Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Weekly Share: Other JCrew-like Retailers

Preface: A big "thanks!" to Amy who suggested a weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post about current experiences with other non-J.Crew retailers. I think it is a brilliant idea and will try it out for a few weeks. Hopefully this will help out our fellow JCAs! :)

This is the weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post (similar to the "Off On A Tangent" posts), where we can share our finds from other retailers that have offerings similar to J.Crew (like LE Canvas, Gap, BR, Talbots, Ann Taylor, and the like.)

If you have recently encountered items that are similar to 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 experiences with certain merchandise pieces, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.

39 comments:

  1. MUSTSHOP subtle message or coincidence?

    My vent is not about the clothes or the service but about the choice of words JC decided to use for this second back to back 40 percent OFF promo.

    Seems to me they read all the discussion and lamenting about 'over shopping' and 'shopping bans' on Gigi's blog last week. Then to test our resolve, or in a mad panic, they whip out another 40 percent off. Is it just me or does anyone else think that was deliberate?

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  2. Ooops wrong page...going to the vent section

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  3. I just now discovered the Lands' End Canvas navy polka dot poplin shirt and love it! Unfortunately, it's sold out online, so if anyone happens to have one in a small or medium they would be willing to sell, I would love to buy it! Thanks!

    ps.md.mba@gmail.com

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  4. Hi all, 25% off sale items online and in store at Banana Republic Canada. Use code: BRC25SALE. Looks as though it expires Jan 30.

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  5. Em shared yeserday (?) on the 40% thread that Gap city flats are on promo in-store for $25. Even better, some leather and a lot of the patent colors are marked down to $19.99 with additional 50% sale prices :)

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  6. Boden Maternity is up on the website for all you darling expecting mothers! yeeeeeyyyy!!!!!

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  7. Yes, and take 50% off all clearance in Gap stores. They still had a ton of stuff when I was there yesterday.

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  8. LLBEAN has a "Heritage" line, along the lines of LE Canvas, worth looking at. Spring arrivals now online. Love their return policy.

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  9. I've been loving the Lands End Canvas Line for since inception and finally bit on their latest promo. I love their Return Policy too- something that has made me slow down with J. Crew.

    Heritage Line??? Let me go check...

    And Boden too...

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  10. As WFF has noted, LEC's new arrivals are online. You can use this code and pin to receive 40% off highest priced item + free shipping over $50 (and that's $50 BEFORE the 40% off!): JAN26 7514 Ends today.

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  11. I placed my first order with Land's End Canvas a few weeks ago and was very pleased. It shipped quickly and the items were of great quality. Especially the suede heels, which are 5" tall and on sale for $34.99 right now before a 40% off discount. They were TTS for me and pretty comfortable. I also ordered some clothing, which didn't work out, but I returned it to my local Sears (which doesn't carry LEC, just Land's End) and it was a breeze!

    Then a few days ago I got a hand-written thank you card from CS thanking me for my order and providing a special CS email address for me to use. All for an order that was less than $90 (and I ended up returning about $30 of it)!

    Also thanks to FFM, who provided some great advice on LEC when I was hesitant to order a few weeks ago!

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  12. Kikki Cee - thanks for the code. I ordered the LEC clogs when they had the 30% off, and should be receiving them today. I'll review them later. I really like some of their new swimwear.

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  13. Ibi - That would be funny if that's the case. There was no MUSTSHOP for me. I didn't place one order. 40% is awesome, but I didn't want to shop just to shop.

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  14. Talbots - Try 024840756 for an additional 25% off + free shipping as of 1/24. I haven't tried it.

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  15. Ladies, I'm looking for a nice tailored white button down shirt (long sleeve). Does anyone have suggestions of where one can find affordable one? I'd like to try the Thomas Mason tux shirt, but it's out of my price range. TIA!

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  16. jcrewphd, I highly recommend Brooks Brothers no-iron shirts in tailored fit.

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  17. Gap - 20% off one-time codes, ends today
    VHP7M47WN3DK
    W9MLVM9FWB4F

    Old Navy - ONEXTRA gets 25% off clearance thru 1/27

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  18. LEC has 40% off all sale, with free shipping on $50 or more. The code is CANVAS40 and the pin is 1234. Ends tonight. Huge deals, like $35 for cashmere sweaters. Oh, and unlike JC, nothing is final sale.

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  19. Jcrewphd, I was going to suggest the Brooks Brothers No Iron shirts as well. FABULOUS!

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  20. I just got the February Talbots catalog and they have tons of super cute stuff, especially the swing skirts (which reminds me of the blue and green horizontal stripe skirt Jcrew offered a few years back, spring 08, I believe?)

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  21. I tried Gigi's Talbots code and it didn't work for me. If anyone finds one that does, I'd appreciate it. There's a spring skirt that I'm really coveting, but not at full price (though I'm wary of losing out on my size)

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  22. I just love BR's little silky camis and tanks. In terms of quality, I have to say that they are generally better than JC. And I got a sequined tank that was originally $124 CDN for about $26 with the BRC25SALE (BR Canada) promo. Greedysqueeeee!

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  23. I have also recently started ordering from LEC and have found their clothes to be great. The patterned poplin shirt is adorable (and the red plaid one is very reminiscent of the tartan boy shirt) and their spring arrivals include a lovely sailor boatneck tee and a dress that looks similar to the maritime dress (but IMO cuter). I ordered both so I can post a review when they arrive if people are interested.

