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 had been excited that we were getting a J Crew in town, but I got a discount mailer for the opening, and it's going to be a Mercantile store. Says they'll sell the same styles you've grown to love from Factory. We have a Factory 15 miles away, but no regular store for over 50 miles. I'm pretty disappointed and a little confused about the 3 labels now.
ReplyDeleteajr.....Factory and Mercantile are the exact same thing, same exact merchandise but the store is called Mercantile when it is not located in an an outlet center, and factory when it is in an outlet center.
DeleteThanks for the clarification. How disappointing. I was so excited for a retail store. Why J Crew, would you open ANOTHER factory store so close when there isn't a retail store anywhere close?!?
Deleteajr - Articles were written last year by Buzzfeed and Racked. I don't think the writers were clear, either. One mentions mercantile merchandise that had already been sold within the factory stores. I don't recall such a thing. At any rate, RN succinctly stated what others have not. ;)
DeleteIt's funny, Gap Factory and Gap Outlet seem to have the same problem. I overheard an SA completely confuse a customer one time . . . explaining how the Factory and the Outlet were totally different stores. I think she walked out never wanting to shop anyplace that had "Gap" in the title again . . .
DeleteI'm bummed that the Regent blazer in camel is no longer available. Why on earth would J.Crew promote it on this month's 'Looks We Love', if they are not even going to have it in stock?!?
ReplyDeleteShoulda, Woulda, Coulda...I don't have the luxury to buy the popular items in one purchase...and the regent is one that I didn't choose to buy right away - it's such a basic item that didn't think will sell out. :-(
I heard back about those madewell spring sneak peek pieces I emailed CS about. Those pieces won't be available until April thru July. July?! That's not really spring anymore. :/
ReplyDeleteWell, winter's finally hit NJ so I can't really think about white dresses and stuff anyway.
I thought that was so strange, too. July release is not Spring '16 sneak peek. It's not even Summer '16 sneak peek.
DeleteThat's late. By the time the items you like arrive, you won't be into it anymore...
DeleteWinter arrived pretty late in the east so maybe they're expecting spring to be late also?
Delete@Blake - let me know what you think of the Belted Denim Dress. I'm curious.
DeleteThree of the 6 items in my order shipped almost immediately, but each one is coming from a different state. I'm watching for the remaining 3. This is a deranged version of the license plate game. So far I have New Jersey, Connecticut, and - wait for it - Oklahoma.
ReplyDeleteThis is slightly off-topic, but I thought some JCAs might be interested in hearing about a not-so-good experience I had with ThredUp. I purchased an old-school JCrew blazer from them a couple weeks back; it was advertised as a JCrew retail, and not JCrew Factory, item (they do differentiate between the two on the site). The site unfortunately does not provide detailed pics of items that would allow buyers to see the label themselves (and the tell-tale two diamonds). I got the item and immediately returned it, as the quality was not what I was expecting. Almost two weeks later, I receive a partial refund--they are charging me the $8.99 return shipping although the ThredUp representative apologized and admitted the mistake is theirs. They are offering me a $8.99 credit and 40% off my next purchase (which I won't be making). Just wanted to give fellow JCAs a heads up, as I found this pretty frustrating (not to mention that the package-by-mule shipping times have made the situation drag on for almost three weeks). Hope this helps someone!
ReplyDeleteI have bought multiple things from ThredUp and have learned that the use of Factory is pretty arbitrary as is some of the items they label, like coat versus jacket versus sweater. The same sweater can be labeled a jacket in a different size at a much higher price point. It seems the older the item the more likely it is to be called Factory when it's not. They are also really bad with Matchsticks and Toothpicks, a lot are labeled Factory when they are retail. I have been checking the fabric content when I'm not sure, especially regular Jackie's being mistakenly labeled for Factory. I have had good and not so good experiences, their buy backs have been pretty inconsistent but I have found some good stuff and decent prices, especially older sweaters.
