A big "
thanks!" to the incredible
GigiOfCa (who runs the
Gigi's Gone Shopping blog) who shared the following surprise and images with us! (Just click on any of the images to view larger).
I recvd a little cardboard envelope from J Crew today. ...Inside the envelope is a booklet about J Crew's trip to Italy. To the left is a DVD that has About a Shoe, About a Print and About a Thread Count on it. I haven't played it, so I can't say if the features are longer than what we've seen online. In the book there's a little blurb about the city they visited for each particular segment. And the rest of the pages are pictures from the factories with quotes from Jenna, Frank Muytjens and a couple of Italian factory owners or workers.
I did not get this package (and seriously doubt that I will). Nonetheless, congrats to all those JCAs who got one! What an
incredible gift to receive from J.Crew. I have to say, these little touches are truly what separates J.Crew apart from other retailers.
So keep an eye out for the "J.Crew Goes to Italy" package in your mailbox! {yey!}
A big "thanks!" to the incredible GigiOfCa (who runs the Gigi's Gone Shopping blog) who shared the following surprise and images with us! (Just click on any of the images to view larger).
It stuns me that they don't have you on their PR list.
ReplyDeleteITA, Tabitha! I recently had a marketing VIP reach out to me from Talbots to make sure I'm on their list.
ReplyDeleteSilliness, J Crew.
Thanks Tabitha & GigiOfCa! :)
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew really does not reach out to me. I think its because they have a love/hate relationship with me. They love it when I post about their general promotions or a rave review, and hate it when I share secret sales or exclusive events. Ah well!
I think it is shocking that you have not received more promotions, Alexis. I only know when to shop at jcrew by checking out your JCA blog which I do BEFORE I go to the jcrew website (have to make sure I have a free shipping code before shopping temptation begins :)
ReplyDeleteI called in about a product this morning and a personal shopper asked if I'd like to sign up for the card. I mentioned that until cardmembers consistently get free shipping on any item or simple recognition with every unique gift they seem to randomly send out, that I would never sign up. She said that she would share the information with management.
To be honest, they would probably save more in shipping from me if they offered free shipping without min to cardmembers as I frequently have to order ride-alongs (which get sent back) to make the minimums.
However, sometimes I like the original ride-alongs better than the coveted item and keep everything - so maybe it is part of a master plan!
I think it's pretty, I guess, and I certainly hope it's a PR thing, but it strikes me as a terrifc waste of money and resources. The same info is basically available online. When I think about the money and time that went into designing, printing and shipping this beautiful direct-mail piece ... and it's not even offer-driven! Not 'green' at all, and sort of pointless from a marketing perspective. At my job, I'd be fired for that.
ReplyDeleteDespite how it sounds, I don't mean to be b*tchy. But as a customer, I can't help but think that the funds used to create that piece could be much better spent improving the customer experience.
Elaine, that's exactly what I was thinking. Why not send out something useful???
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTA, Elaine and JCrewJD. How many times are we supposed to watch it? Which will you watch more, this or your sister-in-law's wedding video?
ReplyDeleteI agree with others, why not give something we can wear or use?!
ReplyDeleteThis is quite wasteful and totally useless considering the videos are viewable online. I suspect one will arrive here in a few weeks since I seem to get the gifts. Straight to recycling it goes.
:^P
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew is run by a bunch of silly Billies. They'd rather spend the money sucking in the next 100 new buyers rather than coddling the 100 existing buyers that are loyal to them.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. If you speak out too loudly (or at all) about them, you're automagically on the naughty list.
First rule of Fight Club, you do not talk about Fight Club...LOL
I'd happily hold a blasting boombox over my head outside Crew headquarters if it would help demonstrate my undying love for the brand in hopes of receiving a mail giftie ... maybe it'd be a more effective way of showing my loyalty than placing a frightening number of orders each month.
ReplyDeleteMaybe then they'd send me some heritage stonefruit. Or a planner. Or some little treat they're obsessed with. Or something besides other people's returns, lmao!
JK. I'd be naked if it weren't for the Crew. Can't be going around scaring small children and such.
Well, that's 10 minutes of my life I can't get back.
ReplyDeleteI put the DVD in and it's the same exact content that we've seen online. Each video is 3 minutes long. Nothing different, as I said, than we've seen online. The production value is nice enough, so it's nice to see it on a large tv screen. I didn't expect a coupon or anything to come with it, so I wasn't disappointed. I've learned not to get my hopes up. Did I say it's nothing different than we've seen online?
I think if I were still completely enchanted with J Crew, I would feel special and happy I received the package. However, since there have been some disappointments (wardrobe failure, discount cards), I feel a little critical. The package has a feeling more of propaganda and keeps me at a distance. I feel instructed to worship & appreciate all they do to produce clothing. Don't get me wrong, it's clear they love being designers. I get the feeling I'm to be enamored by the privileged lifestyle they lead and aspire to be like them. It's definitely nice to see Jenna in the moonbeam blazer & striped bateau tee. The new chick -- what is her name! -- is in a beautiful sequin draped top. It's the About A Shoe video I'm referring to. Still a look many of us can't wear in our real lives and I don't mind that either. It's nice to see them in JC clothing.
