Wednesday, August 11, 2010

J.Crew Email: NEW STYLES ADDED to final sale (plus, FREE SHIPPING)

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Silver Lining (in this post), Ema (in this post), as well as Marietta & Irina, who let us know about J.Crew's latest email.

J.Crew is announcing that even more new styles have been added to their Final Sale (click here to shop online)! This offer also extends to brick & mortar stores. Some new items to sale include:
  • Katelyn Ruffle Cardigan (Item 29003; $78.00, now $49.99)
  • Haya Zip-Up Hoodie (Item 27666; $65.00, now $39.99)
  • Perfect-Fit Stripe Boatneck Tee (Item 27743; $39.50, now $24.99)
  • Superfine Cotton Pencil Skirt (Item 21325; $98.00, now $69.99)
  • Bettina Cami (item 28505; $79.50, select colors like Rust & Navy now $49.99)
  • Pilar Paisley Cami (Item 28503; $89.50, now $49.99)
They are also offering free shipping on orders of $100+ with promo code SHIP100. This offer expires today, 8/11/10.

Will you be checking out the Final Sale? Any new styles interest you? If so, please share! :)

77 comments:

  1. Shimmer Crinkle Shell- anyone reviews? Does it hold up? Fall apart with washing? TIA :-D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Why does everything go on sale right after I buy it so I have to go through either returning and rebuying for old stuff with the tags still on it or price adjusting the other stuff. If they would just set the prices lower to begin with they wouldn't have to constantly put stuff on sale. UGH!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was just about to tell y'all that i'd spotted some new arrivals in the sale section this morning ... also, prices on some items appear to have dropped. I picked up the suckered gingham shirt (abyss blue) to add to my collection now that it's down to $39.99 (yay!) and the free ship on $100+ didn't hurt either. Got my husband a shirt also -- he's become a fan as of late (and unfortunately that means THREE crewladers in my house, eek!).

    I also got myself a pair of the luxe knit drawstring pants ... hoping the knees are not going to get super baggy on me when I wear them. Does anyone have a pair? How does the sizing run, and do the knees stretch out? tia!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! The markdowns on the new arrivals seem to be happening quicker with each rollout. Perhaps business isn't as good as they make it out to be...

    ReplyDelete
  6. JS-I couldn't agree more. But that's not how retail works.

    They try to get as many people as they can to impulse buy (such as selling sweaters and tweed jackets at full price when it's still 100 degrees). When they see they have an abundance, they mark down (often to the retail price it should have been to begin with, imo). A fine balancing act to figure out how much to make and the absolute highest price they can reasonably (ha!) charge.

    When they realize it isn't moving, down it goes. I often think they know they will only sell so many at the ridiculous price and have a time-line for mark-downs. After this long at the ridiculous price, then we will lower to the realistic retail price and customers will think it's a deal!

    Then there's the case where the fit or design isn't working (ill fit and/or unraveling) and an item isn't selling so it's reduced. They realize it was a poorly executed and it gets marked way down and sold off to some poor soul at final sale.

    The items they are pushing out are really lacking quality, fit and consistency in sizing. I cannot believe some of the stuff I have seen..and truthfully, now that I look at other retailers more closely, JC prices are just ridiculous for the quality. I am not going to be fooled. I won't buy anything full-price anymore and if I miss it..I didn't need it anyway;) I haven't been one to come on here and complain too much, if at all, about J Crew's declining quality. But I am starting to notice things, too.

