifi Flowers!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Washed last year's beaded reindeer tee for the first time . . . by hand, cold water, inside out, in laundry bag, gentle detergent.
ReplyDeleteAll the gold-tone finish came off the beads on the deer's face. :-(
That's terrible, hexicon. I don't have any vents this week other than disappointment over black friday/cyber monday online deals compared to other retailers. Was just curious if anyone had heard anything back from JC about the wool issue and if so, if they could post their response. thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cass about the lack of deals at J.Crew this past weekend. I did a lot of online shopping but none of it was at J.Crew.
ReplyDeleteHexicon: I'm sorry to hear about your tee...that is really just horrible! Did the bead replacement pack come with enough of them to switch out?
I had the a sequin necklace tee I returned last year for the same reason but the finish had started chipping off before I washed it.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone else notice the site updated w/some new arrivals or am I just out of touch? I hope this is not all of the holiday rollout. If it was then this is the place to post because it's not too impressive.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the new stuff - the bright dalia pants from the Collection pics are out, but a) they're unlined and b) they have zippers at the ankles? Ugh, JC. You've jumped the shark.
ReplyDeletesilver_lining, zoom in on the back shot of the Wool Lolli pant and you can see how thin they are, the tucked shirt hem is visible beneath the pants and not just the line, the actual shirt! I can't seem to get a view of the ankle zippers by zooming in on the model shots and the stock photo brings up a t-shirt. I don't like the idea at all and here's one more case of the online photos not matching the description. All that zooming made me notice closeup that the model's feet look like she was scrunched into shoes that were pretty tight on the instep, there is still an imprint. Her toes look squished in those Coddington's too. Oh, the pain we women endure for fashion.
ReplyDeleteSo, I guess my vents today are unlined wool pants and product photos not matching the description.
IRL - Yes, there are a few new arrivals online this morning, but it is a very small roll-out. I would assume there's more to come. I do love the Bonfire cardi though, especially with the narrow belt. It's cotton and washable. Yay! :)
ReplyDeleteHi xoxo! Those pants are crazy thin for wool winter pants - guess I'm just comparing them to the wool pants of years past that were thick and lined. I think they were usually herringbone, too.
ReplyDeleteI also couldn't see the zippers in the pictures. The description said "zips on the inside of the ankles". Exactly how long are inside ankle zips going to be in style? ;)
This is the first holiday season in YEARS that I have barely wanted anything. In fact, I only asked for one jcrew item-- the bonbon coat.
ReplyDeleteThere were crap sales in store over the weekend. 10$ off a tissue turtleneck? cords for $49.50? big freaking deal.
silver_lining, you totally nailed it with the inside ankle zippers being in style. Jumped the shark indeed! WTH is J.Crew thinking? And I could see my clumsy self banging those zipper pulls into my ankles since I often stand with my feet really close together (years in the marching band in my youth). Just dumb all around.
ReplyDeleteI could not bring myself to buy unlined wool pants anyway, no matter how pretty or how cheap.
Hexicon,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that happened to your shirt. I have had similar experiences and I know the feeling of taking it out of the washing machine and really not belieiving what I am seeing! I hope you can find some more gold beads and fix it.
tastymoog,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I spend $20 at JCrew last month and nothing in November and there is nothing on my list for my hubby to get me this year:(
The bonbon coat is gorgeous. What colors are you liking in it? I stocked up on JCrew coats the past two years so I don't need one this year but the colors in it are gorgeous and such a large selection!
A Bigger Closet,
ReplyDeleteI looked at the sweater you posted about and it is pretty. I don't need to add to my sweater collection b/c of the warmer climate I live in but it is nice to see a COTTON sweater! Yeah!
I can wear JCrews merino but my skin as become too sensitive to most wool sweaters.
Finally a cardholders exclusive - just got an email for 30% off one order plus free shipping -no minimum. Individual codes good until 12/19. Will probably wait towards end of promotion as things will be on sale by then.
ReplyDeletei handwashed my reindeer tee every time and so far it still looks like brand new.
ReplyDeletei actually handwash any tee from jcrew.