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  24. Hi JulieY, I think that Talbots code only applies to sale merch.

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  25. Julie Y - The person who dropped the code wasn't sure if it was one-time use or not. I'll be on the lookout for more.

    Gap stores - Save 40% off one regularly priced item; Make that 45% when you use your Gap, Banana Republic , or Old Navy credit card!

    *Offer valid at Gap stores on January 27, 2011 in U.S. & Canada. Not valid online or at Gap Outlet, Gap Factory Store, The Gap Generation or Gap 1969 locations. Not valid on JunkFood. Offer is good for one time use only. To redeem this offer in-store, mention THUR40 to save 40% and THUR45 to save 45% using your Gap Card. Gap Inc. credit card must be used as pay type to receive the 45% discount and is subject to credit approval. Discount applies to regular price merchandise only, not to GiftCards or applicable taxes. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Offer can be combined with Reward Cards but excludes the Gap Inc. employee discount and other offers & discounts. Cashiers: For Gap, Banana Republic, or Old Navy credit card purchases, enter item code THUR45. For all other purchases, enter item code THUR40.

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  26. OperaRach,

    Have the LE pattern shirt that is similar to the JCrew tartan one. I found the price to be amazing as well as the fit and quality. I just won't pay $70+ for a shirt. I could--but I won't. Hope you enjoy yours:)

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  27. I just wanted to say I love Lands' End Canvas customer service. If you place an order and find a promo code later, you can call in and they will be more than happy to use it for your order. I've done that about two times now and both experiences have been very positive.

    You can also add items to your order with no extra charge until 10pm central time of the order day.

    Oh and if you are ordering something from LE or LEC, you can use this code and pin to get free shipping. Code: SHIPPINGISFREE Pin: 5859

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  28. Pauline,

    I was told no price adjustments or adding codes to orders just last week. I guess the first rep I called to ask about applying this to my order which had not even shipped out yet was going by the old rules/the new rules don't allow this...I just return the items to my local Sears and reorder with the lesser price or code if I miss out. No biggie.

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  29. I was told the same thing as Genny by LEC CS and I was disappointed. Called Sunday for a PA with the 40% code that was emailed out, told I would get it by their CS, code expires yesterday and today as the package from last week arrived, was told that they would not be applying the 40%. The rep actually told me that Lands End used to apply codes but doesn't do so since Sears bought them (and that I should complain to Sears since its their fault). But the thing is now the 40% off is expired so its not like I can re-order with that code. I sent an email complaining (since I was told I would get the PA on Sunday and not to reorder) but am not hopeful. We complain about JCs pricing games, but LEC is just as guilty. The least they could do for the poor CS experience would be to offer a "one time courtesy". I can't say I love their clothes enough to play games with them too, they are off my list!

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  30. Genny and Caroline,
    I'm sorry you ladies haven't had the best experiences with CS. I guess I just got lucky twice! When I asked CS if they could apply a code, it was right after I had placed the order so I don't know if that helped my case. The codes I also had them apply were for free shipping....so don't know if that makes a difference.

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  31. Caroline,

    Oh, thanks for your post. I feel better that we had the same (although very poor CS) experience.

    I am a long time LE fan from the early 90's and very disappointed in my recent CS experiences. Being told one thing by nice CS rep and then truly having this other nasty, short toned lady call me back and tell me the code/adjustment would not be applied and abruplty hang up!

    I was very polite and told her thanks so much for her return call but inside was thinking WOW! things have really changed over the years!

    I thought JCrew played weird pricing games. LE's are even worse I am finding out! I mean 5 items I bought multiples of on sale dropped another 50% in the one day that I placed my order! I called ASAP to no avail.

    I hate playing the buy/return game and do not usually do so even to say $10 or $20 but this time; seriously, my total savings with tax was close to $50 to rebuy/return and since the Sears is right next to my exercise facility I thought go for it.

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  32. Genny, ITA, the buy/return thing absolutely stinks.

    I think you should email the LEC customer service. I sent a rather firm email earlier and just heard back.

    I am going to receive my refund over the next few days. They did say they only do a one time price adjustment, but IMO that is reasonable. She stated that the CS rep was misinformed (all three of them?).

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  33. Caroline,

    Glad you got your adjusement:)

    A one time price adjustment would have been nice like the first rep told me.

    I had a lady from their finance dept. call me and said I would not be receiving one. She was very firm in her tone about it.

    I appreciate your response and normally I am a "go get her" type of gal but I am expecting my replacment order with lower prices today.

    I will just be extra careful ordering from now on; and let it ride when I don't get as low a price as I want from now on...

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  34. Thanks ladies I'm going to try out Brooks Brothers when I get to go with my husband. He has several non iron shirts from them and they are good quality after so many years.

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  35. Whoa it happened to me. Found my holy grail swimsuit and they shipped me the wrong sized bottom. :'(

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  36. I once got two tops shipped to me; supposed to be matching print pieces. The bag was marked bottom but had a top inside. JCrew sucks about not checking returns correctly. Never did find the bottoms and searched for popbacks for many months and ebay as well.

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  37. I got a coupon today for coach- $100 off $300 order. I won't be using it If anyone would like it let me know! Jcrewlove@gmail.com

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)