Wednesday, December 7, 2016

"Looking to VENT" with J.Crew

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.

65 comments:

  1. First time posting; I wouldn't consider myself a JCA but I've recently been at least fairly preoccupied with J.Crew and have acquired four new-to-me sweaters... via ebay. Although one was actually NWT... and I got a hefty $6 discount off the original price for it! Yes, f4453 Tippi Sweater in Embellished Bee Print size L, woohoo! This is a rare find indeed, since there are mostly XXS/XS/S size listings available on ebay, and all but maybe one are marked _up_, sometimes significantly, from the list price. (However, if you are one of the blessed few to wear XXXS, you can get it for $79.99+whatever discount directly from J.Crew.) That opportunists are hoarding these to resell at great profit on ebay is not directly reflective on J.Crew, however my Vent for J.Crew is--WHY COULD YOU NOT ORDER MORE OF THESE IN THE NON-TINY SIZES, WHEN THE TINY SIZES ALWAYS ARE THE LAST TO RUN OUT?????

    The bee sweater fits pretty well and otherwise makes me happy, so there's that.

    (Hey, now there's an XL listed for $156.89 (which they are pretending is discounted from $198) +$8.20 shipping... looking at the "sold listings" it seems someone managed to snatch up a Medium for $7 less than me, the seller was not ambitious enough. A couple of XSes probably also sold below list price, but otherwise for the last 2.5 months people have been getting nicely gouged on this.)

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    1. (OK, "great profit" would be an exaggeration, since they'd need to mark it up about $15, plus shipping, to cover ebay/paypal fees--if they bought it at full price. But you know.)

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    2. I have never purchased anything JCrew on ebay. the shoes with the line through the J Crew...most likely from clearence store. prices ridiculous IMO.

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    3. Any seller with tons of items in various sizes located in the general vicinity of Lynchburg VA Or Arden NC (where the clearance stores are located), I absolutely refuse to buy from. The markups are ridiculous!

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    4. Yes, I agree. Since I do shop the clearance store, I know pretty much what they have paid for stuff. Here is another scam, someone bought up all the Sadie pom pom flats even though they were full price and put them on ebay for double. I guess if they don't sell them on ebay, they will return them to J.Crew within the 60 day return period. I guess they think this will be a hot item, which it is, but this is ridiculous. They are NWB so I know they ordered them or bought them up at a store.

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    5. When I made my pilgrimage to the clearance store earlier this year, I bought several pairs of shoes, so I felt pretty comfortable with what the prices were to the resellers. I've made reasonable offers to the resellers and had them rejected rather rudely, which I think is crappy, considering I offered them enough that I know they'd still make a profit of $30-40. It just feels gross.

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    6. I wish J.crew would limit purchases like that. It's really unfair to those of us who wear and love the items.

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    7. @Suz - there's a $500 per transaction limit. Of course, this just means they make several transactions! I've spoken to several of the SAs at the Lynchburg location & they hate it too but there's nothing they can do about it.

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    8. This is what I don't understand. Why are items that are still being sold full-price on J. Crew's web site being sold for much less at the clearance stores? Are they seconds or defective in some way? It stinks that resellers are buying from the clearance stores and jacking the price way up on eBay, but it also kind of stinks for those of us without access to the clearance stores knowing the same things we buy for much more are being sold for a lot less at the clearance stores.

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    9. @cate ... I don't think that happens?

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    10. Perhaps instead of limited the total value of each transaction, J.Crew should limit the number of each item (by size?) to prevent such abuse? Just musing ...

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    11. I'm not sure how *all* merch ends up at one of the clearance stores but I know some of it is customer returns. Yes, some of it is defective (you should see how long it takes me to inspect a single sweater as I have been burned by a tiny hole before!) but everything I, personally, have bought is in impeccable shape. I love living near a clearance store for obvious reasons but honestly I'd much rather live near a B&M. The closest one is two hours away from me. Yes, I have scored some unbelievable deals BUT I can't go in expecting to find something specific to try, like those close to a B&M can. Just my opinion of course! (Grass is always greener, yadda yadda yadda.)

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  2. Free ship today, and new promo for 40% off shirts, tops and sweaters. Code is GETGIFTS.