@Cass (and probably others): I agree. There were basically NO Cyber Monday deals (25% off sweaters DON'T COUNT, J.Crew!)). They should have extended the 25% off deal at least another day...I was actually holding off buying something because I thought they'd have some sort of thing for Monday!
ReplyDeleteAnd with all the shortcuts, odd features, cheap findings, early markdowns - there's a $995 cashmere herringbone blazer dancing before my eyes? Is this a joke? It looks lovely. I must be hallucinating. Cynical me thinks a limited number were made up as holiday gifts for loyal staff or closing gifts for buyout, and that appearance on website will be brief. Ever-hopeful me hopes one or two will linger around long enough to be marked down. Cynical me is saying cashmere is probably only one of many ingredients in a blend but did not have strength to torment the pop-up lady this a.m. But I would certainly rather have this than 10 tweezers.
ReplyDeletegenny,
ReplyDeleteeither of shades of orange. :)
the white is lovely, but i would ruin it!
WFF, that blazer is gorgeous. But! The description does not say "fully lined". Do we take that to mean that it is unlined/partially lined? Oooh, I may just have to ask the pop-up lady just for S's and G's.
ReplyDeleteI too am rather disappointed with the roll-out..nothing too great! And the Cyber Monday deals not so good...I'm not a card holder (thank you husband:)...but the 30% off deal sounds pretty good! My gripe this week is my general disenchantment with JCrew's suiting selection...I hate the trendy crap they have been passing off as suiting...the fit is off and the fabric is blah. The last suit I bought from them (stretch wool) PILLED!! WTH...how does a suit pill. I took it back. Just sayin'...Have a nice day ladies:)
ReplyDeleteI think that the cashmere blazer hit on my real vent - every once in a while JC will tease with an item that's a glimpse of their 'classic with a twist', but with a price that is just cost-prohibitive! Like we have to pay their designers to hold back from adding a ruffle, sequin, or raw-edged chiffon piece. It's like they're sending the message "we can still do this (design), we just don't want to - or we'll make you pay through the nose for it". Eh.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone go through the Lauren Hutton "American Beauty" section. Don't stare too long, they're trying to brainwash us: "...it's better to look like you've thrown something on rather than prissed everything up", "...I want to wear whatever looks good on me no matter where (ie. china) it comes from." Don't get me wrong, I like Lauren Hutton & the fact they've included her but I had to roll my eyes. She's even wearing sequin slouch pants (no offense to those who like them). They managed to hint at 'borrowing from the boys' w/o actually saying it.
ReplyDeleteSorry, spare time this a.m.
CS chat said they consistently update the website w/new merchandise every other week, & everything currently in the 'New Arrivals' section is part of the Holiday Rollout.
ABC: I'm sure you'll look fantastic in the Bonfire Cardi!
Hexicon, so sorry to hear about your tee. That is really disappointing :(
ReplyDeleteI agree, silver lining, my reaction to the holiday rollout was the same--a slight exaggeration, but overall it seems like things are either acrylic or $1000. Not a lot in between.
ReplyDeleteThey did this perhaps based on sales the past couple of years? Are JC customers split between buying lower-priced goods or really high end? As for me, I would really like some chunky cashmere sweaters, not blends, in the $200-400 dollar range. I usually allow myself one splurge this time of year, and I am having a hard time finding one at JC (having decided to return both the printed cashmere scarf (too thin) and the cashmere cowlneck dress (too short)).
I did notice that Net a Porter has an item or two we haven't seen yet on the JC site--perhaps there is hope for a mini rollout tomorrow?
Oops--just noticed the mini rollout is today! Good for you, JC--it's great that they rolled out during a promo.
ReplyDeleteOff to see if there is a nice sweater to be had :)
sub
ReplyDeleteI just received the cashmere cowlneck sweater. Got it in heathered acorn and love it. Until it pilled the first time I wore it. So upsetting.
ReplyDeleteLove that my online PS is replacing it, but hope it doesn't happen again!
annoying that madewell didn't offer a promo code last weekend/monday for a percent off. i bought significantly less because of it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletetastymoog,
ReplyDeleteI own an orange JCrew coat from a couple of seasons ago. Good choice! I hope you get one:)
Pondering the inponderables.
