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.
I'm so sad. My new favorite tee, the Vintage Cotton V-Neck Tee (#24500) has a nice sized hole in it at the neckline seam after only wearing it four times. The sales associate on the phone agreed that I could send it back even though I purchased it on final sale but would not let me purchase a new one at the sale price since all of the sale colors are sold out. Guess I'll be waiting for the new colors to go on sale.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the saddest is that I want to continue to purchase a top that has poor quality. I definitely have that love/hate relationship with JC that we all struggle with.
I still buy the Vintage Cotton V-Necks. I've read the horror stories and I've had a couple problems with tiny holes, but.. I can't let go!
DeleteThat makes me so sad. I have a vintage cotton v-neck from maybe 3-4 years ago that has never had a problem, and it's been through the wash so many times. I can definitely tell, just by feeling the material, that my old v-neck was thicker and made from better cotton.
DeleteI'm glad they let you return it, though.
I know this has been said many times but I want to vent about lack of wishlist, save for later, customer reviews etc. I went to Anthro and ,in addition to having all these features (hello, reviews with pictures!) the receipt was emailed to me which I find super convenient, especially with their liberal return policy (another one!) I don't have to worry about loosing or misplacing my receipt!
ReplyDeleteAlso, with every retailer coming up with burgundy this fall J.Crew crimson maple/golden burgundy version is really unappealing. I returned the skirt without taking it out the package. I did find beautiful burgundy skirt at Anthro, review HERE.
What didn't you like about the Crimson Maple colour? I think it's stunning! When I took it out of the package my SO's first words were "that is such a nice colour".
DeleteI don't like the Heather Burgundy of the merino Tippi because of it's brown undertones (not flattering with my colouring), but the Crimson Maple was more of a wine shade which is why I like it so much.
Actually, I have checked and it was Golden Burgundy, sorry. But I thought everybody said they are very close, almost identical, no? I thought Golden Burgundy was dull henna brown and I was expecting more red wine shade with some light reflecting quality.
DeleteI have the golden burgundy no. 2 and I think the color is incredible. It isn't brown at all in my opinion.
DeleteI think ALL cardholders should have gotten the 25% thing yesterday. Why the games and why make loyal customers have to go through the trouble of requesting it? And there are many customers out there who don't read this blog and won't even know about it in order to ask.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I stopped by a Factory store in my travels yesterday. It's so deja vu in there. The colors and styling are luscious, but it's lots of polyester knock-offs of retail stuff. Why should I spend $79.50 for a polyester Nastasha cami in wildcat when I got the real thing in silk on sale for less than that?
They had a new bag, an Edie knock-off, that I've never seen before. They had a bottle green and tan. Inferior leather to my real one, and $158.
I am a silver cardholder and didn't get a code. :( I am about to email CS to ask for one...
DeleteI got a code and although I purchase more frequently than I'd like to admit, I didn't even know there was such a thing as a silver card.
DeleteYeah, for high spenders, LOL? Actually I doubt I spend anywhere near as much as many JCAs. But I just did live chat and they said they would honor the discount when I was ready to place an order.
DeleteI second Ruffles' comment about the cardholders promo only going to select cardholders. I have spent loads over the past 10 years and resent the fact that I will have to request the code. Although I'm so turned off I may not buy anything anyway.
ReplyDeleteMy second vent is that I had to sew two buttons on my Liberty shirt immediately after bringing it home from the store. Really? A $150 shirt and it can't even survive being tried on?
Happily, I am digging a lot of items at other retailers this fall. Toodleoo, J.Crew.
I got a pair of Saturday pants and opened the bag to find a huge hole in them! Very disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI saw a few pairs of the Saturday Pants with big holes in store last year. I will say that I do love those pants though--so great for weekends without looking too sloppy! I'd just recommend buying them on sale :).
DeleteThis is a very tiny complaint. I'm wondering if J. Crew got a discount by ordering a gajillion white buttons. I have a royal blue perfect shirt with white buttons, a red blythe shirt with white buttons, a navy crinkle cotton shirt with white buttons. The list goes on and on. Sometimes a white button is fine, sometimes it's just jarring and doesn't belong on the garment. I've changed out a few of my shirts/blouses to buttons that match the color of the fabric and think it looks much better.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that they place white buttons on too many of their shirts. I tend not to purchase rather than finding my own buttons, because if you're going to pay that much for a shirt you hope the retailer could be bothered to find matching buttons.