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  3. Well, now that sale is back to 40% off, it seems some items are no longer on sale (such as the Oxford Check coat). I was hoping three times would be the charm for me to find the right size but I'm certainly not going to spend 1.5 times as much as I did two weeks ago.

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    1. Wouldn't customer service let you re-order the coat in a different size at the same price you bought it at originally?

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    2. They probably would, but I went in to return some NB I ordered for my daughter and an SA allowed me to exchange the coat.

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  4. Hey! Maybe you can ask your local jc store to honor it? Idk if that's allowed? Also can anyone recc any classic pieces they just adore?

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    1. I might do that, will go in today to return the too-large one.

      I love my ladyday coat. Last year there were a lot of complaints about the pockets being moved but, for me, it's not a deal breaker. The fit is very shapely and flattering. I do find I need to size up as I do in most Coats. Actually, I do like ALL of my Jcrew coats. I have a grey trench that I need to resew some buttons but that's my biggest complaint.

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    2. Nobody does coats better than J. Crew. You pretty much can't go wrong.

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    3. You're in Nj, right? Im on your insta lol! Go to Willowbrook. Theyre so nice there.

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    4. I'm right by Short Hills so I'll go there! I think I've been to Willowbrook once (last year) but the store is much smaller.

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    5. And the SAs at SH are very nice and helpful.

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    6. Well I went in to exchange my coat and tried on the 2 again since the 4 I ordered was huge. It was tight, but another 4 I tried on fit fine. Crazy! But the SA was super helpful.

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    7. At Short Hills? Im glad A coat fits you!! Too beautiful to pass on, hope you got the sale price though!!

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    8. Yes, I got an exchange so it was the same price (and actually it was the same size too!). The SA who helped me actually did the exchange for me while I waited on the long line to do my online returns.

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  5. I did another order today, I have a problem. But the Oxford Ck skirt is on sale! So i reordered it.

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    1. ME TOO! But my mom just called me with a gift card they sent her and she asked me to use it for her since there was nothing she wanted (I ordered a necklace I know she will like so it's basically a trade.)

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    2. I got $25 off from spending $100 on sat! I cant find it :(

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    3. Which necklace did you order?

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    4. None today! Before thanksgiving I ordered a lucite one in sort of a mauvey color. It's got a dark brown ribbon closure, but it's a nice length and chunky. It's beautiful. I just got it yesterday!

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  6. My madewell order is on it's way ordered from black friday. Sheesh!

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    1. Same thing with a JC order I have. One item arrived yesterday. The other...?? I have no idea when it will be here. It's not even tracked yet.

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  7. Happy to see 40% off some regular price items and sale too. Finally able to order Italian cashmere hoodie in vintage burgundy since medium popped back. Love JC hoodies! Work well with tees & jeans or layered with a vest.

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    1. Agreed-- they're the best! I like to layer mine under a leather jacket.

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    2. Oh, I like the leather jacket idea. Thank you!

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  8. Not a vent but I did go ahead and get the Sadie Pom Pom flat. SA was super nice, honored my 15% off pop back plus $20.00 off and gave me free expedited shipping. I can always return them but I may never find them again.

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    1. Yay! You're right, you can always return them if they don't work out, but I hope they do. :)

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  9. Did anybody notice that Madewell changed their return policy for online items to 30 days (just like in store purchases). I mailed something back recently that was barely over the 30 days and they refuse to refund the money back onto my card. This makes me so upset as I didn't realize they had changed their policy. This will definitely change the way I shop at Madewell since I am almost 2 hours from a store.

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    1. Good to know -- thanks for pointing that out! I wonder if this is the "trade-off" for MW's free returns.

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    2. I hadn't noticed, either. I just sent back something I hadn't realized was final sale. This makes me nervous they may not take it...my MW store never bats an eye.

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    3. Wendy, I just sent them another email so I'll see what happens. I usually return things in store and my store has spoiled me because they will take back final sale items and items past the return window (not that I do this often). I haven't been able to make the trek recently due to the holidays and illnesses in our family.

