J.Crew sent an email to its non-card members to invite them to open a J.Crew Credit Card. The email lists the benefits associated with being a card member (which have been discussed many times on this blog).I would love to see J.Crew offer reduced shipping fees (or even a flat rate of $7) for card members. I think it would also be great if card members could get 10% off all their purchases. These perks would make getting a J.Crew Credit Card more enticing. But as the benefits stand now, I really don't need it.
What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Credit Card? Do you feel non-card members are "missing out" by not having one? What perks would you like to see be added for current card members? ;)
Alexis, ITA, I even sent them an email telling them there are very few benefits to having the JC card, compared to other retailers. I opened one, but, am thinking of cancelling it now, alot of 'hype' for not much bang, IMO.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly about the free or cut-rate shipping. I would definitely get a card if there was free shipping and maybe even if there was a shipping discount. And not just for regular priced items!!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how they treat cardmembers. Today, I called the cardmember special tel. number to place an order and tried to use my 25% off card to buy the editor satchel. They just flatout refused. So, I called the normal JCrew number and asked again if they would allow me to purchase this collection item which was not available in most stores. And this time, they graciously agreed and offered it as a courtesy on other items as well.
ReplyDeleteSo...in IMO they don't offer any special services or treat cardmembers any better.
I totally agree there is no real benefit to having a card. I have a Banana Republic LUXE card and the benefits are outstanding. No shipping charges - ever! Plus, I actually get invites to special events, etc which I never do with J Crew. They could certainly take a few lessons from other retailers.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I hardly ever order anything through CS. I either order online or through my PS. My PS is amazing and is always willing to price match or find any item (even on sale) in stores.
I had the J. Crew credit card several years ago, and they kept trying to sell me magazine subscriptions, and it was practically impossible to cancel. I finally got so fed up, that I canceled the card, which I NEVER do!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others - if there were better benefits - like lowering the minimums for the Rewards Cards, and making flat rate shipping for cardholders. So apparently we're able to get a Personal Shopper appointment before or after store hours? Really? I've NEVER heard this offered before. Still not sure that the "Personal Shoppers" at our local B&M are actual PS, or just SA that call themselves Personal Shoppers. So I don't know if I'd take advantage of that. In other news, I STILL haven't received my rewards card, so mayhaps I'm a bit grouchy. And, to uptown mom's point - I've had MANY similar experiences in calling customer service - it really seems to depend on who you get as to the type of service they're willing to provide.
ReplyDeleteI stopped using mine.
ReplyDeleteAre there any stores out there that offer 10% off ALL purchases to their cardholders? I have cards for a ton of stores: AE, Gap, BR, Old Navy, Limited, Victoria's Secret, Express, Macy's, Nordstrom, and not a SINGLE one offers the flat kind of benefits you're talking about - there's almost always a minimum spend per purchase or yearly to get these kinds of benefits.
ReplyDeleteI see a lot of comparisons to Gap/BR/ON cards on here, but realize that to get Free shipping on ANY purchase, there is a minimum yearly required spend ($800 for Gap, last I checked), so you are paying for it some way or another.
Don't get me wrong, I think that J.Crew's card benefits could be better, especially if they are trying to position themselves as a higher-end brand, but if you're comparing the benefits to other cards, the only thing they don't offer is free shipping.
Free shipping or flat rate $5 shipping for card members is all I want.
ReplyDeleteI think 10% off all purchases is a pipe dream--not a realistic request.
Free or reduced shipping. JCrew CAN and should offer that to card holders.
Also, rewards should be sent with statements as they are reached not just at certain points in the year with at least 3 months to spend. Not a few weeks.
Everyone: Thanks for your great comments! :)
ReplyDeleteLet's be realistic & Anon at 3:34 PM: I mentioned the 10% off all orders because J.Crew already does offer 15% off all orders for students & teachers. So I was just thinking that one way to entice new card members is to offer 10% off all orders. (It's not that crazy of a suggestion either- LOL!) ;)
uptown mom,
ReplyDeleteThat is b/c the special rewards line has trained/competent people working on it who know the rules to JCrew that you tried and did break. The red card is for online only.
Many of the regular reps are newbies and/or don't know what the rules are...
I am so sick of people on this blog trying to get discounts when the red card clearly states: store use only.
With my Gap silver, I get free shipping every time, I get "choose your own sale day coupon(15% off one day at any of the stores over and over) Birthday discount ($15 off $75)and get my reward every $200 spent(not 3 months like j crew)
ReplyDeleteI mean for store use only.