    I am only biting if it's super-special/unique to them and the quality is there. There are too many other retailers charging less for the same style..and in some cases the quality is better if not equal. I am actually shocked at the copying of J Crew that I am seeing in every catalog this Fall. These other retailers know JCrew is one of few that is weathering this recession and they are being copied..big-time. It will be interesting to see what happens now that they have more competition as time goes on.
    Off my soapbox;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, I wouldn't buy the Bettina top for $80, but am considering it at $49. Still a little high, IMO. ITA about the declining quality. Earlier this year I bought the sequined flip flops and they lost all the sequins w/in a few days/weeks of me wearing them. I was able to return them w/o difficulty at least. And I also tried desperately to buy the Fenton/Fallon rumpled rhinestone bracelet. I loved it. But it broke the day I wore it. So, I tried rebuying it TWO more times and it broke in the EXACT same spot. I was bummed out, but again, at least was able to return the item. I do feel that quality has declined. I mentioned to the SA at the store that I had never had problems w/quality like this in the past.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh yeah, I would love the buy the sparkle waves t-shirt, but when I put it in my shopping bag it says "final sale". What up w/that? I'm wondering if it's on sale at my b&m store?

    ReplyDelete
  9. I will not be shopping this Final Sale. As silver_lining said in another thread, I will not buy something marked down 1st round as FS. The idea that you cannot return something you haven't even tried on is just absurd. Also, the prices aren't that low to be FS.

    That said, Elaine, did you take your 'normal' perfect fit shirt size on the suckered gingham shirt? ;-)

    sweetsy, ITA!
    Has anyone seen the BR 'lookbook?' I received one with a nice 30% & 25% off coupon, but even their wording "borrowed from the boys" line had me cracking! Very similar styles, tweeds, marled knits, ruffle camis, ballet flats, etc.
    If JC will not offer decent price for their quality I will have to go to a retailer who offers me incentives to shop.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Why does my "offer" say free shipping on crewcuts and not the other $100 free shipping that was noted yesterday? I thought that one expired at midnight today?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I also have a feeling extra % off final sale will be coming up soon...next week? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. jcrewphd: I received the BR lookbook the other day and was planning a post on my blog about it. I really like several of their new arrivals and have found their quality to be very good on the purchases I've made recently.

    Speaking of BR...did anyone get a 40% off email from them today?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sweetsy, I totally agree. How about more quality vs. quantity? I vote for more edited, unique & quality pieces. Frankly, I wonder how many of the items pass the go-ahead for production. Don't they ask their quality control team to test the product for a few weeks, how it holds up, can I walk, can I sit, before it goes into production? I was just at a B&M & noticed how the short skirts looked ridiculous even on their thin & svelte mannequins. If they gain back their reputation for quality, there will be fewer returns even without final sale.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I HATE it when they do this! I just bought that navy skirt at full price...when will I learn?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I wonder if we aren't seeing a "housecleaning" of what was in the making before the new team took over? If so, I wonder what we'll see when the new team finds its feet?

    Gentle hint: when you find your feet, please let them not be wearing thin black knee-his with high-heeled sandals, rolled denim shorts, sequin top & feather vest. Think I'm joking? Try the main window of the wedding store on Madison Avenue. Lord, lord, what you see when you haven't got a gun.

    ReplyDelete
  16. jcrewphd, i would say yes, that shirt runs TTS. i have both the 'perfect shirt' version, which i think has smaller checks, and the larger check version and BOY am i getting my wear out of them this summer! they're about the only thing i can wear that isn't sleeveless but still keeps me looking and feeling nice and cool.

    i really think there's something to the idea of wearing a natural fabric like this seersuckered cotton, or madras, or linen and wearing it in a light color ... it really does deflect heat and let air circulate a bit!

    i had to stop myself from buying the marigold suckered shirt. i already have that color in the smaller checks. i had to get a grip. heehee. i pretty much have ALL the others though. i figure they'll never go out of style.

    ReplyDelete
  17. oh, and the ship100 code still works. i used it this morning.

    i think i shall take a stroll through my B&M this afternoon to see if any goodies are hiding!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I did not realize that now everything goes immediately to "final sale" now even as a first round markdown. That is ridic! Will not be ordering if that's the case.

