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.
argh!! How about finally receiving my new double serge pencil skirt and discovering it's hugely (tiny-ly?) defective. I sized up to a 2 since I heard they were a little less forgiving this season. Well, I could barely squeeze into it, and certainly unable to walk. I measured and the hips are only 36 inches! Since I live in Canada returns are an expensive pain, even though I'll get reimbursed. And the colour (maple) is sold out now. GRRRRR!
ReplyDeleteIronically, this is correct according to the sizing chart on the website. :P
My last 3 years of pencil skirts say otherwise.
So this skirt was indeed mislabeled, and when I called to get the tall skirt shipped to me as a replacement they insisted the only way they could send it would be to charge me an additional $25 as a canadian...
Deletea defective item should be straight up replaced. They eventually relented, after a lengthy debate. I hope this one works out!
Sizable Update this morning! Polka dot crepe skirt now $119.99 and Final Sale???!!!
ReplyDeleteLauren, I know! They're final sale prices are TOO HIGH. Yeah, let me jump right on that final sale scarf by Drakes that is $160 that has been in final sale FOREVER-
ReplyDeleteI finally wore my Jackie pullover which I ordered a long time ago and it is already falling apart with the threads coming out all over the sweater! I don't even have the order number or the invoice anymore.
ReplyDeleteI recently had a similar issue with a Tippi sweater - wore it twice and it already had a hole in it. Mine was a gift so I didn't have a receipt either. I took it back to my local store and they gave me a gift card for not quite the full amount of the sweater. I was pleasantly surprised so it may be worth a try for you.
DeleteUgh...anybody else have a similar problem? Should I return my as yet unworn Tippi because this might happen?
DeleteAlso, if you're a cardholder you should receive the benefits of being a cardholder. I do not like their marketing choices where only some received 25% off during the recent promo that has expired. It only makes me want to ditch the card....
ReplyDeleteIronically, if you ditched the card but didn't technically cancel it, they probably would've sent you a 25% off code. I stopped using my card nearly 2 years ago because I think the 5% you earn in rewards isn't worthy of being considered a perk, and I never, ever get their promos because I shop too much, but this one I got.
DeleteMini-vent. I wish the homepage would show a model wearing an outfit more fall-like. It looks like she got into cherry koolaid at an Easter egg hunt.
ReplyDeleteAgreed,I'd also like to add that the models in general are wearing me down. I'm sick of the surprised stupid look. They look like they have developmental disabilities and are baffled that they are being photographed. I picture someone shaking a rattle behind the camera to get them to look, over here now, come on, shake shake, wider eyes now, good, very good.
DeleteRight on. Easter is in spring, J.Crew.
DeleteAlso, note that some sale prices have dropped this morning.
ReplyDeleteRe: the Polks Dot Crepe skirt hitting final sale. wow. I really want it but refuse to do final sale just to try it on---I've never seen it at any store I've been to (and I've been to several in larger cities) and if I did, the store rarely, if ever, carries size 14. I am far too reluctant to roll the dice on soemthing I have never seen.
ReplyDeleteContrast that with a sale dress (not final, by the way) I am wearing today from Loft. It was on sale, then an adiditonal 50% off---total price was just under $35 on an $100 dress. Now that is a sale. And, the store even had my size. Imagine that.
I was in my B&M last night and there was no signage indicating an extra 30% off sale prices, as some JCAs have noted in their stores. When I got to the register I inquired whether they were offering an extra 30% off sale prices in-store as online. I got a blank look and a "no...." but then the SA said "but I will honor that for you."
ReplyDeleteWhich is fabulous, and I thanked her and said I appreciated it very much. But what about anyone else in the store who might be buying a sale item, ya know?
On top of that, is it common knowledge that your shipping fees don't get refunded if you returnh an online order? I returned 2 things, which consitituted my entire order, but was not refunded the $8.95 ship charge. Maybe this is normal; I don't return very much, so IDK. But it was annoying.
I was happy to get the Port of Call sweatshirt for $28 after the extra 30% off, a Celestial Blue Tippi for $35 and 2 Crewcuts tees for my son.
My only vent is that they got me again this morning with some new items added to FS which I've been stalking. Too many orders this month!! Today I ordered the collection cashmere polka dot sweater in green - mind you I already have the cabernet/fuchsia and the poppy/cabernet so I didn't need a third but I love this sweater and I think $125.99 is reasonable for cashmere provided I can keep the pilling to a minimum. I also ordered the crystal cupcake necklace which I've wanted since I spotted it in-store several months ago (then proceeded to buy what turned out to be a very poor replica on eBay). Neither the sweater nor the necklace were marked final sale. The only other item I bought, which was marked FS, was the new high-waisted skinny jean in night owl wash. They'll need to be shortened 2 inches, but I liked the $41.99 sale price and the midrise denim this season fits me so well I decided to gamble on the high rise.
