Wednesday, February 22, 2017

"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.

63 comments:

  1. Has anyone else noticed that the popular items sell out in all the larger sizes first, and then finally down to 00 or XXS, which they have tons of leftover? I noticed this both online and in stores. I think JC is really off on their size ordering planning.

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    1. YES!! All the cute things on the clearance rack always seem to be 00 or xxs...So annoying which means someone must be buying stuff at J. Crew since there are never sizes left.

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    2. The embellished jackie in the gold color is sold out online in every size yet there are like 80 left in xxs (I did that game where you keep adding 9 to your cart :P ) It's pretty much sold out in all the stores I went to this weekend too, with a few random xxs left.

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    3. Also that leopard tie waist skirt from the fall sold out in all sizes above a 4 quickly, then there were tons of 00, 0, 2 and 4 leftover for months. Obviously when JC makes a hit people are buying...but they need to revise the size mix.

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    4. Same deal with wool striped skirt...sold out in all sizes above xxs, yet tons of xxs left.

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    5. I wear xs so sometimes I can get some good deals at J Crew, but I have this problem at Anthropologie, as the xs and xsp often sell out first. Stores need to be better about ordering the sizes that sell out fast.

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  2. I agree, Cass! However, I have actually spoken with Mickey Drexler about the larger size situation over the past year, and he did promise more larger sizes in store - which they are doing up to 14 now. I work at J Crew now, and we get re-fresh stock in all sizes every day. But at the end - there ARE lots of small sizes left. Hopefully that will improve soon.

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    1. Suzy, if you have opportunity to speak with MD again, please ask for more tall's in sizes 10/12. There are so very few tall's now and they are shrinking. The length of most tall blouses have been cut by an inch or so, which is a no go for me (5'11"). Sad to see this, but somewhat expected with the current company troubles. I rarely find anything to purchase.

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    2. Yes I actually noticed that there were some size 14s in store lately, which is new. I used to be a 14, down to a 12 now but when I was a 14 it always sucked not to find my size in store.

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    3. I have also come upon size 14 up here in Canada...I was pretty happy!!!

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    4. I'm a solid S-- those are usually the first to sell out. I have the opposite problem-- too much stuff that is way too big for me. And I never buy boots from JC anymore- the calves are WAY to wide.

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  3. Good points all! I agree that sizing analysis needs to be done & individualized to what sells at each store. When someone short like me (5'3") has to order tall skirts to make them long enough there is also a problem. Unless you are going to a bar or dance club, a 17-18 inch mini is probably not appropriate and who is going to wear a plaid or tweed skirt to that type of venue. No wonder the talls sell out so quickly.

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    1. Lol, I only wear minis, but granted I'm not wearing them to work, just socially. And I'm old. I do admit the wool mini is short, but my husband loved it and I kept it, also got many, many compliments when I wore it.

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    2. Suz...do you know when the next roll out is?

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    3. yes! so many cute patterns for mini skirts not pencil skirts. I can't wear these! -lep33shops

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    4. Ha! I never thought about *where* one might wear a tweed miniskirt but you are spot-on, SC! The only thing I can picture in my head is Cher from Clueless. Alas I am not Alicia Silverstone & it is not 1995 so I guess I am out of luck on that front.

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    5. I'll have to say that I like mini skirts too! But, I don't work in an office so that's not an issue. I actually returned the faux leather mini skirt because it was too long (I have short legs) 😉

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    6. People should leave the tall sizes to actual tall people!

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  4. My vent for today is Jcrew shoving a coat into a shoe box. I shared a pic in my instagram today.

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    1. that is a definite sign of things go down hill at J Crew.

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    2. Oh no!! From a store or the warehouse? Either way, yikes.

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    3. I saw your pic on IG! Crazy!! Remember the good ol days when some dresses, coats, blazers, shipped on a hanger, in an adequate box, and sometimes even a garment bag.

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    4. That's kind of crazy. I would imagine they track who ships from where but I'd let CS know.

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    5. Yeah, you really should email CS a photo. I'm guessing it came from a store, and yeah, they probably ran out of boxes, etc, but that's still unacceptable -- it just LOOKS bad and sends a rude message, as if they're flinging any old crap onto their consumers. J.Crew's primary inventory is accessed via online shopping so consumers have to wait for their orders to come in. As such, it's quite disheartening to receive a heavily anticipated purchase and have it look like less than what you were expecting.

