"Thanks!" to many of you, including Christy (in this post), as well as Ketan & Marietta, who let us know about J.Crew's most recent promotion.J.Crew is offering up to 35% off on Women's Swimwear (click here to shop online). This offer expires 8/23/10. The fine print & breakdown of this promotion includes:
Prices as marked. 25% off all women's shorts, up to 30% off all women's sandals and flip-flops, up to 35% off all women's swim and up to 35% off select women's tees. Offer valid on jcrew.com only through Monday, August 23, 2010, 11:59pm ET. Cannot be redeemed for cash or applied to previous purchases.It's a pretty good idea to include additional-yet-related categories, like shorts, to this offer. It also looks like J.Crew needs to move their Summer merchandise to make room for Fall. I am all for it too! Despite the 80+ degree weather outside, I am ready for long-sleeve jackets again. :)
Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Are there any pieces you are interested in? If so, please share! :)
IMO summer clothes should already be in deep discount in the clearance section.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I was coming in here to say the same thing! "Up to" and "select items" = not really much of a sale at all, especially when other retailers are doing 30% off everything. Heck, even Target is doing 20% off $75!
ReplyDeleteWhile they're at it, they need to take a red pen to some other items that have been languishing.
ReplyDeleteITA! Also, as we have mentioned before...why are items that were just rolled out last promo already on FS? Ridiculous!!
ReplyDeleteWow - the Valerian cardigan has been placed in FS (at $59.99) a mere 15 days after it was rolled out.
ReplyDeletePlease, J Crew, could we have a % off new FALL items anytime soon?
ReplyDeletesilver_lining,
ReplyDeleteYes, I posted on the very same fact in another thread! Ridiculous! It should be on regular/returnable sale. Not final sale.
The first markdown FS tactic says to me that not only does JC not stand behind their merchandise, they don't care if the customer is stuck with it, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteThis probably ties into the supposed 'training' to get customers to purchase at full price, but previously the fear was "buy now before it sells out", and now it's "buy now before it goes into final sale purgatory!".
I bet they also figure that if people purchase full-price in order to try the item IRL, they're more likely to just keep it. How many here have kept ridealongs that they fully intended to return when they placed the order? I think we've all done it at some point or another. At some point, buying/returning/price adjusting just becomes a hassle.
I think it was around this time last year that FS became "fall sale" but it was only that way until what, the day after Christmas? I'll have to go back in the blog and do some research. I don't think that they'll do fall sale until they get rid of a significant amount of summer merchandise, though. /end $0.02
Okay, last year's fall sale began on 10/21/09, and ended 12/23/09 when it became final sale again.
ReplyDeletesilver lining, if you have kept the emails, when did they do an Insiders coupon last year? I would be on board for that big time. Or shoe, jacket and sweater promos. I have at least three or four pair of shoes I'm looking at. But at $200 to $250 each before I've even seen them, I'm going to go to Nordstrom this weekend and see their fall shoes first. I know the price will be better and I will see them first. I just don't know if they will have similar styles. If they delay promos, they will lose customer's Fall shopping dollars. Once I have my boots and shoes, there's no reason to buy them twice.
ReplyDeleteI'm so tempted by the Reatta paisley tank...does anybody know how these tanks fit at the bust? Do they only work on relatively small busted figures? If I size up will that help?
ReplyDeletesilver lining, I agree that they're trying to re-train us to buy at FP by immediately moving things to FS. However I will not be trained. I will buy stuff to try and and then I'm taking it right back on principle and will wait for mark down. As for FS, I only bought 2 items from the last 30% off. One I had tried on in the store, I received it and it is fine. The other was the petal stream tank for 17.50 and I figured how bad could it be for that price. However it IS that bad--completely shredding petals and coloring off, not how it appears on the website, so I plan to ask them to take it back anyway.
ReplyDeleteOther retailers don't make me play games. I get promos for new merchandise all the time from BR and AT so I feel I am getting a fair price, not on final sale, and I don't have to do the buy/return/wait for sale on items I like but won't pay a crazy markup for. I think these promos are working for the retailers because more items sell out before they make it to permanent markdown, where they would be discounted anyway.
ITA with you silver_lining. It's all the burden on the customer to be stuck with poor quality, ill fitting clothing from FS.
