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.
Final sale is for the birds.
ReplyDeleteYeah, FS has got to go. However, as long as there are people out there still purchasing from it (and it sounds like there are), DL won't have any reason to get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteThis is in regards to the production quality of the Majesty Peacoat.
ReplyDeleteService was decent..I had to use their product locator service to snag this coat, and in the process they overcharged me (but a quick phone call got me a partial refund). The reps have always been helpful and nice each time I've spoken with them.
My main gripe about all this is that I finally received my coat, and found that there were sharp plastic "needle-like" materials poking out through the inner liner.
J.Crew said I could return the coat, but being that I'm a petite gal who finally found a coat that looks flattering on me (and this was the last one in the petite size/heather honey color)- I was hesitant to just give it up! They finally said I could take it to a local tailor to have it fixed and they would cover the cost of tailoring (up to $50).
When I took my coat to the tailor, she opened up the liner and we found that the shoulder pads are made of a thin, sharp, and rough acrylic-like material. It was fraying along the edges (since the material was not finished) and these edges were poking through the inner lining of the coat. My tailor ran her finger along the edge of this material and accidentally poked her finger - that's how sharp this material was. We both decided that both pieces (one for each shoulder) should be removed and replaced.
My question is - why would a high quality company like J.Crew put such a low quality (and painful!) material into their coats?! It's outrageous.
I really dislike final sale also, and I agree with silver_lining. As long as there are still purchases being made from Final Sale, it is never going to go away for good. Now they are even extending it longer than they used to.
ReplyDeleteUnknown thanks for sharing this quality issue.
ReplyDeleteThat gives me the creeps! What sort of material is this that they used to produce the shoulder pads? I'd love to know.
Unknown,
ReplyDeleteWell, I just typed a long reply to your post and it disappeared. Needless to say this is just a quick note now, I have had similar experiences with two JCrew jackets from 2007 and 2009. Was told J.Crew would look into this problem but I guess they have not.
It does really hurt; those pokey pieces!!!! It happened to me on two collection pieces.
OMG, Unknown, I had the same problem yesterday! I was wearing my gray with ivory piping Lexington jacket from 2007. I felt something sharp on the outside shoulder but couldn't get it out. I took the jacket off all day and then put it back on when I went to leave work, and I could feel a poke from the inside shoulder. I reached in and pulled on whatever it was (it felt like the plastic piece retailers use to put tags on) and heard some ripping, and out came a gross looking brown piece of plasticky fiber about 1mm thick and 2 inches long. I was definitely weirded out by it, but now I know why I heard the ripping sound... it was probably part of the shoulder pads. Ick. I think I will have all my Lexington shoulder pads replaced now...
ReplyDeleteI have something poking me on one shoulder of my icon trench. I too thought it was one of those plastic pieces used to attach tags to clothing - I thought maybe one got stuck under the lining somehow. What a pain!
ReplyDeleteUnknown, that is really unfortunate. I hope the cost of the replacements are fully-covered by J.Crew.
ReplyDeleteJ.CrewJD, that was the main reason I returned my black/ivory Lexington jacket. I wanted to love it but the shoulderpads were prickly. I remember pushing the lining up against the pads and the plastic threads poked out. Back to J.Crew it went.
I have a question not a vent.
ReplyDeleteI received my cafe capris yesterday that I ordered during the 25% sale and they are too big. I also ordered another color that won't ship out until January.
Do you think cs would allow me to change the back-order to a smaller size? Also, do you think they will let me exchange the ones that I got for the smaller size for the same price that I paid?
I tried to do that once in a store and they flatly denied me but I think that it might have been that particular sa not wanting to help out.
Thank you!
A - I'm not sure about whether they will change the backorder item size but it doesn't hurt to ask. Hopefully they will do that for you.
ReplyDeleteI am positive though that they will let you exchange the pants you received for a smaller size. They should just do the exchange and the price you paid will be honored. At least that is how it used to be.
Just got one of those "cardmember only" emails showcasing the Jules Dress, seen here. $188 for a viscose/rayon dress? I think not. It appears especially ridiculous when you compare it to an animal printed dress from just 3 years ago, the snow leopard shirtdress which was only $175 and is made of heavy, beautiful silk.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe they're keeping FS. The only way I'll get something is if I absolutely KNOW it will work and it's on an extra 30% off. Otherwise, forget it. I think it's a mistake for them to keep it going.
ReplyDeleteJ.CrewJD,
ReplyDeleteI was hoping the email for cardholders was for free shipping no minimum not some silly promo item!
A: CS should allow you to change the size on the backordered size, and they may grant the price you paid for the pair of pants you need to exchange. I'd do an online chat to see what they say. Please keep me posted. * crosses fingers for you*
ReplyDeleteA: not too long ago, i ordered a sale skirt (which was also like extra 30% off) and it was too big... i wanted to exchange it for a smaller size but it was sold out by then... later the right size popped up but the 30% off was finished. i called CS and said i returned the first skirt but would have even exchanged it if i could... they honored the sale + 30% off price and gave me free shipping... it's worth a shot to just call and ask :)
ReplyDeleteI did notice yesterday in store the sale sign just says "Womens SALE" now, with no "*all sales final" at the bottom. However, I did not make any purchases (same old stuff, no new markdowns) or ask a sales assocaite. So, FS may or may not be over in store?
