A big "thanks!" to From J.Crew: Best of the Best - Free Alterations!
The mailing sent to customers (both card members *and* non-card members) revealed free alterations for a limited time. The following note was included:Best of the BestAs he fine print of this offer reveals the following:
We want your experience in our stores in 2010 to be the absolute best it can be. I'm pleased to include a look at our special services available exclusively for you as one of our best customers. We look forward to seeing you in the year ahead, and if there is anything we can do for you in the meantime, please let us know.
Best wishes,
Tracy Garner
24-7@jcrew.com
*Free standard alterations can be applied to full-price items only. Offer valid from March 1st, 2010 through March 31st, 2010. Bring in this card to receive this complimentary service.How cool is having J.Crew "courier service"? Loves it! As for the marketing piece, it is nice to see J.Crew send rewards (big & small) to customers. :)
**Courier service available in New York City only. In other locations, UPS overnight service will be provided. A few location restrictions may apply.
What are your thoughts on the mailing? Do you think this is a good incentive for J.Crew to offer customers? Was it a smart move to send this to existing card members (who already benefit from this service all year round)?
Just wanted to give you a heads up, but I received a 20% off $100 coupon for the crewlet. It expires on April 4th.
ReplyDeleteSomeone awhile back had said that their relationship with jc was like a relationship with a bad boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteHave we forgotten how spotty their service is? How unforgivable their policies are? How crummy their clothing is?
It seems like after every storm (i.e., taking away the ability to combine discounts), there is always this attempt at taking us on a honeymoon. I don't buy this one bit. Once they were done taking my hard earned money, I seriously felt like damaged goods.
Ok. Enough from me. I'm going to crawl back into bed at the Women's Shelter I'm staying at. Thanks a lot, jc.
If this was free alteration even on sale items it would have been fantastic. My BR Luxe card gives me free alterations for both FP and sale items.
ReplyDeleteUnless JCrew can match that I am not taking advantage of this time limited "yeah, we're doing you a big favor so go ahead and buy full price" line.
I am already a JCrew card holder, but for those who are not it maybe an incentive to buy those suits that needs alteration.
shopmore, was your coupon in a catalog? Or, was it a separate mailing? TIA!
ReplyDeletethat's so silly that they would send a card if we already knew that this service was available! what a waste of paper!
ReplyDeleteRynetta,
ReplyDeleteIt was a postcard.
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ReplyDeletePerhaps they want to entice customers to sign up for the card if they want the benefits beyond the expiration date of the postcard. It's nice to get a free pant hem, but I prefer to take my items to my regular tailor. You're not getting a pro to pin your pants when you're in the store and I always feel a bit nervous about that.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, I have irl pics of the tie dye Wednesday skirt in this post.
Jcrew really thinks we are fools. By using words like 'white-glove front line service' etc, they seriously think we will run to the stores to get a 'drop' of their service ( or maybe kiss the white-gloved hand :) LOL ), pay full price and have sweet dreams about it at night. Thanks , but no thanks I would rather buy when they have a good deal for me.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethanks, shopmore!!!!
ReplyDeleteI got a card too - mine doesn't have the alteration stuff and is only 1/2 as large as what RatsOnParade has pictured (only 2 sides instead of 4 (1. personal shopper, 2. private store hours, 3. doorstep delivery, 4. our promise to you). BUT my question is: if we use the personal shopper we get free overnight delivery if it's over $300? Is this only in person or can it be on the phone? Cuz I would love free overnight delivery...
ReplyDeleteOT-but I am thinking that instead of J Crew's "borrowed from the boys" styling motto..Ann Taylor/The Loft's could be, "borrowed from J Crew". Their vibe is looking quite... identical.. these days;)
ReplyDeleteAs for this card..I agree with what people are posting about the obvious. But maybe some aren't aware and it's helpful to those new to the brand etc.