ReplyDeleteI will not be purchasing from this promo. Summer clothing should be marked down further than "up to 35%."
The foxtail orchid cardigan is also now in FS for 59.99.
ReplyDeleteA bit off topic but I need to vent a little.
ReplyDeleteAs most JC shoppers have experienced (and personally has happened more recently than usual), I had a swimsuit top fall out of my order last month. When CS called to inform me, they asked if I wanted the bottom to be removed and I did since I'd have zero need for a lagoon green bottom without the top. Anyway, the full suit is back in stock now. I called this morning to see if they would match the price (since now only the bottom is on special) and they will not. I literally asked them every which way possible and tried to explain why this is a reasonable request.
The difference in total price is now $30 higher and I'm disappointed that due to their poor inventory controls I'm not able to order before it goes to FS. There are select items I'm willing to purchase at FS and a swimsuit is not one of them. I think the least they could do is match the price.
CS said that I'm not the first to ask but that they won't match price, end of story.
I'm normally the first person to say to call them and they'll work with you. But I can't agree with this rule. In the case of the item that fell out of my order this week, I ordered it at 10pm PST Sunday evening and it was still available at 8am PST the next morning. I think that demonstrates a real error on their part. When the guy called, I got a very annoyed "sorry" from him as if he was doing me the favor by not charging my credit card.
I'm disappointed JC...you could do better and your customers would buy more if you did...
Cass, thanks for the heads-up on the foxtail orchid cardigan. I really liked the look of it but haven't seen it IRL and now have to take it off my list.
ReplyDeleteOk, I literally (on Monday) just ordered the Palermo paisley top and bottom and now it's on special. I haven't even received my order yet in the mail! Can I do a price adjustment once it arrives? I know it says cannot be applied to previous purchases but what about purchases that haven't arrived yet...also, what then are the conditions of a price adjustment?
ReplyDeleteSlightly OT, but did anyone go to the in-store event last night? How was it? Were there special Collection pieces to try on that aren't normally available in the store? What was the gift from Jenna? Would love to hear what people thought!
Went to the FS section this morning as you ladies pointed out, there have been a few additions/updates. The Bling Button cardis are now marked down from $39.99 to $24.99 (it really is a good item to stock up IMHO). Zip Side Sweatshirt in (can't remember which colour) is $39.99. Oh, just looked and looks like the site is "experiencing technical difficulties, we'll be right back". Must be getting tripped up doing all those red pencil mark downs ;)
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ReplyDeleteI won't be taking advantage of this. I'm now out of "Summer Clothing" mode and looking forward to acquiring a few new fall pieces in the next several months.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, that is such a bummer. I would call back and try a different CSR. I had a situation where a package was stolen from my porch--which isn't even their fault, unlike losing an item during processing--and they gave me my money back, plus let me replace items with the 30% off + free shipping that I had originally gotten, even though the promotion was over. And since some items had sold out, they even let me call back a few weeks later when the purse I had ordered popped back up and gave me the promotion on that as well (I e-mailed the same rep that had helped me originally)! So, there may be some crummy reps out there, but I found an awesome one who soothed my devastation over my lost order. Not all hope is lost! I hope you can get your swimsuit; it's super cute!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I've kept my e-mails, and the past two years JC has offered a private sale/insider sale in early/mid October (approximately Columbus Day).
ReplyDeleteSilver Lining, I'm now one of the ride-along crowd. I shop mostly online so I don't usually get a chance to see or try on the items before purchasing. I would have kept the Banquette dress at FP if it were a "wow" item--it wasn't, but it would be a fine sale purchase and at least know I know size and fit. I figure I can schlep up to the B&M once every 60 days to do the returns.
I have scored some good bargains on FS, but it's lousy that under FS catalog customers risk getting stuck with an item that is not as depicted or is not TTS.
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ReplyDeleteSo then by Columbus Day, the stuff from this and the next 3 rollouts should be in Final Sale! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking your emails, Hexicon. I took a look back through JCA and it looks like they had a "private" (20% off regular priced merch) in March, May, June, September, October, and November 2009. So far for 2010, it's just been February.
silver lining, I don't know if you live near a B&M, but I was just able to find the foxtail orchid cardi at my B&M for the 59.99 price, NOT FS. I picked it up. They had it in the lavender color and I remember seeing at least one size S and one size XL left. It was the 45th and Madison NYC store if you want to call. You'd probably have to pay shipping but could return it to any B&M if you didn't like it.
