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 generally am an online shopper and I am frustrated because certain items cannot be shipped to California. The first time this happened was when I was trying to buy the fan necklace. I went to checkout and received an error message that stated "WE CANNOT SHIP THE FAN NECKLACE TO CALIFORNIA. PLEASE REMOVE FROM YOUR SHOPPING BAG IN ORDER TO CHECKOUT." Recently, I wanted to get the Biennial Medium Satchel in Ash. It was on sale with the extra 40% off and as I went to checkout I received the error message that told me that it does not ship to California. I wrote an e-mail asking for an explanation for why some items don't ship to California. Instead I received a "we're sorry for your inconvenience and here are some items we'd suggest" e-mail that did not address my question. Even worse, one of the items they suggested was the Biennial satchel at regular price, which does not ship to California. I have never encountered this before from any other store and don't understand why JCrew can't ship certain items to California.
ReplyDeleteHi Erica,
DeleteI had the same issue, but with the glitter Lula flats several months back. I was told they would not ship to CA to due the prop 65 chemical warnings. Didn't know glitter could be so hazardous;)
They eventually made their way to my local b&m and were available to ship to ca. It doesn't make sense why the bag wouldn't ship. Maybe an email to Mickey is in order?
It's not just J. Crew. I've seen where Coach can't ship certain items to CA (certain snakeskin purses, etc.) It is a problem with California law, not J. Crew.
DeleteWhich makes it even more puzzling that JC can't provide its people with a simple one-sentence explanation for them to recite - after all, they've all learned "one-time courtesy".
DeleteThanks for your replies. It doesn't make sense that they can sell the item in CA, but can't ship it to my home address, even with our laws. The item had to get into the state somehow.
DeleteFound holes in 2 vintage cotton tees. One brand new never worn, the other worn once and washed once with virgin tears, flat dry and all that jazz. Oh how shocked they were at the b&m and suggested gentle laundering. I insisted and they unhappily returned it. my online
ReplyDeleteVps said they hear that complaint All the time while b&m sa said it never happens and a manager had to approve the return.
I am not bothering with the second one. Done buying their tees and completely turned off from the store!
After the long sleeve Punk Floral Silk Blouse popped back up on final sale last week I (hesitantly) ordered and paid over $90. (Yes, I had promised myself that never again, etc., etc.) It arrived with not one, not two, but THREE pulled threads -- one clearly visible on the chest and two on the front sleeve. Clearly, this was a return after someone wore the blouse and pulled the threads. I understand final sale -- that is, not being able to return merchandise that is still in excellent condition. And, I would understand final sale of DEEPLY discounted clothes with the disclaimer that the goods might have flaws. But this?? Nowhere on the site does it say that the final sale merchandise can be damaged. I feel like a fool for falling for this tactic yet again, hopefully for the last time.
ReplyDeleteIvanka, you can return the blouse since it is damaged, final sale or not. Call customer service and have them send you a free return label if you aren't near a store, or take it to your local store. I have returned MANY final sale items that arrived damaged, soiled, or otherwise used. Never had a problem.
DeleteI would never keep that. Take it to a B&M or call customer service and explain. Send a picture if they want one. I would be shocked if they didn't let you return it for a refund.
DeleteThanks, J.CrewJD and cate. I am confident that I will be able to return the blouse once I call CS even though it was final sale. (I do not live near a B&M.) What bugs me though is the obvious lack of quality control, the hassle of calling/returning, not to mention the major let down of receiving the piece I'd been pining for damaged.
DeleteThis is why I stopped buying final sale. It seems the majority of popbacks all came defective and I got so fed up returning everything. Such a time waster.
DeleteAnyone know how many items the wishlist holds? I added a few items last week from the new rollout and some of the older items on my wishlist have disappeared.
ReplyDeleteI've placed several orders in the last few weeks and have gotten two mix ups. Last week I received a random blue and white scarf instead of the punk floral scarf. The package label said emerald green. HELLO! Even though it was final sale I was able to return at my B&M since it was an obvious mistake.. I ordered the desert floral tank before final sale in both a 4 and a 6 which were on backorder. The size 4 arrived first and fit perfectly so when the size 6 package came, I didn't open up the plastic packaging and took it straight to the b&m to return. They had sent a pair of the desert floral shorts inside the bag. The sticker said tank but there were shorts inside! Luckily I had not even opened the plastic bag in either case. They were super nice about it but I feel like my store staff are going to start giving me a hassle and think I am switching tags or something.
