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 received a Factory package the other day that was full of ants. ANTS. I had ordered a nice suit dress too, of all things. I don't even know what to say! I was crawling around on my floor for 20 minutes trying to kill the ones that got out before I realized where they were coming from.
ReplyDeletewow - that's impressive. sorry that happened to you.
DeleteOh boy! Guess I'll be opening all of my packages (and I'm sure there will be several different packages from my ONE order) out in the garage. Yuck. Thank you for the heads up re: bugs. ;)
DeleteThat's got to go down as one of the worst J. Crew shipping stories I've read on here!
DeleteI once received a contact lens order with about 50 carpenter ants in it. Since then I always open my packages on the front porch...
DeleteOrdered a dress from madewell with the extra percent off sale. I got an email yesterday saying they were out of stock. It's been restocked today on the website but I don't want to pay they 20% more. Needless to say I am annoyed.
ReplyDeleteIf you chat, call or email, provide the order number and they should honor your price from yesterday.
DeleteThis happened to me with a pair of jeans I was eyeing! It was about a week or so ago, so I probably won't call...
DeleteThis happened to me with a pair of jeans I was eyeing! It was about a week or so ago, so I probably won't call...
DeleteNot a vent but an interesting observation - as of this morning the top of the Factory page says "the online home of J Crew Mercantile" & there's now an "About J Crew Mercantile" page here.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Mercantile is going to be Factory's... Factory? I don't get it.
I thought per Mickey a few months back Mercantile was an idea that was dead in the water. Interesting. The about us does not make sense. So is it a clearance store for factory items? The wording is strange. Not sure what to make of it.
DeleteSeriously J. Crew!! Retail is not selling, factory is a cheap knockoff of those styles and now Mercantile is what? an even cheaper price for crap??? Sorry, I just want my old J Crew back, this just makes my head spin.
DeleteMy guess is that they are trying to rebrand Factory as J.Crew Mercantile.
DeleteAmy Freeman - that is what I had initially thought too until I read the About page blurb:
Delete"J.Crew Mercantile is a brand-new way to shop the J.Crew style you love with new deals every day. Featuring a collection of original styles once only found at J.Crew Factory stores, J.Crew Mercantile is even more of everything you love about J.Crew, in convenient locations near you."
So now Dear Leader has invented the non-outlet outlet store. Sheer genius.
DeleteMickey, please don't distract & confuse me by introducing another option. I'm already overwhelmed by the sheer # of indistinct styles you offer and by your overstuffed sale section. There must be gems in there somewhere, but it's too hard and too time-consuming to ferret them out. Please bring back the focus, the quality, and the clarity that first turned me into a JCA!
DeleteIt appears the first Mercantile will be in Texas. Perhaps a Texas JCA can report back for us once it opens? I am SO confused. Is it the Factory Factory Store?
DeleteMaybe some clarity? The new Mercantile store will open in Dallas in July. Here's an article about it:
Deletehttp://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/blog/morning_call/2015/04/the-shops-at-park-lane-add-f21-red-j-crew-factory.html
(Amazing that Forever 21 now has an outlet - WOW. And that's what J Crew sees as a comparable business...)
So basically Drexler turned JCrew into another GAP Inc - better, cheap, and cheaper. God, what happened to the brand that once was synonymous with quality?
Delete"Additionally, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $145 million to write down the intangible asset related to the J.Crew trade name. If operating results continue to decline below our expectations, additional impairment charges may be recorded in the future". LOL - "if"....
I personally don't shop at Factory, and most likely I wont at Mercantile, If I want something dirt cheap, I have Old Navy everywhere - no final sales BS, no pricing games, I can try it on, and return for free.
DeleteThere needs to be a serious overhaul at the company soon....
It totally looks like another BR/Gap/Old Navy situation. However, isn't Old Navy supposed to be the most successful of those stores right now? Maybe a store on par with Old Navy's prices actually isn't a crazy business decision.
DeleteSure it is, people clearly want cheap stuff. And it's ok if JCrew wants to go that direction. I am not sure about going there and their "designer" aspirations - fashion week, $1000 price tags, Collection line, etc.
DeletePlus they are not charging for the ants (see above).
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DeleteIt has always confused me that the factory stores were at outlet malls but never carried all the stuff I've grown sick of seeing in the sale section of the non-factory Jcrew. I thought factory outlets were for one-offs and old sale merchandise but Jcrew somehow turned it into a brand.
DeleteThe outlet trap is hardly JCrew idea, there have been plenty of articles discussing that. There is merchandise of an inferior quality produced specifically to be sold at the outlet stores...Just one of many articles talking about it:
Deletehttp://jezebel.com/your-j-crew-outlet-clothes-arent-discounted-theyre-jus-1577059280
I actually talked with an employee with week that defended the *ss**** that got drunk and celebrated firing his employees while posting it for the world to see. I was flabbergasted. This employee used the "stress" defensive. I agreed that it was a stressful situation, but said that EVERYONE in their 30's understands how social media works and his decision was plain insensitive and stupid. I think I made it clear to her that she shouldn't be bring it up with customers. Lately I don't even want to go into the stores and when I have to I do my returns and leave immediately.
