Ladies, I am loving what I am seeing in the new Fall Collection from J.Crew. However, something was missing in this morning's update: the latest catalog. The link was missing too. However, I posted the old link (click here to view all catalogs) because the previous catalogs still existed and I thought they would just update it later in the day."Thanks!" to kdub727 (in this post) who shares some news about this:
I asked about the missing catalogs online.I have no doubt, that J.Crew reads the blog's comments for what we want to see (e.g. longer length skirts, amazing jackets, etc.). Who knows if they take the suggestions to heart, but I was really excited to see the beautiful new arrival of Hacking Jacket in Herringbone (item 48263; $198.00). How many of us JCAs (especially myself!) begged them to bring back the delicious shades of the Wool Oxford Jacket (Item 88574; $285.00) in both the Bright Flame & Liberty Blue, or the Lexington Jacket in Purple? And now we have all those colors available this Fall. {yey!}
Answer: I'm sorry to tell you that the Browse Catalog feature will no longer be available online. However, we appreciate your feedback and I will certainly pass your comments along to the appropriate team.
J.Crew visits this blog multiple times on a daily basis (tracking software backs me up on this). So I beg them once more, please bring back the catalog browsing! Seriously, this is one of the better features of the site and no retailer should go without. Especially since some of us don't get the catalogs on time, or at all (no matter how many times we request a catalog online and over the phone!)
Seeing how clothes are styled beyond the product page is a great way to show customers (like me) how to style pieces, or get style inspiration.
What are your thoughts on the removal to browse J.Crew's catalog? Did you use it or not at all?
Who is the jcrew idiot that broke the office scanner?
ReplyDeleteAgain, let's hide what helps you sell your clothing.
Christy: LOL! Right?!? Why would they take something like that away?
ReplyDeleteSo disappointing. The online catalog browsing was definitely one of the better features of the website.
ReplyDeleteCome on J.Crew you're in the business of selling clothing, on-line, with a catalog along and in stores. If you spend money on a catalog why not use it to sell on line?
ReplyDeleteMy catalogs have been taking longer and longer to get to me, being able to see them on-line was always a great alternative.
On another note my last catalog (July) had a sticker on the front telling me "Prices are valid through August 15, 2011, for orders shipped to Canada." and then they added "Prices are in USD."
Is there a connection between the on-line catalog being unavailable, new stores opening in Canada and possibly a different pricing structure and offerings for us in Canada? Or will J.Crew follow a system like BR with a completely different website?
I couldn't agree more - J.Crew, PLEASE bring back the online catalog!!! Eventually, I think J.Crew could cut costs by phasing out the paper catalog. I wouldn't mind not receiving a paper catalog as long as I knew I could see it online and get any offers thru email.
ReplyDeleteCome on, J.Crew! Why take this away??
With a website you should NEVER take away functionality, at least if it's working. Bizarre.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I was able to check the new arrivals, I excitedly scrolled down to check out the new catalog. To my surprise it wasn't there!?! Immediately I came here to find out what's up. Thank you Alexis, once again, for providing a wonderful place to find all answers J.crew.
ReplyDeleteI was so anticipating relishing the new catalog and will now have to wait another 2 weeks. BOO J.Crew, BOO!!!!!
Eh, whatever. If J.Crew can barely be motivated to care about promoting their stuff, I can barely be motivated to care about buying anything.
ReplyDeleteIt boggles the mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm very disappointed. I am a cardholder and an avid buyer and 9 months out of the year my catalog never arrives. This makes no sense whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteJ Crew, if you're listening, bring it back please!
even better than that, i thought they briefly used to have "catalog view" among the photo options on each item's page. now THAT would be useful!
ReplyDeleteLike Valerie said, they don't even send out a catalog of some card holders. So WHY THE HACK are they not posting the catalog online??
ReplyDeleteI absolutely cannot understand why they would do this, it makes NO sense - did someone skip Online Merchandising 101?! I am in Canada and my catalog often arrives extremely late (the one or two times I got a free ship code in the catalog it was already expired by the time I received it!), so that makes this especially disappointing.