    ReplyDelete
  19. BLAH! sorry to be a boardhog!

    i wanted to mention that i picked up the dot chiffon Betsy wrap cami for $25 (YES! $25!) on eBay about a week ago and just wore it for the first time yesterday. i like it a lot and i think it runs true to size. thanks to a tiny hook & eye fastener that you'd miss if you weren't looking for it, i can wear it without a cami underneath it. but i do find myself needing a button & loop over at the waist, on the outside of the shirt, to keep the part that's wrapped over in place (does that make sense?).

    i think this shirt is meant to be worn in a slight blouson style, otherwise it looks a little funny wearing a wrap top with such a skinny little tie (it's like a spaghetti strap). i thought it looked a lot better when i bloused the top out over the tie just slightly.

    anyway, my point is, you may want to consider checking this out if indeed extra20 or extra30 pops up in coming weeks. i still would not pay $69.50 for it, much less $98!

    ReplyDelete
  20. "That said, Elaine, did you take your 'normal' perfect fit shirt size on the suckered gingham shirt? ;-) "

    I have this shirt as well (love it!!!) and I took my usual size 2. Fits perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  21. HA. Not surprised. Quality issues are rampant, and i was kinda shocked to see what an UNLINED jacket looked like in the B&M. Strange I have never seen an unlined jacket before - i thought they were selling a defected garment. And of course they were asking top dollar for that.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ashley - you're right, and I think it's ridiculous that they tout these shortcuts such as unlined jackets, raw edges, and exposed seams as 'edgy'. One of the tweed jackets - I think it was that silvery Collection one that looked like a cropped trench - had a description that something to the effect of "unfinished edges keep it from feeling too fussy". Well excuuuuse me! I didn't know how high maintenance I was being by expecting a $300+ jacket to be finished.

    FFM, I haven't received a 40% BR code (and was hoping to - I've got them the last 3 weeks or so).

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ashley & Silver Lining, I imagine you expect your cashmere not to pill and your tees to last more than one gentle washing as well. These are really sad comments.

    ReplyDelete
  24. ITA silver_lining. I wouldn't touch those items, not even if they were $20 - because that's essentially burning money. You know it's going to fall apart after a few wears.
    I was into the silk lumiere camis last year, and NONE of them have made it to this season. Which is crap, because they were awesome under cardigans. Glad I at least got them on sale, but I know some people paid FP and are prolly really heated about that.

    I bought the Khloe - we'll see if it has any RAMPANT design flaws, but I wouldn't be surprised if I just return it at this point.

    ReplyDelete
  25. @pathos: I have the Shimmer Crinkle Shell in the silver and love it...has held up well. I wash inside out in a lingerie bag and hang to dry though. HTH

    ReplyDelete
  26. OT but net-a-porter has new JC fall offerings that the JC site doesn't have yet including 2 I was interested in. The prices are generally higher though:

    http://www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/JCrew/All

    ReplyDelete
  27. A little OT: Has anyway seen the sailor stripe always cardigan in stores recently? It's an older item so it may longer be available. TIA for the help, I have a rewards card to burn :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I was happy to see the superfine cotton suiting marked down, as I was waiting for that and bonus - it is not listed as final sale. These pieces are well-made and extremely comfortable due to the special weave that gives it stretch in 100% cotton. Maybe still a bit pricey for some but a good deal on quality cotton suiting and even better if there is an extra % off added on top of the reduction. My sizes are almost gone so I pulled the trigger on the nouvelle jacket and another pair of pants. Sadly, the skirt is not available in the beechwood in my size and I already have the others. The navy color matched last year's if anyone is looking to add to their existing pieces.

    The email has the SHIP100 code in it and says it expires today. I believe Alexis included that info in the original post.

    Not to burst your bubble but everyone is not copying J.Crew, they are all copying what designers had on the runway for fall and J.Crew is copying it too. J.Crew is no longer offering many unique designs, they are mostly following the herd.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I just saw it (navy) in the North Ave Chicago store.