What is really funny is when they're in Canepa during the About A Print video. Marissa (there it is!) stops on a fabric in the book and Jenna agrees it would be great for holiday. It looks like the Copelle print! I have been wondering if they simply don't remember what they design or if they're making small tweaks to items and seeing if we'll still buy it. I think they just don't remember.
Imo, they haven't taken steps to engage the adoring community they have, which is a shame. Stop telling us how you're obsessed with this or that, and have trekked the mountains to shear sheep for my sweater. Even one of the most standoffish entertainers ever, Prince, has understood how powerful his fan base is and engaged it. I have digressed and will leave out examples. At bare minimum, it would be great to see J Crew put some effort into the website instead of sending me a DVD of something I can see online. I would be totally irritated by the package if I didn't already view some of their prior efforts as Charlie Brown-esque. As I said, I'm ambivalent w/my expectations right about now. I'm sure I'm not looking at this thru the lens they'd like. In closing, of course the cardstock & overall production of the booklet is very nice. Just have to agree w/Elaine about a waste of resources.
FAIL
No, WFF, not likely to watch it again. I've only watched my wedding DVD once or twice.
Kathryn: Thanks for the nice words. Much like you, I always check fellow JCAs reviews on items before any purchase. :)
ReplyDeleteCrew Crew 4 J.Crew!: Your "First rule of Fight Club, you do not talk about Fight Club..." made me smile. So true!
GigiOfCa: Thanks for letting us know what was on the DVD! :)
Before I got down to Gigi's post I was thinking she should watch the dvd's, maybe the promo code is listed at the end - like a secret surprise or reward for the most loyal J.Crew fan.
ReplyDeleteSurely they could've sent out something else, earrings or perhaps another necklace, but that would've been repetitive, right?
Between this blog, the satellite blogs and polyvore, the mkt'g exec's probably think we're just enamored enough with the brand to LOVE our very own DVD from them.
Gigiofca, perhaps use it as a coaster? A frisbee?
ReplyDeleteI'd probably mail it back to J.Crew. Recycling. Good for the Earth, good for the soul.
IRL, a promo code inside the package would at least make some sense. As it is I find it baffling - why on earth they would send out such a package? What does it do for the customer that they don't have available in front of them already? Absolutely nothing other than more clutter to throw out. Even as a "keepsake" for anyone so obsessed, DVDs are already passe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gigi, this is a huge FAIL. Who comes up with this stuff?!
xoxo, that's an easy question. The Copywriter From Space has been promoted.
ReplyDeletewellfedfred, somebody is from space or "spaced out" anyway. Still shaking my head...
ReplyDeleteI agree, Alexis should be receiving these promotional items. Shame on J Crew.
ReplyDeleteI have become a huge fan of J Crew's shoes. I'm not sure if them being made in Italy is a critical factor, for me it's the design, that they look sexy without looking slutty, and the colors and materials are gorgeous. My most recent acquisition: the Gibson heels in black. They're stunning. I probably won't even wear them until next fall. The Gibson sandals are also amazing. The Lindys are beautiful (and now if I can just reacquire the 6.5s everything will be OK). I just ordered the Collins today and expect them to be as great as the rest. I nearly bought a pair of Wylder boots tonight but talked myself out of it, for now. I'm looking forward to seeing their future offerings and waiting patiently for them to go on sale. :)
Gigi, I just read your comment after reading the video. How funny! What? You don't want to see them trekking in Nepal or wherever and shearing a yak for your next cardi?? And spinning the yarn it in some tiny town in Austria, after which the yarn is shipped off to a barn-ful of little old ladies knitting sweaters in Copenhagen? No, wait, the materials go off to China. But that's OK, it's the reason why I can afford the stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to appreciate the comments in the prior thread about the cost of labor. I really do understand the hypocrisy of spending so much time and effort acquiring luxury materials (and making a big deal of it) only to ship them off to China or India to be made into clothing. But again, it's why I can afford J Crew.
Ok, ya'll got me paranoid. So this is what I did. I looked at the envelope for a secret code. I looked inside it and then shook it to see if something else would fall out. Looked at the DVD, no code on it to hold up to my iPhone to unscramble. Thankfully, as I am iPhoneless. Looked on the DVD to see if there's a code or secret message. None. Scoured the book. The only msg at the end was:
ReplyDeleteYour included DVD wasn't MADE in ITALY, but it was MADE for WATCHING...
We hope you'll enjoy all our fascinating footage from Italy. As always, we love to hear from you. We can always be reached via our special access at blah blah or sending us an email to 24-7@jcrew.com.
Flipped that last page over juuuuuuust in case. It was blank.
