Monday, July 14, 2014

40% Off Hot-Weather Styles {extra 40% off final sale styles}

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Lauren (in this post), who shared the following email & promotion from J.Crew.

J.Crew is offering an additional 40% off certain hot weather styles and an additional 40-50% off final sale styles using promo code HOTOUT. This offer expires July 16, 2014. The fine print includes:
IN STORES: 50% off final sale items. ONLINE: 40% to 50% off final sale items and items marked "40% Off Hot-weather Styles." Discount on final sale items valid in J.Crew stores and at jcrew.com. Discount on "40% Off Hot-weather Styles" valid at jcrew.com only. Offers valid from July 14, 2014, 12:01am ET through July 16, 2014, 11:59pm ET. Offers not valid in Liquor Store or Ludlow Shops; in 769 Madison Avenue, Bloor Street or J.Crew Factory stores; at jcrewfactory.com; or on phone orders. Offers cannot be applied to previous purchases and cannot be redeemed for cash or used in combination with any other offer. In-store discount automatically taken at the register. To redeem online, enter code HOTOUT in the promo code box at checkout. Limit one promotional code per order. Offers valid in the U.S. and Canada only. Terms of offers are subject to change. Final sale items cannot be returned or exchanged.
All brick & mortar stores are still running an additional 50% off all their Final Sale.


Smart move J.Crew! I like that we are offering in-season clothes at a discount. 


More importantly, I am thrilled to see some staples on sale. J.Crew's Perfect-Fit Mixed Tape Cardigan and Signature Leggings are both part of the Hot Weather Style promo. They are both amazing items that work anytime of year.

Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Are there any in-store prices different than online prices? Please share!

59 comments:

  1. I'm not buying anything until my order from Thursday ships. It keeps saying "Released" on the order page.

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    1. I called CS this noon to ask about an order I placed last Tuesday that still hasn't shipped. The rep I spoke with told me that stores did inventory late last week, which has slowed processing of items that're shipping directly from stores. She also told me that the "6 to 8 day" time frame for basic shipping does not include weekends.

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    2. I got the same response about an order I placed last Monday. Also, according to the rep, the 6-8 day time frame didn't start until Wednesday. She says my item is coming from a store too.

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  2. I was just saying that I am done for this summer, but you never know.

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  3. I received an order recently - since most of the things were FS, I just went ahead and gave things a quick once-over, hung in my closet, got rid of packing materials, etc... I just now pulled out the NWT pencil skirt and saw some pen lines/marks along the back (!). Will I have any luck mailing back a damaged FS item... even without my paperwork? *lesson learned to hold onto invoices more than a day*

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    1. You should have gotten an email with a shipping confirmation, you can look at that to get the order number and try calling JCrew, otherwise I'd imagine you could print and send that email confirmation. I always return without my actual order paperwork, they just need the order number usually.

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    2. Julie, if you sign-in (and not check out as a guest) or have a JC charge card they should be able to look that up too. I would call or email them. They will send you another skirt (if it's available and/or if you still want it) and send you a free shipping label to return the damaged merchandise. At least, that's my experience. HTH!

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    3. Thanks so much katertott and Lauren! I do have a JC card, and I should have thought of just getting my email confirmation as in invoice! :)

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    4. I couldn't find an invoice for a return recently so just printed the email confirmation. It seemed to be no problem for a store return, and I think it would work just as well for a mail return. Good luck!

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    5. I've returned plenty of items with just a printout of my order confirmation in the return package. If the item was defective, I would just write a note on the printed email next to the item. J crew customer service is usually awesome!

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  4. So odd...I'm looking at the Ankle Strap Jeweled Sandal and there is a note saying that item cannot be sold or shipped to California! What the heck is that supposed to mean?

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    1. @ginabean
      I had the same thing happen to me last year with a pair of shoes. I ended up shipping them to a friend out of state and she sent them to me. California has crazy environmental laws and if the leather is treated a certain way it can't be imported!
      The law can't keep us from our shoes! :)

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  5. PSA: several of the Barbour jackets that sold out with the 50% off are back in stock in a few sizes. Thanks to whomever pointed them out in the first place-I'm excited to get mine!

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  7. Does anyone know when the next rollout will be? thanks!

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    1. Hi cate - there was a tiny rollout last Wednesday (7/9) so the August rollout will probably be next Wednesday (7/23). HTH!

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    2. Torture...such a long wait! J.Crew should've just saved that mini roll-out, and released their August merchandise this coming Wednesday...

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  8. I ordered the hibiscus floral maxidress - 40% off and not final sale seemed like a descent deal, and I've got a vacation starting in a little under 2 weeks that is crying out for something cool and fun. The online reviews indicated it was running large, so I sized down. I'll let you guys know how it fits.