DeleteI agree also. I was not happy to see the Natasha camis/tops didn't have colormatched buttons.
DeleteI respectfully disagree. Colormatched buttons are generally cheap plastic/painted buttons, which I hate with a passion. As long as we're talking about nice shell buttons, and not white plastic buttons, it's irrelevant to me whether or not they "match."
DeleteHi..checking out the sale merch. online. I clicked on ten items and all showed up as "sorry so popolar...etc" then why are they there. All ten...
ReplyDeleteOT the port of call sweatshirt,acordian pleat blouse and other newish items are on sale today as well as a few new purses...I am going to stand by what many JCA's say...never pay FP
Carolyn from Vancouver
This is my obligatory boo on final sale vent!!!
ReplyDeleteMinor complaint but I wish companies wouldn't selectively offer incentives (altho one just for ALL cardholders makes sense). As a student with very little income, it's frustrating to have been excluded from EVERY recent promo that could be used on FP items. I probably shouldn't even complain bc we do get the in store 15% but I don't live near a crew and, even if I did, I usually require specialty sizes that aren't avail in stores. Someone call the WAHHHH-MBULANCE!!!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn from Vancouver - I agree. Practically everthing I clicked on in Final Sale this morning came up either no longer available or with a green screen directing me back to the home page. I thought it was just a glitch, but it's been that way for over 3 hours.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned by others, I'm another card holder that didn't get a promo code. Very disappointed...
ReplyDeleteI am still mourning the wool double serge skirts as we know it. Ordered 3 of the new colors at $68 with the 30% off last week thinking the inferior quality is in the price. Everything is going back. Fabric & fit are both so off that I know I will not be reaching for these skirts. Did get the 25% code for cardholders yesterday morning and will see if anything interesting comes up in the next roll out. If not, I will probably a coupleLiberty shirts assuming the code works on these.
ReplyDeleteMarie, me too. The skirts this year are horrible. I felt dowdy and awful in them! The fit is just way off, and don't even get me started on the fabric. Too bad they ruined the one thing I was actually willing to pay (nearly) full price for.
DeleteI dunno, I'm comfortable with them at the FS price. Fabric is less weighty than ones from years past for sure, but mine seem to fit the same...? Would not keep them at FP (ok, maybe heather acorn, lol) but at $68 they're keepers for me.
DeleteTotally agree Elaine, mine fit slightly closer through the thighs this year but still look great. I wouldn't pay full price for this year's version, but they are still the best pencil skirts I've found in my price range (by far).
DeleteOK so I'm NOT crazy, I also thought they were cut a touch narrower through the thighs this year myself! And I'm 25 lbs lighter than I was a year ago, but I can tell the difference between the new skirts and the ones I bought previously in the same size. Hmmm. Skimping on material maybe? :P
DeleteI agree about the poor selection of skirts this year. I keep going to the skirts section and clicking, all the while thinking, "There must be more here." I lived in the factory jade casbah, navy A-line and a BR striped awning skirt all summer and would like some fall counterparts. BR's selection seems very dull. The JC brocade skirt seems too much and the other print skirt--the aqua and yellow one--seems too springlike. At this point, I'd even settle for the French hens on a skirt...maybe. Guess I should be careful what I wish for!
ReplyDeleteNo complaints here....maybe it's because I haven't tried anything on! That's my complaint...not excited about much. I did buy a Tippi sweater and two Tippi Cardigans which I'm happy about. I just don't want to be disappointed about the wool skirts....so I guess I'm avoiding even trying them. I hope the next rollout has something I really really want in it!
ReplyDeleteTippi sweater in linen stripe suffered a hole after 3 washes according to the care instructions. I am a bit disappointed as it is one of my favourite sweaters this summer.