DeleteOT (maybe) - I got an email telling me that new arrivals are on line. I haven't been able to identify any. What am I missing?
ReplyDeleteWFF, you are not missing anything. I did the same thing and there are no new arrivals that I could find. Desperate times, call for desperate measures or misleading emails...
DeleteThe only new (?) item that caught my eye was the Tracy Tanner small fatty pouch (item c5601). Small fatty? Makes me think of cruel taunts on the grade-school playground.
DeleteI didn't see anything new. Maybe sales are not doing too well, that they're promoting their new arrivals from almost four weeks ago. Desperate much?
DeleteI saw a few new bridesmaid dresses...
DeleteI was disappointed and confused about this too because a store associate told me last Friday that they would be getting new arrivals this week. Was expecting that to be them.
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ReplyDeleteThere were further price reductions on some of the sale stuff this morning and several items added to sale. I assume the stores had their usual Tuesday night markdowns...I did place an order for several sale items that were dirt cheap today. I am still finding a few gems among the clutter. I ordered 7 things so will probably be waiting for 7 packages, how embarrassing. Either ship them together or take the huge "J.Crew" off the side of the boxes please!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDoodle, removing the JCrew sign from those envelopes it a clever idea! :)
DeleteReceiving items in those multiple envelopes, without exaggerating, is embarrassing. Once, I literally opened them in front of my doorman to show him how ridiculous it is, also to prove him that I don't shop "that much"! In that particular instance 2 out of 3 envelopes contained a single cotton tee!
I also caved and order a few things with the additional markdowns + 60% off ... I'm still annoyed that they are final sale, but at least they were only $12 a pop. I reserve the right to complain if I have to take them to the consignment store next month!
DeleteI just give them away....usually because of the fit. I have stopped all final shopping because I once added it up and I was shocked. So I hope everyone who has a bad expeirence joins me in not shopping final sale and maybe they will get rid of it ( at least on line ...for petes sake)
DeleteAll of my recent orders were sent out separately. And a various times. It's so annoying. The Crew could save some money in shipping fees if they got this problem under control....I never pay for shipping. I'm sure my UPS driver is really tired of coming to my house!
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ReplyDeleteGot a "new arrivals" email today and clicked the link to look at the "new arrivals" section on the site....all stuff that has been in stores for a few weeks now. That linen sequin dress and the same pattern pants etc.... I couldn't even pick out what the new arrivals today truly were. Thanks Jcrew for making me search around and remind myself why I'm not buying your clothes much anymore.
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ReplyDeleteOT: J. Crew is offering a burgundy Downtown Field Jacket this Fall!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see this. The Downtown Field Jacket is a workhorse in my wardrobe. :)
Deleteshopalot: me too (to both)!!!!!!
DeleteI love my navy one. Thanks for the tip, Rynetta.
DeleteInteresting. I'm kind of over mine. I'm sick of seeing it everywhere, I don't like the way its held up -- its become wrinkly around the elbows and I can't seem to get it to not be wrinkly (may be something to do with the wax coating). I also have the Madewell outbound jacket, which is really similar and I really like more -- its not as boxy and stiff. I've been thinking about getting rid of mine.
DeleteYah.....not sure I'm excited. And I can guarantee something will be "off" about it. Skimpier fabric, skinnier sleeves, shorter.....just like every other thing they have made lately.
DeleteLol Stray, the sentiment of JCrew patrons nowadays :)
DeleteI am with BlakeMD - living in NYC, I see it on so many people that I haven't bought it for that reason alone. But I am happy for others, this is the side of JCrew I love - as in selling fashionable but "normally fitting" , wearable, affordable items!
So annoyed that the endless shirt in petite is now 29.99. I ordered it a week ago at $48. I was going to keep it but the price difference is now significant. I hate this pricing game J.Crew makes me play - wish I had the strength to boycott until they turn this ship around!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, the Woolrich x J.Crew arctic parka just popped back at addtl 40% off. I already have it in bright blue but at $377+change, this is the best and warmest winter coat money can buy. I wore mine to Iceland in January and it was so photogenic. But this is a weird time of year for such a popback!
I got the Woolrich arctic parka on last week's 50% off sale, and I agree that it's an amazing winter coat! It shows up intermittently in different sizes (now it's XS, last week it was S) which is a little weird.
DeleteHere is my vent about delayed shipping. Placed an order on Sunday; it is now Wednesday and exactly one item of six has shipped. What the heck takes so long to pack an order? Last time I emailed to ask about the delay, I got a snarky reply that since I "chose economy shipping" it would be 6-8 business days to get my order. The shipping has gotten really bad and slow recently and I don't like it at all. OK, vent over!
ReplyDeleteMy last order took almost two weeks to get to me. I called and got a perfunctory free shipping waiver for my next order, but CS was not exactly apologetic. Many folks here rave about their CS experiences, but I don't feel the love.
