This is the weekly "Looking to VENT with J.Crew" post, a place to share our not-so-stellar experiences with J.Crew.If you have recently experienced a frustrating situation with J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.
Please feel free to share your story on almost any topic— including poor experiences with purchases & orders, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.
I hate Final Sale.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to quality issues I recently heard that J. Crew did research about what qualities men and women were looking for in clothing. The results showed that men looked for durability and women cared about clothes more in a "here and now" sense AKA trendier and lower quality.
ReplyDeletekatarzyna:
ReplyDeletethat's dumb... if i wanted "here and now" i would shop at forever 21... i shop at j crew because of the durability and timelessness of the pieces... doesn't jcrew know that?!
my (minor) vents: the forever backorderedness of the paradisa dress i purchased... and the sold out paisley skirt. trying not to think about it and hoping that it comes back. (sigh)
sub
ReplyDeleteKatarzyna, IMO the supposed M/F disparity is a corporate opinion, not the result of research. Jenna Lyons has been quoted a number of times, on this very blog, as saying "Women want candy. Someone else said this: 'Ask a woman what her favorite thing in her closet is, and she’ll pick the thing she bought yesterday; ask a man, and he’ll pick the thing he bought 40 years ago.'”
ReplyDeletehttp://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/2010/03/jcrews-jenna-lyons-talks.html
I didn't track down all the examples, but here's a link to a video in which she says pretty much the same thing:
http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/2010/12/jenna-lyons-christmas-wish-list.html
Of course I staunchly defend her First Amendment right to think and to say whatever she wants. I just humbly wish it didn't result in so many return trips for me.
sub :)
ReplyDeleteSecond wear on a vintage cotton v neck tee - tiny holes. Argh!!
ReplyDeleteAnyone know if the stores still have the extra 30% off promotion?
ReplyDeleteReally frustrated with the fact that key, wanted pieces like the Jardine skirt are on backorder for absurd amounts of time. If Jcrew knows this item is a want of its customers (maybe they don't and that's the problem), make appropriate inventory! No inventory equals loss of sales.
ReplyDeleteI second the final sale disdain and the annoyance with brand new arrivals being back ordered for months. J. Crew, I know you want your clothes to seem special and want to push me into buying at full price but if I have to wait two months for an item that has JUST been released to ship, I'm just going to look for alternatives. There is too much retail competition for this inventory game to work in J. Crew's favor.
ReplyDelete@Katarzyna very interesting! I would agree with the sentiment that I want my clothing to be "here and now" but in my mind that doesn't translate to lower quality. Yes, I want clothing that is on-trend, as in updated -- no outdated cuts or styles. But I also want the clothing to be made well, to look effortless, and be a piece that I can feel confident in. I don't want to be afraid to tell people that I bought something at J.Crew because they find the brand synonymous with low quality. I like to rotate and update my closet often, so I have a small collection of about 15-20 staple pieces that I will never get rid of. Beyond that I'm looking for pieces I can wear for 2-3 years. It annoys me to no end when clothing wears out before that mark.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a vent; but might help Miss JR and others venting about it: Providence J.Crew had a stack of paisley skirts yesterday. Didn't check sizes as I was focused on the clock and making returns. Thus my vent: Returns at J.Crew take #forever due to their ancient software system. Update it J.Crew!
ReplyDeleteWellfedfred: you have a way of saying things so eloquently, and ITA.
ReplyDeleteMy 3 vents for today:
1) Final Sale. Enough said.
2) My backordered new arrival Jardin Skirt. Also enough said.
3) J. Crew Jewelry of late. WTH? I can't find one piece that I like now, and I can certainly find resin chains and bangles at F21. Where are the unique baubles, pendants, and charms of 08 and 09?
My word verification is REALIKE, lol.
Does anyone have the item # and price of the sold-out paisley skirt? I may have my PS do a store search for me but I want to give her the right info...
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if the Paisley skirt will be brought back/reissued? Any words or thoughts? Or should I suck it up and go back and buy it in store?
ReplyDeleteNevermind...found it. Should have done my research through the catalog first...duh :)
ReplyDeleteI really believe the Jardin skirt shipment is held up, there are many delays shipping overseas, another reason why manufacturing should be done in North America.
ReplyDeleteA bit of a vent, but more surprise...the very popular Tartan Perfect shirt appears to be back in all sizes...(but here is the rant) it is also back to full price. I thought it was a glitch but I put one in my cart to test and it still shows it there.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Roxy - fashion forward need not = low quality. Especially at some of JC's price points!
ReplyDeleteA vent, but really my stupidity. Given my bad experiences with JCrew knits, I NEVER should have purchased crewcuts tees for my kids. Purchased early May, riddled with holes in early July. But hey, two months without holes is actually a better track record than some of my women's tees. I don't think I'll be buying crewcuts again. The tees we purchased for my son at Target three years ago are still going strong . . .
ReplyDeleteThis should probably go in the reviews thread but what the heck - I'm irritated.
