"Thanks!" to many of you, including Jessica, J.CrewJD, & Silver Lining (in this post) as well as c'est moi (in this post), who shared the following news with us:J.Crew is mailing out their new credit cards to customers. It is no longer silver, but black.In case anyone was wondering, c'est moi shared "...Doesn't seem like there are any additional perks, so not sure why they've sent me a new one." Jessica added "It made me wonder if they were aiming for the prestige of a black AMEX. ;-)". Interesting, she might be on to something! ;)
Silver Lining mentioned "...The new one I received is also black. Feels flimsier than my previous card - but I shouldn't be surprised. ;)". LOL!
So keep an eye out in the mail for your new credit card from J.Crew! :)
I also wondered if they are trying to make it look more prestigious... seems like something J.Crew would do!
ReplyDeleteI mentioned that I was sad to see the old cards go to my SA and her reply was that other customers had said it made them feel like they had a black card.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the company line?
And I agree... its thin and v. matte.
wow. i must have a super old card 'cause mine was green.
ReplyDeleteand this morning when I called the "special phone line for silver card holders," i didn't get the usual welcome message, just music. After awhile I redialed, it played some more music, and then went right to Personal Shoppers. No mechanical voice about how special the phone line is. But not complaining, I got terrific help. Wondering if some or all of this is related to the card switch?
ReplyDeleteRetail stores will normally change their credit card designs every so often as, among other things, fraud deterrent. I'm not sure how long J.Crew's replacement cycle takes but it becomes much easier to spot potential fraud when someone tries to use an older card that the company is cycling out.
ReplyDeleteShould I get a card? Wondering if the perks are anything special or worth it. I try to avoid any kind of store credit cards, but the Crew is the one store I go mad for...Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteShana, if you spend more than $500 per quarter (it's really hard not to, isn't it!?, and would pay it off every month, then it's worth it. The rewards cards are really nice to get, and there are other bonuses like basic alterations that you get. If you're constantly hemming pants, etc, then that's a nice feature. However, it's only 2.5% back and then only when you spend a certain amt... if you have another card that has a better rewards/cash back program it may not be worth it for you. But I like having one even though my regular credit card has a good rewards program.
ReplyDeleteIf you do get one, make sure to open it when they are running a special like 20% off your first purchase, and then you get another 20% off coupon with your actual card. I think that may be going on now, actually. The normal deal is only 10% off which is pretty lame if you ask me!
Roxy, that's very interesting. Thank you for sharing... I really had no idea. I recently got a new, redesigned Ann Taylor card in the mail seemingly randomly; I haven't used mine in years. Now I know why!
ReplyDeleteMy card is really old according to my PS. Mine is green and has more digits than the current ones do. She'd never had one like mine!
ReplyDeleteJCJD, thanks for the info. I don't spend that much a quarter; I think I'm on the younger end of the J Crew shopper spectrum. Appreciate you breaking it down for me!
ReplyDeleteI just got the lula jacquard ballet flats from the UPS man, and they are in a black box. :) Maybe they are using black as their new color? I think my fave box color though was the bright pink, just such a happy color. I wonder if the silver collection shoes boxes will stick around?
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I only have a green card. I have no idea what it takes to get a silver/black card. It's fine with me, I spend more than enough with my green card, lol.
My card is green too. I also received a pair of Collection shoes in a black box. This must be their new Collection color. I also preferred the pink box.
ReplyDeleteHmm. . .my card is green too. I get the reward everytime too, and usually x3 the normal $25.
ReplyDeleteGuess I'll keep my eye out for a new card!
I am considering a card as well because I probably spent that much just this week. My only concern is I HATE to carry a balance, and since I don't live by a store, I shop all online pretty much. Which means alot of returns. I am hesitant to open b/c I don't want to carry a balance, pay interest on items that I would be returning. Does anyone have insight on how to best manage purchases? Only use it for purchases I know I wouldn't be returning? I dunno.
ReplyDeletepathos, you could pay it off online once you're sure you'll be keeping the items. I generally pay in store just because it's easier for me, but online should be just as easy.
ReplyDeleteMy JC card is green.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if anyone noticed, but Customer Service is now called Service Excellence Center.