ReplyDeleteOh no Rose! I've noticed that mine has stretched and stretched and I've only worn it about 4 times?? It's now easily a large if not an XL...hopefully when I clean it with dryel, the process doesn't kill it :(
DeleteThe allie dress in the floral print is avail in all sizes and marked down to 69.99. It's killing me because it's such a cute dress at a good price right now, but I just can't do it because they made it about 6 inches too short!
ReplyDeleteCass - I love this dress but I need a review. I totally pear shape...I order an 8 in the lucille dresses...hmmmmm
DeleteI found a review of the solid color dress here: http://colorfulcorporate.blogspot.com/2012/08/jcrew-fall-fitting-room-reviews.html
DeleteLooks like fitted in the bodice with room at the hip--good for pear shape, but very very short. Would probably work great if you are petite pear shape! At 5'9" I can't make it work.
Cass - GREAT! Thanks! BTW: I'm jealous! I'm 5'7 and always wished I was taller! THANK YOU!
DeleteI'm 5'3" and I tried on the solid version and found it too short. Looks OK when I'm standing, but I can't sit down without flashing an indecent amount of leg! The dress is otherwise very well-made, but really is too short :(
DeleteMore of a suggestion than a complaint... I wish JC would offer birthday perks to their cardholders. Over the past few days, I've received a $10 gift card from Victoria's Secret for being a cardholder, a coupon for any free drink at Starbucks for being a Gold Rewards member and a coupon for a free sandwich at Au Bon Pain just because I subscribe to their emails and provided my date of birth at signup. I find that birthdays become progressively less exciting as one gets older, so I really have to say, these perks did excite me, and above all, they made me feel appreciated. I'm taking a staycation next week just to relax in the city and work on a novel I'm writing, so I foresee myself sitting in USQ on the afternoon of my bday drinking free Starbucks and eating a free sandwich before heading to VS to use my $10! Normally I'd be wearing a new JC dress from the fall collection and heading to my B&M to pick myself up a bday treat, but I'm just not feeling the love (and I don't mean the collection itself, which I do kinda love). Oh, well. I hate to beat a point to death because I know I've said this before, but given today's economy and the fact that many of us simply can't spend as much on clothes as we might have in years past, I realize that I have become far more conscious of where my dollars are going and whether the companies I'm giving them to make me feel valued. An even better point might be to mention that my $10 VS gift card constitutes brilliant marketing because it means (a) they will get me into the store which is a fabulous way to introduce me to all of their new offerings and (b) my purchase WILL exceed $10 once I see all the lovely things they have in store.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. Just one more hole in the swiss cheese that is JC's (anti)marketing, (anti)customer loyalty efforts.
DeleteI agree! Sephora gives a bday gift as well. And that doesn't even require a purchase. And Anthro gives you 15% off during your bday month
DeleteI stopped posting about my Leo loot, it's depressing.
DeleteDara, first thing. Happy Birthday!!!! I am a September birthday woman (too old to be a girl) too. And my email and mail is starting to flood with the Happy Birthdays from all over. Stores like you I rarely purchase from but get emails from. You are right it is a great marketing gimmick. Send a consumer $10 or $20 and they will most probably come in and spend over $50.
Deletethe fact that you expect j.crew to do something similar to what a company like starbucks or victoria's secret would do makes me think you do not understand their brand very well. victoria's secret sells underwear (ok... nice underwear) and starbucks makes coffee.... j.crew is cashmere, italian leather pumps, and gourmet handbags. idk why you would expect them to mail you a $10 gift card on your birthday. to me, that would cheapen the j.crew experience. it isn't a discount-oriented atmosphere. for your next birthday, you should save up and get a real treat in the store.
DeleteWow, totally disagree with you koozie. Anthropologie is a pretty comparable retailer, IMO, and I got a 15% bday discount from them. They sell at least the same caliber merchandise as JC, often a bit higher end, actually. And, not a discount oriented atmosphere? When items are marked down to final sale within weeks of their release? JC may wish they had the cachet of a higher end retailer, but I'm sorry, they are just not living up to it.
DeleteOh, and I also got a discount from Piperlime. They very rarely have discounts, and while they do sell some budget friendly items. They sell mostly higher end designer items. It makes me feel appreciated, not like the brand is cheapened at all. But then, I'm a strictly sale shopper, so you may think me cheap. I will say, however, that JC has us very well trained not to ever pay full price with their super fast markdown cycles.