ReplyDeleteNot so much a rant, but more of an observation (only because I've been tracking the sweater). So if I had bought the Collection Cashmere Stripe Bateau sweater at full price ($228), at this rate (since all colors are now on sale), I would have been able to buy 2 *and* still have some change left over?
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's what J. Crew is doing with these crazy prices - trying to re-set our expectations so we flock to final sale?
Any sizing advice on the bateau sweater? TTS? Thx!
Deletemack, I felt it fit TTS…tried on my usual Medium, but I didn't think of layering at the time. I think shopwithm and 1moreshopping blog did reviews of the sweater. Now is certainly a good time to get one!
DeleteI just returned that sweater. I liked it, but not for 228.00. Just ordered it for 104. I like it for that price. Pricing games are frustrating!
ReplyDeleteIt has been said a thousand times, but I'll say it again...reviews on the site!! I searched high and low for a review of the factory flannel trousers, didn't find one but they were similar to a pair I have from a few years ago. I ordered four pairs, two colors in two sizes, free shipping code and knowing I'll have to return. Of course, none of them fit. Online reviews would have told me that the pockets are oddly placed...
ReplyDeleteI just wrote about this in J Crew like retailers, and in my post On Trend Orchids Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers have such superior sites, with reviews, and finders, etc. I wish J Crew would follow suit.
DeleteThey're probably scared to put reviews on the site because they would reveal their true colors before anyone buys!
DeleteOT: There were several more markdowns in the retail store:
ReplyDeleteClassic Merino Long Cardigan--Marled Jade and Neon Fuchsia, 49.99
No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Wool, Berry Pink, 69.99
Rugby Stripe Boatneck Top, the black and white and the green and navy, 19.99
HTH!
Thank you!
Deleteyou're very welcome!!!
DeleteIt really bothers me that all the items on Sale are FINAL SALE! Come on! my local store rarely carries anything! I'm not willing to spend 200-300 on a sequin skirt that I've never tried on before specially because the sizes are all over the place!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip about the black and camel cashmere striped sweaters being on sale. My only frustration is everytime I order something to goes on sale the next day or gets put on promotion and then sale so I keep having to re-purchase. It's going to be a pain to return all the duplicates but I don't mind getting a cashmere sweater I would have paid full price for around $100.
ReplyDeleteWith the inconsistency in sizes, I cannot risk the final sales. A size 0 skirt is too loose in the waist, but a 00 is far too small in the thighs. Also, there are hardly ever any pants that fit at the true waist (no, the old school chinos don't count!). The Hutton pants seemed to sell well, so I hope they will do another real waist pant. I also find any sweater they sell with wool to be horrible itchy. I have a sweater from over 10 years ago that I still wear (and it has held up!)--that was when the quality matched the prices. Now, not so much.
ReplyDeleteHi all -
ReplyDeleteMy vent is that there are items that have been languishing in the sale section for months on end, and it is tiresome to sort through them. Popbacks are one thing - I have been delighted to buy previously sold out items that unexpectedly return in the very size I'm looking for.
But there are some items that stay there FOREVER in lots of sizes and they don't mark them down further or get rid of them entirely. (Exhibit A: you should see how many girls sunhats - in many fabrics and colors- are marked down from $32 to $7 and they're still there.)
I propose that if an item sticks around for a month at 50% off or more, then it should be retired. (With a popback exception, of course)
And by the way, there are a huge number of JC wedding dresses on deep discount. What the heck happened there?
Totally agree, they should just do a one time fire sale at like 80% off, if there is still no takers, off to charity it goes.
DeleteI am tired of keep seeing those summer sandals still on the sale section...
I have return two items recently that were defective when I finish put the item on to wear it. WTH!? The price we pay for J. Crew should reflect in the quality of the material. They were very helpful and actually credited my card while I was on the phone with the customer service rep.
ReplyDeleteI know I just posted on the site reviews earlier, but I've got another one now: I went to the factory store to return my above mentioned pants. I'd purchased them with paypal (I have one customer who insists on paying me through paypal, so I have a balance that I try to use for online purchases). Turns out you can't get your account credited in store. I took the gift card because I'll spend it eventually, but I was annoyed that the website does not indicate that this is a caveat with a paypal purchase.
ReplyDeleteI returned something that I purchased via paypal and the store refunded my visa that is linked to my paypal account. YMMV?
