Wednesday, January 18, 2012

"Looking to VENT" with J.Crew

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.

47 comments:

  1. Not too much of a vent, but I am frustrated with the discrepancy in the toothpick denim sizing. I tried on the regular denim in my normal size and the thighs were loose and the waist was kind of tight. Then I tried on the garment dyed twill toothpick jean in festival green and the pants were super tight even when I sized up! Finally yesterday I tried on the neon persimmon color in my size and it fit beautifully on the waist, hips and thighs.

    Very confused and hesitant to buy J Crew denim online.

    I have pics as review of the denim on my blog.

    Kim
    www.aprettythought.com

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  2. The buttons on my jackies are all chipped from washing. I even use the gentle cycle!

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  3. Well, I just fell victim to the holey T shirt crime. I read about it here but never was a victim until this weekend. Put on a stripe long sleeve top I purchased this fall and there was a good size hole in the shoulder area. Worst part... I didn't see it until I was out of the house :( Embarassing!

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  4. I went to the Annapolis MD store w/ a coworker while we were working this past Saturday. The store was completely empty, except for the three sales associates standing in the middle of the store, talking to one another. My coworker and I walked around the store for a few minutes and were *completely* ignored the entire time. Even as I stood by the jewelry case, no one acknowledged us. There were a few pieces of jewelry I wanted, but I ended up walking out of the store. Such poor customer service! No wonder this store was empty and at noon on a Saturday nonetheless. I would never get such treatment at the Towson MD or the Christiana DE stores.

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  5. Recently I have returned two tees for holes, the new Jackie for weird puckering at the shoulder seam, white matchsticks for horrible hem job and two cashmeres for obscene pilling. The new men's flannel pajamas also look like rags coming out of the dryer. If Land's End Canvas steps the styling up and works on better fit I am ready to take my wallet and jump ship!!!!

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  6. Susan- my flannel PJs look like rags too and they are in the Salvation Army pile. Jcrew is really cutting too many corners.

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  7. The Cambridge Cable Turtleneck is such a piece of junk! I ordered one in late fall and only got around to wearing it this past weekend. Love the heather acorn color, but that's about the only positive I can come up with. It pilled horribly within one hour and the elbows and body stretched out not too long after that. I am considering emailing Jcrew and asking for my money back. I think I paid $60 with a discount in the fall, but it's not worth more than $20, at the most. Pitiful.

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  8. Liz, so totally with you!!! I have Cambridge cables from 2007 that are in perfect condition, this year was junk. As a former buyer for a like store I just can not fathom how they think they are going to continue to build business while going down this path.....

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  9. Hate final sale. I did one of those surveys last week and said that fs deters me from buying and they replied that their prices are so low they can't afford to accept returns. What a joke!

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  10. Prices so low they can't accept returns! LMAO! That is RICH! If they really felt that way, they'd up the discount and clear out year-old stock! omg.

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  11. Two Crewcuts vents:

    1. I was in the Madison Avenue (NYC) Crewcuts store over the weekend, and I was startled and put-off by the vibe. The presence of the doorman was a little excessive and the sales associates were scarce. The selection was minimal and aimed at toddlers. It was as though they set up a Crewcuts museum rather than a store. We shop at Crewcuts all the time in other places (although mostly on-line) and have usually found the stores to be friendly and accessible. This was strange to say the least. (We were the only customers in the store - I wonder if they should re-think.) My daughters usually love going into Crewcuts, but they wanted to leave right away.

    2. I don't understand the strategy behind keeping the Crewcuts sale prices so high (on the web site). The merchandise isn't moving at all. There are many kids items with very high prices and a full range of sizes in stock. I bought a lot of items in the fall with 30% off sales, and I'm glad I did. But now it is mid-January, and the merchandise is stagnating. I would be ready for another round of buying if the prices went down.

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  12. Even Boden has a 7 day return policy on their deeply discounted items. J.Crew needs to allow returns on their sale items. This final sale is such a turn off but people still buy from it...me...never again.

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  13. @ laughter through tears, I really though the chipped buttons were my fault.

    I'm not sure this is my fault, but has anyone else had problems with their boy shirt in silk crepe de chine. Mine pulled at the seams in the arm and looks so atrocious that I can only wear it with a sweater.

    And yes @A, final sale does suck. Prices to low, my butt. I only purchase stuff from final sale if I've tried it on before.

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  14. I already vented in the Edie tote post about the Biennial satchel. Pretty to look at, but it's a disaster in execution.

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  15. My vent is that every clothing store is starting to look the same.
    Even the models are the same.

    Nordstrom shirt and model

    JCrew shirt and model

    Gap looked so,, much, like, JCrew/Madewell.

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  16. If anyone sees a crewcuts puffer jacket for girls in a 10, navy, please put it on hold for me and e-mail pgr_1@yahoo.com Thanks!

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  17. I believe I've said this before but I really wish they showed all their shoes with a picture of a FOOT in them! Like a full-body pic with the shoe so we could zoom in. That would be very helpful.