      I received a popback once that I'd been looking forward to -- no tag, thrown in a bag, and worse, CLEARLY worn. I emailed CS and they refunded me the whole experience, etc, and they agreed with me when I explained how disappointing it is to open upon such a package. It's one thing if you come across something like that, in person, in a store. You know what you're getting, but it's different when you have certain expectations of what you'll find inside your package and receive something that's less than.

      I'm glad your coat worked out nonetheless!

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    6. That is absolutely absurd! I had a similar thing happen with the polka dot lady jacket that shipped from the warehouse. It arrived crammed in a too small box with no protection over the buttons. I wound up ordering it again in a different size and it shipped from a store in California. It arrived on a hanger, in a garment bag, with all the buttons covered in the protective lining. If you want consumers to believe your goods are worth a premium price, then your employees should probably treat the goods as such.

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    7. Ironically, Zara (the epitome of fast fashion) always packs their delivery boxes beautifully. Things are folded, not in plastic bags, and the entire order wrapped in tissue. Aritzia and Club Monaco also send perfect packages. With JCrew it's like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get...

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    8. Thank you for your support everyone! I do believe it came from a store so hopefully they were just out of proper sized shipping boxes. I recently received a pair of earrings in a paper envelope no box. Sometimes you just wonder what people are thinking when they are heading the packaging.

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    9. Yow. That would be handling the packaging:)

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    10. Zara, Anthropologie, and lots of others send gorgeous packages. I would definitely complain if I got a coat in a shoebox. Wow.

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  5. Went to 2 J. Crew's while on vacation in California, The Grove Location and 3rd St. Promenade. Both were well stocked stores but clearance rack was lacking sizes per usual...Did get a Liberty blouse though...Peasant type style...ran huge had to get 00...About $30 on sale and plenty of sizes surprisingly

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  6. My order has been sitting since 2/17 in release status with no ship date. Nothing was on back order, and I paid for shipping, annoying.

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    1. My order from 2/14 just shipped. I got it with free shipping promo, but still, it has been 8 days. So there is hope for your order...

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    2. My order from 2/14 just shipped. I got it with free shipping promo, but still, it has been 8 days. So there is hope for your order...

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    3. What's even funnier is that I ordered stuff from Bath and Body Works on Sunday, no special shipping, and it is currently out for delivery by UPS.

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  7. shipping to Canada. $12. Borderfree and Canada Post. tracking is like watching paint dry.

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  8. OT: can someone who owns the Colette suede pumps comment on the fit of the shoes? I wear size 6.5 in the Cece and the Sloan flats, size 6 in the Dulci (a little tight but better than the 6.5 which was a little loose), and 6.5 in most other brands shoes. The reviews for Colette on the website are mixed, some say they run half a size big, one says they are TTS. I just wanted tk get your opinion and whether you take your regular size or go down half a size. Thank you!

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    1. I own two pairs! I am between a 9 and a 9.5 in J.Crew shoes, and my usual size otherwise is a 9. I take a 9 in the Dulci which fit me like you -- tight at first but way too loose in the 9.5 -- and a 9 in the Colettes. They are comfy in a 9 right from the start for me. I find I usually have to size up to a 9.5 in the highest heels (the Elsie for instance) though I have no idea why.

      I hope you get multiple answers to help guide you, and I hope this helps a bit!

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    2. I recently went thru the same experience: I take a 6 in Dulcis and Gemmas, 6.5 in the Cece. I ordered leopard Colettes in both 6 and 6.5. Both fit well, but I ultimately decided on the 6.5 because I worried that the top part of the foot, where the toe box hits, might be too impacted in the size 6. I did add heel catchers to my shoes, as they did seem a tad loose and i worried about popping out of them while walking. HTH!

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    3. I love the Colette pumps, they are so comfortable. I am a true 8.5 in most brands of shoe and I take an 8.5 in the Colette. I have four pairs and they all fit perfectly.
      I can't compare to the other shoes mentioned because I don't own them.
      Good luck, you'll love them, they're so easy to wear and look amazing on the foot.

