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 wish that JC would post the actual fiber content in their item descriptions, especially when it comes to denim. I don't mind 98% cotton/2% spandex, but I'm over poly in my jeans and would like to avoid it altogether. Madewell posts it, why not JC? The best I can figure out is:
ReplyDelete"Cotton" = 100% cotton (although some reviews dispute this)
"Cotton with a hint of stretch" = cotton/spandex
"Cotton with stretch" = cotton/poly/spandex
silver_lining, I was just talking about this yesterday with a friend! She was complaining that she drove all the way to a Factory to get the new gray Excursion "WOOL" vest, and it wasn't wool at all - the vest is 100% polyester!
DeleteHow can you call something "WOOL" when it's poly? I thought that was very deceptive.
Also - she passed on it because she said it looked and felt very cheap-looking and was disappointed. Sad because a lovely real wool version would be amazing.
Ruffles, ask your friend to write an online review about the misleading description. Lots of people (me included) wrote scathing reviews about the "cotton" factory tees. The descriptions are now updated to read "airy cotton" and the fabric content reads poly/cotton. I can't tell you how many times I was duped into ordering the so-called cotton tees. Of course, you'd think after the first time I would have learned my lesson but no! Seduced by the Crewlade!
DeleteThat's a great suggestion and I'm sure she will do it to spare others the same experience, shopalot!
DeleteEIGHT separate packages yesterday!
ReplyDelete4 packages coming today, 2 from UPS and 2 from USPS. Hoping to intercept at least one of the drivers before he gets into my office.
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DeleteFour separate packages for me yesterday, but I'm so thrilled with my 75% haul that I will put up with the postal humiliation at the door!
DeleteFour separate packages to arrive today for me, too. The tracking info says UPS will be in the area and will deliver packages instead of the USPS. YAY! Love my UPS guy. There are a few straggler shipments out there but so far everything from the 75% off sale has shipped. Excited to get my new Jackies and the striped Tippi!
DeleteI think I've got three on the way tomorrow and another coming Friday. Let's just hope my mail carrier reads JCA.
DeleteWhat's the deal??? I placed an order with FULL PRICE items and it still got split into separate packages. I might expect that with sale items. And STILL waiting for a shipping confirmation on an order I placed on Sunday. Sometimes I feel that because I live on the west coast they figure it takes forever anyway, no hurry getting her packages out. Boo!
DeleteStray Cat - I live in the Midwest and the shipping confirmation for my 75% order from last Friday wasn't sent until late afternoon this Monday. By then I had pretty much said goodbye to that order. ;) But I wonder if the weekend has something to do with it? (Although that does not explain your experiences with shipping delays.)
DeleteThey ship full priced items from the store if its no longer available in the warehouse.
DeleteI do understand the frustration with seperate packages,but if its sold out in the warehouse and you still want the item,then its shipped from the store that still has it. Isnt that a win-win for everybody? Store gets rid of the items and people get the item they want????
First part of my answer is for @straycat!
DeleteMy 75% goodies shipped in a single package from the warehouse but took a detour through Iowa before doubling back to Wisconsin (per UPS tracking). Should arrive today, fingers crossed!
DeleteMissed the mailman but still peeking out my window for the big brown truck...There is a lamp coming for the office from Hobby Lobby so hopefully it will serve as a distraction. Maybe Hobby Lobby will be in big huge letters on the side of the box.(bigger than the J.Crew that you can read a mile away)
DeleteIna..........I order the NEW Excursion Vest in Irish Moss (NOT in my stores) and the NEW short sleeve popover in white and denim. Also hasn't even showed up in my stores yet. These are NEW items.....so what is the delay on shipping? They aren't trolling stores looking for sizes. These items should be in the warehouse and should have shipped already.
DeleteI've got at least 7-8 packages coming and I ordered more today with the pop backs so probably at least 4 more. JCrew has been great about only charging me for one order on shipping if I've placed multiples as well. I've gone a little crazy with this sale but needed a new wardrobe any ways due to weight loss so I justified it. Can't wait to get it, it will be like Christmas in July!