ReplyDeleteI will say I didn't know you could establish a before or after hours appointment to shop. That is nice but I would be far too embarrassed to ask for that! I think I can "fit" the time in during normal business hours;)
I agree with what everyone else has already said. It's slightly insulting for cardholders, and isn't going to change my buying habits for the month of March. Gigi is so right - the people pinning you for alterations have no idea. Case in point: my PS told me to bring in my twisted-strap jersey dress last summer to have the shoulder seam taken up. Without getting into all the details, it is about the easiest ateration EVER, but I couldn't find my sewing machine in the moving mess. Anyway, I brought it back and 2 SAs told the couldn't do it. Then the manager came and told me they couldn't do it because there was no way to pin it. Again, too complicated to explain how easy this was, but it annoyed me so much since it was so clear they had no idea. Motto: like Gigi said, go straight to the tailor.
ReplyDeleteshopmore, another question about the coupon: was it store-specific (meaning for just one location) and if so, would you mind saying which one?
ReplyDeleteI think this is great marketing to the casual J.Crew buyer who probably doesn't know about this service. But for savvy JCAs it's a little silly.
ReplyDeletemommydearest, there wasn't any specific outlet listed. Hoping to see what goodies they have. I love coupons :)
ReplyDeleteFunny I got a card in the mail last week touting 4 'services', sans the expert alterations.
ReplyDeleteJC does seem to cater to customers' needs, what else can you explain the different level of services offered? :)
That old adage "You get what you pay for" sums up my experience with J Crew's free alteration service. I had them lengthen the cuffs on a suit jacket and the workmanship was shoddy (loose seams) and materials used were sub-standard and not worthy of the nice suit material. I have to take it to a real tailor and pay to have it redone.
ReplyDeleteTo jump on the bandwagon, I feel it's best to spend the extra money on professional alterations. This wouldn't entice me to spend any more with J. Crew. Now, if they want to offer free shipping/no minimum for that period, I'm game!
ReplyDeleteOT: I, like many other JCAs, just received the February catalog with the expired free shipping code inside. I called CS, and they honored it for me today without any fuss. Since there's no other FS code floating around today, thought I'd pass that on!
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. The tailor that they used at my JCrew was not competent! I tried 3 times to have items sewn and it was not a good experience. I believe they hire the tailor with the lowest bid to do their work. I can sew better myself!
I received the expired code last month and CS would not honor it when I called, dealing with JC CS is such a crapshoot! it all depends on who you get.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of codes, does anyone have one for free shipping?
ReplyDeletesweetsy, ITA. If I made an appointment before or after normal store hours, I'd feel obligated to spend a lot. And, like several others have already noted, the free alterations aren't worth much since they hire people with very limited sewing knowledge.
ReplyDeleteDitto to that Heidi!
ReplyDeleteLet's move those merchandise, JCrew!
I don't mind that Ann Taylor, Talbots, and White House/Black Market are "borrowing from J Crew". It gives me more options.
ReplyDeleteJC has had one of the best retail business models during the recession. The competition is going to take what they see are the best elements.
I've been shopping at both AT and Talbots more and am impressed. I bought a scarf at Talbots and not only did I get a 20 percent off coupon, but a charming how to tie a scarf booklet.
I am in desperate need of Spring/Summer clothing---particularly 2 pairs of City fit Super 120s pants. I refuse to buy them until I can at least get free shipping. If I'm going to shell out that much $ for 2 pairs of pants, the least J.Crew can do is give me free shipping.
ReplyDeleteThey really need to offer a 20% discount on new spring merchandise or something along those lines. I'm really disappointed in their lack of customer service. No incentive buy until I can at least get free shipping on order that well exceeds $200.00!
Netdeva,
ReplyDeleteI too got that little booklet with my recent scarves purchase from Talbots. Really nice. I know have 3 of them b/c I bought so many of their scarves recently. 3 orders in the past two months:) I am going to give one to my sister and another to a friend when I give them their gift scarves. I am really loving Talbots right now for accessories. Now, need to get back to their clothes. I used to buy from them in the 90's a lot.
departing from the usual rants about poor customer service in canada, Club Monaco, which is a Canadian chain which was bought by Ralph Lauren a few years back, has ALWAYS offered free alterations on full priced items. So this so called offer with expiration date from jcrew is pretty poor...
ReplyDeleteThanks Shopmore! I got mine today, but it's a slightly different offer: 20% $125 until 4/12. Weird. But I'm just happy it came. :)
ReplyDeleteIf anyone has been lately or goes soon, would you post on what the outlets have right now?