ReplyDeletesorry for the typos. Just get pissed at silly people who like to try and get things when they shouldn't. I am fine now:)
Let's be realistic - Thank you. I almost choked when I saw the comment about 10% off all purchases. I agree that Gap and Banana don't just hand those benefits out to all cardholders. Also, you know those free shipping charges are built in somewhere else. Gap/BR and Ann Taylor have spent many years producing a promotionally based business model, which J. Crew seems to avoid. Actually, I would be happy if they just did double points a few times a year. That is a benefit from my Talbots charge that I love.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 3:34. I agree about the rewards card only being usable for a few weeks. Talbots rewards are good for one year from issue date. I do understand the cards only being issued quarterly though. However, I think because of the hot water that the Gap Corp. got into with their rewards program and the class action lawsuit that resulted might make companies wary.
ReplyDeleteYears back, I opened a Jcrew card and ended up closing it because it had been quite some time and I saw no benefits with my regular use. I figured that I just wasn't spending enough to get the bonus stuff reserved for cardholders.
ReplyDeleteI read later in a magazine that it is much better for your credit to just discontinue use of a credit card rather than cancel it. Can anyone confirm this?
This email doesn't make me rethink opening another. Not at all.
Alexis - the logic behind offering a student discount is to make the line accessible to college students who are (theoretically) living on a smaller budget, as well as to build in some brand loyalty when those students enter the workforce. The educator discount I would imagine is twofold: reward teachers (also theoretically living on a smaller budget), and reduce the headaches in sorting out students from educators with .edu addresses.
ReplyDelete@Anon 3:39 - Yes, you get all those benefits, but if you're Gap Silver, that means that you've already spent $800 (or whatever the amount is) this year - Gap Silver level does not roll over every year - you have to earn it again.
@Cinn - Yes, it is better not to use it than to close. Closing cards basically removes that part of your credit history (good or bad), and many creditors like to see that you have a long(er), established history of credit. If you close a card that was open for a long time, you're effectively whittling down the number of years you've been active with credit/credit cards. If you leave it open but don't use it, the time stays on your history, and just shows that you're not using (which can also work against you).
ReplyDeletefree shipping (even based on amount spent per year) and/or discounted shipping would make the card sweeter.
ReplyDeleteotherwise, even as i work hard at paying off all of my cards i don't plan to close this one. i like it and the rewards cards are nice.
I have a J.Crew silver card and use it on all purchases just to receive the rewards. Never, never carry a balance the interest rate is 20.5%.
ReplyDeletethe student/educator discount has nothing to do with j.crew giving a hand out to those living on "reduced budgets". its all about young impressionable youth.
ReplyDeleteIf you spend $200, J Crew should offer automatic free shipping without a promo code. And a flat shipping rate for its card members is a good idea, too, Alexis. I think I had a J Crew card a long time ago but I much prefer my new BR card and its current offerings. And I do shop a lot @ J Crew but with my rewards Amex. :) The 5% rewards card they offer after $500 is not that much of an incentive for me. If they did a 10% (i.e. $50), I might sign up.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 3:18: Most stores do require some minimum spending amount before free shipping, but at least regular shipping is a flat $7 from Gap, BR, and ON unless they are offering a promo for free shipping. If J Crew did a flat rate or always shipped free after a certain amount spent, then I'd probably order a lot more from them.
Cinn @ 3:58: I've closed out a bunch of old cards that I no longer used but made sure to keep one open that I've had since college days. My credit score is 815 despite closing all those other older accounts. And don't forget to request your free annual credit reports. You can space them out (one from each bureau instead of all 3 at once) 4 months apart.
I got a JC card for 2 reasons - 1 - to get an additional 10% off at our DC JCA shopping event, and 2 - to get the rewards (figured I might as well). And interestingly enough, I got the "are you missing out?" email as well as the "News About Your Credit Card" email - within minutes of each other to the same email address.
ReplyDeleteWay to go with that email address list, J Crew...
Also, Chicos Passport program offers free shipping once you have spent $500 and then 5% off all purchases.
I have a J. Crew credit card and there are a couple of things that are nice like free alterations and the rewards card but they have drawbacks. For instance you can only get free alterations on items you pay full price for. Well I don't pay full price very often so most of the time I can't take advantage of free alterations. Rewards cards are nice if you pay off your balance monthly but if you carry over a balance you end up pay for it in interest.
ReplyDeleteI received the silver card a couple months ago and I don’t know why J. Crew even bothered to send it to me. There are NO additional perks to having the silver card except that it’s a big sign to the SA’s at J. Crew that I spend way too much money.
Honestly I would be happy if they offered flat rate shipping for card holders and maybe a birthday discount but I'm not going to hold my breath for any of these.
I got a JC CC back in 2006. I closed it in 2007 because it had no real benefits to it (even back then).