Delete"gourmet handbags" made me lol! hehe
DeleteI'm with most everyone else on this thread. I think birthday promos, coupons, gift cards, etc lend a personal feel, which hearkens back to days of yore when you'd go to a local shop and they actually knew who you were and they sold quality, handmade or hand-selected items. And I agree with Dara: the older you get, birthdays get less exciting. It's nice when someone, even if it is a clothing company or a chain coffee store, sends you a little something nice to make your day (or month, whatever) a little more special.
Delete(And it's completely beside the point, but I HATE VS underwear-- tons of polyester, shady ethics, no variety-- I would definitely not call it "nice".)
Neiman Marcus gives me a birthday discount every year. I consider them a high end retailer.
Deletej.crew factory offers birthday discounts (20%). also, neiman marcus has in-house pr/hr/customer service personel etc. at every location that keep track of things like client birthdays. needless to say, most j.crew retail locations outside of manhattan probably don't have that depth of staff in each location. on anthropologie - it's owned by urban outfitters - their market share went down 11% in 2011 (that's huge), coincidentally im pretty sure their birthday discounts are a recent addition to their brand. piperlime is owned by gap inc; a retailler that is closing roughly 1/4 - 1/5 of their retail locations worldwide.
Deletemy point in mentioning all that is the "personalized" service mentioned i.e. a birthday discount is nothing more than a computer program spitting out a coupon on a date that coincides with your customer account. no living person, save perhaps an i.t. tech would ever be involved in you receiving it.
i understand if you disagree with me on the quality and level of detail that i believe to be j.crew (i think it's amazing - why i check this blog). but the onslaught of "personalized" service most of you are referring to is a marketing technique that is being utilized by flagging retailers across the globe. this kind of service didn't exist in 2007 outside of j.crew, and now they're playing catch-up with retailers like j.crew and neimans to get back their market share. honestly, when was the last time you had the same level of service in an anthropologie compared to j.crew?
the personal stylist at my local j.crew (charlotte, nc) that helps me offers me exceptional customer service, face to face. i'm a grad student and she helps find me great things that i love and can afford. i'm passionate about her, her employer and their products. for me, its the best way to shop.
I mentioned in another thread that I received a $20 birthday giftcard from Vera Bradley just yesterday. And the only things I have ever purchased there are two overnighters for my mom and aunt!
ReplyDeleteI am extremely upset with the returns department. I received permission to return some defective items over three weeks ago. I printed out a copy of the email that said, "We'll be happy to accept these items for return and have made the notations on your account to allow the returns." I also attached the original tags AND a copy of my J Crew card statement.
ReplyDeleteThree weeks later... nothing. I've called and emailed almost every day since last Friday with no consistent answer. They're working on it, they have no idea where it's at, they need more information (like the item #... wtf? I already sent the tags back WITH the clothing), they'll take down my information and get back to me, etc.
I've purchased three orders since returning those items, and they came promptly. Apparently, they have no problem being efficient with *sales,* but when it's time for returns, I get the runaround...
I read somewhere that they are wary of scammers, but I've bought a TON of stuff from them over the years and I'm pretty sure this is only my first or second return, so I don't see why there'd be this holdup. Very upset.
Not that this makes it right OR that it makes any sense to me, but I've always been told it takes a full billing cycle for JC returns to process.
DeleteBut you should not be getting the runaround like this.If it were me, I'd call CS and ask to speak to a manager. If they refuse, send an email to Mickey Drexler. He (or someone) reads them. Even if you don't get a response from him, your email will be routed to someone who will follow up.
And again, it's CRAZY that you should have to go to those lengths. But it will get you the result you want. Good luck!
Sadly, I don't think this kind of ridiculous run-around is limited to just JC. There are a lot less consumer protections available than in the past. Corporations know this and continually take advantage of customers this way - thinking that most people won't follow up or don't have the energy to fight these kinds of wrongs.
DeleteI didn't get a "25% off for cardholders" e-mail, and I've been a cardholder for a long time. It makes me feel like the only girl at the prom who isn't getting asked to dance. And J.Crew saying that they'll honor the discount if you call in to place your order is like when your best friend feels bad for you and sends *her* date over to ask you to dance.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of how much High School sucks, J.Crew.