ReplyDeleteSo here's the new CS line: "and if it doesn't fit, it's not FS, so you can return it!" Like I had just won a prize, no joke.
ReplyDeleteI had called to try to figure out which size to order, since I have absolutely no idea with all the fluctuations (true story: the same style skirts from fall 08 and fall 09, two different numeric sizes, are in fact the exact same size when you put them up against one another).
Does anyone have a sense of where sizing is now, if there is a general trend (are they backing off the vanity sizing?) I buy almost exclusively online, which has been difficult because of inconsistent/vanity sizing.
Crisis Closet (or anyone!): how is the sizing on the Bling Button Cardi. I hover between S and M. In the Jenna cardi, I need a M, but in the Jackie a S. Any advice?
ReplyDeleteOh, one last thing: does anyone have sizing advice on the Luxe Knit zip hoodie? Again, I hover S to M. Thx!
ReplyDeleteNo more J.Crew Beachwear till next spring. Waiting for the advent of J.Crew Western Wear, with its own cattle branded leather suspender-shorts combos and tin concho belts, J.Crew Skiwear, with its own specially brewed wax for effortless vacations, and J.Crew Maternity, which may be fast approaching, what with tunics and elastic-waisted bubble skirts.
ReplyDelete@Rebecca: I'm a Medium in Jackies, so I orderd my BB cardis in Medium, and find that they fit me very comfortably (all buttoned up and no gaping, sleeves are fitted but not tight). However I've heard other JCA's say to size up, I think it's because the knit is not as stretchy as the Jackie. So if you take a S in Jackie, and M in the Jenna, I'd recommend you take a M in the BB. Oh, and when you receive the package, take care when undoing the buttons. I had to steam the button holes back to shape because the bling buttons are quite large and stretched them out. HTH :D
ReplyDelete@Hexicon: EB has some cute stuff this fall eh? I've been extolling their CS virtues. I picked up some embellished tees and tanks earlier this summer and throw them in my wash with no second thought. Sturdy and guaranteed. How's that for a retail concept.
Ok,this is OT, but I would like some advice. I ordered several things on FS and most of them are fine (t-shirts, cute pair of shorts). But I orderd the silk/linen cargos which I had previously tried on in the store, so I knew my size. They are soo tight. I think the size is mis-marked. The ones I had tried on in the store were almost baggy on me in this size. What should I do? It is marked FS. Should I try to take it to the store and return it? I'm upset about this.
ReplyDeleteOT, but Lands End is offering 25% full priced items.
ReplyDeleteWow, new look to the JC website, check it out. I like it?
ReplyDeleteTried the foxtail cardi instore a few weeks ago. It fits TTS & is well-made. However, the design seems off. You have the petals going around your shoulders up to the back on one side. On the other side petals are longer & start below your shoulders . When I showed it to my husband he joked "what's that boa constrictor wrapped around your neck?". Left it behind.
ReplyDelete@Jruby18 I had that problem a while back with a pair of trousers I bought on FS. I returned them by stating they were "defective" (since size was mismarked) and was offered store credit without any hassles. Your experience may vary but it is worth a try....
ReplyDeleteThank you for the free shipping code!!! That, along with 35% off summer t's, made for a great mini spending spree!
ReplyDeleteWould someone please share w/me how to find hidden sale items? I hope that's not taboo to discuss here like some other topics. Thanks.
ReplyDeletethanks Lolo. I think I'll give it a try. I'm very disappointed about the fit.
ReplyDeleteHi jruby - send me an email at silver.lining.jca at gmail and I'll tell you. I don't think it's necessarily a secret, but any tips that JCA's share seem to get picked up by corporate - and most of the time, it hasn't been to our advantage.
ReplyDeletesilver lining - can I send you an email too? i'd love to know.
ReplyDeletea little OT, I ended up getting a few sale things yesterday. I bought the pants that Elaine recommended, the pilar cami and the chili pepper tee. guess i can't stop drinking the crewlade!