ReplyDeleteWhen I called CS to cancel it....they were shocked and asked if uping my limit would change my mind. I told them "NO" and they still would not leave me alone. For 20 minutes the guy kept asking me what he could do to keep my business.
IMO they are as bad as a gym membership. I would never get it again.....even with FS and a percentage off. :-(
JC should learn from White House Black Market - after you sign up for their incentive program (not a credit card) and after you spend $300 - you get 5% off and free shipping on purchases.
ReplyDeleteI also think JC should offer a flat shipping rate. They should also honor free shipping from stores for both regular price and sale petite size items.
ReplyDeleteBeing short, I do appreciate the free alterations with the JC card. This fall I purchased a very nice pair of pants in store and had them not only hemmed but the cuff was sized down to be a better proportion for me. That would have cost me $20 if I had it tailored at my own expense.
It's been a long time since a freeship code wasn't available for minimum usually under $200. It's pretty easy to get up to the minimum, I've found. There used to be a number of coupon sites that published the JC FS codes and then I read on the sites that they were specifically asked to remove the codes. I've never heard of such a request on this blog and we can be sure JC reads it or something is up as those of us who published email addresses in the weekly exchange can confirm, having received email from JC without ever disclosing that same email address to them. Draw your own conclusions here.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I don't have a J.Crew card because I would likely spend more than I do already, rationalizing with the rewards. I have been pretty selective with my purchases lately and plan to keep it that way.
To respond to an anon earlier, I don't think that 10% off for JCrew card members is asking for too much. They already offer 10% to those who has student and teacher IDs...It doesn't seem like they should be worried about giving too many people 10% since given their recent ploy to attract new card members, they must not have that many....
ReplyDeletei have a j.crew credit card and i got the email. however, i will say that i have not used the credit card since i got it. the sales at j.crew just haven't been enticing enough for me to buy anything. i guess i grew accustomed to the extra 20% or 30% off promos that j.crew used to offer. i also agree with others on this blog that j.crew's shipping prices are outrageous. no other online retailer that i shop at charges as much for shipping as j.crew does. furthermore, it really makes me mad that they determine shipping by how much something costs as opposed to how much it weighs. for example, if you bought a single dress for full price, that could cost as much to ship as 5-6 items altogether from the sale section. it just seems like a huge rip off. i also have a banana card. they have had some really great promos for cardholders recently, including an additional 10% off in-store purchases that has been going on for a couple of months. j.crew could learn a thing or two from the way banana treats their cardholders, imho.
ReplyDeleteA bank rep told me the other day they are randomly reducing credit limits on people cards if people are close to their limit, or go over. The banks are getting nervous with people losing jobs, high credit balances etc they are cracking down.
ReplyDeleteIf you have alot of cards and not using them why have keep them open it counts towards your total max. available credit.
Banana Republic LUXE card holders get 10% off their purchases every time they use their card regardless. Or at least they have for the past few of months. Plus BR sends out so many coupons and has triple points days for purchases, invites cardholders to special events at the stores, and has free shipping that makes it such a better reward card than JC.
ReplyDeleteJTS: Your answer is correct but your reasoning is wrong. It is bad to cancel your very first credit card because that in fact affects the length of your credit history (credit history length is not cumulative, its just chronological - if you got your first credit card 1 year ago, your credit history is 1 year long, if you opened 3 cards at the same time 1 year ago, your credit history is still 1 year long). Cancelling more recent credit cards does not affect the length of your credit history.
ReplyDeleteIt is bad however to close the credit cards you dont use because it increases your used credit vs. available credit ratio. (the lower that ratio the better, if you are maxing out your credit cards - not so good since its a sign you might default).
I hope this helps!
Around the holidays I opened a JC card because they were offering 20% off with opening your card. Since then I have used the card with on-line promos and in-store, but not to a huge extent. Last month they sent me a silver card but I don't see any additional benefits.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, the one JC store I used to frequent (it's way too far for me to go to on a regular basis now with the kiddos) offered me a personal shopping appointment before store hours on a Sunday. The PS was very nice and had quite a few things already laid out for me, in addition to my specific requests. It was a very pleasant experience and I'm sorry that I can't go there more often....but all this was done *before* I ever had a JC card!
I too would like to see flat-rate shipping ($7.00 works for me!)....I know straight discount across the board is hard to ask, but man, when I see DH's BR Luxe card benefits, I'm extremely envious.
FREE SHIPPING FREE SHIPPING FREE SHIPPING.........THAT IS ALL I WANT. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...