I did not get it either, lets sulk together. I know that I can call and probably get it but I feel like just not ordering anything, let's just go to another party, what do you think?
DeleteYES. I need to get out of this prom dress anyway - the sequins are itchy ;)
DeleteI feel exactly the same way. I didn't get the email and am tired of feeling lame when I ask for discounts.
DeleteThat's okay, I think I'm ready for a little break from J. Crew (or at least an easing) with this Fall's lackluster collection.
In other words, it's not like I wanted to get asked to dance or anything - I swear I wasn't really into him anyway. He's like so totally lame. He would be lucky to get to dance with ME!
Damn straight, Cate O!
DeleteI was told by customer service that I didn't get the email, because I "opted out of most emails." I literally get an email from them everyday! How is that possible!
DeleteA caution for those of you looking for some bling...
ReplyDeleteI bought the gold "Woven Bangle" a while back (it's on sale now, but I paid full price...grrr), and was very not pleased when the gold plating started rubbing off after ONE wear! The quality definitely does not reflect the price of this piece, sale or not...
I'm a HUGE JC jewelry buyer and I am shocked at how the quality has gone down this year. I always buy with one discount (or more) but I cannot believe how cheaply-made and almost plastic feeling some of the findings and the pendants etc., are these days. It doesn't even feel worthy of buying on sale anymore. So sad.
DeleteMy vent is with the double-strand seahorse necklace. Honestly, I love it but it's a bit heavy around the neck. It's been worn briefly twice, third attempt pulled it out of the box and three of the beads are no longer orange. They paint peeled right off!
ReplyDeleteAnyone else experience this? Worth sending back as defective?
I'd contact them about it. For $150, I would expect MUCH better quality. That's seriously ridiculous.
DeleteIf it was my necklace I would first send a e-mail to(the contact us one) and complain...they should/will credit you back your full amount at once and then pay for return shipping ( include receit in package0 They will repay you this as well or send you a new one if you dare to try again...I wouldn't. Good luck p.s I have had them do the exact above whenever I have a defective item...which has been a few time to many. Carolyn from Vancouver
DeleteKoozie- even Macy's offers a special discount during the birthday month and Kate Spade is also good about offering specials throughout the year. Today retail atmosphere is so intense- how many companies have gone out of business?- that the really good ones need to attract, keep and keep wooing their customers on a regular basis. I have been a JCrew customer longer than even Mickey Drexler and I have seen the company go through an evolution. Overall I am still pleased but I do not like the recent trend of lower quality merchandise and cheaper fabrics, higher prices and inconsistent customer service. They are spending a ton of money on ads for clothes that look amazing in pictures but are sadly inferior in real life. I can't see how all these new customers they are seeking will stick around if this continues. Not even Target or Wal-Mart go to "Final Sale" within 3 weeks of introduction!!
ReplyDeletei did a big reply on the original post above... please feel free to read it.
Deletej.crew is weathering the poor economy very well. retailers like macys, victoria's secret, gap, banana, anthropolgie, etc. are not. there are two reasons i think this is important:
1. as other retailers close locations left and right, j.crew is quietly opening 1 or 2 a quarter. those other retailers are clawing for better market share, and reaching out to customers with discounts is one way they're doing it, under the guise of "personal" services. how many of those special discount emails were you getting in 2006? probably not near as many as you do today.
2. j.crew has an amazingly loyal customer base (just google j.crew blogs and look how many pop up!). while it is unfortunate that you guys have serious problems with the brand, customers that have issues with the service and product of j.crew are the vast, vast minority.
to touch on your again on your comment, i do not agree with you at all about j.crew having a lower quality. most of their fabrics are spun in italy, at world-class mills. their bags and shoes are made in the same italian facilities as prada. they tend to keep this information close to the vest, which to me is weird.
not to creep you out with all this j.crew knowledge - i interned for a data company that has represented them in the past - how i got introduced to the brand, and how i've come to know them so intimately now.