I still don't get my hopes up when I get things in the mail from J Crew because I may as well hope to see a unicorn on the porch when I arrive. I'm ok w/no earrings, no scarf, no code. Didn't cross my mind once. What perturbs is the waste of a DVD and my time because this footage is already available on the site. What...a couple weeks ago? Not to mention that Alexis keeps us in the loop about all things J Crew.
Hear hear, Gigi! I still love the clothing, but damn, the one-way love relationship gets old so quickly. :/
ReplyDeleteI have to believe that DVD was sent out sort of like a press kit. I just have to.
tamara - You just helped articulate why the DVD and why some JC PR feels wrong. The shoe samples may be created in Italy, but production occurs in China. Did their lawyers figured out they can say Made in Italy despite production in China? I think at one point we've confirmed that the website said Italy for the copy, but the shoes said China. They pull fabrics from Italy, but production is in China. The step about where the fabric is produced is not mentioned, except for the Thomas Mason shirts. It's not lying, per se, but is misleading or maybe lying by omission. I'm not in retail, textiles or anything of the like so I'm clueless about the truth. However, it's just a few clicks to more info if I want to put two and two together. Don't treat us like we're stupid.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice gesture but like everyone else, I'm not impressed. Even though the videos are old and there is nothing new on the DVD, this would be less eye-roll inducing if J. Crew wasn't dropping the ball on other customer service issues that are spelled out right here on this blog. Instead of devoting their time and resources to issues that really keep customers happy, they're pushing promotional materials that really aren't necessary if the clothes speak for themselves. Nice try J. Crew but still off the mark.
ReplyDeletewow--hope I get one. As a designer I'm eager to see/touch/feel lovely packaging but do agree that as it is on the web it isn't exactly green and it might be more fun if it included some not-on-the-web out takes. I am not being sarcastic at all when I say I would LOVE to get the peaches from Frog Hollow--my favorite farm. I actually thought that was an incredible and thoughtful gift--heck anytime a retailer sent me anything I would be amazed and appreciative.
ReplyDeleteI would like them to use the money spent on this type of marketing to fix the website instead. Start off by adding a wishlist feature so my cart doesn't get dumped constantly. Then figure out why some of the inventory gets *lost* each time new arrivals are added to the website. Add customer reviews and *real time* inventory tracking, too.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the marketing dollars gone to the totes, planners, etc should really go to enhancing the site. I totally get that after the Great Web Disaster of 2008, nobody wants to take that on - but it's time! Almost every other site has user reviews and fabric content.
ReplyDeleteGuess it's time to accept that JCA's are not the market that JC is targeting. Why would they? We already shop there! ;)
You know what else would be helpful? Actual lengths of garments, even if they were only provided for one size. All of the cardigans say "hits at hip", no help at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking at my shoes (including the size 7 Lindys I'm sending to my sister) and they all say "Made In Italy" on the bottom. Are you saying that they aren't actually made in Italy? I don't really care where they're made, but I do care if they're made in a place that's different than what the label says.
A couple of links that may shed light on the "Made in Italy" label. I have also read that there are products where 99% of the manufacture is made in China and only the last bit of stamping the "Made in Italy" label is performed in Italy but I can't find anything on that at the moment and I have to head to the office downtown for the day.
ReplyDeleteL.A. Times article
Der Speigel article
I am relatively new to online shopping so blissfully unaware of problems with the JC website--always works great for me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see all those reviews on the gap page I never really look as how can you know if the person has the same set of priorities or body shape, etc. I guess if the thing is falling apart that would be helpful to know but I also am blissfully unaware of JC quality problems aside from one of my 5 bateau tees. I had a wonderful CS experience over that though.
I have been reading this for a year so I am sure you all predict my honeymoon is coming to an end--until then happy shopping I guess.
XOXO,
ReplyDeleteGreat articles. Now everything makes sense.
Thank you so much for posting them.
If someone doesn't want their DVD trip to Italy, I may be interested in taking it off their hands.
ReplyDeletePlease let me know! Thanks!
cuckoo4crew@hotmail.com
Wow, xoxo, excellent articles! I'm glad I didn't feel like my shoes were special because they had "Made in Italy" stamped on them. In fact, I assumed they were made in China until someone mentioned Italy in another thread. European countries have been caught off guard by waves of immigration. It's up to them to toughen their laws. And the US shouldn't be complicit either, they should require stricter labeling standards, but of course that will never happen because our fine elected officials can always be bought by lobbyists and donors.
ReplyDeleteI will say this much though, the J Crew shoes I bought are definitely high quality construction. It's rare to find piping on a shoe, especially to the extent and precision I see on the Gibson sandal and closed-toe. And the finishing of the Lindy leather is awesome, the matte finish and pale color of the warm taupe is rarely seen. The Gibsons, Lindys, Collins, and others have wrapped heels which requires further effort. If they're made in a Chinese-run sweatshop, that shop has employed some skilled workers. It's a lot to process though, I definitely have mixed feelings about it.