ReplyDeletejcrew guy in Canada: I got the same sticker on my catalog. I assume that J. Crew will start charging orders shipped to Canada in Canadian dollars, complete with price increases despite the fact that our dollar is above par and has been for some time. I will not be okay with this. It makes sense to increase the in-store prices in Canada to cover the taxes/duty incurred when they ship the items to Canadian stores. However, when I order online I will continue to be charged for taxes/duty on top of the cost of my order, which I assume will now be significantly higher due to the higher prices and our higher dollar. FAIL.
I really, really hope that isn't what they do, but I'm pretty sure that's where we're headed.
I'd like to see a marketing genius behind this.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope they have some kind of thought behind this. Maybe something more ipad-compatible or interactive is on their mind? Otherwise it seems so silly.
I'm with Roxy. JCrew is so in the dark ages. Or that broke. pphhhh.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I'm so disappointed to hear that the online catalog is gone.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those who waits and waits and to get my catalog through the mail only to have it never show up.
While I love having the paper catalog, I really count on having the online version. I really hope they bring this feature back!!
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ReplyDeleteChristy: obviously someone with an MBA in Marketing from the University of Uranus, personally interviewed by Dear Leader.
ReplyDeletesub
ReplyDeleteY'know what's really a knee slapper? Dear Leader is on the board of Apple. Isn't Apple like in tech? I thought he looks up to Jobs and gets ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhy, oh, why, J Crew? I get maybe two catalogs a year so the online catalog is a must. On the other hand, my mother constantly gets the catalog w/the 20% coupon every bloody month after ordering one item for my birthday last year. The school yard games that J Crew plays!
ReplyDeleteBoy is this dumb! I NEVER get catalogs, I think J.Crew and Anthro just can't figure out college mail addresses.
ReplyDeleteGahhhhh!!! I'm so angry :(:(:( Seriously, I always look in the catalog to get ideas for what I want to purchase - its one of my favorite things that they have them online. Like all other Canadians - we NEVER recieve them: on time, or only spaced months apart. How are we suppose to get inspired?! What is J. Crew thinking?!
ReplyDeletea very sad Tasia :(:(:(
I'm kind of border line Mad about this and I don't have a temper! : )
ReplyDeleteI'll continue to request the catalog, Jcrew will continue to not ship it. I'll continue to get every other retailers mailing in the mail because they seem to find me...
Jcrew your catalog is what completes the Jcrew experience. It is art and inspiration, why limit that? It SELLS clothing! No one else does one like you do anymore. I have been dog earring, swooning, re reviewing your catalogs for 15 years. This is a sad day for Jcrew and a sad day for me because this marks the day of the first season in 15 years I am not going to look at this seasons Fall catalog.
My verification word is praying...praying for this feature to come back!
I just had a thought. Isn't it cheaper to put the catalog onine? Sure I might kind of understand not mailing out catalogs. You could also save some trees and energy that way but why not put it online?
ReplyDeleteGrrrrrrr
Yeah, this is really frustrating. I always go to the B/M store to get a backup copy - the online version just gave me the fix I needed around this time each month. Boo J.Crew. Just plain boo.
ReplyDeleteI am pissed...their customer service is sorely lacking. Just like previous posters, I never get the catalog...have probably signed up for it 20* times over the years...just ridulous
ReplyDeleteI've never been a big online catalog browser, but given that they have a hard time getting paper catalogs to so many customers this move is quite baffling.
ReplyDeletejust spoke with them to let them know what an utterly STUPID decision this is, and was told "it has been removed for business purposes"...asked for clarification and they could/would not explain further...I am sick of their lack of customer service
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind if they remove the online catalog if they'd send me the paper catalog in the mail. After several months of no catalog I re-requested it, then got it for 2 months, then stopped getting it. I like the catalogs, I get styling ideas from them.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine they're planning to drop the paper catalog entirely. Are they?
ReplyDeleteSomeone at JC needs a Lobotomy!
ReplyDeleteThis is a stupid, stupid decision. J Crew has some of the poorest quality and most uninspiring product pictures in the online world. I pass over many items until seeing them in the online catalog.
