Friday, September 27, 2013

Seek & Find: Will you visit J.Crew this Weekend?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend to see what's available (if anything!) in the SALE, or to see some NEW ARRIVALS {sigh!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts which by the way "thank you!" :) I really appreciate how helpful we are for each other!

68 comments:

  1. If you are...AmEx is offering $10 cash back on any $75 Jcrew purchase through Sunday.

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    1. Wow. That's more than 13%, vs the JC card which offers 5%.

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  2. I won't be able to make it this weekend, but will try to stop in one day next week to see some of the newer arrivals in person.

    For those interested, there were a lot of new markdowns online this week, as well as a few new promo-priced items, too. I've noted the new markdowns in this post, and the new promo-priced items here. Enjoy your weekend everyone! :)

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  3. OT. Call me crazy but I think J Crew is finally trying a new tactic of offering smaller numbers of inventory at retail plus an across the board discount of 25% off and it is working! So many things are sold out or close to it. I've never seen anything like it before. If this is truly their plan ( meaning, things aren't going to come back fully restocked in a couple weeks) we just might not see the major sale sections and might have to change the "I'll just wait for sale or percent off sale" mentality that so many have grown accustomed to (often through pure frustration that paying full price is never worth it.) Interesting.

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    1. If they are smart that's what they're doing, otherwise they are just training their customers to wait for deep discounts which frankly had been working but it dilutes the "exclusivity" that J. Crew is seeking. I think in their case, less is more, I don't have a problem splurging on a few new pieces each season if I feel confident they aren't going to be half off a few weeks later.

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    2. Yes, I think they have totally trained customers to wait for sale or buy and re-buy for less and often it is no problem getting what you want on sale. If this is indeed the new route, it will stop the crazy sale game and the buy/return cycle that so many find so frustrating. In turn, it will take re-training the majority to consider buying right away if they know they want it. I agree, it is so much smarter to create some exclusivity and force buyers to decide what they really love and take a one time discount, than to have them feel the need to keep watching for a better discount to come 2 weeks later. So often, you turn around and see something you just bought, half the price it was 2 weeks earlier.

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    3. Yes, agree that this is what jcrew us doing. I think the 25% off (of prices too high to begin with), is the new carrot. And they now count on things selling out. Better for jcrew, though not for the consumer. Or maybe it is. I don't need much new stuff. By the end of last year it felt as though there was a constant sale. Got lots of new stuff. But buying fewer things makes each piece feel more special. And encourages me to shop elsewhere too and mix it up.

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    4. I've lost track of how many outstanding orders I have right now with at least one backordered items. Maybe 3? It definitely doesn't make me want to buy anything else right now while I'm waiting to see if any of that other stuff will work for me.

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    5. I also hate buying anything on sale since J. Crew considers anything and everything on sale to be final sale. I'd rather buy a new release item with a promo than wait and see if it goes on sale then not be able to return it if I don't like it. Not really saving any money that way if you end up not liking it and usually relisting it on eBay usually nets a loss.

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    6. After shopping at J Crew for years, I've developed my own internal thresholds and rules for pricing. I should add that I've invested years into building my wardrobe with classic and quality pieces, so I have a pretty complete and versatile wardrobe with few glaring gaps, which makes it easier for me to pick and choose what I will and won't wait for to hit sale. Generally as a rule I will not buy full price at J Crew, with the exceptions being special occasion outfits, standard items like tees which are at pretty low price points, and my "white whale" items (for example, when the school boy blazer came out in black-the classic version, before the new schoolboy was introduced- I snapped it up in a heartbeat at full price without hesitating and never looked back). For the most I am happy if I get something on some sort of sale (or promo) at J Crew because I do think they are quality pieces usually worth the sales price even if not deep sale (but not often worth full price, exceptions noted above). If the item goes further on sale I may do the buy and return game if it's within a short window and the price differential is substantial enough, but I find myself doing that less and less and the price differential threshold keeps going up for me. The amount of time and energy it takes can be exhausting. I would be fine if J Crew continued to do these promos on full price new roll outs with more items selling out and hence fewer items making it to deep sale if they were consistent with this approach. I am happy with the prices I paid for the recent promo. I found myself buying fewer items, paying a bit more on average per item than if they were sale plus promo obviously, but sticking with things I really like and will appreciate more in my wardrobe.

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  4. eh... not me... i've bought too much stuff lately (the "it's my birthday and i'll splurge" mentality) so i need to back off the jcrew for a little... but i do have a few items in my wish list that i hope will stick around long enough for me to get them when i've restocked the budget.

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    1. oh... but if anyone sees the black Zip Pocket dress (#03344) i'd love to hear your opinion. it's almost exactly what i wanted except for those top zippers... i can't decide whether it's too much of a zipper thing.

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    2. Miss JR Gigi reviewed the dress on her blog. See Sept 16 post.

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    3. oh wow! thanks!
      ok... so that dress is off my list (it is too zippery for me afterall) but gigi linked to gap and there's some cute stuff over there! :)

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    4. I tried that dress and loved as a casual item. The PS suggested wearing it as a tunic. At 5'6", it is too short for me otherwise.