The last CSR I e-mailed with had that below their name. Perhaps it is a drive to better quality overall? Let's hope so.
dina, my favourite black shoe box is the one which says PRADA at the top. :)
ReplyDeletePathos - you asked the right question! And I have an answer for you.
ReplyDelete-First off I never carry a balance.
-You have to know your credit cycle. Mine is the 15th to the 14th and my bill is due the following month on the 10th.
- On the 15th, the start of my month, I buy up to my budgeted amount each month and try to have all my returns mailed back by the latest the first week of the next month. That way when I send in my payment by the 10th of that month I am all up to date.
- For a credit to occur on your account it does not have to be in by the closing of the statement, just by the time your bill is due (the 10th for me) I hope this makes sense.
-This all takes some record keeping on your account. I have a file folder where I track all orders.
-When you return something it usually takes about a week and half from the time you mail it back to get the credit. It sometimes takes another couple days to credit back to your credit card.
-Beware if you use gift cards. If you return an item that you used a gift card they will mail a gift card back to you. That can throw off the whole process. Try to only buy items you are pretty sure about with gift cards.
-If you buy something that has a waitlisted date they will not charge your card until it ships. For example I just blew most of my february budget with the most unbelieveably beautiful valentina snakeskin pumps. (Don't even look you will blow your february budget too :)
-Don't use the smart label to return, use the ups label, it is about a week faster getting your money back using the UPS label.
Pathos I should also add, sometimes I don't get my returns in on time for the bill, but then when they get credited next month I have an extra large credit, so my bill the next month is sometimes next to nothing. So in effect I paid a little ahead if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteLadies, the feedback is super! I knew another JCA would understand this predicament :> I'm going to print off your advice, and then open an accnt this week! I made about $1,000 purchases in Oct/Nov so far, so I think it would be worth it. (NO, I'm not looking at Valentina, I want a pair so badly and am trying to hold off till after the holidays.)
ReplyDeleteI have a silver card and I never did understand what that meant ... if anything.
ReplyDeleteroxy, you make a good point. Fraud is huge in the credit card industry and there are constant changes to mitigate it. Some of them you can see, like a new card style, C.V.V. number or an embedded chip. Others are in the mag strip or part of the authorization/confirmation stream that don't see.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the card being thinner, that is also by design and a good thing. We carry so many cards now, not just for credit but for loyalty programs, access cards, identification, etc. Technology has improved the strength of the plastic and thinness of the chips and that allows for thinner cards. Turning them over faster also means they don't need to last as long either. I don't know about you but my wallet is stuffed with all kinds of plastic and I am doubling-up in the card slots so I do appreciate a slimmer card.
I don't have a J.Crew card though. I think about it from time to time but have never pulled the trigger.
Mine has always been a dark color- black or maybe it's a dark green?- I've never had a silver card. Am I in the minority?
ReplyDeleteHi Shana: It's basically worthwhile to get the card, but only if you pay it off quickly. Plus, I had to report this to J.Crew headquarters recently: I was in Aspen, buying $75 worth of purchases. I try to use my JC card all the time so that I can always get my reward. LSS, the card wouldn't go through- the machine kept saying something like, "Contact the card issuer." I told the SA: "You ARE the issuer." She had to call the credit card company (World Financial Bank) and the guy wanted to talk to me. He was saying that I was late on my payment- I was sure I wasn't- and that they had put a "temporary hold" on my account. Now, I'm a customer in excellent standing and of course, was nowhere near my credit limit, so even if I had forgotten to make my payment that month, there was no reason to react so extremely. When I got home, I realized that I had forgotten to pay that month (I was 10 days overdue) and took care of it. But I contacted J.Crew and told them about what had happened. I suggested they talk to the bank and think about switching because when World Financial Bank is humiliating good customers, it's a problem. Drexler's office was super cool about the whole thing and supposedly, they are working with the bank to change these rules. Everything was all fixed and I even got a little gift, too. I was going to cancel the card after that but I was persuaded to stick with it. So, just keep an eye out and report any negative experience with the card directly to JC. The bank doesn't care!
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ReplyDeleteI noticed back in September that a friend of mine had a black one. Didn't bother asking her about it, but I do wonder how they're rolling out the new cards to everyone.
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