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.
New factory arrivals: One shoulder, off the shoulder, cutout shoulders, tacky embroidery; it all looks like Old Navy to me. And J. Crew's new arrivals were not much better. Looking for some new stores to shop at, one's with more stylish and work appropriate clothes.
ReplyDeleteNot a new vent, but neither of my J.Crew stores had an extra %off sale. Why would anyone buy from the store when there is a %off online plus free shipping? Also why do some locations have 30% off, and some 50% off, and my stores 0%off.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure this will come as a shock to no one here but jcrews website is not functioning properly AGAIN! They really need to get their act together! I know this is very first world problems but it’s so ridiculous how often it happens. I did manage to get an item in my cart and it appears the promo code is working on all marked down items (and not just ones ending in .99).
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren - I think that the prices are bouncing as well. The stripe perfect-fit tee was $22.50 yesterday, today it's $26.50 (but the 30% promo applies). Also, I could have sworn that star clutch was a lot cheaper the other day because I thought it was crazy how low the price was for it being a relatively new item.
DeleteSilver_lining, that def doesn’t surprise me either. I’m pretty sure that star clutch was marked down to almost half of what it’s listed at now.
DeleteDefinitely some pricing games going on - those mini bucket bags and the star bag were significantly less expensive last week. Those were the ones I noticed, also the red short sleeve jumpsuit was $74 earlier this week and is back up to $100.
DeleteI tried signing in and it wouldn't even let me! I don't have any current Crew clothes. I just looked back and haven't ordered anything but workout clothes since December! -lep33shops
DeleteI don't understand why Madewell's website works but JCrew's doesn't. Okay, so I rarely check Madewell's website but I'm under the impression it works a lot more often.
DeleteThe offerings are looking really juvenile lately.
ReplyDeleteI second that. I put one item on my list from yesterday’s roll out. The striped peplum top which is nothing special and I really don’t need. There is not much left that fits my needs as a women in her low 40’s.
DeleteJessF, not to be a bubble burster...I tried the white version of that peplum top and it was incredibly difficult to maneuver and added a lot of midsection bulk in addition to being on the short side. If you try it I'd wait until it hits sale.
DeleteThanks Anne! I appreciate the feedback. It was $39.50 yesterday then $49.50 today but I would definitely wait for a much better sale price. I can’t deal with clothes that are difficult to maneuver at this point in my life. Lol. Maybe I should just take it off the wish list and wait for the next rollout. BR both retail and factory are getting my money lately. Tons of poly but you can still find a few natural fiber items and decent quality things if you weed through everything. Seems to be the way it is everywhere. I miss the days when I could count on J crew for all my needs.
Delete@Cate yes, they are truly juvenile and overall tacky and crappy as is the cashmere. Awful!!! Fruit earrings, worthy of tweens. Not knocking tweens by any means. I did notice however, the Tippi Nautical sweater with the anchor pattern which is a distant reminder of the Good Old Jcrew. I have the Tippi Navy Linen with green whales embroidered and loved it so much at the time I purchased 4. Purchased some pop backs recently a cashmere tunic sweater sent it right back. Terrible quality and overpriced even with a massive discount.
DeleteMary Jane shoes in the cumin color with a print cheap $23.00, a pair of floral print Mary Jane shoes with a beaded tassel, $32.00, lace up flats with zipper in fuchsia bloom for$35.00 and the $22.00 embroidered mules 2x's and sending back because the cobbler couldn't repair them. There were a pile of clothing items sent back as well. I would like to see more classics with a whimsical twist and more Ratti and Drake prints. in silk. Who cares about Venice Beach tees, Piazza Arcole tees etc. More names and places coming? Heavens no!! Save your $$ these items simply aren't worth it unless you are a flagrant spender. Simply a personal opinion not intended to offend anyone.