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  5. Probably not, and that's okay. I'll wait for some new arrivals to come in before checking things out again. My local sale section, while big, isn't full of things that I want.

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  6. I actually have think I may be shopped out for the time being (I'm sure that won't last for long!) I feel like I got some great items with the recent promos and also scored some items I have been pining after with the crazy popbacks recently. I do want the houndstooth baseball cap that is sold out online so I will try to find that in store. I think I may actually be willing to pay full price for that. I know the cost per wear on that will be low.

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  7. No shopping at JC for me this weekend. I received my backordered horsey sweatshirt in grey today - love it!

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    1. I'm waiting for mine to arrive next week. Fingers crossed they send the correct item lol because this sweatshirt in grey was so hard to get. Glad you love it. :)

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    2. If anyone is looking for a size small in grey, North Point in Atlanta has one.

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    3. There were at least two of the navy at the old orchard location in Skokie, il. Sorry - didn't look at sizes.

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  8. No store for me. I haven't purchased much of anything from J Crew lately but I got all 4 colors in the skinny utility chinos. They're now $59.99 in-store. The sunwashed sand are $39.99 in-store. Pic here.

    The prices for online & in-store are near identical in most cases. Not all, but definitely many many more prices the same than we've seen in the past. Visit the In-Store Price Guide.

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    1. Gigi, I have two colors I wish I would've waited a bit for this sale but I've worn my black ones quite a bit. I'm tempted to buy another like you. :)

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    2. jan - Glad to hear you like the black ones. I was on the fence about the faded color, but I love the fit so I'm guessing I'll like it :)

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    3. Gigi, I've found the black to surprisingly work well with a lot in my wardrobe. I wasn't sure about the fading too but really like it now. After a few washes they seem more dark grey/charcoal than black if you're not looking up close.

      I wasn't too keen on the aubergine but after your review I'm now thinking I want that color. :) I'm hoping to find in store this weekend.

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    4. I liked those utility chinos, but have held off. Would you let us know if they do stretch at all? Thx!

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    5. Jruby18 I dont find them to have much stretch they don't bag out or sag which is good but on the other hand sometimes I wished they had a little more give hth

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  9. Hope to get to the Factory store to make some returns. I went a little crazy last time I was there and have come to my senses lol.

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  10. Hi there!

    has anyone seen the brompton hobo (item #29063, not the mini) anywhere? I've called a million stores this morning but it seems to be sold out everywhere!

    i'm looking for the henna color, but at this point any sale color will do! thank so much

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    1. Trish, I'd call a store and ask the SA to look up store inventory by the item # on the computer then you can call a store that shows it in stock. Good luck! HTH

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    2. Trish - Good advice from Jan. If the store only shows 1 in stock, it's probably inaccurate. The SA should give you the names of any stores with 2+ quantity. Good luck!

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    3. Trish I returned one to the North Ave store in Chicago on Monday. It was on sale when I bought it. Not sure if they will still have it but wouldn't hurt to call. It was the dark blue color. I love it but I have two other Bromptons, regular one in henna and mini in gold and just couldn't justify keeping a third:)

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    4. Trish, try the Cherry Creek and Park Meadows stores (303-322-7020) & (303-649-9620) thought I believe I saw one in one of them. I did see that bag in both regular and mini in a beautiful chocolate brown at the Cherry Creek store, don't see that color online.

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    5. Sorry my typing skills are terrible this am.

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    6. wow, thank you so much everyone!

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  11. Anyone have thoughts on the Merino Swing Sweater sizing? I bought an XS and it seems to fit but I wonder if it should be longer... Any thoughts?

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    1. Perfect Fit - I tried on the merino swing sweater here. I'm only 5'2", so felt the length was long enough. In contrast, I tried XS in the cashmere boyfriend sweater and it felt too short. I would get my regular S in that one. Sharing this to say I kwym about feeling like the swing might be a little short. If you get the S, you'll get an extra 1/2 - 1" maybe. Go w/the size you feel most comfortable/confident in.

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    2. Hi Perfect Fit- I'm 5'5" and tried an XS and it seemed fine, but after seeing it on Shop with M here I decided to try a S and was happier with the length and overall fit. HTH!

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    3. Thank you both! I'm 5'7" and although it fits well I can't help but feel it is too short. I think I will run in and try the S. I have a feeling I may like that fit better. Greatly appreciated!

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  12. Maybe the factory store

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  13. I am feeling torn - love the floral brocade mini in plum and it has been on my wishlist - it has finally gone on sale, but final sale! I have done that before and been burnt badly so will probably let it go.

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  14. Last couple days for the SEPTSAVE code on top of the 40% off Fall Essentials Sale for some great deals at the Factory store online. I've reviewed the skinny cord in polka dot, skinny jean in black, skinny ankle jean in classic rinse, two-pocket chambray shirt and showing IRL the Factory classic button-down shirt in jeweled oxford HERE.

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  15. I stopped by my B&M yesterday and tried on the Scalloped cutout silk top in octagonal dot. Liked the colors and how the shirt looked on the hanger. But the gathering at the shoulders made it look terrible. The sale section was quite large but nothing is that I needed to purchase.

