Wednesday, December 6, 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.

62 comments:

  1. Almost two weeks from order to arrival. (Scheduled anyway, haven't gotten it by the date I was supposed to.). Not so great this time of year. Yes, I remember the same issue last year but still, I think we all hope for a little more.

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  2. I'll vent: slow ship times, low inventory, no promos on sale styles and back ordered holiday party items. I might buy something if I could find anything to buy in my size that would ship. I am hoping for better luck at the retail store today or tomorrow.

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  3. My Stewart plaid pants have not shipped. If they don't arrive in the next 2-3 days going back for sure.

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    1. I feel the same way. The fit is going to have to be perfect for me to keep. Their supply chain is really behind. Or they placed their orders too late. Either way very disappointed.

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    2. I'm in the same boat with the Steward tartan pants - placed my order on Nov. 21 and still not shipping email...
      OT Athleta shipping vent: I ordered some items on Nov. 20 - two items arrived quickly but I've been waiting for the final item, just used the UPS tracker and see that the package has been on a long journey: OH, IL, CA, IL, MN and arriving to me tomorrow!

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    3. My order status moved from waitlist to "in progress " today - so am hopeful for a shipping notice tonight!

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    4. Still in progress. Did not ship yet.

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  4. My vent - a delightful array of sale items at 30% off in store last night, yet no discount on sale items online this morning. Bonus - no shipping cost when buying in store!

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  5. I ordered the Factory city coat a few weeks ago and the lining in one of the sleeves was stitched to the coat, rendering it impossible for me to get my arm through. Bravo. However, non-vent, I finally contacted customer service to ask for my return shipping to be waived since there's no way I'm venturing to the outlet mall this time of year and they did a pre-return for me and waived shipping. So, while frustrating that I got a bum coat which I decided I don't really want anyway, CS is consistently helpful.

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  6. backordered....every item I clicked on. $$ money saved. will not place order.

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  7. I've been waiting on the navy/white cable sweater with the long sleeves that's pictured in the gift guide (model is wearing it over a striped button-down and under a blazer). It showed up briefly in the early access link but has since disappeared...and it's 22" long and made of an acrylic-prominent blend. Can't say I'm surprised, but ugh. Holiday's usually one of my favorites at JC and this year the only thing I purchased and kept was a tartan blanket scarf from Factory.

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    1. Yes! If it's the same sweater I'm thinking of, I've been waiting for it, too. Although now that I hear it's an acrylic blend I'm likely going to pass. Boo. Where am I going to shop in the future if this is the road jcrew is going down?! :(

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    2. Hi Mrs. G - the link is here, although it's currently not working/redirecting to the main page. It's also got buttons on both sides. There is also a solid cable version of this sweater (H4660 for $79.50, $85 for the striped version).

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    3. Thanks @silver_lining - unfortunately like you mentioned, it won't pull up, even when entering the item number.

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    4. Brookfield Place has the item in stock (H4701) and you can opt to send sale. Promos apply.

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  8. I went to the Tysons Galleria store yesterday for a return. I also had two coupons, one $25 off and one $50 off purchase I was hoping to use. The good news is that the SA was able to stack all the promos -- 30% off your purchase, 20% off for using my jcrew card and both $ off coupons! (I had tried twice unsuccessfully to stack the $ off cards online with the various promos the past two weeks). I ended up getting a black parke blazer and the open front sweater blazer for $78!

    Now the vent...Everything on the floor looked like it had just come out of a box..so wrinkly! It was a huge turnoff and reminded me of shopping at Zara. It seemed like the SA's have kinda given up too - no one asked if I wanted to start a dressing room even though I was walking around carrying a large pile of heavy blazers and sweaters to try on. I had to track someone down to unlock a fitting room.

    A lot of the new sweaters looked shopworn already -- specifically the long open cardigan (H3692) in navy and the ribbed shawl cardigan in dark gray (H4393). I was excited about the long cardigan when I saw it online but seeing how it poor it looked in person it was a pass for me. Also the sale section was the saddest I've ever seen - so much summer merchandise just lingering and it was so messy back there. I don't understand why they don't just mark all that stuff down to $9.99 and move on?