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    1. "Decent" not "descent", but I expect y'all knew that. Sigh. I have Monday brain.

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  9. This might not fit into this thread, but I'd appreciate some of your opinions:

    I got a few fall-lish items and wondered I should keep them or wait for the new Fall rollout:
    Downtown Field Jacket in Navy for: $64+tax
    Minnie Pantin Stretch Twill for: $40+tax
    Keep Chambray Shirt: $34+tax

    I really like the chambray shirt and think I'll keep it, but not sure about the other two. What do you ladies JCA think?

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    1. The Downtown Field Jacket is a good price, IMO. I would keep for sure. I also got lots of wear out of my wool minnies as well.

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    2. Elaine Chao - Keep the downtown field & keeper chambray, imo. I think I've had my jacket for almost 4 years now and still wearing it. I wear chambray shirts regularly. They're good for layering. No experience w/owning Minnies. $0.02

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    3. Def keep all three! the minnies are are great in the fall layered with boyfriend sweaters!
      I have all three and wear them all the time in fall/winter. HTH

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    4. I agree that the minnies will work year round - they are perfect inside of knee high boots in the winter.

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    6. Thank you all lovely ladies for your comments. I'm leaning toward keeping all three. But I need to exchange the jacket for a size up.

      To Spam box -- for the downtown field jacker, I will pick a larger size as others have mentioned.

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  10. Advice needed from fellow Downtown Field Jacket owners!

    I just received the jacket in two sizes - the petite small is snug and borderline uncomfortable (e.g. when I raise my arms), but looks form fitting and great! The petite medium is a lot more comfortable but is huge overall, especially in the back and the arms.

    Has anyone washed this jacket before? Does it shrink? Would hate to return it because of being unsure about the fit...

    TIA!

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    1. Get the larger one. It makes no sense to keep the jacket that restricts your movements comfortably. You wouldn't even be able to put anything of substance for warmth underneath. I have far too many unused jackets that looked great, but just didn't feel comfortable. Big mistake.

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    2. I have the downtown jacket in my usual medium and wash it on cold/line dry with no shrinkage. It's funny because I just wore it yesterday and noticed that it is a bit restrictive in the arms...it was my first time wearing it post partum so that might be why ha...I never had noticed it before. I guess depending on how restrictive it feels, I would probably go with the size that looks better. I know that a large on me would have looked sloppy.

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    3. Hmmm, no shrinkage. I guess that is good. I'll inclined to go with the larger one because I definitely need the space to layer (I am happy in 90+ degree weather but miserable in 50). The smaller size would fit me perfectly if I lost 10 pounds....I have bought several clothes in that hope and never worn them.

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  11. My leggings from AE are starting to wear out. How would you say the signature leggings fit and wear?

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    1. The black ones are great! Nice stretch and good material. For some reason, I found that the navy and grey seem to made out of a 'cheaper' seeming cotton and pill more easily than the black. I think they fit a little on the small side, I'm usually a medium but returned for the large because they were a tad see through in the medium.

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    2. I purchased my leggings last year and liked the grey the best. It seems of more substantial fabric than the black and navy and doesn't show any panty line. The black and navy seem thinner and don't have as much hold as the grey. The black and navy also seem to have a slight sheen to them that make panty lines more visible. I haven't had any problems with pilling, washing cold, gentle cycle, hang dry. The J.Crew leggings have a lower rise than the Danskin and American Apparel leggings I already own, but I thought it hit at a much more flattering spot.

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  12. You're right, I'll keep the larger one. Thanks for helping!

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  13. I scored some great things at some awesome prices this sale! I picked up two more pairs of skinny zipper pants (love, love these pants), the vintage tee in weekdays and linen Amazing tee both as pop backs, the schoolboy blazer in black (also on pop back, had to get the smaller of my two sizes so I hope it's ok), and the embellished chambray scarf (loved this in rollout but price was ridiculous). I'm done shopping for awhile!

    I reviewed some of the my favorite items that are part of the sale and linked to the blog posts where I wore them in this post.

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  14. It's been a while since I bought anything at the Crew, but I bit and made out like a bandit. Schoolboy Blazer in black was half off, then with the promo it came out to $58.80. I'll have to wait for cooler weather, but how can you ever beat that price? In addition to the blazer, I got two pairs of 3" chino shorts (one under $20, one under $25), one pair Andie Chinos, three vintage cotton t-shirts (I just can't quit them-- I've been lucky so far, quality-wise), and the Chandelier Spike Earrings, all for just under $220. Score!
    Weirdly enough, one of the t-shirts has shipped already while the rest of my order is still "open". Don't know what's going on there.

