Friday, May 23, 2008

When is the next "20% off" sale?

I have wanted to purchase a couple of items (e.g. jackets) for awhile now. However, I have been hesitating due to the fear that another "Extra 20% off" sale will happen soon (that and the lack of a good free shipping code).

Seeing how this is Memorial Day Weekend, do you think J.Crew will have another "Extra 20% off" anytime soon?

27 comments:

  1. In the past, I've noticed that J.Crew's sales (20% or more) tend to start on either Tuesday or Wednesday evening so I'm doubtful that they'll start a Memorial Day sale now. I've been constantly checking in the hope that they would have one as well! Disappointing!

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  2. Thanks Anonymous for the tip on those sales days. I was hoping they would have one to justify my purchase! :)

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  3. I can empathize, I feel the same way. I definitely feel your pain! Particularly, when you just know that the item will go on sale soon. Anyway, I've even called my local store to see if they're having any additonal markdowns this weekend and they are not! Is it me or has anyone else noticed that Jcrew tends not to have these sales during big holiday weekends such as this one and labor day, etc?

    Alexis, which items were you hoping to order?

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  4. No, I think this is their Memorial Day sale. I would either buy it now or expect to wait another 2-3 weeks......That is what I am debating on right now. I love one of the new cardigans...

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  5. I just noticed that jcrew moves items on and off their sale list - even during the same sale. I was going to buy a super 120s suit, that was on sale yesterday. I didn't get a chance to check out online (got distracted) and now it's back up to $500! They need to keep their sale consistent. I have 4 suits from JCREW and am a loyal shopper but this stuff p*sses me off!!!

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  6. Hi everyone!

    Anonymous at 8:53am: Thank you for letting me know that there won't be any sales in-stores. It actually saves me a trip tomorrow to the three J.Crew's in my area! :)

    I want the Refined canvas Fiona jacket when it is in my size but I also really like the Italian matelassé Lucia jacket which is at $209 right now (too expensive for a non-winter coat). However, saving $40 with a 20% off sale would make it more attractive. :)

    Jagjag2: I think you are right about when the next sale is going to happen. I do remember one time their percent off sales were just a week apart.

    Anonymous at 9:07AM: I know what you mean. I find that certain items that are usually in the sale section get taken out when they have those 20% off sales (so you can't get the additional discount). That makes me upset too. I understand if its a promotional sale in the regular item section (e.g. like two for one). But I can't understand it when the item is in the actual sale section only to be removed!

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  7. Alexis, I would call and check with your the stores in your area though. last week I called a store back east looking for something and was told they were also having additional markdowns that week. As a result, I rushed to my local store only to find that they weren't having a sale at all!!! Agh! Anyway, I think the in-store sales vary by region(I'm out west).

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  8. Yes, there is a sweater I'd like and the extra 20% makes it tempting but if it goes on sale and even if I have to pay for shipping it will probably cost less......If any another store was having 20% off, would it make you want to run in and buy??? Probably Not.....

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  9. Hi Anonymous at 9:30AM! I have noticed that on occassion: some stores having an extra sale while others did not. I thought it was a fluke- but I guess it isn't.

    Well maybe I will stop at those stores now! :)

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  10. Unfortunately, it's already friday, so I don't thin the sale is going to happen this week.

    J.crew's sale policy really and truly does infuriate me, sometimes. As others have mentioned, things on sale will be pulled off during extra savings. It also bothers me that items are priced differently from store to store.

    I just bought the frances shirt, the lame button-up, the baird mcnutt linen suit, and a men's shirt on sale. I will sit on them for a while to see if they go on sale. If so, I just re-purchase it, and return the original at the higher price (since nothing is on final sale right now). We'll see...I used the 20% discount, and since this was purchased in the store, I didn't have to pay for shipping.

    I also find it helpful to purchase from the store (or use the red phone). It's the only way (though I'm not sure about this) to get my 10% student discount, and I can sometimes get free shipping as long as I purchase one item at full price. I don't think that this is a strict policy, but store managers tend to be lenient when I seem to be wavering on a big order.

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  11. Auryane: You bring up an excellent point! If you use the red phone and you are ordering all sale items, then why not include a cheap full priced item (like a hair clip) to get free shipping!!! That is brilliant.

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  12. You can only get the student or teacher discount in person. At least that is what a store manager told me......

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  13. Jagjag2: I guess it all depends. Because I was able to use the student discount over the red phone just two weeks ago. I needed to show the store's sales associate my ID and he talked to the associate over the phone to verify I was a student.

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  14. jagjaj2: you're right...you do need to be in the store to use the 10% student discount. However, if you're making a call from the red phone, you can show your id to the store associate and they will vouch for you to the rep on the phone.

    unfortunately, i can't get them to combine codes, and the id seems to count as another code...the id will work on sales items, but if you are asking them to enter in a code (20% off, etc), they won't do it. But if the item is automatically marked 20% off, I believe it will work.