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    1. Hi Eshop77 - thanks for the store update. I feared this about the sweaters; I ordered the long open cardigan when it was first released (and erroneously listed as "Cotton") and it was pilling while still in the plastic bag. They've used such crappy blends this season and what's worse is that a lot of the time they're described incorrectly on the website, so what's listed as "Wool" is actually "Acrylic/cotton/nylon/wool" or something else.

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    2. You're welcome, silver_lining! I too was excited when it first came out and the description said only "cotton". When I saw it on the hanger I knew there was no way it was 100% cotton, and sure enough its a blend (hadn't noticed they updated the site).

      The Parke blazer is also a wool blend...It was really difficult trying to get all the wrinkles out when I got it home. Some are still stubbornly there, I may have to take it to my dry cleaner to be pressed. Considering I paid $18 after all the discounts and $ off cards I'm not complaining, but there's no way I would have paid FP for it. It makes me sad what's happening to the 'crew : (

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    3. I was thinking that all those acrylic blends are going to fare very poorly in the sale section. The handling and friction on the racks back there is rough on even good quality fabrics. That stuff will be even more unsellable.

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    4. I made returns yesterday and was treated like a pariah. Sales associates ignored me even though I was holding two huge bags of returns. The store was a mess and there was a huge sale department even stocked with extra racks for all the off the shoulder tops that didn't sell. Finally a sales associate helped me with my return and while doing the tartan maxi she said "oh yah, you're the lady that was disappointed we didn't get this in the store". Nice. So being frustrated and vocalizing it will get you the cold shoulder treatment the next time you visit the store. I couldn't wait to get out of there. The Crews days are numbered with me.

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    5. @stray cat - this is so sad! I had a completely different experience with returns at my store yesterday. They were incredibly pleasant even though I returned $300 worth of merchandise (barely kept anything from my recent orders, sigh). I think they need to realize that if they want to keep us coming in the door, they need to be kinder - otherwise why would you come in and spend money? I certainly wouldn't if I were treated that way.

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  9. OT but the tiered bell sleeve top in drapey crepe is in stock (low stock) in black in sizes 00-8...I know this had been backordered for a while, so if anyone has been trying to track this down, jump on it :)

    Also noticed there's a few new things on the site including a rose gold sequin top and a jacquard heart skirt. Now if things could just ship in time to wear them...

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  10. Everything I ordered has shipped except for the rose t-shirt. Now I'm hearing that it runs wide so now I'm waiting for more reviews to see if I should cancel that order or not. I love that winter t-shirts are made out of thick cotton.

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  11. Slow shipping, slow holiday roll outs, lack of quality... I have so many things going back. I loved the idea of the glitter mary janes but they'll be going back as the plasticky gems just ruined them for me. The ribbed pullover with the snaps is horribly cropped and the muslin color is see through. The boyshirt plaid I ordered is just meh. There is something weird about the cut of the reindeer print pullover shirt - but I might end up keeping it just because the darn print is so cute. Ugh. The only thing I loved from my orders were the t-shirts, but honestly how many more tees do I really need??

    So frustrated!

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  12. This is a combo review/vent. I received the Paisley pull on pant yesterday and I am on the fence about keeping. The silk is definitely very thin. Thinner than my wolfs tooth pant from last year. Also as Anne pointed out they are short. I am only 5 ft 4 but they still feel short. The rise of 11 inches is a bit too high waisted for me. The positive is that I love the colors and pattern. I am still longing for the prints of yore which is what is making me want to keep these. Realistically they are so thin and short I would not be able to wear them until the spring. I think I will just return for now. Maybe if they go on super sale I will rebuy. So my vent is that I finally find a print I liked but the item was a let down for me. The pants were the only retail piece I purchased from the roll out along with the forever backordered Tartan Cameron pants.

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    1. I was also thinking about wearability. We are the same height. I live in Chicago and wore them yesterday with fleece lined tights. I wore my medium coat, not my full down puffer. It was cold (30s)and super windy! I was totally fine and I from home to the train and train station to work. I will probably be ok until it's below 0 with my Full Think Down Puffer. Caveat: There isn't a lot of give with tights. I love the print. HTH

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  13. They are thin. I wore them to work when it was 50 and sunny. Living in NJ, I do not foresee wearing them again until probably April. I love the print so much, and they're such a memorable print, I was okay with that. They're not a pant I could see wearing to office often since they're such a standout. I think nearly half of the women I work with complimented them so they were noticed.