I'm not a fan of the word tees but must admit I bought one @ about $5 to wear when I'm washing the car! Would love to see more Ratti, Drake & Liberty prints (but no poly!) since J Crew seems to have given up on giving us any decent prints. It seems I am returning more than I'm keeping lately. So far the only things I've kept are the Liberty and Ratti shirts and the perfect fit tees, which I love and collect. Oh, and the denim fits me well so I buy that on sale. Please, please, please J Crew. Don't forget your long time, older customers. Enough with the cheesy lingerie and cheapo jewelry.
DeleteI agree with everyone about the too youthful cuts. Cold shoulder, peplum, crops, ruffles ruffles everywhere ... this is not jcrew's wheel house. I would actually pay full price if jcrew would go back to the quality of the 1990s and I knew i could trust that a suit or a cashmere sweater or even a cotton sweater would wear well over time. I'm also tired of boxy and shapeless dress shirts and dresses. Bring us some fun prints for summer, but tailored shapes. More natural fabrics not blends. Lined dresses. I know they can still do it, the linen perfect shirts are great. I feel like, jcrew is a brand worth investing in (on the corporate side) because the fan base is there, we all want a return to the old jcrew we know and love.
DeleteCate, YES. And the young target they are pursuing so vigorously doesn’t value quality and enduring style in their clothing purchases. Not a criticism - it’s simply a function of life stage, budget, accessibility.
DeleteJ Crew bet on the wrong horse.
I think a few items here and there are juvenile. But on the whole I don't think that's the problem; I actually think the problem is that most of the new arrivals are incredibly bland, almost like the Gap (and even the Gap is starting to improve lately).
Deletei have a pair of shoes in my cart just kind of sitting there while i decide whether or not to pull the trigger... the price changed 3 times in the past 24 hours. going from about $100 to $160 to a full $178 now.
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ReplyDeleteI tried to place an order yesterday with the TAKE2030 promo. I had both sale and non-sale items in my cart, but the promo was only applying to the sale items. I confirmed that the non-sale items were promo eligible and then chatted with CS. CS said "Oh, it must be a glitch on the site" and then asked me to place the order and she would adjust the price. No thanks. I waited until today to order and got a better deal anyhow. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to complain, yet the glitch never got fixed.
ReplyDeleteSo I got an email that J Crew was hiring in my area. I work full time but my son spends every other weekend with his dad. I applied yesterday and got a call (voicemail) that they are having an in store event tomorrow and could I come in and speak with a manager? What do you guys think? I always worked retail when I was young...
ReplyDeleteThey would be fortunate to have you.
DeleteGreat idea, go for it!
DeleteYou are a doll p, thank you both. I could use the extra cash and I think it would be fun!
DeleteLet us know what happened. It's neat when the staff are people you'd like to emulate...
DeleteGood luck today!!
DeleteCheri - good luck! I can tell you from years of working a part-time retail job that you will spend everything you earn at the store. (but that's half the fun!) :) keep us posted
DeleteThank you all so much! I know Anne, but I figure it will enable me to keep shopping the crew. Even though I get great deals, they add up, and things like my son's birthday party and swimming lessons will always win! I'm concerned I could spend MORE money and wind up upside down because I'll have to keep up with current styles on the selling floor, but I won't jump to conclusions.
DeleteThe mall is 3 miles from my house so I'm headed there straight from work :)
Maybe it will be like when my SIL worked at Baskin' Robbins? She stopped eating ice-cream for a couple of years.
DeleteIf the discount is the same as when I worked there, you might save money. J Crew has a very generous employee discount.
DeleteI got hired! Next up, background check.
DeleteCongrats! They’re so lucky to have you!
DeleteGood for you and for the store! I figured they'd be eager to hire you. Looking forward to hearing about your new job.
Deleteyay, congrats Cheri!
DeleteThank you all! I am feeling quite flattered and I hope I perform well :)
Delete@Cheritheberry: Congratulations! Wishing you all the best and looking forward to some good in-house reviews. Sure you will be a great asset to the store.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Lynn, I hope so!
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