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.
Factory cashmere cardigan order cancelled, why?? How about, don't list the items on the site if you don't have them to sell?
ReplyDeleteHappened with my most recent factory order too. Cancelled a pair of jeans even tho the site said they were available. I called and CS said that the site was wrong. Called back the next day after still seeing them on the site and, lo and behold, they were available and that CS sent them to me overnight.
DeleteThat is nice they did that for you, I don't expect my order to show up, though.
DeleteIn the past couple of months, I have had at least five items canceled from my orders. This has definitely been a new experience for me; I had never had that happen before, but now it seems to be happening more often.
DeleteWearing my new jaspe scoopneck popover today. I love it, but I looked at the care tag, and the words DRY CLEAN ONLY stared back at me. WHAT!? A knit sweatshirty top is dry clean ONLY? I know there is wool in it, but c'mon. Oh well, I will wash it inside out and hope for the best.
ReplyDeletePlease report back after you do that! I didn't realize it was dry clean only either. It's my fav top right now, but since I always wear something underneath I haven't had to launder it yet. Would be great if it could be washed.
DeleteLove all my sweaters and jeans and shirts purchased thus far for fall 2012, but I thought the dress collection was AWFUL. Bought my party dress this year at Anthro. Hope J. Crew steps up the dresses for the spring.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I bought 2 collection dresses hoping to wear one to a holiday party and they looked dreadful on me. Lots of returns for me lately.
DeleteOT, but if you are willing to give Factory another try...they are offering 40% off then an additional 20% if you spend over $75. Code is SCOREMORE. Think it is today only, not sure
ReplyDeleteNothing I want right now, but it's a good deal if there is something you want (and if it ships!).
DeleteNot really a vent just a frustration .....I got up at 3 am this morning to try to snag the green Excursion vest. Still missed it in my size....so I got a navy one instead. A VSP put me on a Wish List for the green one, but I doubt that means I'll get the green vest. If they have a wish list, why aren't they filling it before they place their pop backs up on the site? What's the point of a wish list? Anyone know how it works?
ReplyDeleteEep. Seems that green vest is popular. I bought one went it first came out and I later sold it for double the price on eBay. Did not expect that. I hope you have luck finding one. It's a beautiful color.
DeleteI've never had much luck with waiting until they find an item for me. Usually because by the time I contact them personally to track down an item, it's because it's become so popular that I've exhausted my resources trying to find one and it's unlikely there's one floating around.
I totally agree... If they don't have a system in place that guarantees that a wish list item is filled before it pops back online for anyone to buy, then the list is pointless. I saw the green one online this morning in sizes XXS, XS, and medium. Was hoping one of those was your size and you had snagged it. :-(
DeleteI was told that the wish list was for items that are returned in-store and not for online merchandise so that may be why it doesn't affect popbacks. I had it work for me on a suiting dress. It was a couple of weeks after I wishlisted it when my PS emailed to let me know one was returned in my size. Of course, being that it was a return I was thinking there would be a problem when it arrived but it was perfect.
DeleteGood to know, XOXO!
DeleteTempted to place a Factory order with the current promo, but why must the site be so difficult to navigate? I looked through every category and still have to search for certain items I know they have that aren't showing up. When online shopping makes it difficult for the customer to find what he or she is looking for, it completely defeats the purpose in my opinion.
ReplyDelete...And half my cart sold out as I was searching for the other items I wanted. Too frustrating.
DeleteSame here - things keep being take out of my cart because they are "sold out" but then I can re-add them to my cart. Argggh!!
DeleteI know! Some items are only showing up if I type 'sale' into the search function.
DeleteWhat irks me is the "priced as marked" sale. The things that have been in my cart for days are the same price...not 40% of the price from a few days ago, but 40% of some imaginary price.
DeleteQuality, quality, quality. Across the mall. Wearing a much-loved BR sweater today with a JC skirt, sweater is 10 years old, skirt 5, both look so much better than stuff I've bought over past 2-3 years. When I wear recently purchased cashmere sweaters, I spend half the day looking down watching for pilling, and then people at work wonder, why is she constantly staring at her bosom?
ReplyDeletePrice discrepancies! Why can't the online prices match (generally) what is in stores? Is there a thread here somewhere about this? Would love to hear if VPS have honored store prices after online purchase has been made. TIA! Bought the popover this AM for $199.99 + 25% off and then read that it's $79.99 + 30% off in stores...ARGH!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of an online VPS matching something to an in store price, but vice versa is done all the time. I never have issues getting store prices to match online. Maybe it's only marked down in store because in store quantities and size runs are running low? This could be a reason for the huge discrepancy.