    ReplyDelete
  30. xoxo-
    I know it ALL begins on the runway but JC was first in line for many of the trends. I am talking first before regular old mall retailers such as Gap, Banana, LOFT etc.

    They had the rolled denim with heels look going long before all the others copied. They brought back distressed (holey) denim and the socks with heels that is just now being touted in this months InStyle mag as something us "regular folk" are supposed to give a whirl-no thanks;)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I agree with most... How fast things are being marked down is shocking. What happened to their business model? This only discourages us from buying things full price. It's almost consistent with what we've been noticing - Jcrew has chosen to sacrifice quality and attention to details in making a classic item, and instead chose to come up with items of average quality, price them high still, but mark them down when merchandise is not moving. I wanted the Bettina in rust, but boy, won't touch FS as I haven't even had a chance to try on the size in the stores! Plus, all sizes are still available!!!

    Jcrew must be wondering why their merchandise is not moving...Duh! Because we all know it'll go on sale aproximately a month later...so it's Jcrew who has turned us (or me at least) into a sale shopper I'd say 70% of the time!

    Waiting patiently for the extra % for FS...

    ReplyDelete
  32. Elaine -
    Thanks for the input on the gingham shirt. My purple one came last week and I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Michelle - I also saw the navy at UVillage (Seattle) on Monday.

    JCrew - we know you read this - I won't be buying final sale. Please make fewer items of better quality.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Heidi: I totally heard ya! It's almost as if Jcrew doesn't have enough confidence in their products. So sad!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. sweetsy, I haven't been to a GAP store in years and we don't have LOFT or J.Crew stores here in Canada but I do agree that J.Crew had some trends before Banana. I guess J.Crew took them mainstream but I noticed them before they appeared there so just a different perspective. I tend to shop most of my wardrobe at smaller boutiques and the fashionable staff are always on the edge.

    My point was more that J.Crew is no longer doing much that is unique to distinguish themselves from other retailers. There may be the odd piece here and there, but not much. They certainly used to have some items that could not be found at the rest of the stores in the mall and I miss that.

    ReplyDelete
  37. OT: Thanks for the information regarding BR silver_lining! I hope they aren't discontinuing with the email codes for now. I also had a couple of items I was planning on ordering today.

    Back on topic: Mickey once stated that he didn't want J.Crew to be a *sale* store, yet that is basically what it has become at this point. Anytime I'm in the B&M I rarely see anyone shopping up front in the *full-price* section because they are always in the sale area at the back.

    ReplyDelete
  38. pathos - Irl pic of the shimmer crinkle shell in this post. I didn't purchase it, so I don't know about washing it.

    Regarding the markdowns. I heard that the stores were going to markdown or promo some of the new items as they did a week ago. They had to move the summer out to physically make room for the fall rollout. They still have to have markdowns which is why we're seeing them. I didn't know they'd also be online like we're seeing them. I'm surprised at some of the prices and even though I heard it was coming, am still surprised at how soon they've been marked.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am really surprised that something like the sparkle waves henley was marked down so quickly and went directly to FS. It doesn't look like a good move to me: personally I was waiting for a promo on tees to maybe get it, but now that it's FS I am not so sure that I'm going to order it, unless I find it in a store. It looks like they want to prevent returns by marking stuff as FS, even if it means selling them for a lower price. Just my two cents.

    I agree that asking $79 for a cotton cami like the Bettina was crazy...

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am also surpised at the quick markdowns, and the $100 minimum, which we haven't seen in a couple years, right?

    Poor little chili pepper tee, you had potential during the Santa Fe craze of the 80s.