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  15. That bothers me too Auryane -only being able to use one code at a time- either by phone or online.

    I would like to use the current code for 20% on $175+ **and** the code for free shipping on $150+ but I can not. You are forced to choose one over the other.

    Some online retail stores allow you to use multiple codes (which I think is great!)

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  16. Yes, I think I mentioned in another post that you can't use more than one code at a time....

    The educator's discount is new and I haven't been lucky enough to be able to use it......glad to know I can use it with the red phone when I am in the US this summer if need be.....Thanks for the info.

    I am assuming a copy of my valid and current teaching certificate will be good enough as I am not going to haul around the real thing....If anyone knows, please let me know...Thanks.

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  17. Hi Jagjag2! When I asked the associate more about the educator's discount- she said anything as an id (even a paycheck stub) would suffice for them. So I think a copy of your teaching certificate would be more than enough proof.

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  18. Alexis, do you know whether the eductor discount is valid on sale items as well? It would be fantastic if it is!

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  19. Hi Anonymous at 4:38PM! Yes, the educator's discount should work on final and sale items. (Just like the student discount should work for final & sale items).

    I should also say that one time I was denied the student discount because the item I was purchasing was on sale. I called customer service that day to report the incident. Not only was I told that my student ID is valid for any store purchase (sale or not) but the customer associate made sure to tell the store about it. I received not only a phone call from the store manager (of the store that denied my discount) but also a $20 gift card with a hand written apology. (Really great customer service!)

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  20. Alexis, I agree with you, J.Crew really does have great customer service. Once last year, I called to place the Paulina blouse on hold, only to find that it was gone when I came to pick it up. One of the sales associates was able to locate it at another store and have it shipped to me, so all was not lost but then a few days later, I also received a hand-written apology from the store manager along with a $20 gift card! I was so impressed!

    But thanks again for the tip regarding the educator's discount, I can't wait to use it! I'm just so sorry that it took me this long to find out about it! To think of all the extra money I could have saved by now...

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  21. I was told by a JCrew employee that the educators discount just started May 1. The student one is the one that has been going on for quite some time.

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  22. I just was in J.Crew store in N.California(San Jose),they have similar to online summer stuff on sale with additional 25% off but it is an final sale. They also have the Jacket with frill that you mentioned in one of the post ..but only limited sizes and colors are available(white and orange),I did not find my size but managed to get a cute bunny print blouse in my size that was marked down from $74 to $19 and additional 25% ...I love such Bargains!!!
    I have a similar blouse in white with black stripes.
    So if you find something you like online you can call up stores and ask about additional 25% .
    Also I would like to thank Alexis for starting this blog,it is awesome!!!

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  23. Thanks Miramar for the nice comment and the great tips! We can all benefit from our collective knowledge!!! :)

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  24. Alexis, Miramar's comment just gave me an idea! What would you think of starting a new blog in which anyone who is looking for a particular item that is currently unavailable online or in her local stores (whether due to size/color), can post that item here in the hope that others who do see that item in their local stores can respond with the exact location. That way, the person can then just call the store directly to order the item. In addition, anyone who happens upon a great bargain at their local store can post that info here to share with everyone and whoever is interested can call that store directly for the item (given that the item hasn't sold out). Just in the past couple weeks, I found the Alessia blouse for $19.99 with an additional 25% off, the cotton-cashmere primrose cardigan for $59.00 with an additional 25%, and the fiona jacket for $99.99 and an additional 25%. I would have gladly shared that info with others at the time. Also, there have been so many times in the past in which I've actually gone through the entire j.crew store directly looking for a particular item. Remember the cynthia blouse last summer? I think I called every store before I finally found it at a store just 40 miles from me in LA! I hadn't bothered with that one because I was certain it would already be sold out in that area! Anyway, I did with this for the bromley boots and the chateau cardigan, just to name a couple. So what do you and everyone else think of this idea??

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  25. Hi Anonymous at 9:57AM- I think it is a great idea. I am just not sure how to make a blog where anyone has the ability to make posts (blogger requires you to define admins).

    I could temporarily create a new post each week for people to both request items and answer those requests.

    If it is popular enough than I might find another site that does forums and incorporate it.

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  26. Alexis,

    I'm sorry, I meant another post, not blog!Thanks!

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  27. Hi Anonymous at 8:44PM!

    Well I will definitely create a new post this week with your idea (and I will credit you with it too!)

    But I will also look into those forum sites. If I can find one that is free and allows anyone to create a post (with dedicated follow up comments), it might be worth it.

    It is a great idea!

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