DeleteSmack dab in the middle of a hugely busy time, JCrew randomly sent me a large purse instead of the boots I ordered. It's a huge pain when you're gone for 17 hours and never home during post office hours, but you have to find a way to mail back their mistake. Grr. And, if that does happen, I expect to have a consolation percentage off of the new order they had to charge to my debit card with the refund window. Also, where is a full price sale??
ReplyDeleteDepending on your housing situation I just go online and schedule a USPS pickup at my house and use the prepaid label.
DeleteDo you live near a store? You won't have to pay for the return if you just return it to a B&M.
DeleteSome in store price notes from today
ReplyDeleteBlythe in retro jade: $59.99
Navy tweed jacket: $69.99
Tippi in purple: $44.99
Zebra silk top $29.99
The sale section was stocked they we're marking things down when I was there
My vent would be I am not impressed at all with the Very personal stylist, at least not the one at my B&M.
ReplyDeleteI tried to schedule an appointment with her via email, and I did not hear a definite answer until almost five days later. Finally, she just sent me to the store to order the items through a sales assistant.
Also, it says on the website that VPS offers styling advice on J Crew products, but after an email to my VPS several days ago about how to pair a J Crew outfit, I had yet to hear any feedback.
Overall, I am not seeing any benefit with VPS, as I can easily order items myself online and probably getting bigger cash back through my credit card mall that has link to J Crew. Why use a VPS that does not meet clients or respond to any styling questions?
You should try getting another VPS. I had a great online PS before we had a store in Canada, but she left and handed me off to another PS who was TERRIBLE (never responded to emails, totally unhelpful, etc.).
DeleteThen, when our store opened here I got an in-store VPS who has been fabulous. I've heard other JCAs tell similar stories, so I would recommend using a new VPS and see if he/she is more helpful.
Why does my J.Crew B&M store never do an extra % off? Gahhhh am I the only one?
ReplyDeleteThat's my only vent right now.
just a question..how long does it take J.Crew to process returns? I sent two boxes -same day. Both delivered with an hour of each other. One item was processed almost immediately, the other.....haven't heard a peep. It's been 4 days. Should I call?
ReplyDeletei don't like the new side bar in the sale section - how when you click on a clothing category, the rest of the categories disappear from the side bar now and the only option are further refined searches (size/colour). this means you have to click twice to look at the next category instead of just once. i know it's a small thing, but what was the point of changing it? so annoying.
ReplyDeletecompletely agree, super obnoxious!
DeleteRebekah, I HATE that! It is extremely annoying to me. Grrrrr.
DeleteLira, as the mother of a child with developmental disabilities I found your comment beyond offensive. Developmental disabilities do not = stupid.
ReplyDeleteYesterday the sequin bow pants were on sale 399, plus extra 30% off. I was toying with the idea of them, decided today to check them out again, and they are back up to regular price with no extra % off. WTH???? Grrr.
ReplyDeleteIMI, I agree w/you about the VPS issue. My instore VPS is lame. She does the bare minimum, if that and offers me absolutely no styling choices that might make me buy more of their clothes. I got stuck w/her when my previous VPS left, who happened to be really great.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just do not like JC's offerings at the moment. I'm completely underwhelmed. Normally I troll that sale section repeatedly when there's 30 off. I haven't even looked b/c there's nothing I want. I've been gravitating more and more to Anthro lately - and their returns policy is so much more customer friendly.
I usually have a great experience at my local store and several of the sales assistants know me by name/sight. However, this past week I went shopping with my one year old son in tow. He was quiet in his stroller, not causing a disturbance, you wouldn't even know he was there. However, NO ONE offered me a dressing room. I had more than 10 articles of clothing piled on the stroller. There was only one other customer in the store and at least four sales assistants on the floor. I wandered around for a bit hoping someone would offer a fitting room, but finally I had to ask. I was given a dressing room, and then abandoned. Again, NO ONE came back to check on me, see if I needed more sizes, etc. Throughout the whole shopping trip my son was very well behaved, the only point when he got fussy was at check out and picked him up and he was fine. Perhaps he got fussy because I had to spend time at the counter asking questions about fit/color because no one had bothered to check on me in the dressing room. Just because I have a child with me doesn't mean I am not a paying customer. I felt like I was being discriminated against for having a young child.
ReplyDeleteI purchased a Lulu Frost for J.Crew resin and marcasite bracelet during the sale. Lovely online. IRL - quality is seriously substandard. The clasp is a poor design and keeps opening whenever I put my hand in my bag. It fits my wrist but with just a little space to spare and the plastic blue tear drops look like... well plastic. I would not recommend it.
ReplyDelete