    I have a closet full of JCrew, mostly from 2007 and 2008, some 2009. So some of the reason I'm not buying is that I don't need more of the same: cords, pencil skirts, jackets. One of the things that is really disappointing me is the sweaters. Well-known cashmere and dream issues aside, the recent ones with potential for me have all been horrendous blends. I didn't even look twice at the alpaca cardi in store because I figured it would be a pilly mess after one wearing. They used to do 100% wool/merino, and I wish they'd get back to that. I'd kill for a couple classy sweater jackets, for example. If they would go back to some classic preppy styles, adding a sense of humor and retro vibe (NOT ruffles, please!) and I'd be in line to buy them.

    Talbots and BR don't do it for me, so I'm hoping JCrew comes through soon.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Michelle - I think I saw the always striped cardigan at JCrew in Boston, Copley place.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I second the come back of classy sweater jackets!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have been eyeing the silk motorcycle jacket....I was going to get it today witht he ship100 coupon. Then TODAY, it went from $139.99 to $99! Sweet! Then I had to buy something else to get above $100. I ended up spending $138! I feel like I have a little victory because I still did not pay the $139. $1 less, but still less, even with taxes! LOL

    Does anyone have the Silk Motorcyle jacket? Do you like it?

    ReplyDelete
  44. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Wearing my fleurette skirt for the second time today and I already noticed some fraying of the fabric at the seam in the seat area. This skirt is a bit loose on the waist, even though this is my regular size.

    I am quite disappointed.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Re: sweater jackets, I saw a new, not yet online, sweater jacket in NJ store and it looked great. They had them in dark green (olive?) and pewter I think. It has shawl colar heavy knit, bigger buttons and patch pockets. It hits at hip. I really liked it but it was $138, so hard to spend now with 90 degrees outside for another 2 months.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Nina Garcia has a new book out today. She's asked a few questions of which one is where she fills in the gaps (outside of investment pieces) she mentions J Crew:

    http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/08/nina_garcia_wants_to_be_your_s.html

    InStyle "makeover" mag has an Ulta advertisement with the Lollipop Ribbon Jacket-sorry no scanner:(

    ReplyDelete
  48. ajc beat me to it but I also saw a new item yesterday in store that was definitely in the sweater jacket realm. I only saw the deep olive green...

    ReplyDelete
  49. I started buying from J. Crew with their second-ever catalogue (yes, I'm older than dirt). You may well gape with astonishment, but back then their return policy was simply "Return anything at any time for any reason. Period." And there was no such thing as "Final Sale."

    And life was good.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sandy - no way! Ironic too, because back when the quality was better people probably didn't return as much. JCA's have said it before, and I do believe that FS on this season stuff (yeah, I get that they can't keep old stuff around forever) conveys the message that JC doesn't stand behind their products and therefore doesn't care if their customers are stuck with ill-fitting or poor quality merchandise.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I saw the new sweater jacket in the same two colors and it looks to be super-nice quality. The SA helping me had it on. I will have to bring my man in to see it as he is picky about buttons and details (... I know, but at least he cares and he is usually right)

    ReplyDelete
  52. I just bought the sparkle waves henley so I am going in to do a price adjustment! My store just got it like two weeks ago so I am very surprised.

    For anyone interested in it- it runs very big. I bought an XS and it is still very loose and I am normally a size 2 and I typically buy a S in tee shirts. I also bought a couple of the scoop neck henleys that look just like the sparkle waves shirt in XS and they fit snug, for comparison.

    ReplyDelete
  53. FFM: I don't believe BR is doing an August Wednesday promotion.. I was in there last week and when I checked out they handed me four Wednesday coupons for September.

    ReplyDelete
  54. When I stopped in for a load of returns yesterday, it included the Bettina. Yes, I drank the crewlade at FP, then realized I have a layering piece in pretty much the exact same color. duh. But my PS didn't know/mention that it was dropping in price the next day. Annoying.

    She did mention that next week there will be a much bigger fall rollout ("the main one" in her words). So we'll see if there's anything more exciting to come. We can only hope.