Delete@straycat. Totally agree about that:)
DeleteHi Ina.......I called and talked with CS. Just to ease my mind. I asked why new in stock NEW items are shipping so slowly. I'm surprised that the CS seemed a little caught off guard and defensive. I would think by now they would be well trained on this subject. I heard......not our fault. The sale has really backed us up. Also, not their fault, I live real far from the warehouse. Could be the UPS man not scanning my packages and they will be on my doorstep before I know it! Oh...and I didn't purchase speedier shipping.......really, the only thing NOT blamed here was the Tilly sweater. But she assured me they DO READ feedback and if my packages don't come in 8 days I should call them. I get it.....it's an avalanche of things.....I just wish I got an answer to the question I asked.
DeleteThat's odd, straycat-and frustrating. I ordered the polka dot tippi in white, and it showed as back ordered. Now my size shows as in-stock, but my order still reflects back ordered. Turns out it doesn't matter-the reviews that it's really sheer caused me to cancel it. Maybe I got lucky that it was mysteriously back ordered, as its one less return for me ;)
DeleteStrayCat, I hear you. But there seems to be a delay. I got some packages scaned in Lynchburg (the warehouse), then nothing until the night before the delivery. I actually called them today as well about one package that hasn't left since Saturday thinking one item might "wish we had enough", in which case I wanted to cancel it not to hold the package. Literally 30 min after that the packed left the warehouse, along with other.
DeleteSo yeah, looks like they are not scanning at the beginning of the process.
KH77, nice about not charging more multiples if placed one day. I have placed 4 single item packages (along with a few bigger) as well. I was happy to pay the shipping for each though, leaving my bargaining chip for when I might need an adjustment in about 8-9 days ! :)
DeleteI know I'm not the only person frustrated by slow shipping, mystery ship dates, back ordered items ( TOO may lately!). And I hate sounding so irritated but shopping at the Crew makes me cranky. But I just can't get this monkey off my back.....lol!
DeleteA quick little article in GQ about J Crew Mercantile Here.
ReplyDeleteI saw an article on the web about J Crew Mercantile with a picture of some of the merchandise. Featured prominently were several hibiscus floral tops. They really need to keep one print for J Crew and another print or a variation of that print for their other stores.
DeleteMy 75% off Tilly should arrive today...For 8.75 I will see for myself if its bad like so many people have said...Sure doesn't look bad online
ReplyDeleteI hope it works out for you. I purchased 2 when they dropped in price and promptly returned. I knew they were going to be short but thought they would be cute to wear with high waisted pencil skirts. Due to the thick waistband and overall cut I just didn't like the way it looked. They were definite way too short for me to wear with pants without exposing skin every time I moved and I am 5'4". Hopefully you will have better luck.
DeleteThanks for your input about the sweater. I am 5'1...I think length should be fine, especially with skirts where longer sweaters tend to look weird and too long being left untucked...I was under the impression they were discontinuing the sweater but I see a bunch of colors at full price.
DeleteI'm 5-2 and the Tilly is a great sweater. It's short, but most sweaters are too long on me, so I just love it. Bought it for $30, was happy, returned and rebought at 17, returned and rebought at 8.25. Shopping at J.crew is a full-time job.
DeleteNot really a vent, as CS is outstanding in general, but this morning, a dress I have been stalking for months - the mauve/ivory ribbon stripe one, popped back in my size. It hadn't been available even when the item was full price. . I bought it in two other sizes last week. Called to get final sale waived so that I can keep the on that fits. CS rep was wonderful, but told me the dress was out of stock by the time I called. I placed the order anyway and she noted that it wasn't final sale but told me it won't ship. Keeping my fingers crossed. She also adjusted the ones I bought a few days ago to today's price (it was in the 7 day window).
I don't mind the cut of the Tilly, but I do have a beef with the claim that it is "merino". It's very ... acrylic. Certainly not merino "wool".
DeleteJust received an email from J.Crew stating that "shipping is about to get even easier ..". They are transitioning (their word not mine) over to Borderfree.