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    1. Found out from customer service-- half my order is being fulfilled by nearby retail stores. So I'll be getting like, fifteen different packages sent to my apartment on different days while I'm at work. Not excited.

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    2. emilybethzzz - You should look up UPS Hold For Pickup. The only thing is, you need the UPS tracking numbers in order to hold the package. If you have the number, you can have the package held for 7 days before it's returned to the sender. If you have a car, this should be convenient. Even if there isn't a UPS Customer Center near you, they offer other places where you can pick up. I've had packages held and then picked up a number of them at one time, depending on their arrival dates.

      I mention having a car or not because I don't want to assume everyone does. Some JCAs are in big cities or cities where you don't need one. Some JCAs have door service or a front desk of some sort. If that's you, guess you can regard this ;) Just acknowledging that everyone's situation is different for whoever reads this.

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    3. GIgi-- I live in Upper Manhattan without a car and my nearest distribution center is way up in the Bronx. I'll look into other pick up locations for the future, though-- that's good to know about. I ended up having all the packages re-routed to my work for $5 each. When I emailed J Crew to explain the situation and ask how many packages were coming through UPS, they offered to reimburse me for the fees, so that made things less irritating.
      I also got a "we wish we had enough" email and phone call, and while ordering a different color I found out that when you place an order via phone, sometimes they can tell you ahead of time whether it'll be fulfilled through the warehouse or through a retail store somewhere. Possibly helpful!

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    4. emilybethzzz - You can also leave package with a neighbor as an option thru the UPS service. This would only work if you have a trusty, non-nosey, non-judgemental, helpful, nice neighbor that would be at home to sign for the packages. My neighbors are home less than I am and my UPS guy leaves our stuff on all of our porches. But if I want them earlier in the day, I just ship them to my mom's. I get them 3-4 hours earlier over there.

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  15. This is OT but I'm hoping someone can help. Here's the situation: If I see something I want online during store hours, I call my nearest store to order the item over the phone. A helpful SA told me that they could place the order for me with free shipping and give me the store price and discounts (she knows I live several hours away from the nearest store). Great! This works out well so I can buy a pop back quickly. Well, I just got off the phone from trying to place an order for the perfect-fit cardigan in aqua. There were 'only a few left" and a (different) SA told me that she couldn't place the online order because she only saw the stock in two stores. She then told me to wait as she called two stores and the main line to try to get the stores to ship it directly to me. After all that, she said she can't place an order for me because there is too little stock left. As she is telling me this, I note that the cardigan is still in my basket online and I can still checkout with it. Her solution is for me to place my order and call back to price adjust to the in store price it if it actually ships. But even then, she can't refund shipping. I placed the order, all while she is telling me it is just going to get canceled. But even now there is still stock online of the cardigan.

    Is this a new policy I'm unaware of? Usually, they place the order on the iPad or call in the order while we're on the phone, even if it is a 'only a few left' item. If this is how phone orders are going to be, it will put a damper on my J Crew spending. Any feedback would be appreciated.

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    1. Ashley Ford - That's weird. I ordered a dress a few weeks ago over the phone thru a retail store and the SA told me there were only 2-4 left in stock. I can't remember which. In any case, she placed the order & the dress shipped. So yes, she was able to place the order. I believe my dress -- 2 of them, actually -- was shipped from a store.

      I would try another SA if you get the same one or the same comment. If orders are placed at the same time, I do believe payment time comes into play. So if you & someone else buy the same item, one is left and she did next-day-shipping, her order will be fulfilled.

      Also, I was recently told that sometimes inventory will show until payment is processed. So even if we see & are able to order items low on inventory, the system might not have updated to reflect that the items are actually spoken for, until the buyers' payments are processed. If that makes sense.

      It's no wonder the SAs are easily confused about store operations & policies.

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    2. Thanks, Gigi. I just spoke to customer service and she said that the website does not convey the true inventory, only what it 'thinks' is available. So the website can essentially believe there is more in stock than what is actually there. She said the SA could have placed the order for me, but the SA was right in that my order will probably be cancelled because of the low stock she is seeing.

      Oh, and the cardigan is still in stock on the website. Of course...

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    3. Ashley Ford - Thats right. No real-time inventory for J. Crew. But I don't get it. Why won't the order you place be canx but if the SA had placed the order, it would've been canx?

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    4. I think she was saying that either way the order would probably be cancelled, but that the SA didn't want to place the order since that was the case (even though she could have).

      The whole experience has left a sour taste in my mouth. I feel that I should have been able to place the order with the original SA with the store price and free shipping honored, even if she was doubtful it wouldn't be fulfilled. I probably won't even get the item but, if I do, I have to pay shipping and call back to get the price adjustment. This shouldn't be so hard; it's just shopping.