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    1. Thanks for the input ladies! I will probably hold on to them for the time being. I won’t be making a trip to a store until after the holidays so I have time to decide. The vibrant prints that I like are so few and far between nowadays I feel like I should keep them.

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    2. @JessF, what about the paisley top, it seems easier to wear year round and you could get more use out of it. I bought the paisley silk top as I too love the print and have been missing them at jcrew so even though I don’t need another silk top I’m keeping it. :)

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    3. Everything is short! I looked at the velvet pull on pants in the store and they were comically short. Like a capri length. Literally they fell a couple inches below my knee.

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  14. An reviews for the black lace pleated top. I am drawn to its Sezane like design. Does anyone know if its TTS? Looks a little boxy?

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    1. I saw it in store yesterday; I didn't try it on but it looked boxy and short on the hanger

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    2. I received mine last night. I thought it fit great - not as boxy as I was expecting. The length could have been a little longer but it was not "cropped" on me. I loved the look and can't wait to wear it.

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    3. Thanks for feedback Eshop77 and tdmazz. My store is offering 30% off + additional 20% if I use JC card. I think I might give it a try.

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    4. I ordered the tall version of this top since the regular sizes were oddly sold out over the weekend (of course now all back in stock.) Will report back, it's supposed to arrive today or tomorrow.

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    5. good to hear Anne. I ordered the tall as well.
      Question...I ordered the crepe tired bell sleeved top in tall and the arm pit area came down really low. asked whrn I returned it if was because it was a tall? SA said yes.
      in the past when I have ordered tall...usually it has been longer in the sleeves and longer hem..as it the lengh of the top....any comments on tall sizes verus reg...?

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    6. The tall has been sold out for a while. I am so confused with the online site, things are sold out one day and then show up the next.

      Anne, look forward to your review.

      I tried a similar black lace from Madewell but the length was too cropped. I think I have mentioned his before that I dislike this new crop-top trend. It decreases the versatility of use IMO.

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    7. well, doesn't look like the top is coming today...I think someone mentioned on another thread about their order being misplaced? (I read most posts in email via subscribing to posts so sometimes it meshes together who posts what where) My UPS status for the top says "due to operating conditions, your package may be delayed." It's in town, yes, it's lightly snowing, and I received a few other packages today but...that's puzzling.

      Anyway - Unknown, my personal experience with the tall items is that for tops they are longer in the sleeves and body, however, I sometimes size down if I'm going with a tall because it usually adds soe extra room in the body. For pants - you usually get more in the length and the rise. The tall Marties I recently ordered worked perfectly - they were small in a size 8 which is my usual pant size, but slightly larger in the tall 8 with a little more rise which was fine. Other times, they're too droopy in the waist. I'm by no means an expert, other ladies who are taller than me (5'8") can probably chime in. It's possible that you could have sized down to solve the armpit issue.

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    8. Anne, my order last week was delayed due to "operating conditions". I live on the West Coast, no snow or rain here.

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    9. I received mine today. It is stunning but unfortunately it’s going back for me. It’s tight across the busy but I’m fuller in that area right now since I’m nursing. I didn’t find it boxy at all. I ordered the tall and I found it still somewhat short but not cropped. I’m 5’10 so tall is usually my go to size. It’s really, really beautiful and I’m sad it doesn’t work for me.

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  15. Just got an email from JC that they were having "problems delivering" my blackwatch Marties from an order placed Nov. 26, and that they were going to be sent out in 1-2 days. I didn't email or call to ask for a status. Is this an auto-generated thing when an item doesn't get shipped within 10 days of the order?

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    1. I received several emails like the one you are referring to - so I believe it is an automated email. Just for reference I ordered the blackwatch Marties early on Nov. 26th and just received them last night so hopefull yours will be out shortly.

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    2. I received similar e-mails from Factory and from BR. The price dropped today by about 25% on one of my Factory items -- still waiting for CS to respond to my e-mail asking for a PA. Hoping they'll waive the 7-day window since I haven't even received the item yet.