ReplyDeleteBesides what they've told me that prices will be in Canadian dollars and Borderfree collects all the taxes and duties; will this cost me more or less than before?
I'm guessing J.Crew is trying to keep costs as low as possible and Canada was an expense they choose to outsource. Most likely it will be more costly for us now. Anyone care to comment or share their experiences with Borderfree?
Jcrew guy- I just read that email and am feeling nervous about this change. They better not add duty to our orders as Canada orders as you know haven't been charged duty.
DeleteThe only fair thing is for us to be charged the Canadian store prices plus our sales tax and shipping so that it's like we shopped in a Canada store but just add shipping. That is how sephora does it online for Canadian orders. Shipping via borderfree is not faster in my opinion if we end up with Canada post but not a big difference.
My borderfree experience with pottery barn kids was much worse unless they've changed it. Basically they would convert the U.S. online prices to Canadian dollars using the current exchange rate plus you're getting charged duties and taxes so my order was way more than shopping in a Canadian PBK store. I will only buy from a PBK store or else will ship to the u.s. and pick it up.
So I'm really curious/ nervous as to which way this will play out.
Oh, and a big vent about this change is that their website says we Canadians can't use gift cards online anymore once borderfree switches over. Luckily i have used mine up but this is a bad move in my opinion. There's no mention if there'll be gift cards for Canada stores somehow. ???
DeleteEvery Christmas/ bday I get jcrew gift cards but I guess I won't be able to anymore. How is this not going to hurt business?
Jan, like you I'm very nervous about this and fear that my J.Crew shopping will soon be much more limited and in store only. Love their men's clothing, wear about 75% from them but if the costs rise combined with the weak dollar I'll be spending little with them and far more with Club Monaco.
DeleteI agree with Jan -Borderfree is ok price-wise, but not necessarily fast, for a vendor like spear. However, it is astronomically more expensive when shopping from Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma.
DeleteI'm still irritated that they raised the prices on the j.crew website for Canadian customers around the same time that they opened the first store in Canada. If they start charging more duty on top of that when they switch to Borderfree, I don't think I'll be ordering online from J.Crew anymore (which will be a shame for them but not for my wallet).
That should say sephora, not spear, in my post above. Foiled by autocorrect again :)
DeleteIt sounds like the duty/tax will depend on the vendor? I live in the US and routinely order books from Europe. I've never been charged duty/tax/VAT. In fact, the VAT is automatically deducted from the total amount before I check out, which at least partially offsets the shipping charges. I can see how unfair this must seem to you. :(
DeleteI actually emailed the girl that was listed in the email notice this morning to ask for clarification on all the items we are talking about here (like are we going to finally pay Canadian in store prices online?) My experience with Borderfree is that it slows down the process and their shipping is expensive. Also stores like Ann Taylor never have the same promotions through the international site - you always have to shop in store for the sales. I hope that JCREW isn't going to make shopping online worse than it is now :(
DeleteMy vent Is the birthday discount for card holders. While I appreciate the discount, I am having a hard time spending it. I asked at the store if I could use it on clearance and they said yes after reading the fine print. When they scanned it at the register it wouldn't work. I was embarrassed and bought what I had picked out anyway and left without using it. I guess I am too much of a sale shopper to save $25 off a full price item that will go on sale next week for half of what I would have paid. A gift card style birthday treat would be nicer or something that you could use on clearance like those given by Anthro, Loft, Kohls and other retailers.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is useless. $25 off of a $100 (nothing is exactly $100) plus not stackable with anything. So it's basically a trick to get you into the store. Invariably whatever you want will be better priced with whatever sale is going on that day.
DeleteWish is was just $25 account credit. That I would use!
I just called and asked: they let me use the $25 birthday discount *and* the yaysale sale code *and* they waved shipping. In my experience they always do their best to accommodate requests. I'd say call and give it a try.
DeleteI am so tired with calling for adjustments etc. I think I did try to use it online and they said no. In store too. Hate begging. If they don't want my money, fine.
