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 can't believe the new non promo.
ReplyDeleteSeriously! And if you click on "Details" there's apparently no end to this non promo.
Deletethis price game playing is why I never ever shop factory. it looks like I will now not shop J Crew retail either.
DeleteI have a full time job...and do not need a part time job of shopping J Crew....its too much work.
No promo or % off at JCrew and prices jumped back up at Factory. I know this is how "holiday" sales work, but it isn't even fun to look if I know everything is so much more $ today.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of promotion is definitely annoying. Without the extra promo code, the marked down sale prices are sometimes a bit of a joke. For example, the petite A-line button front chino skirt is "marked down" right now from $118.50 to $113.50 (Canadian prices). They often just knock $5 or so off the price when an item goes on sale. Because they frequently offered the extra 30% or 40% off off sale items, this didn't matter, but if they are moving to a "no promotions" strategy, then they really need to take reasonable price cuts on their merchandise when they go on sale.
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side, this is making it easy for me to buy less (or hopefully nothing at all)
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DeleteThose prices are just promotional pricing, but they also add them to sale to get the extra % off, when there is one. It's not really "on sale."
DeleteLabor day sale on clearance was pathetic at J. Crew so not surprised they took away promos now. I saw all clearance was 30 off when just shortly before it had been 40-50 off. Didn't get anything at 30 off except a tissue turtlenack marked 8.99 before the 30.
ReplyDeleteit's my birthday month and i have the birthday discount and lots of discount codes from past purchases... AND I HAVE NOTHING TO BUY!
ReplyDeletewhen are the next batch of new arrivals? (this is sad)
My VPS told me new arrivals on website Tues Sept 12th.
DeleteYes there will be new arrivals next weekt!
DeleteOT Factory is back on Gilt City. Additional 35% off your purchase through 9/12. You can get up to 5 codes.
ReplyDeleteThis is great except that the prices are not 35-40% higher that they were yesterday, so with the voucher they are still the same. They must think shoppers can't do basic math.
Deleteanyone know when this lack of (or dreadful) promo will end. see mo date on website. it usually can be seen by clicking on "details"
ReplyDeletewhat is going on at J crEW? I bet sales will be "O" this week.
Regarding the non-promo ...I was in store Tuesday and like everyone else, was shocked to see formerly 50% then 40% then 30% off additional sale was down to zero% off sale stuff. The staff said they were preparing for a friday roll-out of new stuff and that the next sale would hit at that point. Hope that helps....
ReplyDeleteGood info mirielle, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI have to extra 15% codes that need to be used by the 13th. And there is no way I could ever shop sale without a promo. Honestly, are they doing this for their non-regular shoppers? Because as a great customer, it just succeeds in angering me!
In store to make a return and noticed a Crewcuts tee I hadn't noticed before. No sizes for our little ones, and when I asked, SA told me it had not been made in larger than a size 8. Did not offer to check inventory and have it sent. I still thought it might make a cute gift, so decided to take a size 8 and was told my student/teacher discount couldn't apply because I clearly wouldn't be wearing it to school. Of course when I got home I checked the website, which showed a full range of sizes.
ReplyDeleteOh my....🤔
DeleteWFF, you were denied the privilege of the teacher discount because it would not be you who will wear the cute Crewcuts tee? Am I understanding that correctly?
DeleteThat is a new low.
I would call customer service. I always use the teacher discount to purchase clothes for my daughter.
Deletewell, there's also the size issue and the lack of offer to find the size i originally wanted and the fib about online availability- I'm going to chalk it up to ignorance and lack of experience with JC's standards and practices. There's a lot if that going around lately.
DeleteThe rugby shirt popped back today, after promo ended :/
ReplyDeleteBackordered, estimated ship date Dec 15
DeleteI saw that too Cate! I somehow knew the pink and blue would be back after the 30% off was over. I actually ordered one using my $25 birthday card from J Crew, mine didn't say backordered, but maybe that dreaded email is coming...!
DeleteMine doesn't say backordered, but it would not surprise me.
DeleteOn one hand I think the constant promos hurt the brand. Any regular shopper knows the initial retail price is a joke. It's effectively turned retail JCrew into an outlet in terms of the sale strategy.
ReplyDeleteWith that said the quality of their clothes has gone down so much they aren't worth the full retail price. I think they should work on the quality and once that has returned phase out constant promos. If they even have the ability to do so.
OT, but wondering if anyone can give feedback on the tie-waist skirt in faille (G8783). I was able to order a size 6 in marigold (I'm a 4/6 in J.Crew). It looks like such a classic cut and perfect color, I hope I'm not getting myself psyched for something that's a dud. I also ordered a size 6 in black and I'm curious what people's thoughts are on black vs. marigold. I'm torn because black is so classic (this skirt makes me think Audrey Hepburn), but the yellow is so pretty. Thoughts? Styling tips? THANK YOU!!!!
ReplyDeleteI ordered and returned the marigold skirt. I found it bunched out in the backside so that angle wasn't flattering on me. Sad bc it's a fun color and style.
DeleteThanks for the feedback. I'll make sure to see how it moves with me and if it bunches up (that would definitely make it unflattering)!