    ReplyDelete
  55. silver_lining - So under the old policy (a policy I believe they retained for years), I would have been able to return the Space-dyed Henley Tank, for instance, whose seams unraveled when I washed it (very gently) the second time. I think the only item I ever returned from way back was an otherwise extremely sturdy striped rugby shirt with a red dye that bled slightly when I washed it.

    I have a pair of JC Italian-style loafers that are about 17 years old, were made in Italy, are still stylish, and now fit my feet like custom-tailored gloves. I've had them re-soled at least four times because they're one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.

    Sorry, I know this topic is OLD, but ah, the good ol' days...

    ReplyDelete
  56. Sorry for the slightly OT post, but for those of you that own the metallic beach cardigan in camel, do you think it transitions into fall? I have been eyeing this for months, and hate to pay full price but it appears to be one of those odd items that isn't making it to sale. Thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  57. JC will still take back defective stuff even if you bought it final sale. But that's the only reason they will accept FS returns I believe.

    Stopped into B&M at lunch. They had the betsey dot wrap cami for 59.99, and the pilars, cardis, and t's just marked down for same as online price. They also had several of those $250 flash flower bib necklaces in the peach color for $49.99. The stuff was not final sale. Lame that online is FS and store where you can actually try on is not.

    I tried on a few things and found all the knits/cardis to be ill-fitting--too long, too cropped, sleeves too tight or too baggy. The only thing I liked was the pilar cami but I will wait for % off.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I bought the pilar paisley cami at full price, but returned it to the store today. If anyone purchases it, check the bottom seam. It is tucked under and sewn with odd plastic thread- like fishing line! Mine came unraveled after an hour of wear.

    ReplyDelete
  59. JulieBee: I've had similar quality issues with my Island paisley perfect shirt. The silk fabric was sewn unraveled by the seam along the whole sleeve.
    I've also had several silk camis hem come undone with just one wear for couple hours.

    ReplyDelete
  60. (fist shaking) where do I even begin about 1st markdowns going to Final Sale??? Gonna hit the mall tonight to see what's out there in the real world, try some stuff on and touch/feel the merch before actually pulling out my credit card!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Just came back from Jcrew and checked out the new sweater jacket...I'm not sure if I really do not like it, or it's just that it's 75+ degrees outside...

    I didn't like the style so much as I found the collar to be too big and overwhelming. In addition, the wool material made it really heavy and bulky. It doesn't flatter like the sweater jackets from previous seasons, such as the Piazza or Alice. I guess it just didn't work for me. It'd be nice to hear what others think about it once they see it in the stores.

    ReplyDelete
  62. As expected the Khloe cami is a frumpy hot mess of a thing. Going right back. It shouldn't come frayed in the mail either. Just sayin.

    ReplyDelete
  63. FFM: I was in BR today and my store was doing one of those after 5 events with discounts on the 17th. Don't know if all of them are doing it, but they told me it would be 25% off.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Looked through my Garnet Hill catalog for fall today. It also has the line: Borrowed from the Boys!!!! LOL.

    I agree that JCrew is just following the trends and other stores are doing the same. I don't really think they are copying JCrew directly but I am sure they are watching which companies are succeeding right now so JCrew must be an influence!

    I really liked several items in Garnet Hill but have never ordered from them before...I know my sister does all the time.

    I was really drooling over Talbots as well for fall. Some really nice looking pieces. I have a large sale order coming from them this week. I have been happy with all my items purchase from them recently.