DeleteMy advice: try to get a price match to the in-store price; if they say no...1) see if an in-store SA can do a price adjustment; 2) if it's not final sale, return it and track down the item in your size in a store and have them ship it to you.
My online VPS will price match instore prices, but I have specifically asked to see if she can honor the instore price and she has never said no!
Deleteturquoise22 - No, the online VPS won't match unless they call a store to verify. I've read here of 2 or 3 of them doing it, but most of them say no. They don't want to take the time to get you a price adjustment. Maybe because they're spending time that will net a lower commission for them...? I agree w/Lisa to see if an in-store SA will do a price adjustment or have a charge/send done from a store. San Francisco Westfield had a good number last week. I think they were mostly size 2.
DeleteThanks all. Would you believe I emailed BOTH my online VPS and my in-store VPS (She's about 2 hours away as I don't live near a B&M) and neither have responded. I'm kind of appalled. I recognize it's busy with all of the promos but c'mon, I reached out on Dec. 12th! Does anyone have any feedback as to what the norm turnaround time is for a reply? My expectations are clearly off base. I have switched my online VPS 2 times. Once voluntarily and another moved on. The inconsistencies over the years have been pretty substantial for me so I was just curious if I'm really *needy* or I've just hit some really bad luck with my VPS.
Deleteturquoise22 - That's bad luck. It shouldn't be a 5-day turnaround, unless they're *both* out of town? My guess is no. I would switch it up again. Call on the phone & get someone new and/or call the store & get help. Good luck.
DeleteThanks my Cal pal, gigi! It's definitely time to change it up again. I'd sure like for the commission to go to someone that actually provides some *personal* service.
Deleteturq-22 - Email me gigiofca@gmail
DeleteIf anyone has their eye on anything that's online-only, you should order it now to try out b/c JC will likely bring back final sale Dec. 22/23 and then you will be stuck.
ReplyDeleteCass is telling it like it is... :)
DeleteThanks everyone..........I was looking for a small in the green Excursion vest. It's ok....I can wear navy all year around, while the green one is more fall/winter. It's typical JCrew stuff...it's why I just don't have the time and energy to do it that much anymore. This is the first time I've ordered anything in the last 6 months. I just got burned out.
ReplyDeleteThree quick vents:
ReplyDelete1. I'm frustrated about the the length of the wool crepe V neck dress. I would buy one in every color if it weren't so stunningly short. I want a dress, not a tunic (and I want compliments, not propositions or stares).
2. For the Liv patent flats, what's the difference between the neon persimmon and the poppy? These colors look identical on-line.
3. We're going to be staring at Janey's (gold heels) of all sorts in the sale section for at least a year. JC went big for this style, and it doesn't seem to be paying off.
cousy, check out a comparison of these two colours here. Neon persimmon is traffic cone colour.
DeleteAmen on #1! I'm tired of JCrew offer work dresses and skirts that are too short to be office appropriate.
DeleteHi, so I ordered the Poppy Viv's which are back ordered until April, but that is OK because I wont be able to wear them until April anyway since we have snow till then. However is the Poppy colour really bright? I thought it looked bright but not over the top...???
DeleteMy back-ordered Wild side bangle ship date was pushed back UH-gain. I think I'm over the dang thing now!
ReplyDeleteGumdrops, both the San Francisco (Westfield Shopping Center) and the Palo Alto, CA store had the wide and skinny wild side bangles in stock. You might give them a call.
DeleteThanks for the tip Lisabfashion!!
DeleteOT and not a vent at all, but I am wondering where the coupon exchange thread went. I am hoping one of you JCA won't be using your Bloomingdale's mystery savings coupon and can pass it along. You can email me at bankygirl (at) gmail, and your help is MUCH appreciated!
ReplyDeleteAlexis, please delete if it's inappropriate.
Do you still need a code?
DeleteYes, I would love one, Jessy!
DeleteSusan and Justme -
ReplyDeleteI agree - the holiday dress offerings were so sparse! I think the smoke shantung dress is pretty, but everything else seems pretty blah.
Do you remember the cashmere holiday dress offerings from a few years ago? Gorgeous.
Well, I'm disappointed that they have beautiful fairisle sweaters for men, but not women. Also, I've been a size small in their cable sweaters for 6 years. Now, this year, the small is like a tent.
ReplyDeleteCancelled order showed up yesterday . . . about a month after I needed to wear the items in it. Guess it wasn't cancelled after all just lost in space. Or wherever J.Crew is residing these days
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't the J.Crew Credit Card work at Madewell? It's such a bummer.