DeleteAmy, that is just dumb. They should refund you the shipping charge, not credit you. It was their error. I've purchased one thing on Thredup and it was what I expected, but have heard a number of stories to the contrary. The prices they're charging are too high for what feels like a glorified garage sale.
DeleteThat sucks. I quit buying from them for similar reasons - a pair of Factory Skimmers was listed as retail Cafe Capris & then a cardigan (also JC retail) that was listed as a medium was actually a small. Minor annoyances but still! I hate that you can hardly zoom in - & you can't see the tag!
DeleteThreadUp is terrible all around. I also made one order from them and the item was the wrong size. I was super disappointed as it was something I had been trying to find for awhile. I just tossed it in my donation box. I also sold a few things to ThreadUp and would never do that again either. I have had good luck making purchases on Tradesy.
Delete@taylor i miss your IG
DeleteTaylor. I agree with Ina too! You are missed. Even if I am too busy to comment, I always enjoy your early bird posts:)
DeleteSC & Ina, thank you! I had to step away for a while - I have put on too much weight thanks to Zoloft (which I am now tapering off of) & I just don't feel comfortable right now. :(
DeleteChiming in...we miss you Taylor! Glad to see you on JCA. Will be thinking of you - hope all is well and hope to see you back on IG one day :)
DeleteThis is a tough time to be a J Crew fan. There hasn't been any new merchandise for more than a month and everything has been 40% off for what seems like ages - and now its final sale. It is getting difficult to stay interested.
ReplyDelete(On the other hand I should note that today I'm happily wearing head-to-toe J Crew except jewelry - though nothing from this past season).
I totally agree, cousy! Everyone has had new arrivals - Madewell, Anthropologie, Saks, Nordstrom, Banana Republic, etc. What is taking J Crew so LONG? I hope it's worth waiting for. I've bought many things elsewhere already.
DeleteSomeone must have the February style guide to show us...
DeleteI think it will be 6-7 weeks from the last big roll-out in December. I read the next one is on the 25th? Did I read that right?
Rollout is next week
DeleteI continue to wonder whether the Canadian J.Crew stores will survive the year. Most prices have been further bumped and now many reflect a 40-50% or more markup over the US prices as the dollar disparity increases. I doubt most of us have had that kind of salary boost (apart from all you CEOs out there) and truly believe JC has priced itself out of its target market here in the Great White North. Other US retailers like BR are going the same way. We may see a lot of closures of what were middle-level merchandisers going forward, as people turn more to cheaper retailers like ON and H&M. We are supposed to be getting Saks and Nordstrom this year also, but they may also find the retail environment challenging. Dear Mickey: I will pay $68 for a nice flannel shirt; I will not pay $103, or $118, or $125. Will be shopping my closet for Crew for the foreseeable, and saddened if it goes the way of Target, scrambling for the exit doors.
ReplyDeleteI know some Canadian stores are doing great, but other locations aren't. Factory in Edmonton has significantly higher sales than retail. Perhaps we will see individual stores closed as opposed to a mass exodus. With the Canadian dollar expected to tank to 59 cents, who knows what will happen! I've pretty much stopped shopping at JCrew.
Delete@injanuity, I miss you on IG! How are you, girl?
Deletecaliari67 I'm right here with the rest of us in Canada being hammered by the dollar's nose dive.
DeleteIn the past I'd buy what I wanted when I wanted it; now I've become a sale fiend; the guy that only buys on sale and usually only with free-shipping. And the funny thing is for the most part I get what I want, but now there's much more of a hunt and wait game.
The only bright spot is that Club Monaco really is filling up my closet. I'd say 70% of the new items are from them. Still loving J.Crew, just not the brutal shipping with Borderfree and the inflated prices.
It's no longer affordable for us up here in Canada and it won't get better anytime soon. I wouldn't be surprised to see the dollar sink to 60cents.
DeleteI'm travelling to Florida this weekend with my best friends and we would normally be hitting the mall, not this time.
And ordering online, forget it. As jcrewguy mentioned it would have to be a super duper sale.
It will be a painful year for retail here in Canada is my guess.