ReplyDeleteA: You shouldn't have a problem exchanging the pair you currently have for a smaller size at the same price. They will charge you to send back the larger pair if you mail it, but the new pair will be mailed to you for free.
ReplyDeleteAs for the ones on waitlist: I would ask if they would place a new order for the correct (smaller) size at the same price as the ones on waitlist and cancel the order for the larger size. If not, then you will need to wait until those ship and repeat the exchange process again like you are doing on the pair you already have now.
A: I wanted to also add that I would do the exchange process over the phone with a CSR or personal shopper and not in the store.
ReplyDelete@Unknown, you're not alone. I was wearing my 2008 Astrid berry trim jacket with a silk tank earlier this fall and felt something sharp on my shoulder. Lo and behold, as I located the source in my shoulder pad, I pulled out this really long stiff nylon string that looked like fisherman's line! I thought it might have been a fluke, but now I'm beginning to wonder if that itchy-sleeve feeling others have mentioned when trying on the hacking jackets this fall have something to do with the fibers in the shoulder pads or the threads they use for stiches.
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble caring for my valentina pumps. I bought them in the dusty rose color, and the leather began to wear away at the toe after just a few uses. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how do you care for your shoes? I have no idea if I can buy a shoe polish that would match the color.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your advice!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone!
ReplyDeleteI was the one who posted the comment regarding the faulty shoulder pads. Not sure why my id didn't show up properly... anyway..
Thanks so much for commenting and sharing your stories as well. It's amazing to hear that mine isn't an isolated issue. And to think, I almost talked myself out of taking my coat to the tailor because I thought I was just being particular and that it couldn't be a big deal. Now I know better. Ladies, definitely take your coats in to have those shoulder pad materials removed!
From what I saw, only the shoulder pads had that kind of material. Guess I'll know for certain when I pick up my coat on Saturday. I'm going to ask the tailor to save the pieces so I can take pictures of it and share it with you all. I'm also going to send the pieces to J.Crew and request that they resolve this issue for future coats. Never underestimate the power of social media in this day and age.
And yes, the material is thick and plasticky just like those plastic tag pieces, or fishing line.
My vent is about service at the JCrew store here in Oklahoma City. I moved to OKC earlier this year and was so happy to be living in a city with JCrew again, but I have been consistently disappointed with the store. I can usually find a sales associate to start a dressing room for me, but after that I'm on my own. No one ever comes to the dressing room to ask if I need another size or any kind of help. Sometimes I'd like someone's opinion on fit or have questions on an article of clothing. Often I need a different size because I always seem to be in between sizes. I finally mentioned this to someone when I was paying, and she told me that I should just come out of the dressing room to find someone. I have, at times, stood outside the dressing room looking for help, but I'm trying to avoid leaving my purse alone while walking around the store in their new clothes. I love JCrew clothing, but the sales associate made me feel embarrassed to be complaining. She assured me that they just need extra staff, but there have been times where I come out of the dressing room and find the staff just standing around the registers talking and hanging out. Has anyone else had this problem at their JCrew?
ReplyDelete@Julia: Oh yes, you are not alone. I've experienced this at nearly every B&M JCrew I've visited. The only exception is the one at the Galleria in Houston (too bad the drive is 5 hrs away!). That's why I usually shop online and just go to the B&Ms to make returns. It's a pain, but why should I support a location that ignores its customers?
ReplyDeletesamantha - The sale section is often returnable unless there's an extra % off, then they change the signs back to final sale.
ReplyDeleteJulia - Try finding a ps to work with at the store. They're motivated to help.
Very interesting about the shoulder pads. I ended up w/the retail tipped hacking (not Factory professor) so if I have an issue, I'll know what it is. Guess I'll end w/a vent. It still stinks that the tipped jackets debuted at $250 and were price jacked to $298.
OMG!! I just noticed two massive holes in my brand new Flared perfect coat. I've worn it 3x. They are in the exact same spot on each side, right on the seams, so obviously this is a defect in manufacturing. Seriously, J.Crew? If I hadn't gotten a price adjustment when it went on final sale, I would be demanding they pay for my repairs right about now. Meanwhile I'm so embarrassed I have to walk around in a holey coat for the rest of the day!
ReplyDeleteOn a related note, Jessica Lange was also wearing the Flared perfect coat on last night's episode of American Horror Story. Wonder if hers fell apart too during filming ;)
I was reading the post about the Majesty Peacoat shoulder pads, since I just purchased one and have not worn yet. In inspecting mine, there are no shoulder pads at all. Mine is in the Heather Graphite-6P, I wonder whether the issue was with certain colors and where they were manufactured??? I had purchased two colors so I could decide in person and noted that the other color felt rougher material than the Heather Graphite which is so soft. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI just got the super 120s pinstripe suit and am a little disappointed that they don't line the pants. Personally, I think pants look better on me when they are lined and I can't understand why JC doesn't line their suiting pants like every other retailer. Also, I have eczema and the wool against my skin can be somewhat irritating. Anyhoo, sorry to gripe....for the amount of money that you have to pay, I just expect them to consider details like lining wool pants.
ReplyDeleteI ordered the silk Lucinda blouse a couple weeks back in vibrant flame, to wear under a suit for job interviews. I ordered it in a 4, which I knew would be plenty big enough. Here's my complaint: despite the shirt being big (almost TOO big) it gaps in the front at the bust! It's just something about the placement of the buttons that makes it gape really obviously. I'm going to have to track down some double-sided tape :/
ReplyDelete