ReplyDeleteRecently received the (usually can't miss)jackie cardi I ordered in rusted twig. The name and picture suggests a bricky rusty reddish brown, but don't be fooled. IRL it is a straight up poo-poo brown with nothing to recommend it. The one I got also had weird, thick white streaks across the shoulder - like fade lines?? Very noticeable. It's totally defective. I'm irked - I'm international, so I have to ship it back on my own dime.
Curses!
Whaaat? Why in the world would they restock the Tartan Perfect shirt in JULY, over 6 months past the original release?!?! And back at fp at that? That is beyond ridiculous and baffling.
ReplyDeleteI just emailed my PS about the Tartan Shirt; I will let you all know if she has any idea what is going on!
ReplyDeleteI vented about this yesterday but will repeat it here. I ordered the purple Jardin skirt the day it came out and I just got an email saying it's cancelled b/c they ran out! How many did they make?! Needless to say, I'm very disappointed.
ReplyDeleteRestocking the Tartan Shirt in July ... does this mean I will get my Jardin Skirt when it is restocked just in time for ski season in December?
ReplyDeleteGumdrop,
ReplyDeleteI had the very same experience. Ordered that Jackie and expected a reddish color but was surprised that it was a very pedestrian brown color.
So glad it wasn't Final Sale!
paisley pencil skirt (#44248) fans:
ReplyDeletei called the short hills mall store (NJ) and they have my size 4 and have it on hold for me... fingers crossed it's the right one and it fits and all that jazz.
:)
As for the Tartan Shirt, from my online PS:
ReplyDelete"Not a glitch at all—it’s available to place on an order, however, it’s waitlisted until November 1. I’d be happy to try and find it in a retail store if you’d like, or have you added on the waitlist."
There seem to be a lot of items that are back ordered with ship days more than a month away. Even many older items that have been in the sale section for a while with ship dates in August or later. It must be an issue they are having right now.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Mickey assure Wall Street that he had his inventory issues resolved?
ReplyDeleteMD is obligated to release financial results of a private company because the company has public creditors. Hm. And they thought shareholders were demanding. Wait til creditors start making noises. Oh, strike that, bet they're making noises already.
ReplyDeleteHumdrum, I would e-mail or chat online about the white streaks. That sounds like a defect, so I would think JC would pay the return shipping.
ReplyDeleteyup, my items were backordered twice, not shipping until aug, so they offered to cancel my order, and I agreed. that's kind of lame comsidering I ordered summer items in june.
ReplyDelete1) Final sale SUCKED major a$$
ReplyDelete2) Return Policy continue to suck, I am 9 months pregnant with the end in sight, would like to buy some non-maternity clothes now that its the sale season, but really am not sure what size would fit me the best post-partum. JC's 30 days in-store return policy really is not giving me much option here and the worst part is you can't even get store credit for things that won't fit.
3) Backorder item - I once ordered a stripe boatneck tee that was on backorder for 2 months, when it finally shipped after 2 months I happen to find one on sale in store, so I returned the full price online one, JC gave me a store credit instead of full refund because they said the return date was over 60 days (this is before they change the policy where store credits were still given) I mean WTF, it took them 2 months to ship and they had the balls to tell me that it was over 60 days for return??
Of course I threw a fit with the C/S on the phone and they corrected it for me, but it was still aggrevaiting.
I have been really disappointed in sizing inconsistencies (some things running true to size, others running very large). It's not just women's either - a bathing suit my husband ordered was at least 1-2 sizes too big (and that's waist sizes!)
ReplyDelete@ McShoppy
ReplyDeleteDo you live in Providence? So do I and I think I know every single CS who works there. I've decided to give them a break on my presence in their store temporarily... :)
To avoid oversupply or maybe to drive demand, I think Jcrew is intentionally ordering few amounts of new items. If demand is strong, they will order a new batch which takes longer, hence the backorder. This just in time policy may work for big ticket items like cars or appliances where customers are willing to wait for a particular model and color. For clothes, not so much. There are other nice things coming up every month from different retailers. Case in point, my perfect shirt casbah shirt has been backordered awhile and I've just lost interest. I have cancelled it. Anyway, I have managed to find everything I thought I missed through ebay, NWT items at lower prices & shipping.
ReplyDeleteSub :)
ReplyDeleteI also just came back from the B&M (Friendship Heights, DC) and they had at least 6 paisley skirts at the front of the store. All size 4. HTH with the venting!
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh at gumdrops' comment about the rustig twig color, "poo poo brown". LOL ! PooPoo Brown, color code PPB, color number BR6450.
ReplyDeleteIs that the worst mismatch of real color and color in web site photo? Because the worst I've seen was the blush stone Khloe cami which looked totally ivory in the picture. And even the color name implied that it was a light pinky-peach but IRL was quite dark orange.