DeleteI asked a few questions with my contact and it sounds like it will be okay. Her answer was "we will not charge duty and the prices will not change although we’ll now display/bill in Canadian dollar (using a set exchange rate so that prices aren’t fluctuating every day). Shipping will still be flat rate and the new cost is $12.00 CAD. Overall though, the pricing now better aligns with our Canadian stores."
ReplyDeleteIn theory it sounds like what we pay in stores will be the same as when we order (not to sure how promos and sales will work). She tells me I will can still deal with her as well.
So shipping will be a couple of dollars more; but I'm still wondering what will happen with duty. If any of you discover more please let me know.
This is what the email I got back this afternoon said "Happy to answer your questions and provide a little clarification. Canadian store and the Canadian website prices will now be brought in line, so that you are being charged the same. You will be charged in CAD from now on. The prices you will see are the same prices that the items on the Canadian site were before the transition to Borderfree, just will be shown in your currency instead of USD.
DeleteJust like now, you will not be charged any duties. That cost is absorbed by J.Crew, and it will not be charged on your order. You will also never be charged any duties upon delivery.
For your shipping, the good news is that the fee will actually be a little less. Right now, we charge $9.95 USD which is 12.82 CAD according to the current exchange rate. After we make the transition, the flat rate fee for shipping will be 12.00 CAD when there isn't a free shipping promotion offered.
Another bit of good news is that you will still be able to use promotions. The promotions may differ from US promotions from time to time, but some may be the same - you'll still be welcome to apply any eligible promotions to your order during check out. For example, we just had a promotion a few days ago for other international customers that offered 40% off certain items along with 40% off sale styles when the US customers were getting a similar discount."
Shipping is actually cheaper at the current exchange rate because the rate before was charged in USD too.
I will see how it goes once the transition is complete - I am hoping that the prices we see in USD now will be what we see only in CAD. Which is essentially what is the difference between in store and online. Same numbers just different currencies.
Jane thanks for your follow up. The information you shared gives me hope. Fingers crossed it all works out well for us in Canada.
DeleteJane and Jcrew guy thank you for the info you received! That sounds promising so fingers crossed that jcrew doesn't let us down. :) let's hope that it's the way sephora does it.
DeleteJust a general comment...I did a focus group for Boden on cardigans today. We were asked to bring our fave Boden and non- Boden cardigans. My two non-Boden faves were J.Crew - one was the mercerized wool v-neck cardi. It may have been from the 1990s. Latest was early aughts. So old that it is a size "S" that fits like an XXS today.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the Boden rep was amazed by the sweater - the quality of the wool, the fact that it was 100% wool but still stretchy somehow (mercerization?), and that it basically looks brand new (it is developing the tiniest little hole on the neckline, but it's not visible). It was fitted. It was not itchy. Nobody makes sweaters like this anymore and that makes me sad.
Couldn't agree more. Truly, *nobody* is making quality sweaters like that anymore! I'm amazed when I look at the fit and construction of some of my "vintage" JC items.
DeleteYep, I have a JCrew cardigan from 1996 that still looks great.
DeleteI discovered JCrew in early 2000, when the company was know famous for that famous preppy with a twist look and impeccable quality and consistency in fit. I remember shopping at their first store in See Port in NYC. Every single item I purchased was special, and cherished, lasting many, many seasons.
DeleteI still shop at JCrew, and shop more than I should, but my approach to it changed so drastically. I shop only with deep discounts presuming the item wont last more than 2 seasons (downgrading most of my clothing after the first season from "work/going out" to "hang out around the house/errands due to the pills/stretches etc).
JCrew became just another fast fashion behemoth. Fast fashion being the key words. They jump the shark with the fit, they jump the shark with the quality. And Mercantile only furthers that opinion.
^ Seaport, thank you autocorrect.
DeleteHow does one become part of a Boden focus group? Jealous! Any insights you can share on what might be coming in the future from Boden? As J. Crew has gone south I'm shopping with them more and more.