Yes it looks like a lot of retailers are increasing prices because of the dollar. I noticed that Coach isn't the same as the US price anymore, Jane iredale makeup increased their prices, I keep seeing it at different places.
DeleteAs for JCrew- with sales and or promos I've been able to get pieces I want at prices I'm ok with. I wouldn't buy jeans at $164 full price but with a good promo or waiting for sale makes them feasible. I'm staying positive for a turnaround at jcrew for spring/summer. While the prices won't get better (exchange rate not their fault) I just want jcrew to perform better since I still love them.
I've come to accept the $12 shipping fee if I order online because my closest jcrew is at a mall where you have to pay for parking anyhow. Or I do a send sale for $9.95 shipping which is waived if you spend >$150.
J Crew Guy, I have totally become a sale-stalker. Lately I haven't even bothered looking at the new things at Crew, I just beeline for the sale and check if there's anything I like - right now with the extra 50% it's totally affordable tho there's not much I want. Club Monaco has always been a go-to for me as well. I feel a little bad, I know SAs are not fans of us sale vultures, but there it is. Hoping our dollar doesn't go to 60 cents, but we've been there before.
DeleteI agree with DaniBP, it will likely be a very tough retail year here. And we usually go to Florida twice a year but haven't gone since the dollar started dropping, haven't even crossed over to Buffalo-Niagara since last summer.
gagliari67 and DaniBP every spring for the past five years we fly to Maui for 12 nights. Late in the summer of 2015 I booked the trip for 2016 thinking "the dollar's at 80 cents it can't go any lower." So I booked the condo and flights.
DeleteNow as the dollar dives I'm kicking myself wishing I didn't book. Ah well last trip to Maui for the next while.
Maybe I should have bought power ball tickets.
Hi - has anyone seen a sneak peek of JCREW for Spring/Summer 2016? I agree with the posts above - the stores have been lackluster - almost empty looking...
ReplyDeleteWhen I dropped by my store last night the SA said they hoped to get a new catalog next week since the new stuff was coming on the 25th I think. She said they didn't even have any old catalogs to give away right now and I think that is sort of sad. I wish they would do something for January when we all need a boost.
ReplyDeleteNot till the 25th? That is sad. I thought rollout is next week.
DeleteRollout is next week
DeleteOff topic, but has anyone tried on the cable turtleneck sweater dress? It is on sale now, and I like the look. Would love to hear some opinions.
ReplyDeleteGreetings carmencatalina (cc for short?). I agree with the reviews already on the website that this item runs large. I sized down to an X-Small from my go-to Small in sweaters and got a much better fit. But I'm on the fence as the dress now hits above the knee. For reference, I'm 5'8" and old enough that minis caution me not to be a fashion victim. The dress is straight up and down, so no real waist definition. If the length were longer, a belt to cinch it might work, but it doesn't look right on this item. On the plus side (pun intended?), it will forgive a large lunch :-). I've tried it on with JC's Metropolitan Suede Booties, 9 West knee-high boots, and black tights which look great with the heather loden and heather pewter. At this point, the electric red seems a little holiday-ish, although Valentine's Day is coming up! I had looked at the Collection Cable Sweater Dress (E5144), but the $850 tag was a little much. At $118 with 40% off, I'd at least give E6070 a try since it's not final sale (yet). Good luck!
DeleteThanks so much for the response! I'm a size 10, and sometimes order a large (big hips), so I think a medium might work. I'm only 5'5", so I'm hoping it will hit at the knee for me.
DeleteI wish it were as long as the collection version, I think that is a cooler look. But ugh, over $800, nope.
I went ahead and ordered it using that EARLYACCESS code that got emailed out today - came out to just about $70 with tax and shipping, which is a good price. Fingers crossed!
Deletewow, I placed an order the morning of Jan. 6 and here it is the 14th and still don't have even part of my order. This morning I had two things in my cart and was about to check out and thought "wait!! I still have a J Crew order on the way I think!". Maybe that is part of their strategy: orders take so long you forget about them and order more ;)
ReplyDelete