DeleteDon't get me started! I needed some shorts so I placed an order. While I was twiddling my thumbs waiting for them I decided that I wasn't waiting any longer. I went to another store and bought shorts and wore them several times while I was STILL waiting for my J. Crew shorts to show up. Seriously. I didn't not feel bad returning them and if they would have asked why I would have told them. GRRR!
DeleteLet's make it an even 50 on the vent tonight. One of seven has shipped, only six more to go...
ReplyDeleteMe, too. My items are shipping ONE AT A TIME. My mailman is going to hate me. 6 packages (makeup bag, scarf, necklace, etc.). Maybe two weeks from now I'll have the whole order I placed on Sunday.
DeleteOpened up a crew package and the dress had a huge rip down the side seam before I ever tried it on. I bought it final sale - will they accept defective/damaged returns Or order me a replacement if I go to the store? Really annoyed to have been sent a torn item
ReplyDeletedemand an immediate refund to your credit card....return item and do not look back.
Deleteformer final sale shopper
If you call or chat, they will pre-return the defective item and order a replacement if it is still available.
Deletepricing games, weird j crew mercantile, jcrew is going down the tubes...and i do not want to watch.
ReplyDeleteWhere are the woven pajama/pajama sets? Seems like they've been gone for at least a year now.
ReplyDeleteOnce again the items I bought on line at 40% off yesterday are 50% off today and have not even shipped. I am really sick of pricing games!
ReplyDeleteThe stores have had 50% off for weeks. This is ridiculous. They need to run the same promos. Luckily, I live near a store so it is not an issue for me to go in and order and get the best price but for some people it is. However, stores will ship directly so call a store and find your item. I have said before, the Northlake store in Charlotte is awesome. I did find an item at a store the other day and when I asked them to send it to me they would only bill and ship to the same address, I wanted it shipped to my work address and because they didn't know me, they wouldn't do it. Otherwise, they are usually very nice at most stores.
DeleteI ordered yesterday too...But I forwarded the order confirmation to customer service via email and politely requested a price adjustment. They replied within the hour and honored today's promo. Very sweet email, none of the "one-time courtesy" business.
DeleteDoodle- Thanks for the suggestion. I am about 45-60 minutes away from a store and I usually go about once a month to make my returns and shop. I would love to call the stores but when I place an order for five items it is just easier to order on line then waste my time calling several stores to get all the items I want. I wish they would just keep the sale % off consistent. As you stated it has been 50% in stores for several weeks. Luckily the past two times it happened I emailed for price adjustments with no problems. It probably helped that it was only placed yesterday and the items did not even ship yet. Now time to wait for my 7 separate packages. Hoping for no we wish we had enough emails or ants!!!
DeleteI am in the same boat, just sent out the email. I don't even call anymore, I am honestly embarrassed. I imagine they have some secret sign next to my name - frequent "adjustment-er" or something like that! :)
DeleteI forgot, I wanted to ask....Which is worse? Getting 7 different packages on the same day or getting a package a day for 7 days? I compare it to ripping off a band aid and just getting it over with. I would prefer they just come in one day that way the snide comments don't go on and on. Can you tell this really bothers me?Currently stalking to see when the UPS man will pull up in front of my building so maybe I can intercept him before everyone sees. LOL
ReplyDeleteUgh-so not fun. Have you considered checking out My Choice with UPS? It doesn't help with things coming via smart post, but UPS has a program where you can have packages held at the distribution center (there's one .25 mi from my office) and pick all/several up at once. I will tell you, I can still find that embarrassing when there are many parcels ;) But just a thought...
DeleteI live quite a distance from the pick up but thanks for the suggestion. If I get desperate enough, I may resort to that. :) I wish I could have them shipped to my local store but I know they won't do that. It would be so convenient to pick it up and then return right there without having to make an extra trip.
DeleteMy neighbors jokingly asked if we are drug dealers because we get so many packages. Lol! My husband and I buy almost everything we can on line so it is rare that a week goes by where we don't get a visit from Ups. My husband got home from work the other week and said it was like Christmas because there were so many packages on the porch. Most were J. Crew that had one item each from the same order. I feel the frustration too.
DeleteI did make an order this morning - count me among the paranoid Tippi fans who fret that JC will stop making this sweater, so I bought another black one for $30. Not final sale! I bought two other kids things that are not final sale either.
ReplyDeleteOf all the awful items on the website now, I think the two worst are the peculiar banana salt and pepper shakers (very unaPEELing) and the return of the Morrocan sweater that someone - ruffles? - dubbed the "backpack" sweater from a couple of winters ago. Yuck - I thought that had gone away for good.
I just lol'd at the salt & pepper shakers. Those are in my cart! You think they'll drop more in price? ;-P
DeleteAnyone know what's going with the deer park store? I was there 4 days before it closed and no one made any mention of it ...showed up yesterday with another poorly sized jcrew item to return and saw the sign... Thanks for the info !
ReplyDelete