ReplyDeleteOffering a 10% to cardmembers (Garnet Hill offered this before they recently discontinued their credit card) is certainly not unreasonable, nor is a "birthday bonus" (ala Gap). I have Gap Silver status and the requisite constant free shipping, which I "earned" by spending $800 in a calendar year. If any of us is earning a Jcrew Rewards card, we are probably spending at LEAST $800 in a calendar year, so it's not too unrealistic to imagine JCrew offering something similar with their rewards program.
ReplyDeleteI have a Silver JCrew card, and take advantage of the rewards benefit, but overall I'm generally dissatisfied with the lack of perks other retailers seem to be willing to dole out.
**I don't even get catalogs anymore!!!!**
Most places I shop offer a flat-rate shipping like $7, which I find totally reasonable. At nordstrom's if the order is over $200, it's free. at j.crew, I can order a lightweight crappy cashmere sweater for $148 and it'll cost me $14.50 in shipping. That's why I only order with free shipping codes. So in the end j.crew loses. If they had a flat rate all the time, I'd be more likely to order.
ReplyDeleteI have a BR Luxe card, and I am "Luxe for Life" (free shipping, discounts, etc.). It means I don't have to spend the $800 per year, or any minimum. I don't recall how I got it, but I'm lovin' it! In fact, I just ordered my daughter a $10 package of underwear from ON with free shipping! Maybe tomorrow I'll order a $2 lipgloss from GAP...:)
ReplyDeleteafter reading about uptown mom's experience i called using the 25% off over the phone (on the liberty vintage-floral perfect shirt, .com/catalog only). the first time they told me i'd have to do it from the red phone at the store. after work i called back and they applied it immediately and even gave me free shipping. so, awesome! that is the one thing in the may collection that i fell in love with immediately. :)
ReplyDeleteRosette tee sighting at the king of prussia store - there were probably 20+ of them, 2-3 stacks in the pink color and one stack in natural (or is it white?). All sizes XS-L were available. Price is still $48.
ReplyDeleteSales section contained plenty of shorts, kelly dress shirts, merino microstripe & chiffon cardis, and dresses. I remember seeing the tea rose jayne dress in 0 and 10 for $99, and the blush color capri pants for $19.99.
BTW, madewell is finally coming to kop in june! So excited
I have both Banana Luxe card and JCrew card.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to purchase, I use Banana Luxe card instead of my credit card, and I use my credit card instead of my JCrew card.
Basically, I regret that I opened the JCrew card. I don't like the way they send out reward -- if you spent $499, you don't get any reward, because the reward is for every $500. I would like to see flat 5% reward instead. Also, you have to wait for long long time to get it. The reward expires super fast too. All of this amounts to practically 2% reward at best, which oh, by the way, is worse than the reward I get from my credit card company. LOL.
None of the above is an issue with the BR card that I oh-so-LUV.
When I use BR Luxe card, I do feel like I am treated as a Luxe member.
[Let's be realistic... said...] keeps pointing out how Luxe card or Silver card requires minimum $800 purchase a year, (are you a JC employee... btw?) but with the all time no minimum free shipping and all kinds of interesting discount offers, I find it very easy to spend way over than that. Talk about marketing skill ; ) The funny thing is even after spending, I feel good about BR.
JCrew on the other hand, I love their style, I love their color, but I hate the inconsistent quality, and equally inconsistent service. I used to think JCrew has excellent quality of customer service, but not sure about it these days. JCrew often gives me bitter after taste after shopping. (like giving me a empty sales speech over the phone, while fixing their own errors as a one time courtesy. oh god...)
Hmmm... what are your conclusions? I'm really curious and tried to guess by reading your post a few times. Would love to know if I guessed right.
ReplyDelete^ I should have said,
ReplyDeleteHmm... at 3:46
What are your conclusions?
Wow, I wish JC would read the posts in this topic ~ I did send them some choice comments & got a BS answer back from them, but, if they read this they would see I am not alone by any means...just sayin.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what the exact dates for rewards cycles are? Or, where I can find them? I can never figure out how it works. The card I received yesterday seemed somewhat low. Also, points don't carry over, right?
ReplyDeleteI have a JC CC and have used it 3 times this year. I got this email. I am not JC's best customer nor it's worst. I never receive extras (like the Mickey 25% off card). I have had it up to "here" with JC and prefer to shop where the sales are better and free shipping flows like water. My Gap Silver card offers so much more in the way of rewards and Ann Taylor and AT Loft always have sales and free shipping. Perhaps it's time to say buh bye J Crew.
ReplyDeleteJ screws customers on their shipping. They are making a profit on this practice.