Approximately half of my Perfect tees get little holes in them after 1-2 wearings and washings. If it is moths, then they are the most selective moths I have ever encountered because they are only eating my J Crew tees. I love the fit of these, and they used to hold up really well (I have several that are still gorgeous after like 4 years!), but as with so many of us have been finding at JC, the quality seems to no longer be there. I can pay $5 for a cute tee from Target with the same life span (or longer!) as a $20 one from JC.
ReplyDeleteMy graphic tees from 2008 still look fantastic. Almost every tee I've bought from about 2010 forward got holes and I've thrown most of them away, except for the ones I can cover w/a sweater.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I went into my b&m and nothing grabbed me at all. Haven't loved this fall's offerings. I think I may be suffering from JC fatigue. I still love the older stuff, but this season is doing nothing for me. I have to say I really dislike the button down shirts. I feel like they look dowdy and they always gape over the boobs, no matter what size I get. I was there yesterday and one of my favorite PS's couldn't find one thing to go w/the burgundy skirt from this summer. I walked out completely empty handed.
hi all- I'm new to this blog so I apologize if this question has been brought up before. Does anyone know why there is such a difference in the online price vs B&M price? I get the general idea (I work for BN, where the prices for some books are different), but I don't think I've ever encountered this for clothes. I've never seen anthropologie sell the same item for different prices (online on sale, BM not on sale). Also, any one know/ understand the logic of having a shorter PA window for online orders (and/ or online catalog only items). Thanks, NDR
ReplyDeleteHI nicolleblogs, that is one good question that we have been asking for a loooong time. The usual response from CS is that the B&M stock distribution stream is completely different from that of the online warehouse's. You can usually get the B&M SAs to price match the online price and promos though, you just have to ask. As for the online PA window, I don't have a clue why it's short, you do have a longer window for returning online orders if that makes it a bit better.
DeleteHonestly, I think it depends on the individual store's inventory and what sells well and what doesn't.
DeleteEven a mass retailer like Target has different prices online and in store. And often, some stores will have certain items already on clearance and others won't.
There is some regulation, like with limited price discounts, but I really think it's an inventory thing.
Did a quick lap around my store before making a couple returns. Others have said the same, but this is the first time I can remember being in a store and not having that strong "I love this I must have it" feeling about anything! The collection is all over the place. Few things go well together and half the items look like they should be April releases, not late August/fall. Lots of wrinkles and loose threads. No thanks.
ReplyDeleteI hope the next rollout is more exciting. I'd love to take advantage of the cardholder promo.
I felt the exact same way when I went to return something at the store today. Nothing jumped out at me as a must-have. I was quite surprised, because I usually want at least one thing really really badly!
DeleteWomen's Wear Daily has a brief article today about JCrew's finances and expansion plans -- 21% rise in total revenues in the latest quarter! You can find the article here: J.Crew Profit Vaults Ahead
ReplyDeleteall those sudden markdowns and sales, and yet they claim to be coining money. I'm happy to hear that, but doesn't the bottom line make you wonder even more about the pricing? Don't you have to have profitable sales to make all that money? Oh, well, I'm no economist, I'm just a sale stalker...
DeleteHas anyone mentioned the changes to the store at Sth Coast plaza Costa Mesa, Ca. The shop was originally ladies and Menswear, but today, I noticed that menswear was in a new location, and ladieswear took up all the space. There's so much room to look around (and push a stroller if you're like me).
ReplyDeleteDoes this dress look like it falls to the knee to anyone? No? Yeah, to me it looks like mid to upper thigh. They should have just called it the v neck jules dress, so I would have known not to even click on it and get my hopes up that they produced an appropriate dress that I could actually wear.
ReplyDeletelol, ITA.
DeleteJCrewJD. It just might on me at 5' 1" but even I can't pull off the Jules dress unless I don't sit down or raise my arms. LOL.
Deletewellfedfred- I think the profitablility comes from the difference b/t the cost of their not-so- quality fabrics and the high retail cost they attach to the clothes they manufacture.I.e, thinner cashmere, whisper thin silk (for pants!),no lining in their pants, white buttons everywhere...Such a big difference in the stuff they have been offering since 2010 and their more "vintage" items. I know my closet still has alot of the older items( b/c they last) and most of the newer ones haven't held up.
ReplyDelete