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    4. My store management has changed completely and ALL the courtesies I now take for granted with them are gone, gone, gone. Yesterday, a sales associate had the audacity to tell me to build more time in for my returns trip bc it can take a while, which it did (4 times as long as it sd have) because she was new. The (new) 'manager standing right next to her didn't bat an eyelash. She also kept me and my hungry kids waiting (post school trip, I know, I know), bc she wanted to secure a sale with me... except she couldn't make the register work and then told me at the end that the gift card promo wouldn't apply , after initially telling me that it was ongoing. No apologies, no smiles, just gross. I'm depressed, bc I think I'll be quitting JCrew.

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    5. Maqsad, that sounds terrible. Especially since you had your kids with you. Their is one sales associate at my store who is so friendly and helpful, and she doesn't seem to mind all the online returns I do. It's gotten to the point where I call the store to see if she's going to be there when I'm planning to go :-P I hope you don't quit Jcrew completely as I enjoy your reviews and input!

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    6. Correct me if I'm wrong but when you are returning something through the mail, doesn't it just have to be shipped before the return window is up (vs them receiving it by that date)? I hope that makes sense. The cs representative told me that they have to recieve the item by the 30 or 60 day. And he says it take 2 weeks to be processed. So, if that's the case and they have changed their return policy to 30 days, then by the time you receive your item(s) you have a week (or less) to decide if you want to keep them.

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    7. Thx, Lauren! Yes, I used to do the same...but the last remaining sales associate/mger who was amazing has left now. Now, it's like they don't want me to shop with them.

      As for your returns question: the item needs to ship by a certain date. If you need a VPS, try Lynne Forth, ext 53105

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  10. Replies
    1. Friggin' NARVAR.

      Is it me or are more & more stores switching to NARVAR?

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    2. ugh. +1 on the NARVAR vent. Nordstrom appears to have switched to them. It adds several days on to the shipments.

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    3. If you go to the NARVAR page you should be able to see the UPS, USPS or FedEx tracking number. I suggest copying that number and going directly to the shippers site.

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    4. For me, I don't mind the Narvar interface and I have the my UPS tracking to see my packages. It's the extra few days that the packages take to ship now that they have to route them through NJ.

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    5. JC shipping now takes FOREVER. I still have one item that I ordered 2 weeks ago that is still not here, for some reason.

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  11. Not a vent, but I ordered the Olivia Topcoat in the pecan color for $239. This is a good price for a wool / cashmere coat, depending on the composition of the blend. Also waiting to see the color in person, but I hope it's a love.

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    1. I was looking at that coat today. There was a similar colour called Cinnamon a few years ago, in the Lady Day and probably another style, and I always regretted not getting one. I hope the colour works for you!

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  12. So my VIP bag tag got cancelled today. Not enough😒. I did get an email saying they were going to send me a $25.00 gift card. 😀

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  13. things are randomly appearing and disappearing on the web site. The black Chelsea boot was in stock in all sizes this morning, but this evening it's not available at all. Last week, they pulled a few well-reviewed popular items from the sales and promo, and they reappeared when the promo was over. Sold out does not mean sold out. . .

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  15. They don't make enough pajama pants in petite sizes. The petite sizes sell out by the 1st week in December, while regular sizes are all available still!

    The smaller people on my gift list don't like rolling up their pjs!

    Grrrrr.

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    1. And this happens year after year! grrr

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    2. As an alternative, Eddie Bauer makes nice pj's that come in petite sizes. They have had numerous recent promotions.

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    3. Lands End makes petite PJs but I have found them to run a little big. It's been a while since I have bought any but I would have to think their their quality is comparable to J Crew if not a little better.

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    4. Tall people often have the same problem. And with companies like Eddie Bauer and Land's End, not only do those sizes run big, but they refuse to acknowledge that tall people can be size 2 or 4. They simply do not make XS or S tall clothing at all! I've complained to no avail, so I guess they don't want my business. That is one thing JC is doing right- making 2T sized dresses and other items.

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  16. Why does J.Crew have to charge shipping? It's Christmas time and people are spending money, so let the stupid shipping charges go! I placed an order for a kid's sweater (Crewcuts is always free for some reason) but when I tried to add a pair of tights for myself, right away the order reflected a $5.95 shipping charge. The pair of tights would have been about $15. Why would I pay $5.95 to ship a $15 purchase? Also, I bought some things right after Thanksgiving that are STILL not here! One arrived yesterday but the other one hasn't even been sent! WTH?

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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! :)