ReplyDeletenow I'm between the ON website and Talbots and am ready to place an order. both have 25% off.
Sure, Lizzy!
ReplyDeleteLizzy T., where did you find your Talbots coupon code? I'm on their email list, but I haven't seen one since the Teachers2010 code expired. TIA!
ReplyDeleteSide note - did anyone else get a Lands End private sale code that specifically asked you NOT to share it? I thought it was more than a little odd. I'm sure they're tracking...
yes, I got a Lands End private sale code
ReplyDeleteKelli, you were right...I got someone to help me.
ReplyDeleteI had an issue with an order I receive today and called...CS was so helpful. They fixed the current issue and then I explained the swimsuit issue and she confirmed with her manager that they would match the price. I'll be sporting my lagoon green tank next weekend :)
Not to beat a dead horse, but I think its only fair that if, as the consumer, I'm willing to monitor the website for a cancelled item's pop back, I should get the original order price.
Mimi-Magnolia-
ReplyDeleteYesterday, I received a Talbot's catalog. It had the % off and $5 shipping code on the back. I'm sure you could call CS and get a code. I already used mine. Love the cropped cords and the lace up booties!
HTH!
mimi.magnolia, I cannot confirm nor deny that I received a LE "private sale" code. ;)
ReplyDeletemimi.magnolia -- what she said!
ReplyDeleteFor those asking about the Talbots code, they have a facebook one for free shipping on $100+ orders that expires on the 21st.code: FB0910
ReplyDeleteWell, I think I may bite on this promo and pick up another Jersey Lomellina bikini. My husband booked us for a 10 day Caribbean vacation and I want at least one new bikini. The Italian Jersey from J.Crew is really nice fabric, although they fit like a second skin when wet. The colors this year are quite pretty too. I have the wild purple and am considering the wild pacific.
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew sells swimwear year-round so I think it's fine for them to put on a reasonable promo at this time of year rather than totally blow it out the door. Usually it gets deeply discounted after Christmas, before the resort collection comes out with the new colors and patterns.
OT - for any Canadian JCAs wanting to enjoy the Essie nail polish, spaboutique.ca carries it for $10. They have a *ton* of colors too, collection after collection. Also the other Essie nail products, like the cuticle oil pen, which is great for those cold, dry winters. Free Canadian shipping on orders over $75 and there are almost 100 different brands of skin care, makeup, hair, hand & foot and men's products. I'm not affiliated with Spa Boutique, just a fan. Yesterday I received my order with a few Essie polishes. I'm wearing the Bachelorette Bash now and it is totally hot. Thanks to the lovely JCAs who posted about Essie polish on this and other blogs, it's a great product, I'm totally smitten.
Closet Crisis, Rebecca, I found the Bling button cardis to be quite forgiving in fit, more so than the Jackie's. I take a M in sweaters but the Jackie's often gape at the bust. Of course, the Bling's are v-neck so don't cover all the same area and I need something underneath so leave the top button open and of course then they don't gape. They are very nice and incredibly soft but oh man, they are thin. Not sure how long they will hold up. The neon version is slightly thicker than the other solid cotton version though. Very pretty bright pink if you have a hint of a tan.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the Bling's are now $24.99. With the extra 30% yesterday they were $27.99. OK, hands up now, who out there is surprised at the pricing change today?
@XOXO the bling cardis are indeed FEATHEweight. They may be a "handwash only" item for me. I wore one today and I'm so pleased. Seriously at $24.99, plus free ship code, if I don't already have a "no more multiples" rule I'd snag a couple more. I said that before, didn't I :P No, colour me NOT surprised. Knew that with the end of the promo, there'd be markdowns and restocks and additions to FS (the pilar perfect shirt, for instance is another $10 lower). You just have to make up your mind on how much you want that thing and how much you're willing to pay for it, and pull the trigger when the time is right. That's the game JC has trained me to play.