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  18. My UPS guy just dropped off a humongous box from J. Crew for me. I was stupified. I didn't recall buying so much stuff in one go...

    Well they placed two silk dresses and a watch strap in a box large enough for a 1 cubic foot mini fridge. I am ot kidding.

    Such waste! This is why they don't offer free shipping on everything?

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  19. I ordered the Ultra-knit Lazy Day sweatpants on final sale in a size S. I received the Weekend Lounge Pant in a size XS. This is the third time in the last year or so that I've received a different item than what I ordered.

    And PLEASE J.Crew...how about doing customer reviews like so many other retail stores do (Anthro, Gap, etc.)? Would make life so much easier, especially when we buy items that are final sale!

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  20. This is not a vent, but I need help figuring out the name of something I ruined so I can hopefully replace it. :( I had a JC necklace that I purchased within the last 2 years that was a single strand of small rhinestones set in gold-toned metal. Very simple in style, almost like if a tennis bracelet was a necklace.

    Pretty sure I bought it during the the Fall/Winter/Holiday season because I remember where I was when I bought it.

    Anyhoo, I was at a friend's house and leaned over to put something in the sink and my necklace caught on their gooseneck faucet on the way back up, BOO HOO! And it broke in half.

    Does anyone have any idea what the name of it is? I can'd figure it out and I really miss wearing it, arrgghh!

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  21. Anyone else having bubble necklace issues? The center stone on mine popped off. Coupled with the pilling and shedding with the red JC sweater that I bought to wear with it and this look was a real winner.

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  22. Elaine - I think I have that necklace too. Never knew the name, as I bought it in store. It was probably on the receipt but it was like a year ago?? If you want to replace yours, and this is the same, I'll sell you mine.
    bichonluvr42005 at yahoo dot com
    Email me if you want a pic of it.

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  23. Wooooooo Suzy send me a pic! I would be elated if it's the same one. I wore it alot, even when it snagged on things, I still lurved it. My email is elaine dot hamill at gmail dot com. Thank you!

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  24. Liz, you should return that necklace for a refund--shoddy quality!

    OT, for NYC JCAs, I just passed by the 45th and Madison store and it is closed for renovations as of today.

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  25. On the topic of necklaces, I bought a beautiful necklace this summer that was very popular (can't remember the name). I wore it twice for short periods of time and one of the oval shaped rhinestones fell out! I mean, I wore them to two dinners out, not some kind of strenuous outing or whatever. I am very disappointed. I paid FP for it btw.

    And really, about prices being low enough to justify FS? Puh-lease!! I think their prices are not nearly low enough if they're going to be forcing you to purchase FS. Which is why I haven't bitten yet on the sales since xmas.

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  26. Vent for the week...Final Sale. I've been stalking the Rhea Paisley Popover waiting for it to go on sale. Checked online today and it went from full price yesterday straight to final sale today. I'm all over the place with their sizing lately so I just can't confidently order. Can anyone comment on sizing for this shirt? TIA

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  27. I noticed the same thing as laughter through tears; the buttons on my *newer* Jackie cardis are falling apart in the wash. The buttons on the Jackies I bought several years ago have been worn and washed many times, and they're still fine. It's only the newer ones that have the damaged buttons. WTF?

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  28. D*ska,
    I also had a strange box delivery from J.Crew. I ordered two sweaters and sweatshirt and they were CRAMMED into a shoe size box. Not kidding. Shoved, crammed, crushed into a shoe size box! They must be having serious problems in the shipping department.

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  29. Pam- I think the paisley Rhea went on sale one or two weeks ago as I posted a comment about it back then. I got sent to me by mistake and tried it on. I wear a size 2 perfect shirt and this one I could fit into a size 0 for the same fit as it appears on the model ( ie) not suuuper blousy.

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  30. I just received my Telegraph jacket in wool flannel today and though I do love it, it was funny that it came in a HUGE Jcrew box. I'm not joking, it was the biggest box I have ever received from Jcrew and I have ordered A LOT.

    I had to giggle at my huge box with the tiny, size 2 short sleeve blazer in it. It was like a needle in a hay stack.

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  31. Thank you so much Pathos. Darn, I didn't realize it was on sale before yesterday. Wish I had been paying closer attention. I didn't think much about the shirt until a couple of days ago when I saw some sets on Polyvore and decided I *had* to have it!

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  32. Elaine, I hope you got my emails with the pic of the necklace! :D

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  33. I still love JC (and my Biennial bag) but the cashmere is a joke. The snood I lusted after never came down in price and eventually just disappeared...Meanwhile, I have discovered a great cashmere catalog- PURE. I got a gorgeous snood on sale for $68 and love it. It's a British company and everything comes straight from Britain and guess what? They accept returns, even on sale items (not that I have anything to return...) Another JC rant: Why is everything made in China????