ReplyDeleteI have had this happen so many times. I finally had to stop buying final sale.
DeleteI have placed several shoe orders lately, some being Collection items, and have noticed that dust/shoe bags are not included. I keep all my shoes in the original box but it would be nice to continue putting a dustbag with Collection shoes.
ReplyDeleteI placed an order for a pair of Collection shoes and they came with the dust bag so not sure why yours didn't, I agree though that they should be there (and truthfully making sure they are included should be part of quality control), especially the collection ones.
DeleteMy collection shoes did not come with a dust bag.
DeleteSpeaking of Quality Control, I've noticed that it's just not getting better. I ordered several items online within the last few months and both orders had major issues. The one blouse I purchased, clearly had been worn. It was drenched in perfume. I'm surprised that they accepted the return and stocked it like that. A few days ago, I received my cashmere sweater (a bit thin in my opinion) and it had a snag and a 1/2" run in it. Again, doesn't J.Crew inspect their products upon shipping?!! I exchanged the sweater for another one but now I have to wait another week for it to arrive and go through the hassle of returning the damaged one. To be fair, problems will occur once in a while but twice in a row is not acceptable.
ReplyDeleteTwice in a row. I have had four orders in a row all with problems. If an order does NOT have a problem it is a surprise. I have gotten to the point that I expect each order to come with at least one defective item. So sad but so true. Most recent, scarf defective; replacement defective.
DeleteTwo weeks ago I wrote to JCrew to question why 3 items I had paid full price (over $500) for were now available at the factory. Maybe this is always how it worked but now with factory online what is the point in even bothering to buy at jcrew when more-or-less the same items turn up at 60% discount. I got a pleasant quick emal back to say that the factory items are lesser quality materials and are "look-a-likes" if you will. Hmmm. So 1) i could buy the non-dry clean version and 2) when I wear these items I look-a-like I spent 168$ not over $500.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm annoyed again. Another items http://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/knits_tees/long_sleeve_tees/PRDOVR~02058/02058.jsp turns up within 12 months.
Anyone else feel ripped off?
No, not really. They are cheaper materials and washable. I think it is a great marketing idea.
DeleteE, I agree with you. I don't like that they are making almost exact dupes for Factory. It weakens my perception of the J Crew version and makes the original feel less special. I stalked the sales last winter and was able to buy the original pom pom sweater for a great price. Score. But now I see it on the factory site. It takes away some of my euphoria of finding it, lol. For a mall brand, J Crew does a good job creating the illusion of exclusivity within their label, especially regarding the quirkier, non-workhorse pieces. That is, you better buy now because it will probably sell out and we will not offer this print/version again in your lifetime. But then they erode their own hype and marketing copy (special, one-of-a-kind) by offering Factory replicas. So for me, it's not about actual cost, but brand perception.
DeleteReceived the Groopdealz rosette necklaces yesterday and have been terribly disappointed.
ReplyDeleteThe 'coral' doesn't look anything like the product photos, or the photos on bloggers' sites. It's more of a light salmon, Pepto Bismol color. I wore the white version today for the first time and, out of nowhere, one of the chain links fell off, leaving a flower dangling.
Perhaps they changed vendors since the orders everyone raved about :(
I had the same issues with the groupdealz rosette necklace, it literally fell apart after I tried it on. I felt it was very cheap material and had poor construction. I caved an purchased the jcrew original on ebay, very pleased with it and will be weary of groupdealz hence forward.
DeleteBirdie--
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience as well. I've called them once, emailed them three times, and even posted to their Facebook and Twitter. I'm sure that's QUITE overkill, but I'm just infuriated that they won't even respond and acknowledge a frustrated customer.
Good for you for getting the real deal! Did you purchase the coral or white from eBay? Trying to decide which one I should get... : )