DeleteBusiness of Fashion is reporting tonight that Somsack has resigned his position at J Crew. The housecleaning at the top continues.
ReplyDeleteWow. Will JC even exist at this time next year?
DeleteWonder if he's wishing he stayed at Madewell...
Whoa
DeleteOuch! What is next? I wasn't necessarily digging the recent items presumably designed by him but I can only imagine it will lead deeper into fast fashion territory. I hope I am wrong.
DeleteYikes. We barely got the chance to know him! Another article at Fashionista confirms this and that Jcrew will not be showing at NYFW. https://fashionista.com/2017/09/somsack-sikhounmuon-j-crew-resignation
DeleteThat is quite shocking and worrying. To be honest I really haven't liked a ton of things since he came aboard for Jcrew - overall the aesthetic wasn't what I had hoped for. Jcrew was amazing in the past presumably without big names like Jenna or Somsack so I think there's hope but they need to avoid fast fashion/ make a u-turn away from it.
DeleteWOW! I wonder who he's not getting along with? Or he's probably offered a better gig elsewhere. This is crazy! He didn't even last at his new position.
DeleteSo sad. All the veterans are gone; first Marissa Webb, Jenna, Frank, and now Somsack. Did Gale leave, too?
DeleteHis collections haven't been helping J.Crew turn around at all. He should have stayed at Madewell. He did well for that target customer.
DeleteAgree. I don't think his departure was entirely voluntary
DeleteOld timer + new management = I'm thinking Somsack didn't agree with new direction/changes. Usually old timers stick up for the quality that they've come to associate with the brand, and Somsack has been around for 10+ years. I'm going to guess that they want to cut corners to turn a profit and Somsack didn't want anything to do with it.
DeleteI second you eeps. He has been around too long for me to believe his ambition was to turn J Crew into the next H&M.
DeleteBut he's the one who put out all the trendy designs for the last few collections--unless he didn't want to but was told to. In that case, what is the point of being creative director?
DeleteMaybe it wasn't about the designs - maybe it was about the production/materials?
Delete@cass
DeleteAre these collections really his work? Lyons only resigned in April, did she not do any work that was going to roll out in the mere 5 months afterwards that, you know, she might have been sticking around in some capacity for?
(same anon as above)
DeleteOh, I guess he was already on the J.C design team before then, but how does one determine who's responsible for what, really....
Maybe they didn't like his plans for Fall 2018? I assume Fall 2018 would be 100% his ideas and not Jenna's. I guess they couldn't say since you helped make Madewell a success maybe you can go back there? That would be rude, right?
DeleteJ.Crew just lost me as a customer. My house was flooded in Hurricane Harvey along with my entire J. Crew closet. I was evacuated wearing my J.Crew rain boots, and when they hit water, it started leaking right away. I discovered a split at the seam. I had to walk around in dirty contaminated water for hours! I called and emailed J.Crew and received a response more than 24 hours later saying they couldn't replace them and the best they could do is send me a gift card for the last selling price or the purchase price if I had a receipt. Way to show you care about your customers!!
ReplyDeleteSorry you were affected by the flooding. :( That sucks about the boots.
DeleteOh no, I'm so sorry :( That does suck about the boots.
DeleteHow callous - what kind of idiots are they hiring? And I'm so sorry about your home.
Delete@Cass @cate @wellfedfred Thank you!! There are so many affected by Hurricane Harvey that I feel fortunate to be able to start recovering and rebuilding. So many still have flooded homes 2 weeks later!! Kudos to Gap, Inc. /BR for pledging 1 million to aid recovery. I haven't shopped BR in awhile, but will definitely be taking another look!!
DeleteWhy can't they send replacements? Why are they defective in the first place? Terrible customer service!
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ReplyDeleteSaw a JCrew ad at my local mall (Copley Boston) that read: "Yes, we're still open". I reckon they tried to be funny/cheeky, but it sounded a little passive-aggressive and sad in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAm noticing A LOT of (not so good) changes with JCrew lately...
ReplyDelete-Jenna: GONE
-Frank: GONE
-Somsack: GONE
-NYFW: GONE
-Wedding Collection: GONE
-"Style Guide": Only coming out QUARTERLY now
-"Style Guide" paper: SO thin and CHEAP feeling now
-Customer Service phone hours: No longer 24/7
J.CREW is spiraling down, IMHO. SAD!
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ReplyDeleteCan we go back to the year 2006/2007 when J. Crew was absolutely amazing?! I believe that's what they are trying to do, but these gorgeous chunky earrings that Jenna introduced to the company that hurt my ears and are not everyday practical need to go. I miss my quirky charm bracelets from J. Crew, the Frost jewelry collection, and the adorable flats and heels. I'll never forget the collection in the Paris catalog, and the fall collection in the library catalog when they introduced the library book print. And all of the liberty prints are slowly fading away. Even my personal shopper from 2006 has left the company. And the no promo thing is definitely stressing this teacher out just a little bit. I just can't. Honestly, the quality isn't a reflection of the price tag anymore.
ReplyDeleteSo, I do like some of the new items. The thing is, I never got the catalog/style guide this time. I picked one up in-store. However, most everything I like is now sold out in my size. I guess they expect you to constantly monitor the site and I just don't have time for that.
ReplyDelete