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    3. I am usually between sizes so I ordered the smaller of the 2 and they were a little tight and I thought a little short. So a few days after the original order I ordered my bigger size because I thought they may sell out before I got the first pair (which is exactly what happened) so now I am waiting for the bigger size to be delivered to see which fit I like better. The original order was placed under the 40% off sale so I'm hoping if I decide to keep the bigger size that they will honor the 40% of price I paid for the original pair.

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    4. After that automated email yesterday I got a UPS tracking number and an email letting me know a package was coming today. Woke up to another email from UPS saying that my package couldn’t be delivered as promised. That’s it - no explanation. The sun is shiny and the sky is clear in NYC so it’s not weather related in this end . This isn’t a vent on JC since they don’t control UPS but I’ve never experienced this amount of delay (from both JC and UPS) for an order.

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    5. UPS must be having problems. I was just in my Rent the Runway unlimited account and there is a note saying there may be shipping delays due to nationwide UPS issues.

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  16. Not a vent, just facts:
    Made a store visit to return some items. I'm annoyed I used a coveted $50 off $150 voucher on a large order where almost everything was returned. Sigh.
    I was hoping to find a few other items in store but selection of what I was interested in was minimal.
    The good news, my daughter wanted a mountain puffer and I wanted one to replace my old excursion vest. When I first walked in the store was crowded so I decided to do my returns first, then come back after checking out Madewell. By the time I went back the puffers were almost all gone (moved?). I then noticed a sign that said $100, regularly $120. Store was 30% off plus 20% off for using the JCrew card. Plus I used my $25 birthday card. So I paid a fair price for two. I got her the sand and myself the black (of course). I sized up because the Small felt just roomy enough over my sweater.
    Nothing of interest in the sale section. A few new items but nothing I really wanted to try. I did try some jeans. The charcoal high rise toothpick, they only had two sizes up from my usual so I tried them and although I like the color and wash they seemed really thin. I also tried what I think was the Glendale wash, with the cut off hem. I tried them in early fall and liked them but chose the darker classic rinse ones. These felt thinner, so it's possible they're a different wash.

    I placed a Madewell order yesterday but today got a few more pieces of jewelry which make great little stocking stuffers and extra gifts, plus some candles which I really liked (the cabin scent, I have one burning now so let's see if it still smells nice). I also tried the ex boyfriend shirt in mixed star print. I did order it yesterday at final sale. They only had the Small, which I liked, but I could wear my usual XS too. (I don't find it as oversized as reviews mentioned.) I asked to use my birthday $25 but they wouldn't allow it with the current promo. Too bad.

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    1. Were you able to reuse your $50 off coupon after you made the returns?

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    2. No, I only bought the two vests and after discount they were less than $150.

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  17. Quick store stop while picking up package from other store- Saw some sweaters from last year and two years ago in the sale section. I’m convinced they keep them in the back until the following year to re- sell them. So uh don’t be surprised if we see all the summer stuff from this year in the sale section next summer- again!

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    1. I agree....i saw the tunic light blue(cable) sweater from last year ( I have it form last year) on the sale rack. soo lame J Crew.

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  18. My canceled sweater seemed to be in stock on the website this morning, with 6 available. Hmm. I'm sure if I had reordered at the now much higher price they would have honored the price I paid, but I skipped reordering. Only 2 things I am eyeing, a cashmere sweater that is now excluded from all promos and a hat. J crew is a big pass right now.

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  19. I'm tired of emails and Instagram posts from Jcrew featuring sold out items. What's the point!

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  20. How about the emails claiming something is in your cart and you know there is nothing there. Those really irritate me.

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    1. I got three emails in one week about the same one-shouldered blouse that I wouldn’t have put in my cart even if it had been marked “Free!”. I complained to CS and they did apologize. No phantom item emails since.

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    2. I've experienced similar look what's in your cart emails. No way would I have even clicked on that item to look at it much less placed it in my cart.

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  21. Ann Taylor has a cute 95% wool/5% cashmere tie sleeve long sweater on sale for $29.99 shipped right now. Lots of great deals on their site today. So it IS possible to have a non acrylic blend sweater for under $75!

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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! :)