ReplyDeleteMy hard copy shows up a couple weeks after each major rollout. Often I have moved on as most of what I would have considered is often sold out or waitlisted for weeks or months.
Unbelievable...
ReplyDeleteWFF, you never fail to make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteYes, that would be Dear Leader who admits that HE SOMETIMES IS WRONG.
tamara.chicago - I think it's just the online catalog that's history. Although I do hope they reconsider.
ReplyDeletekitsmommy - I agree. I often find the product shots to be uninspiring. But I love the catalog shots and want to buy entire outfits.
J.Crew keeps doing things that make me not want to shop with them. I mean I spend about 90% less per month now than I did for almost 10 years with them. Just get tired of their games! I did not get the catalog for several months. I really used the online one. Glad I get them now but WOW. Stupid mistake to stop it on their part.
ReplyDeleteCould they be considering dumping the catalog all together? Gap doesn't have a catalog? many retailers that do have them are "thinner" in scope...maybe doing an online "magazine" like net-a-porter? I love all the new "features/stories" on the JC website but they really don't take the place of all the looks you can see in the catalog.
ReplyDeleteOK, just for sake of conversation... if they did beef up the website--I mean a LOT--as many new images as in a catalog every month--I might not mind discontinuing the catalog altogether. I used to tear images from magazines as inspiration and the files got huge and crammed into drawers and boxes. Now my "tear sheets" are from blogs and zinio magazines in a file on my computer--neat and tidy and "green" (I know--that's stretching it...)
ReplyDeleteThis is totally shocking to me. I can understand not sending the hard-copy catalog out to everyone who requests it in this economy (for example, I've been a loyal customer for 5+ years, stopped getting the catalog regularly ~2 years ago, except for two sporadic ones two out of the eight or so times that I requested one).... but I understood, and I was OK with this, because the catalog was available online. I always search the catalog for an item before I purchase it, and if I see it styled in a way that appeals to me I usually follow through with the purchase. Especially shoes and accessories, because they're not modeled on their product page. Not seeing it this way makes me very unsure and often unwilling to take a risk. I hope this is just a temporary glitch and will be remanded very very soon. Otherwise, I will expect a catalog in my mailbox for the first time this year!
ReplyDeleteIf they scrap the online catalog, they'd better have a plan in mind to get those images online in some way. They could do like Anthro does, for example, and feature catalog shots as one of the item pics in the product listing. I love that feature. To be quite honest, I don't look at the online catalog very often, but it is nice to know it's there.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we should all email JCrew to request the online catalog back. Perhaps they would respond to individual emails from all of us.
ReplyDeleteReally a bad move for them to pull at the start of the fall season; most of us are using these online and print catalogs to set up our lists for fall purchases.
I'm with Nicole and functionality. They definitely need to rethink. The online catalog was a great way to market.
ReplyDeleteOne more vote for the online catalog. Maybe the hosting costs are breaking the bank.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, is there a polling feature on blogger? Maybe the numbers would be persuasive. We could have some real fun too.
I was APPALLED to realise this morning that the "browse catalog" feature was gone. seriously, this just makes no sense. hello wider reach? greener earth? etc etc? I used the "catalog" feature A LOT - it was definitely very instrumental in my MANY J.Crew purchases. bring it back guys!!
ReplyDelete@alexis and wff, while they're working with Uranus University's valedictorian, they should shut down the website.
ReplyDeleteMickey is a classic example of how having money doesn't equate to having brains.
Word verification is redica. Like as in redica-lous.
My guess is they are rethinking how they create their catalog for online viewing so that it works on an ipad. I believe that the catalog is flash based and that doesn't work on the ipad. That's probably their "business reasons".
ReplyDelete40% off sale AND free shipping with LOVEIT!
ReplyDeleteAHA! I knew this would be coming.... thought it was strange that yes6terday's code was only for 1 day!
I noticed yesterday that the browse catalog feature was gone! I never get my catalogs, never! plus I live overseas, and by the time I would get my catalog shipped here from my us address it will be winter!
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew please bring back the browse catalog feature back!!!!