ReplyDeleteI really wish they would improve the inside lining on coats. My double-cloth coats ALWAYS tear somewhere after a year. Sometimes along seams, usually in the fabric itself. I always sew it up, but it's getting ridiculous. Is this why acetate is more preferable to polyester for linings? My Trudie coat (acetate) is fine, though I don't know if it's because I've worn it less. Is this something the designers don't think about because they never wear the same coat after 1 season?? *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI was very disappointed with J Crew's Women's Wool Coat collection this year (2012). On a hunt for the perfect black wool coat... I ordered the Majesty Peacoat, Double-Cloth Metro, Lady Day and Funnel - and returned each coat as fast as I could. These coats were flawed in fit, form, and function. And I did not see how the "warmth without the bulk" construction could carry any gal through treacherous city winters. I'll preface the details with this info: last year's Double-Breasted Belted Stadium Cloth Wool Coat (which came in Camel) was AMAZING and regret not purchasing a second or additional colors. I was truly hoping the styles I bought (and returned) would be just as great.. but unfortunately, such a change in style direction here.
ReplyDeleteThe (very-honest) details:
Overall:
- Fabric/wool: Thin and a little cheap-looking. Felt cheap. Couldn't see how any coat had the potential to provide warmth unless you layer….
- Style: Way too fitted and arms were tight and fell short with each coat, except for the Majesty peacoat. I'm a Petite 2 in J Crew coats, and couldn't see how a blazer could be worn with any of the coats I tried on. And going a size up would just look weird since they're tailored to have a very fitted look... which is just not functional in my opinion.
- Pockets - I really hope to see a more thoughtful pocket design system in 2013 styles.
Coats:
- Majesty coat: The gold buttons looked/felt cheap and the jacket overall lacked any warmth, making it only wearable on a cool day. But, cute with certain outfits like cropped pants and skirts.
- Funnel coat: Wow, this should be called a "funeral" coat. Just depressing in style.
- Lady Day: Hello tight arms. And as for look… kinda wimpy and nothing special.
- Metro coat - Boring, and falls lifeless at the hem.
Bottom line: These coats were just a let-down in comparison to previous year's, and in overall quality and style. I suppose if you buy these coats to work with "some" outfits to wear on NOT a cold day… you might be happy. But I'm looking for the coat I can truly bond with, and wear everyday from shopping to business meetings. Like the (amazing) belted wool from the 2011 collection… 'Til then… on the hunt for that perfect black wool coat.
I have to agree. This is "the year of the coat" for me. Between anniversary, Christmas, and birthday I am going to have the wintress, the duffle, and the trench, but I am completely striking out on a dress coat. Probably just as well- it's gluttony already. :-)
DeleteMy vent is about inconsistent service. I bought a few sale items in store earlier this week and got the 30% off and my student discount, like I've been doing for years. Today, I returned to the same store, and was told they couldn't stack the discounts, even though they did two days ago.
ReplyDeleteI emailed the VPS I've been working with (my first time with one), asking him if he could order the items with both discounts, mentioning the store that had applied both of them. He wrote back...saying he had called that store and told them to stop doing that!
I get that policies may change, but I would appreciate J. Crew being honest about that. I have been shopping with them for years, and have combined percent-off-sale and student discounts many times. So to have them keep repeating that nothing's changed and 'transaction level discounts can't be combined' (even though they obviously CAN, just that they apparently aren't anymore) is a little insulting, frankly.
Yes, I realize I am a discount shopper, but I have worked retail, and I hope I have never condescended to anyone and made them feel cheap quite the way I have felt this week.
What have your experiences been with combining the percents off and student/teacher discounts?
I get different issues at different stores. There are about 5 J. Crew B&M stores in my area, 3 of which I frequent. One store will specifically ask if I am an educator or student even when there's a discount going on. Another one I have to flash my student ID like its something illegal and it all depends on which associate I get so as to if I get to stack the discount. So yes, I definitely agree. There is a great discrepancy going on and I wish they'd get it together.
Delete@jaza88 (sorry it won't let me hit "reply" for some reason): official J.Crew policy is that you are supposed to be able to use the teacher/student dscount on full price and sale items as well as when the itme is on promo or there ia an additional percent off sale. However, this does not apply when J.Crew is offering a universal promo on all items across the board, such as the 30% off your entire purchase or 25% off $150 plus, etc. This is why it did not apply when you tried to use it this week since they are currently doing a universal promo.
ReplyDelete