DeleteI have a bunch of lambswool pullovers from 1996-1998 that still look great with minimal piling and they have been not been treated with kid gloves. I also have a wool rollneck sweater from 1990 that is also still holding up very well, go figure.
DeleteAlyssa..I buy mostly from boden these days. And review everything. Quality is off the charts.
DeleteNone of the orders were shipped in multiple envelopes, all in "new" condition - though I understand vast majority if not all are actual returns.
ReplyDeleteMy wish for now is .....no sales for several months. I have bought more than I even care to admit here :). I placed a big order before 1 am just after sale began but also on Saturday morning with that 3200+ update. Plus 4! single item orders where I was more than happy to pay $5 shipping with those unbelievable pop-backs I managed to get. So far everything has shipped. No celebration until i receive it all, though.
I wanted to share an experience I had at Vera Bradley that I think J.Crew could learn from...They had the cutest beach towels and flip flops 50% off at my local store. The SA meticulously bagged my stuff with tissue and put my receipt in an envelope (think J.Crew used to do this) came from behind the counter and handed me my bags. The next day I got an email requesting feedback on my experience and the merchandise. I thought that was such great service. I can't tell you the last time the SA wrapped my stuff in tissue. Sometimes they just put it in the bag and say thank you and I am the one pulling up the black handle strings. Little things do make a difference.They have such beautiful bags at Vera Bradley as well, the purchase felt special even though just 50% off beach towels.
ReplyDeleteA couple months ago I picked up one of the newer leather satchels at my local Vera and told the SM it was a reward to myself for my new job. We talked for a bit about it and a couple days later, a hand written note from her showed up in my mailbox congratulating me on it and thanking me for being such a great customer. My mom and I are fairly regular at the store because the release parties are a nice excuse for us to get together, but I mean, still. That's going above and beyond. It's what a nice brand should want to be doing. I will say, though, the SA I see most often at my local J Crew is super sweet and always asks what's new with me when I see her - and I haven't been frequenting this one for *that* long, really.
DeleteI undestand the desire for good customer service, but all I can think about when companies use excess packaging is how wasteful it is. I'd rather have a great interaction with a sales person rather than extra paper.
DeleteI got into the habit of (politely) refusing the store packaging and bags at the register whenever the item fits into my purse/tote. For me, it started at Sephora and Ulta -- I mean, why do I need the fancy little bag to carry a single lipstick or a shadow, only to throw it in recycling when I come home? It just seemed silly to me. Now I ask everywhere -- but like I said, only with items that are small enough to fit in my bag.
DeleteThat is not to say that I don't appreciate professional, friendly, and caring service that DD and RJ described above. Good for you, ladies!
It's not wasteful if you take it home and reuse again and again as I do, so it is nice to get both.
DeleteAnd the email I got offered me $10.00 off my next purchase of $50.00. Thinking about going back and getting a few more beach towels.The Rio pattern is gorgeous and the Marrakesh pattern is awesome as well and goes with lots of my blue and orange J.Crew stuff. It will look great with my navy Mar Y Sol tote.
ReplyDeleteDD, I haven't purchased anything from Vera Bradley in a while but I might have to check out those towels now. I totally agree about their exceptional customer service (in store since I haven't really had experience with online). Also, they have a really generous birthday gift ($20 off a $20 purchase if I recall correctly) and not because you're a card holder, just if you shop with them and are on the email list.
DeleteLauren, their beach towels are very nice! Mine are old but they're my favorites.
DeleteI just did a huge load of various laundry in oxi wash and out of the entire load, there was only one item that wasn't colorfast and faded out badly- yes, of course, it was the lone j.crew shirt in the wash. Everything else (from many other different labels) came out beautifully. Makes me so mad.
ReplyDeleteWhat Jcrew item faded out so badly Bindi?
DeleteIt was a plaid boyfriend(?) shirt from maybe a year or so ago. It's now a pale peach instead of pink. One of my favorites, I should have known better :)
DeleteSoooooo, that dress the cs rep said was out of stock and wouldn't ship. It shipped.
ReplyDeleteOne word: wow.
Delete