Not having a catalog online cost them an order of 500+ today. I am not buying anything until I see how it is styled in the catalog. Just trying to quantify things for you Jcrew if you are reading.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it would have made a lot more sense to re-do the catalog in a non-flash based form *before* the stopped doing it the old way.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure this is their plan, though. You can't look at the catalog online (or a lot of their website) on an ipad. I'm a web designer and everyone is moving away from flash and rethinking everything for mobile and tablet devices.
Poor J Crew! They're trying! But pissing off everyone anyway. Waaa wahhh.
This is so disappointing. Seriously look forward to viewing them online each month. Snail mail may as well not even arrive. Boo hoo.
ReplyDeleteAll things considered, I think I'll hold off buying an ipad2 for a while.
ReplyDeleteok if they look at this then J.Crew PLEASE SHOW YOUR SHOES WITH A FOOT IN THEM! Thank you:)
ReplyDeleteThey are shooting themselves in the foot here - the catalogue inspires people to buy.
ReplyDeleteAnd I asked for it to be sent to my US address 6 or 7 times and not once did they do so - so if they won't mail it and it can't be seen online, they have lost avery efficient marketing tool.
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ReplyDeleteI scanned the first 71 pages of the August 2011 Catalog. You can see them HERE. :)
ReplyDeleteahhhh! FFM, you're the best!! <3
ReplyDeleteoh my god... even if there's some wacky flash based theory truth to the removal of the online catalogs, then someone needs to remind the web designers that they can still put up a PDF and link pages to that and EVERYONE can view them... i don't think there's a single computer or e-reading that can't support viewing a PDF in some way. seriously. and you know what? it doesn't cost anything to make!
ReplyDeleteMystifying! I had NO idea that so many of us are not getting catalogs in the mail--thought it was just me up in N.NewEngland at the end of the line. Several years ago I got them all the time, perhaps too many. Now if I get one or 2 a year...I definitely use and enjoy them. Why spend so much on location/photography/models and make it so difficult for customers to view?
ReplyDeleteFFM, you're the best!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the catalog is prob. the thing I look forward to the most! Great inspiration for styling and colors, and def. to fall in love with all of the items!! Come on, J Crew, really? This is it? I hope not!
ReplyDeleteHey everyone...just wanted to let you know that I finished scanning the men's section for all the J.Crew Aficionados and added it to the photostream. :)
ReplyDeletetiny dancer and wellfedfred: THANK YOU! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd we know what's taught in the technology courses at the University of Uranus - Jenna herself has told us! listening to awesome music while web site deteriorates
ReplyDeletei'm sure they removed the catalog because when they randomly RAISE their prices, as we all know they do, they don't want the evidence right there in the catalog!! (versus the web prices) I remember last year I bought the boatneck striped tee and then a few weeks later the same top was $8 more. It's probably to cover their tracks....
ReplyDeleteUpdate on the catalog...I just finished scanning the entire women's section, as well. The updated version is in the same post. :)
ReplyDeleteMay I know who was the stupid JCrew policymaker to cancel monthly online catalog for browsing?? Give me a break, most of people read the beautiful pics from catalog, will draw customer desire to buy!! Bring the catalog online browsing back, dull!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a horrible move. I love to see how the clothes are styled and often entices me to buy a piece when I’m on the fence. I always get my catalogs late…if I get them at all and by that time those pieces I do want or on the fence with are usually sold out. :(
ReplyDeleteIt seems like everyone…even my small company is moving to putting more things online…why is J.Crew backing away? Makes no sense.
@kate....that makes sense. The price raising has been ridiculous and I'm sure J.Crew doesn't want people to notice! haha...great point.
@ Kate, I think you're right that the price increase issue has something to do with this. I'm sooo PO'd about the $30 price hike on the SS cashmere tee. Wednesday night I was about to break my "no JC cashmere" rule and order the tee for $98 and Thursday morning it was $128. Oh well, their avarice saved me from what was probably a crap cashmere purchase. I will have to see what the print catalog gives as the price . . . .