ReplyDeleteIs there a reason they can produce high quality menswear (lined, 100% wool jackets/blazers, full leather shoes) for reasonable prices, but not offer equivalents for women? Surely if there are manufacturers out there who can create these items, they could do the same for women?
Please enlighten me.
Hi JCAs. I was hoping to get a sweater for myself with the 25% off promo, but I did not find one that I really liked. All of them look so flimsy, designed just for the heck of it with no real structure to any of them. They all cost above $50 and look like wouldn't last a single wear.
ReplyDeleteI get shivers when I look at the heels section.. gosh, they are skyscrapers.. are they the latest fashion ? Not to offend anyone who love them, just saying.
@Belle de jour : I think most of their sales happen via the women's side. So to have a rapid turnover of clothing, shoes and bags they use lower quality materials, so that we use and throw and buy more.. probably lowers overall cost for them and induces buying in the short term. Just my opinion.
I know there must be something wrong with me. For the past 5 years in a row, whenever anyone asks what they can get me for Christmas, I always said, "a J Crew gift card!' And it is always my favorite gift.
ReplyDeleteThis year? I asked for Land's End. I told that to my husband, and he had to actually sit down. I figure, the gift will go a lot furthur at LE Canvas.I'm just so very tired of everything at J Crew pilling, getting holes, having crappy quality, falling apart, or being non-returnable.
I feel sad about it too.Before thei year I was such a loyal J crew customer. But somewhere logic has to trump loyalty.
I'm with you, tastymoog and Genny. I got the cardholder e-mail and the only thing I could find to buy was a Jackie cardigan. I mean, come ON. I used to want everything that came out in the Holiday collection, but not anymore. The shoe selection is especially pathetic.
ReplyDeleteWhat is UP with that $1000 cashmere blazer? I have a nearly identical one hanging in my closet (except it's a one button more boyfriend-ish style) from 2 years ago that was more like $495. Why double the price for essentially the same item? SO LAME.
egyptomanic,
ReplyDeleteI am LOL at your post! My hubby asked for a list for me this year and I put down a Talbots gift card. He said, "Are you sure? Don't you mean JCrew?" Ha ha!
I usuallly have a list a mile long this time of year. The only thing I kind of want is the ruby blazer and I have heard not so good things about it.
Em,
ReplyDeleteI was looking carefully through tne new arrivals this morning and I noticed some really big ticket items. Wow!
I too got the cardholder email and I cannot find anything either. I am going to wait closer to Dec. 19 and see if anything excites me by then or any big price drops. I would hate to think of it going to waste and not buying anything. (I cannot believe I just typed that last sentence.) I wish there was a pretty wool scarf or silk one to get but I don't even see them online anymore.
Hexicon: I'm sorry to hear about your tee.
ReplyDeleteI'm not feeling much JC love these days... maybe it's the "mulesed wool" controversy or getting hole-ly, pilling, fraying edges...
I haven't even checked out the JC website for days since I've been away on my family vacation. I'm going to check out the cashmere section to see if there's anything worth for me to get with my card holders discount.
Did anyone else beside Lizzy T experience pilling on your cashmere cowlneck sweater? Thanks!
Long post alert ;)
ReplyDelete@Hexicon: same thing happened to me. Last year's Beaded Flower Tee: although I looooove the design, the first time I washed it in a lingerie bag on gentle cycle, the pewter finish on the sequins started coming off, and kept coming off after drying. Don't wanna jinx it but the half dozen or so art tees and camis purchased last year still have not developed holes after a few washings each...small consolation but I have to be so careful when putting on, taking off and washing these tees that I haven't bought another one since. I limit myself to just the Perfect tees now.
New catalog is not inciting me into a shopping frenzy. At. All. The only things I want are a couple of Jackie twin sets (but not need cos I have 863,324 cardis already). I actually feel sorry for the models who have to stand there with wind blowing in their faces all day long, mouth open suggestively, fighting off the watery eyes, trying to get a good shot...
Can't believe they brought back the Featherweight Cashmere Cardi's. Last year's were a disaster. I'm still picking the pills off of mine.