ReplyDeleteOK, so while we're on tips for Canadian JCA's, I'm permanently giving up on UPS. I took the Canada Post option with my last shipment, and it took just as long (9 days) to get to my place at half the cost. UPS's broker fees just about doubled the add-on duty/tax fee. My CP order I got dinged less than 10% duty, while the one before, with UPS, i got dinged for over 20%. HTH someone
ReplyDeleteSorry, me again. OT: If anyone wants a Lands End discount code, I won't be using mine, email me at
ReplyDeleteonetoomanyclosets at gmail.com, first 2 people get it. The fine print on my email says there can only be 2 redemption for the pin. I've looked and looked and just can't see anything I want to get from them. Saving my bucks for new Fall stuff...oh, who am I kidding...waiting for the next JC promo.
Thanks for the sizing info Closet Crisis and xoxo! I'm surfing back to the website now!
ReplyDeleteI really want to buy the Palermo paisley underwire twist bandeau top but I've never bought a swimsuit from J. Crew. Can anyone tell me how they fit? I am a 34B in bra size so should I stick with that?
ReplyDeleteCloset Crisis, thanks for the Canada Post tip. I will definitely use them for my next online order.
ReplyDelete@Rose: just thought of something. I haven't figured out how to return something yet if you ship through CP, as the duty is paid at the post office when I pick up the package, so if you're making returns, there's probably some awful long form you have to fill out to get your duty refunded...hmm...something to think about.
ReplyDeleteLook what I found !
ReplyDeleteJ CREW NECKLACE ON EBAY FOR 99 CENTS
http://cgi.ebay.com/J-CREW-NECKLACE-NWOT-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ170527890080QQihZ007QQcategoryZ164465QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Lizzy T. and egyptomaniac! I've really been getting into Talbots for the first time this fall. Love the color palette!
ReplyDeleteLOL, wellfedfred and Jeanne! Combined with the "one time courtesy" line one of the JCAs heard from Lands' End's CS department the other day, maybe they think the best way to build a JC-esque brand is to emulate JC's more questionable policies. Just waiting for their final sale to start...:)
OT - thought I would share an ebay item I found. It is item 180550206629 the collection sparkle tweed pencil skirt from 2008. I have this skirt and it is really nice. It sold out on the website pretty fast so maybe someone here is looking for it. Seller has 100% positive feedback and a couple other jcrew items for sale too.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone has a Talbots % off code they are not using, I would love to claim it!! TIA. pgr001@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI am interested in purchasing the clear prism bracelet. I know it's not on the website anymore...any tips on where I can find it? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of defective FS items, I can return a FS item that's ripped, right? I'll even take store credit. I've never tried to return a FS item before and am not sure if I'm going to have to argue with an SA. If so, I'm thinking it might not be worth it to try and chalk it up to a lesson learned about avoiding FS all together.
ReplyDeleteI did a post on the silk chiffon tunic, which is in final sale. Also in the post are some of the 2nd price cuts I noticed. Click here to check it out.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of the tees that are full price online are now on promo in the store at $10 off. I posted a picture of the Paris Tee and an in-store only color of the Beady Falls tee here on my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteMDPA,
ReplyDeleteI have returned FS items in the past that were defective, including one sweater that was mis-sized. The SA were very helpful and it was not a problem in the least.
IMHO, Final Sale does not mean damaged, defective or mislabeled mrechandise and I would not hesitate to make a return. "Final Sale" does not mean "As Is".
If customers don't return defective Final Sale merchandise, then the company won't get the information and data they need about what's going on with those items!
I returned a final sale item that was defective and one that was the wrong size through the mail NEVER to a store. Just call CS and they will put notes in your order and will waive the Smart Label fee. Also, include a note in your return stating what is wrong, etc. No problems doing this twice and no hassle dealing with store personnel.
ReplyDeleteSE Mom, thanks for your reply. I am glad to hear you were able to do this without trouble.
ReplyDeleteGenny, thank you too. I never return by mail since there is a J. Crew store literally on my block, but I will call CS and see if I can get free return shipping to avoid any small chance of an unpleasant SA. I feel like I am constantly returning things lately, and I sometimes wonder if the SAs think I am crazy! Although I know I shouldn't be worried about what they think of *me* and should be thinking about how poor the quality of most items has been recently...
I've returned several defective or mislabeled FS items to the store. I called online customer service first and let them know I planned to return it at the store. I had no problem at the store.
ReplyDeleteNew code SHIP150 on orders $150+ exp Aug. 25
ReplyDelete