ReplyDeleteand yet the website continues to refer shoppers to "catalog/website exclusives," some of which are actually cute. If you actually get the catalog.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I only got the email about the 40% at 1:49 PM today. Yes. An hour ago.
Update: Crewcuts section just added for anyone interested. That makes the catalog complete. :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone: I am in totally agreement with everyone here: shocked that they would take away the catalog feature. Here is to hoping they change their minds! :)
ReplyDeleteChristy: "redica-lous" - LOL! ;)
Thank you FFM!
ReplyDeleteYet another counter-intuitive move. Sometimes I can't even believe the things they do. Wow.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I have been trying to get a catalog for so long now and even though I shop there all the time, I never get one! I really relied on the online catalog for the creative styling and branding!
ReplyDeleteThe online catalog doesn't list items with full descriptions and prices so they don't have to worry about pricing games. The online catalog provides the wonderful point & click feature, displaying the product description page. Then there is the capability of selecting 'back to catalog'.
ReplyDeleteEnter 'catalog' in the search box and the last three catalogs are still available.
Dear JCrew:
-The catalog styling draws me in almost every time, whereas the product shot on the web doesn't catch my attention.
-If I wait until I receive my catalog in the mail, or until I make a 45 min. drive to the mall (rare), you have already started reducing prices or items are already sold out.
-By taking this feature away you are losing traffic to your site. Now we're all flocking to the wonderful FFM's blog to view 'your' products.
Thanks FFM!!
ReplyDeleteI love the catalog images but when it comes down to considering individual items I'm not seeing much that I want. I'm relieved and also disappointed that I don't like any of the shoes. I dislike tapered heels. It makes me feel better about my prior shoe binge. :)
WFF - Now that was funny!! I've met a few grads from the U of U.
ReplyDeleteTweetle Beetle, I'm sure we've all been amazed by the reach of their placement office and alumni relation department.
ReplyDeleteVERY interesting article! The decision maker who decided to scrap online catalogs should read this:
ReplyDeletehttp://econsultancy.com/us/blog/5516-case-study-j-crew-shows-what-print-catalogs-can-add-to-the-online-shopping-experience
iroar: thanks for the link. When I googled your link, Alexis' post regarding this article from March 2010 was a search result. Maybe JCrew needs to revisit this post.
ReplyDeletehttp://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/2010/03/jcrew-in-news-catalogs-add-to-shopping.html
I'm a little conflicted in my interpretation of the article: are they saying a print catalog is better for driving customers to the website, therefore, more useful than a digital catalog? Hopefully they know access to the digital catalog is valuable too. Maybe the online JC catalog had a test run and wasn't getting many hits? (Although I kind of find that hard to believe.)
Well I'm late to the party but I wanted to make sure I'd read all the comments on this post and the previous to fully gauge everyone's thoughts on the issue. I FREAKED out when I saw that they'd removed the "Browse Catalog" link and immediately wondered if it was my fault, and that of The J. Crew Archives's, that JC decided to no longer have the catalogs online. Maybe in some sort of twisted calculation they reasoned that if bloggers are willing to put the catalogs online they themselves can save some costs by not doing so???
ReplyDeleteI immediately had second thoughts about my whole project if it was going to have this kind of an effect on J. Crew, and upset the fan community, myself included. But if this is the reason JC removed the online catalog it's patently ridiculous. A sizable entity like J. Crew should not be so easily affected and afflicted by small ripples in the blogging pond. I was at first hesitant about whether I should go run to the store and get the catalog to upload myself, fearing that I may play into JC's hands. But I'll go ahead and do it as I just got the catalog in the mail today. There are other good reasons why they might've discontinued catalog viewing (hopefully temporarily) that others have mentioned - expansion into Canada, a move to iPad - and if it's not a good reason, it's not my fault.
Just updated The J. Crew Archives with the August catalog.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everyone here. I currently live in Europe where I cannot get the catalog and the main reason I always check out J.Crew while I am in the US is because I regularly read the beautifully styled catalog online. With the catalog no longer available online, with it goes a major part of my motivation to buy clothes from the store. I am very disappointed and hope J.Crew will put the catalog back.
ReplyDelete