ReplyDeleteanon at 8:48. rewards timelines are as follows: Jan 1-mar 31. April 1-June 30. July 1-Sept 30. Oct 1-Dec 31. And yes they carry over.( so if you have 750 at the end of a cycle, you'll get one $25 rewards card, and the extra 250 points will go towards your next cycle.) Cards are usually in hand about 3 weeks after the end date ( so, the last period ended march 31, hence why we are receiving cards now,about April 27th)
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 9:06: I LOVE that new nickname! JScrew!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJcrewlover- Thank you SOOO MUCH!
ReplyDeleteI received this email, but I also do not have a J.Crew card. I do have a Gap Silver card and love the benefits. Since I buy from ON and Gap for my entire family it's easy to spend the $800 a year to qualify, and I really like the fact that I can order anything at anytime and it ships for free. I actually used to order a lot more online from J.Crew when they had the Free ship/No minimum codes...too bad they did away with them.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I am missing out. I would bite if they offered free shipping like others have mentioned. JCrew's shipping cost is out of this world.
ReplyDeleteUmm, how is it that I got this e-mail but I'm a cardmember? They really need to update their list.
ReplyDeleteHere is my wish list for my JCrew card:
ReplyDelete*Free shipping after I spend $800- $1000 each year.
*25% off cards to use with each new rollout -good for 2 weeks. This would encourage us to buy Full Price items @ 25% off right at the start of a season. This has to be better for Jcrew then us waiting until everything is in Final Sale.
*Special incentives on certain items each month. Like 10% off Jewelry in January, 10% off Menswear in Feb, 10% off Shoes in March etc...something other than just free alterations!
I have a JCrew card and would appreciate a little more LOVE from J Crew!
Twiga
Anon @ 8:30PM: I agree with everything you said.
ReplyDeleteTwiga: We all love J Crew's style and I think more love from J Crew would be great to see.
Thanks JTS, Anon @ 4:26 and Anon @ 6:00 - your are all very helpful. I've been getting credit reports, but had no idea about the ratio. Very interesting!
ReplyDelete@Mary @ 6:36, I also don't get my catalogs anymore (I used to get 2 copies due to a mispelling over the phone), and I'm getting all sorts of emails that I had opted out of before (crewcuts, factory). I updated my preferences.
Are they skimping on paper mailings and focusing on spamming our inboxes?
If Jcrew reads this blog, please read this:
Filter your email lists! You are confusing or annoying your recipients.
The only store card I currently have is my Victoria's Secret card that I'm able to keep at a very low minimum. They send out birthday cards with a gift certificate every year, and periodically (like every two to three months) send free gift cards in the mail. Usually it's free undies or perfume to get you in the store which is nice, and there's almost never a purchase you need to make to get the gift, which is nicer! You are able to use up to three coupon or discount codes at at time when ordering from the website, and there are routinely new coupons sent to cardholders. All that is in addition to the reward cards which seem to be a standard thing for store cards. I tend to be more likely to use my VS card when they're offering double or triple points and cash or debit the rest of the time when I shop instore, but it's been good for me to have the card for about eight years now. Due to the low amount of perks the JC card offers, I've never been tempted to apply for it, no matter how often I shop there.
ReplyDeleteI put my order in just before the update this morning. Went back to look but nothing new that I wanted so that's good. I hate to have to pay double shipping.
ReplyDeleteThink I will call and ask for free shipping because I got one of those welcome emails with FS. Maybe they will apply it after the fact.
There simply aren't enough benefits to merit getting this card. Compare the benefits on this card, essentially a 0.5% rebate, with the other cards out there and it's no contest. Gap/Banana Republic card benefits are far superior - I just don't like the clothes nearly as much as j crew's. With an REI credit card, you get 5% rebate on all REI purchases, 1% on all purchases, and that's on top of the approximately 10% rebate you get as a member. If Jcrew were to offer a 1% rebate on all purchases, 5% on Jcrew items and perhaps a discount on shipping, I think that it would find a huge increase in the number of card holders. The increase in sales alone would probably be enough to offset any loss in profitability due to the 5% discount.
ReplyDeleteFor all those who say Gap's cards' rewards are so much better, here's an objective, mathematical comparison:
ReplyDeleteFor Gap:
-5 points for every dollar spent
-Every 1,000 points ($200) you get $10
-That's a 5% return
For J.Crew:
-1 point for every dollar (simplified)
-Ever 500 points ($500) you get $25
-That's a 5% return
The main differences between the programs is that Gap's are on a rolling basis (not quarterly like J.Crew's), and J.Crew gives rewards in $25 (500 spend) increments, rather than $10 (200 spend). I'm not saying one program is better than the other, but it's mathematically incorrect that the Gap rewards give you a better return on your spend.