$50+++ acrylic sweaters. I can buy that from the local retailers for less money. Up here in Canada, Smart Set, Rietmans and sim. stores have a bunch of "dream" yarn sweaters going for <$35 each.
There's nothing I need for myself, and my friends/family don't exchange gifts so I'll be sitting this out till I can hit a B&M, hopefully before Christmas. Of course there are the post-Christmas sales (hands rubbing together).
I actually like a few pieces in this mini roll out, but want to see them IRL. As for Ms. Hutton's spread, I quite enjoyed that. Nice to see the old gal still bringing it. But is it just me or does she sound hesitant about wearing tights (de riguer if you're wearing 16" minis). And even she can't convince me sequin sweatpants are cool ;)
At my B&M the sale racks were stuffed to the gills with new sweater markdowns, and they are giving you 25% both FP and sale sweaters. The plaid silk eliza top is also marked down to 69.99 and they had one sequin pencil skirt, good condition, size 0, for $29.99. 45th & Madison in NYC if anyone wants to call.
ReplyDeleteCass: Did you happen to notice if the bronzed leopard cardigan was in the new sweater markdowns? If it's reduced AND an additional 25% off, I might have to stop at the mall on my way home tonight! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNoticed last week that the second of my merino turtleneck sweaters I bought last season has multiple holes in it. (Definitely stored it correctly, took really good care of it, and only wore it a few times!)
ReplyDeleteWhy do cheapies from Target last longer than more $$ items from J.Crew?
So frustrating! The recent 25% off promo could not entice me to buy anything after this.
shopalot, i didn't see the bronzed leopard cardi with the markdowns. It was mostly the various really thick acrylic/wool blend sweaters and various dream sweaters. I ended up not buying any b/c I tried one on and remembered how itchy it is on me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cass. I totally agree about the acrylic/wool blends. They are very scratchy and tend to pill like crazy!
ReplyDeleteshopalot, I just got back from my local B&M, and the bronzed leopard cardis were still full price :( I was hoping it would be marked down as well
ReplyDeleteFYI, my store had 20% off jackets and outerwear
MDPA: Thank you so much! You have saved me a trip to the mall. I thought it was time for a price reduction considering the bronzed leopard shirt and cami are marked down. Maybe next week?!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's short-sighted of JC to not give all of the cardholders the 30 off dealio. Why pick and choose. I know if I wasn't one of the receivers, I'd be fuming.
ReplyDeleteAll summer I lusted after the Jersey Lomellina wave ruffle bandeau top but couldn't justify the price. However, after much website stalking I finally scored it (on sale!) in my size on a popback about a month ago along with the foldover wide-band hipster bottoms. Well, a few weeks ago I finally got a chance to wear it in my friend's jacuzzi and upon getting out the bottoms were completely bleached out, spotty and ruined! None of my other friends suits were messed up, what gives? Well, I immediately contacted J.Crew explaining my situation and asking if there was anything they could do for me as I didn't think that the suit was very high quality (granted, I didn't pay FP but still...) & it's been about 3 weeks and NO RESPONSE. Nada... Well unless you include a call the day after my email reminding me to use my $25 rewards card for being a "valued customer." Really J.Crew? Really? Not even a response to my email but a call reminding me to spend? Yes, I'm upset the suit didn't last but one wear but I am even more upset at the lack of customer service. Oh J.Crew why are your items sooo cute yet such poor quality sometimes??
ReplyDeleteYes I'm tired of all these pretty tees that you can't throw in the wash (and it sounds like even when you hand wash, the embellishments fall out). And what is with their shoe sizing? I love JCrew shoes but they rarely fit me right. I just received the Coddingtong suede heels today. Ohh I so want to love them but they fit weird! Tight in the toe box, but i know if I go up a size, the heel will flip off. They barely stay on now. And why won't they post user reviews on their site already? It would make things so much easier. In addition to the usual final sale BS and the free ship codes but only if you spend $150. Come on, I get tired of returning whatever it was to get the amount up to $150. :)
ReplyDeleteThis isn't really a vent about J. Crew, more about a mistake I made. I just need to share this horror story. Early this year I had purchased the merino camp cardigan in that lovely light purple/lavender color: http://gigisgoneshopping.blogspot.com/2010/02/j-crew-merino-linen-camp-cardigan.html
ReplyDeleteI loved it. The color was perfect, it was comfy and wonderful. However, I was folding my laundry one day and somehow it found it's way into my normal wash. I didn't recognize it at first cause it looked like an infant's sweater. Sad sad day. It was literally 2 of my TV remotes in length when I got done with it. Bah!