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    5. I have never tried calling my local store to place orders when seeing items online. Ashley, I thought your approach is quite smart as store price is usually, if not always, better than online. Bummer if it is not working for you with certain SAs.

      Can other JAC comment on your experience ordering over phone with your local store? Can you use educator discount (15%) on top of the store price+free shipping if you call your local store?

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    6. i've tried doing this through "my" stores (well, they are 2 hours away but closest ones I have) and they will not place an online order for me. Told me I had to be present in the store in order to get the store price and for them to place an order for online stock. How does this work?

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    7. I've had the same experience as pathos. I have to be in the store to place the order and they don't give me the cheaper store price unless they actually carry that item in their store (like if I saw here that something was cheaper in store and then went to my store and they didn't have that item, they wouldn't give me that price).

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    8. Elaine, Pathos, and Lauren- I wasn't aware that stores usually don't do this. At my last visit to the store a few weeks ago (Willow Bend Mall in Plano, TX), I was talking to a SA about how I don't have a store nearby so I usually can only order online. She was so sweet and understanding, and told me that I can always call their store to place an order. She said they will waive the shipping and honor the in-store price and discounts on orders. And since she has seen my student ID, if I call when she is working she will price adjust to include my student discount for all of my orders (even online not placed in the store!). I have placed 4 orders this way so far with different SA's and they have all waived shipping and given me the in-store price. The experience I discussed was the only one I left displeased, simply because I didn't understand why she wouldn't place the order. However, I can see now that I have more information that I am very fortunate to have a store that will take these extra steps. I never would have begun ordering through the store if I wasn't encouraged to do this by a SA. I love a good bargain, but don't want anyone to break the rules so I can have a better deal.

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    9. My VPS at my b&m always orders for me and gives me the teacher discount plus waives the shipping. I have his cell # so I text him when I want him to order something. If it's an item that has been in and out of stock, then I usually order myself as it may take him a while to check his phone (they're not suppose to have them when they're on the floor). I'm not sure how many of his customers he does this for, but I'm happy that I'm one of them. :)

      I did text him today and had him order a tippi for me and he gave me the teacher discount and waived shipping.

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    10. pathos - That's definitely how it used to be. Forcing you to come into the store. I think they realized how much money they were losing and relaxed the policy a bit. There was an issue about security, which was silly to me because no one asked for my id or credit card in the store, so what would be the difference if we're over the phone? The person we reach on the red phone sees the last 4 of your credit card & can select which one you want to use from your profile with them. Sometimes I'm asked for the expiration and sometimes I'm not asked. One of the issues is in-store pricing vs online and I believe the customer service reps *can* see the in-store prices, but not the promos. I know for sure that my online VPS can see the in-store prices.

      Some stores who are doing orders over the phone are placing the orders themselves thru the computer. That's the best because it's fastest. They can also check in-store prices on the pad or another computer and then adjust prices in you order. Other stores are still using the red phone in full force and those are the dinosaurs, imo. Big, clunky and slow. I have to give the order info and then they get off and call it in for me. I almost lost out on items because of SAs taking too long to get to the red phone. Also, there are some stores who will place an online order for you thru the register. I've even swiped my credit card on a couple of those transactions, on my side of the register. Not sure why. But given my experience there are a number of ways transactions can be completed at J. Crew.

      I think the stores don't get credit for the sale, but the SAs do because it goes under their number. So it's in their interest to make the sales happen.


      pathos, please email me gigiofca@gmail

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    11. Update: the cardigan shipped and I called for a price adjustment. I spoke to the SA who placed my order and she elaborated on what happened. Instead of placing the order on their iPad/computer, she called to order it and the customer service rep would not let her place the order. She did not explain that to me and just said "it's not possible because it will be cancelled" at the time.

      Then when I called the main number, the representative told me it was possible to place the order even with low stock. They told each of us something different, thus the confusion.

      In the end, my order was adjusted with the store price, store discount, and student discount. She also called corporate and they refunded my shipping charges (which she offered to do without my asking), as well as texting me copies of my receipts. I sincerely thanked her because she was so helpful. She truly went above and beyond.

      I still think there should be more consistent policies, but confusion occurs in every company. I wish I'd had a better understanding of the situation initially so I would not have judged as harshly.

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  16. I finally advantage of a promotion this year. Bought the basic Tippi sweater in heather seashell. Initiately, the SA was going to let me stack my teacher's discount on top of the promo, but her manager said it's one or the other. Obviously, I choose the 40% off promo. I got home and looked at my receipt, she staked the discounts for me! SCORE! I got my tippi for $40! She is a regular SA and I guess she was super tired and wasnt' registering what her manager said to do.

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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.

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