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    4. I think they run a half size big! I ordered the beautiful neon dahlia pair last summer in my sloan size (7) and they are unfortunately too big. They're so beautiful but I can't wear them... and they were final sale. 😔 HTH!

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    5. I find them TTS. I am a 6 in all brands and a 6 in the Colettes.

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    7. I find them TTS as well. I am an 8 about 85%-90% of the time both at J. Crew and other brands. I love the Colette. I have 3 pairs: the black cat calf hair, brown/ivory/sliver canvas, and the ivory/navy wool houndstooth - all work in the 8 for me.

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    8. Thanks so much! I appreciate all the feedback! Sounds like I could get either the 6 or 6.5, and if 6.5 is big maybe I can add an insert. Can't wait to get them!!

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  9. Finally got my pair of marties in the mail that I ordered 2 weeks ago. 2 gripes: First - Narvar. I don't think I need to say anymore. Second - the pants appeared dirty in some areas and the seam below the zipper area is ripped. WTH? Yes, I did get them on sale but I still expect undamaged merchandise. If this is jcrew's new model (who cares, ship it out), as it seems I'm not the only one who has been getting damaged merchandise, they're going to lose the loyal customer base they've built up... I spend a lot of my money with them and expect better.

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    1. Similar thing happened to me awhile back. A store sent me a pair of marties that had a hugh iron burned mark right on the thigh. Of course it went back.

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    2. Ugh! That's soooo frustrating and totally unacceptable. This pair is sold out right now in my size. I'm going to see if my friend can mend them for me as I'm in love with the fit and color. It just irks me that they let that go out of the store or warehouse!

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    4. Agreed! What were they thinking? (or not thinking!) i hope your friend can fix it, or that it pops back for you. Last week i was able to snatch a pair of minnie pants in stretch twill from Spring 2014!

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  10. Thoughts on Madewell's new arrival today?
    Love the pink jumpsuit....but

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    1. Oh...that's unfortunate. I mean, I know someone would make it look really good, but not me! Last year I bought one of the denim coveralls after seeing a Madewell SA rock it, and like...it could be cool, but I couldn't think of an occasion where I could wear that and not either wear sweats or a pair of jeans. I think I'm too old for that and the overalls. (I'll keep my mini skirts though.)

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    2. I'm annoyed they teased us with a Spring 2017 preview a month ago but didn't release the things that I like (i.e. the coral skit with the buttons) in this release. Oh well, guess I'll wait it out...

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    3. A few cute items caught my attention. Side-tie sweater, Short sleeve sweater tee, Finch ballet flat and a few others. Haven't bought anything from Madewell in a long time. Thinking I'll probably wait for reviews.

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    4. I'm not sure what's of this bunch is new, but I like the Marfa circle crossbody bag, the white tie-front shirt, the Northward Cropped Army jacket (both colors), and the Cali Demi Boot Jeans in Kane wash.

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    5. I tried the cropped army jacket a couple of weeks ago but forgot to post review. I am not sure why they chose the green color for the stock pic but this is the pink jacket that was featured in the preview...

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    6. Just tried the pink jumpsuit, pic on my IG. Surprisingly, I really liked it. It'seems strangely short though (I would say it's cropped), I am 5'4" and it didn't even touch the top of my boots...

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  11. I received a black tippi sweater yesterday. Out of hte bag it was covered in white lint and had a HUGE snag. The sweater had the security tag sewn in so I am thinking that this was a store return which was then sent back to the warehouse to be pawned off on some unwitting customer. Very disappointed in Jcrew.

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    1. This would make me see red. I have gotten items with the security tag attached twice. But not damaged goods to boot. Ugh

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  12. I will be returning the pop stripe skirt. I knew the colors would be loud but I didn't realize that the material would be a kind of satin- ugh. My husband just shook his head when he saw it. Seems really cheap, especially for the price.

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  13. Here is a rant about in-store pickup: They keep sending bullying messages if you don't run right over and get the item. The only reason I chose it was because it was free shipping. I didn't know there was a 4-day time limit to pick it up. Why can't they just give free shipping for orders above $100? It's ridiculous.

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  14. iam frustrated that i bought something online yesterday and there is a sale today. i wish there was a way to know when the sales happen. the sa said sometimes sales happen without an email. anyone know when its their next sale?

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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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