I check my laundry meticulously from now on...
My TURKEY promo order came today... without one of the items I ordered. Even though it was a small item (a belt), I've never had a shipping snafu with JC so this is pretty upsetting. I called customer service and they are sending me another one (thankfully it was still in stock).
ReplyDeleteThe associate was very nice and helpful, so I'm thankful for that.
I just want the darn suit.
ReplyDeleteJCrew charged my credit card acct. on Nov. 5th for a Ludlow suit. They told me that I will receive it in two weeks. I called a few times and to make the long story short, I never got the package. Apparently there was a 'snafu' in my address so the courier never delivered it and somehow it got returned to JCrew. Not sure why because I received my previous four orders from JCrew without any problems and I have not changed my address.
So I demanded free shipment (they were suppose to charge me shipment on the original order). The rep one upped me by saying that they will send it a priority----that was three days ago.
So when I called two minutes ago to follow up, a different customer rep could not help me out. Apparently the assistant supervisor is still working it out with the courier about reshipping my suit.
Very frustrating.
I've been eyeing the Gold Metallic Sperrys for a very long time now. I searched on the site and voila, after a year of being $98 (while being $85 at Nordstroms and Bloomingdales)it was now marked as $69. Finally a sale! I put them into my Shopping Bag, headed to check out and surprise, surprise - its's ringing up as $98. I ask an online sales rep who says the $69 is for the shoe in a color that isn't even shown at all on the site. Basically, the most misleading sales price ever. Since then they've changed this display, but needless to say...I'm very upset.
ReplyDeleteJ Crew...your online shopping cart is akin to those at the local grocery store. I'm pushing it along and then the wheels lock up once it hits the edge of the lot. That's how I feel about my J Crew shopping cart. I have 2 going in 2 Internet browsers. In the event one is dumped, I hopefully stil have the other...screen shots saved to my desktop, etc... It's a lot of work to be in love with you. This is why I see other people.
ReplyDeleteIf you won't update your site, at least update your cart already!!!!
@Gigiofca: YES!!! Exactly. It IS a lot of work to be in love with J.Crew. I keep trying to break it off...
ReplyDeleteMy hate: I purchased a wool suit there in May and wore it maybe like 4-5 times over the summer. By August the hem had completely unraveled. I have had this happen to my double serge wool pencil skirt too. You think for the prices they charged the qualify would stand up a little better.
ReplyDeleteo and the jcrew in the short hills mall in short hills, nj has the RUDEST staff ever.
J. CREW ! Please sew your buttons on better. I am tired of buttons falling off on second wears.
ReplyDeleteMsHark,
ReplyDeleteI agree. I have had buttons fall of sweaters as I took them out of the package and was just trying them on--happened to two sweaters in one order alone!
Two gripes for me this week.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I just purchased an Arrow sweater. I love it, but the seam on the left collar has opened. It just totally came undone, and is now fraying and has tons of threads. Ugh! I wore it twice.
Second, it has gotten quite wintry recently, and I wanted to buy the Sperry Shearwater boots for the snow. I saw them in the catalog and loved them (for snow boots, that is). So I get online to order them, and they have mysteriously disappeared. I chatted with a personal rep and asked her why, and she said that they have been temporarily removed because they are not a part of the current promotion. Yet all of the other 3rd party branded merchandise is still online (including Sperry!). WTF?
PRICING GAMES
ReplyDeleteskinny ultra lounge pant price just increased to $59.99 from $49.99
SNEAKY
Has anyone noticed J.Crew Factory prices changing during promos? I ordered a pair of jeggings for $30.00 and then during the last TURKEY promo went back for another & they marked up to $40.00
ReplyDelete