ITA w/you Marie. I heard from my PS about my cancelled skirt. She offered to order it for me to be delivered some time in September. It's a summer item. I don't want it in time for fall when I really won't want to wear it. If they're doing this to drive up demand, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat is with the size disparity in JC's tops?? I ordered the short sleeve chambray selvedge shirt in a XS and was drowning in it....still waiting for the XXS that I requested xchange for...we'll see how that goes!
ReplyDeleteStopped by my local store and extra 30% was still going on. They were also marking down new items. Hope the extra 30% stays at least for a day to grab a few new steals.
ReplyDeleteLOL at "poo-poo brown." I've been hosed so many times in my online purchases by JC colors that aren't as depicted. I check multiple monitors and the catalog but so often the photos are simply inaccurate. Case in point: the Tippi sweater in "heather dark grape." If you look at the photo of the sweater alone, it appears to be a blue-violet, similar to the color that JC has called "majestic purple" in the past. But if you look at the photo on the model, it appears to be a true UW Husky royal purple that is neither too violet nor too magenta. I know to some that may be a small difference but to me it strongly affects my willingness to purchase the item.
ReplyDeleteordered the silk stripe tee, very cute, but pricey at $98. thought it was worth it because its classic, versatile, etc.. wore it ONCE and got a rip in the sleeve. contacted my store AND online customer service and got a horrible, rude reaction. i imagine they assumed it is my fault it ripped but it was poor construction. the clothes should still be high quality and not rip after ONE wear. no happy jcrew.
ReplyDeleteJust got back from the Providence JC- the sales help is now terrible- ask for them to help find something that they did not have in store and they did not make the effort- told me to order it on line!! Used to have a great PS there but she left!!
ReplyDeleteHexicon, you're right! I just compared the two images' colors and they are indeed different, one is much more blue than the other. So I wonder which one is correct. Probably neither. :) By the way, I went to the Huskies web site to check out that color, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI too got burned by the rustic twig or whatever the hell it's called, Jackie. What an ugly color. Maybe it will look less ugly if I pair it with a pretty color... or wear it under a suit to prevent freezing my buns off this winter.
ReplyDeleteI am mad that 7 days after I ordered the Jemaa flats, I rec'd the dreaded "we wish we had enough" BS e-mail. Why did it take them so long to figure out they did not have any inventory???
Re: questions about the paisley skirt--I've seen it around in stores here in NYC, and I've already bought it (i consider myself lucky!) In regards to the fit, it runs a tad big, and it's a bit stretchy. Gorgeous in person, fits like a dream. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAfter visiting a B&M store I am totally frustrated with the salesperson and J Crew's screwy policies that differ store to store. At the Beaverton, OR location I returned a dress, pants, and t-shirt that all had different sizing issues. On the same order I had received 1 item [a belt] from the factory store and she acted like she couldn't return any of it because of the one factory item. She had to have the manager come over and check.
ReplyDeleteThen again another issue with the teacher discount. I hate that some stores allow you to stack the teacher discount and some do not. I don't care either way; however, it needs to be the same in every store.
I've never had such a rude salesperson in JCrew and I terminated the sale after she had to call her manager over the teacher discount and passive aggressively spoke under her breathe as she walked away. It wasn't the sale restriction that made me mad it was the salesperson. I won't patronize a store in which I am treated poorly.
Thanks for letting me vent :)
My indie dress was shipped with ONLY the slip part. =[
ReplyDeleteI really think it would help a lot if the shoes were modeled with a foot inside them so we could see what they actually look like on!
ReplyDeleteI ordered the J.Crew Factory exhibitor canvas tote, it came today and looks much smaller than what I expected. It will go back. :(
ReplyDelete@Hexicon and Tamara.Chicago,
ReplyDeleteI just received the Eden cardigan in the Heather Dark Grape color. The color looks like the one the model is wearing. It has violet undertones. It does NOT look like the one in the picture alone that looks more of a royal blue. I like the color but it is very thin, a little scratchy, and too big overall in my usual size Medium. It is pretty uninteresting aside from the color. It already looks "fuzzy" all over. Not worth 90 bucks to me. It is going back.
Thanks Shekster! That is helpful.
ReplyDeleteSo I ordered the double-faced cashmere peacot a couple of months ago, it was on sale, plus I hit a 30% off sale and I got it down to about $500 from $1,200. It was obviously in stock when I ordered it. So a week later, I get a call from JCrew saying that the item had sold out and that "they did not expect to get more in stock", so they were cancelling the order. A week later, the item pops back on the website at full price. Obviously JCrew did not want to honor their sale price. So the result? I'm spending more of my dollars at other retailers. Shame on you, J Crew!
ReplyDelete@Hexicon, Happy to help!
ReplyDelete@Gata: The same thing happened to me with a pair of shoes. I called and was pretty annoyed and told them I wanted the shoes at the price I was supposed to get them at originally before they cancelled my order. I gave them all my info, the order number, date of order, date of purchase, and price. Try it. You never know. It might work out.
meant date of cancellation, not "date of purchase."
ReplyDelete