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  16. Looking for the ponte peplum top in any color size medium, has anyone noticed any in store?

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  17. Vancouver stores...40% off sale . Robson store ahd some good deals...Flax color wedge esparillas.$ 33 with all taxes etc.

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  18. Hi ladies! This isn't exactly related to this weekend, but if you'd like some cash for shopping this weekend, I'm looking for the crystal mosaic necklace. A bridesmaid in my wedding has been pining for it since 2011. Haven't found one on eBay. I'd be delighted to buy it from you, so you can go out and buy new J Crew! Even the bracelet would be better than nothing. I'd love to give either to her as a thank you. Please email stacyhoehle@gmail.com. Happy shopping!

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  19. Another sweatshirt. This one reviewed is the tulip embroidery.

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  20. OT: There are new Promo-Priced items at Madewell, and they receive an Extra 25% Off until tomorrow, too. Click here to see the updated list. :)

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  21. For anyone in the Toronto area, Eaton Centre still had a small handful of the Amie Maxi striped dress. Ticketed price is 99.99 but they matched the online 46.99 price, + addl 40% off :)

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  22. Stopped by the Palo Alto store and it was super busy. Bought the Houndstooth Schoolboy blazer which is currently sold out online. Still plenty of sizes left. Also, saw a full rack of the Merino zippered sweater jacket (#05696) in Ballet Pink. That color is sold out on line as well.

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  23. I also picked up the Houndstooth blazer and am glad I did. I love it-leather buttons and all. Bought two shirts; with all the discounts and coupons it was a nice deal.

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    1. Unknown-Did you take your usual size or go up? What do you plan to wear with it?

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    2. My usual size! I wore it already with the neon houndstooth and jeans. But I'll wear it with black pants and any color shirt. It also looks fantastic with the new Bailey hat.

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  24. It's been a while since I have done a send-sale with retail, but I stumbled upon a weird thing today, that maybe some of you JCA have experienced. I called my "local" store (it's over an hour away) and put an item on hold, but I wasn't able to pick it up in the 24hr window, so, being mindful of that, I asked them to ship it to me. The associate (who was very nice and apologetic) informed me that they no longer did sales over the phone and that I would have to call the 1800 number and give them my info as well as the store number to have it shipped out to me. Then the next pickle was that it was a sale item, so right there they couldn't ship out to me point blank.

    I've only experienced that the 1800 number wouldn't search for items on sale and thus would not ship them, but I've never experienced the store not shipping something out. As a matter of fact I called the other nearest store (about 2 hrs away) a few days ago and asked them about the shipping policy and they said they ship full price items for free but charge for sale items.

    Needless to say I still have the item on hold, but I just feel like this is so odd. I've never experienced this before with them, has anyone else?

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    1. i did a send-sale a couple of days ago with no problems. Free for reg price items and $8.95 for sale items.... never heard of them not being able to do this before....

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    2. SunnyCMG - Stores don't want to do send sales if they have to take your credit card over the phone. Some stores still do it, apparently. There's a local store that knows me and would do it. If I called another store, I would expect it to be hit or miss.

      I'm not sure why it's acceptable for customer service to take a credit card over the phone for a WWFIFY. They can see the last 4 digits of any card numbers on your jcrew.com account, but they still request the entire number when you place the WWFIFY.

      That's the Crewniverse for you.

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    3. Thanks ladies! I haven't done a send sale probably since I ordered the porcelain paisley skirt from last year, so things could have changed, but I just found this odd, especially since when I first put it on hold I mentioned I may need it shipped and they didn't say it couldn't be done then. Looks like I'm driving down sometime this week then!

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    4. Before making that long a trip, I would politely ask if there was a manager who could help me do a send sale. I've never been refused, but have had SA's take me through the process until it was time to get the CC info, then put a manager on for that part. Good luck!

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    5. That's odd. This is either a new policy or one that is not enforced. I can't tell you the number of charge sends I've done both at Factory and retail stores. I have given my CC # over the phone in all cases. I just did two charge sends this past month without any issues. I really hope this will not be a new policy as I have had good experiences in finding items using charge send!

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  25. Reviews of the half-placket dress & keyhole dress in square dot here.

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  26. Has anyone seen or tried the jcrew factory bayley buckle boots? I'm curious how they compare to madewell's the biker boot? Any thoughts or opinions would be great!

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    1. I am not sure if this matters to you but the factory boots are made of polyurethane. That's a deal breaker for me. Madewell boots are leather and much higher quality, I am guessing a bit more but worth it. Madewell does have promos on their boots from time to time

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  27. I know this is slightly off topic... I have a navy schoolboy from last year and there are all these plasticky fibers coming through the wool which makes it look really worn. Anyone else have this experience?

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    1. I have experienced this, but only with factory items like blazers and coats. The first jab I got from one was so unbelievably sharp I thought I was getting stung! Mine were along the seams, usually around the shoulders and arms. I pulled the culprit, and then pushed and slightly rubbed the lining up against the seam to see if any other plastic ones came up and pulled those, too. After doing that I can't say I've felt any more, but I'm also much more careful about when to wear those items now since it hurt so much when I found them sticking out.

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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! :)