    I received two of the new silk scarves from JCrew today. They are both lovely and seem to be well made. Not liking any of their clothing offerings right now and particulary dislike the final sale. Won't be buying from that for sure! Will wait it out until they change over to Fall Sale. Hopefully, this will be SOON:)

    ReplyDelete
  65. I am new to J Crew as of last fall, but I never pay full price unless the item is super spectacular. Even being new, I have noticed quality issues especially for the prices. My palerma ruffle cami (100% silk), which I LOVE, has been dry cleaned ONCE, and the bottom hem came undone. I actually hoarded two of them I liked them so much, and when I look at the other that isn't (yet) undone, I can see how daintily the hem was done in the first place. Even though it's been a couple months, I am going to take it to them and ask them to tailor it. My featherweight cardis look worn. I have received many items in the mail with defects/snags, even seams sewn crooked! And don't even get me started on the linen silk pockets cardi. The right arm seam is sewn crooked (on all of them), and there are practically holes from the beginning. I take in on and off as if I am removing myself from a bomb vest. I am AFRAID to wash it. There knit is so loose, there are already holes beginning and I have worn it three times. And the pilling/fuzzing, OMG. I never even knew linen COULD pill. I paid 48 for it, which is too much if it can't even make it to one washing. Actually, it says dry clean only, short cycle, low heat...blah blah. As if a dry cleaner reads each tag.

    ReplyDelete
  66. However, I don't understand people complaining about markdowns. If it's spectacular, you buy it at full price. You can get a price adjustment within 7 days if it goes on sale. Beyond that, keep your receipt and rebuy it if it goes on sale, returning the first purchase. If you decide not to buy until sale, you risk losing colors/sizes. That is how all retail works, all stores do it. There are no stores that I know of that sell most of their merch and do not have to discount it. When it becomes unacceptable is when the markdown is a FINAL SALE. That is absurd. Final sale means it so cheap that the retailer does not want to deal with returning it, and the customer will take their chances in the event that they have to write it off. AT Loft does it, but the item is usually $6.99 at that point. This final sale at 49.99 is just ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Count me in as another one who is completely miffed y the price of the Bettina cami. Can't believe the original price was more than the Victoria. Even at $49.99 it's too much. And clearly, it seems like a "key item" given the multiple colors that it came in!

    ReplyDelete
  68. @Amy "I take in on and off as if I am removing myself from a bomb vest." Thank goodness I'm reading this at home cos you cracked me up big time.

    Oh, we all know retail business do mark downs. The difference is FS at 1st mark down...and within a month of the item making its debut!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Closet Crisis, thanks, glad you understood it even with the typo.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I am (of course) also not a big fan of the final sale policy. Luckily I've found that my sizing is pretty consistent with JCrew, so I can be somewhat confident about ordering something I haven't tried on before and having it fit.

    I did buy a suiting jacket on FS at a B&M a while back, then went online and bought the pants (not on sale, but I think with a coupon). They were both "light heather gray" but the dye lots were apparently very different! It was a terrible match. I brought them back to the B&M and was able to return even the jacket with no problems. So if there is a quality issue with FS stuff, I would still try to take it back - at least to let their customer service try to make up for their other problems.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I agree with Ema. I think they have studied how much they lose on returns versus their margin on each item and they know they make more money discounting the items than dealing with the returns.

    I, too, have shopped JC since the days of rugby shirts and roll neck sweaters. I have a merino sweater in regular rotation that I bought in 1996.

    As a larger person (ie. size 10/M), I have no problem shopping with other retailers such as Lands End and Talbots. I am able to size down for a more fitted look. Lands End would never utter the words "One Time Courtesy."

    However, I did try on items at the B&M and I found two I really liked: the Rimini sweater and the tweed schoolboy blazer. I"ll be posting pics on my blog this weekend. Stalkity stalk stalk on these!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Generation- what colors did the tweed schoolboy jacket come in?

    ReplyDelete
  73. Generation Kvetch,

    M/10 is not a larger person IMO!!! The average American women is a size 14:)

    ReplyDelete
  74. For whoever asked about the metallic beach cardigan in camel, it depends on where you live but I personally think that it won't transition well into fall, at least in the Northeast. Besides the color (very summery), the knit is pretty loose and not warm enough for fall. It is something that you wear more to add sparkle than to get warmth. HTH!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Ema, just saw your response on the metallic beach cardigan. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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! :)