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  34. I've sworn off the Crew cashmere this year after being burned badly last year AND the year before. Definition of insanity indeed. :)

    Sorry to go OT, but just had to respond re Pure Collection. They also have a US website, us.purecollection.com. I have two sweaters and a scarf from them, all cashmere.

    The gassato (very light, fine cashmere with a more open weave) is just heavenly. The regular cashmere sweater is not quite as soft and has pilled somewhat. The scarf is soft and wearing pretty well.

    Unfortunately even the men's Brooks Brothers cashmere I bought as a gift has pilled somewhat, albeit with heavy wear.

    I was hoping White+Warren would satisfy my quality cashmere cravings at last but I can't say because I haven't received my order yet. However, the customer service has been extremely disappointing. Still, might buy from them again if I can ever get this order delivered.

    Sorry for the OT rant! Cashmere is a subject near and dear to my heart. :)

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  35. I would like to see improvement in the search and filtering options on the website. Nordstom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and major online retailers all offer the option to search and sort via size,color,price and designer. Why can't I see all available blue skirts in a size 0? Or all shoes in either a 6H or 7? Yes I can use the search box for boolean searches - but why should I have to?

    As for cashmere, my featherweight cardigans all developed holes around the collar or shoulder seams. I've had much better luck with an italian brand, Malo and the Neiman Marcus store brand. NM can be acquired quite cheaply -~$50-$60 when the retail stock heads to their outlet and you catch at 50% off sale. Malo is expensive but worthwhile and is often available on Yoox.

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  36. I also received two very oddly chosen boxes. Both were shoe-type boxes and both had dresses crammed into them AND I had a missing item in one and had to contact CS. Here is my theory. They are out of boxes and are just making-do with what they have on hand. GEEZ!

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  37. I fell victim to another botched order :(
    Instead of the dress I ordered I received a mens work shirt, which means there's a man out there with a sweater dress who might be even more annoyed than me.

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  38. That might be consistent with your box theory. Everything came stuffed into a very shallow box that the dress would not have fit into. Maybe it was easier to substitute a shirt, but at least give me a women's shirt!

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  39. What online retailer runs out of boxes? Would Nordstrom's shove my order into a box meant for shoes? I think not. It may not seem like a big deal, but the wrong size box for an order seems to say "we don't care about your business, your order or how your items arrive." I can't help but compare a recent Anthro order..it arrived wrapped in cute tissue paper and a nice box. Maybe that shoe box shoved full of my sweaters is a message to stop buying from J.Crew!

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  40. No excuse for shoe boxed sweaters with the $9 shipping. There should be a plethora of cardboard.

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  41. I was wondering if anyone has a review of the Lydia top. Would you rather size down or up (my regular size never popped back)?

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  42. Sarah: thanks for your input on PURE. I have developed an affinity for cashmere, too, but I don't buy it unless on sale! Last year, I got a cashmere black hoodie on the sale rack at Bloomie's. It is starting to pill quite a bit where I carry a bag but what can I say? I wear it a lot and only spent $40 on it (as opposed to the $179 regular price). At Nordstrom Rack last year, I got a Theory cashmere tunic vest that is excellent quality- no pilling. And the PURE snood is holding up well so far, but I've had it less than a week. I won't touch JC cashmere, based on the consistently bad reviews I've read about it. It would be nice to hear they upgraded it someday...

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  43. The recent email send around about the benefits of the J Crew card was a joke. The so called benefits of the card are not impressive at all on and definitely not competitive or even on par with other retailers. J Crew needs to negotiate better benefits or move to a bank that provides better cardholder benefits. I was offended that they would try to convince me that their card is any good.

    One of the best benefits of J Crew is this free community!!! I emailed a JCA to ask a question. While waiting for a response, I did 2 online chats and 4 phone calls to J Crew stores. None of their employees were able to help me. The JCA, of course, responded within 30 minutes with what I needed to know.

    This blog rocks. J Crew? Rocky. And I don't mean Balboa.

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  44. I checked the website this morning, thinking there was still a 30% additional off sale. That promo is gone. I have to say, this constant yo-yo-ing from J Crew sucks. Items that have been hanging around for months should just stay at their lowest price point, and keep getting marked down, not marked UP. Talbots markdowns keep getting lower, that's how you get rid of old merchandise.

    And this Final Sale stuff is ridiculous. I have at least 3 well-stocked stores near me and I still have not seen the Rhea paisley blouse, which I like, but I don't want to buy it FINAL SALE! If they don't offer this merch in the B&Ms, then they can't reasonably sell this stuff AS IS. Boden offers returns on their items no matter WHAT. No other retailer says, HERE buy this even if you've never seen it on another human being other than a model, and if it doesn't fit, TOUGH.

    Sorry for the rant, but to me, the Merchant Prince seems more like the Merchant Bully sometimes. I ain't buying.

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  45. I am frustrated by how quickly things seems to sell out or are back ordered for months. I am also super frustrated that they are almost always sold out of the 00 size. Any suggestions?

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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! :)