Truth be told, this post was created in advance of the big launch. (I wanted to make sure a post went up at midnight to address the new site.) Hopefully, it is up and working properly. Fingers crossed!
Do you like the new J.Crew Factory website? Is the site running smoothly? Any features you like or dislike? Please share! :)
It's 9:05 PST or 12:05 EST and it isn't up yet. I'll keep checking, LOL.
ReplyDeleteBRING IT.
ReplyDeleteIt's up. It has a kind of Madewell vibe. Interesting....
ReplyDeleteGood job, Alexis! Link works :)
ReplyDeleteThe new site is clean. It's kind of Old Navy-ish, showing each item that the color comes in, even though the text below the pic says 'see more colors.' And no, MUSTHAVE didn't work, because I tried. It's functioning as a separate website. No wishlist feature. That's a missed opportunity. Exclamation to the infinite power. I guess I can expect this cart to get dumped on a regular basis, too. lol
I appreciate that the photography seems more accurate than other pics we've seen with overblown lighting or Photoshop filters. Flat rate shipping of $4.95 or free on $100+. I hope that's permanent. There are some cute, new arrivals. Except the Jules haunts us in Factory, too. It's probably peplum length over there. (slaps knee)>
That darn Jules!
ReplyDeleteEven though the sites are now supposedly separate, I can sign into my JC account through Factory and view my JC orders.
JUUUULES!!! Gah!
DeleteThere's a Jules at Old Navy in the new arrivals, too. Eek! At least this version is $30.
Deletesilver_lining - Hopefully ON reads this blog & got the length of theirs right.
DeleteOh, and check out the "More About Us" link from the main page - "no outtakes, no leftovers".
ReplyDeleteI think I like it. I really do. Scrolling through the new Factory site, I find the simplicity of everything to be pretty pleasing when compared to the hot mess that is much of the new regular J.Crew. I see a lot of 100% cotton, which is nice. Is that cashmere legit? I'm really curious to find out if Factory cashmere turns out to be Pill Factory cashmere.
ReplyDeleteThere's also a lot of polyester. Well, at least with the factory stuff, we'll pay what a poly blouse is *actually* worth, as opposed to paying whatever J.Crew has marked it up to be.
DeleteI agree-the factory site is better than the retail. That is a sad statement.
DeleteI have (in the past two years) had great experiences with the Factory cashmere. I'm wearing a turtleneck right now from 2010 and the pilling is very minimal. As long as the cashmere hasn't changed, I'd recommend it!
DeleteI have a cashmere v neck from factory 2008 and it is among my favorite sweaters. It is kelly green and lovely, and still in great shape.
DeleteJust tried to check out and NO free Shipping for Canadian orders!!! Lady at customer service says it is because they pay duty for Canadian orders??? Can anybody explain this??
ReplyDeleteI just bought something through the Factory and I'm in toronto. It ended up having free shipping (and no taxes) but that only showed at the end.
DeleteIf I log into Factory under my standard JCrew email freeship does not appear. But I joined under new email and that email address had free ship??
DeleteI am guessing the tax thing is an issue that will soon be fixed as my order also did not have taxes applied.
I was able to get free shipping on my Canadian order - had to sign in through the Factory First link in order to get it to work.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get free shipping on my order.
ReplyDeleteThere's a search feature, too. At least they added that.
ReplyDeleteUm... No mobile version of the site? Or am I just not seeing a mobile link? It doesn't come up automatically for me.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of the design at all. All those different fonts are hard on my eyes. Also think the price points remain way to high for Factory and I won't be visiting the site again anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteAmused, however, that they're now offering birthday perks - right after I just had a birthday. Figures.
DeleteI really like the new site. And holy extreme popbacks in the sale section! Isn't the factory eden blazer from 2010?
ReplyDeleteI tried to select an item, but the "Add to Bag" button disappeared after I selected a size and color...tried again later and was successful...I think? Who knows -- I called customer service yesterday to check the status of a pair of factory "minnies" ("winnies?") that were backordered with an October 1 ship date. They had no idea if/when they might ship. They're no longer on the site, and I have a feeling that I'm never going to see those pants.
ReplyDeleteI ordered those pants too and got my email confirmation that they were shipped today... hopefully you will get yours soon!
DeleteI'm very tempted by the Paulina Pumps in Neon Azalea. They look a lot like the Monas which I can't get enough of. I chatted with CS and they said that unlike the Monas I should go true to size and not up half a size. I just wish I lived near a factory store - I would take a lot more risks if I knew I wasn't going to have to pay for return shipping.
ReplyDeleteJust keep in mind the factory shoes are 100% plastic and $82.50
Delete$108 for 100% plastic version of the Martina wedges? I'd wait until the all leather are on sale or scour Ebay.
Amelia, yeah, they are not leather at all... but they are cute in person, though my first thought was "barbie shoes". They look exactly like Monas.
DeleteI always have to size up in factory shoes (which means I can never buy them, boo.)
I don't like that you can't shop both jcrew.com and factory at the same time, with one shopping bag and one checkout. I guess it makes sense to make them separate since they ARE technically separate "brands" and all, but still...I liked the simplicity before.
ReplyDeleteThe site looks nice, though. Really clean and easy to navigate.
Great point, sweetsy! I only paid about $14 dollars more than that for most of my leather Mona pumps.
ReplyDeleteHmm...I signed up for Factory First, but I am not seeing the free shipping pop up when I put something in my bag. Help?
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side, I appreciate the shipping is only $4.95. Makes it a lot easier to swallow.
make sure you sign in using the email you sign up for Factory First.
DeleteI had to sign in through the Factory First link (even though I was already signed in) in order to get the free shipping.
DeleteI did use the same email (it's the only one I have).
DeleteJulia, what link are you referring to?
Nevermind! I figured it out — well, sort of. Not really sure what was going on, but when I logged in a second time, it gave me the shipping discount.
DeleteI'm usually not very tempted by factory items, but I actually love the blackwatch plaid jacket and pencil skirt (greatly prefer this traditional blackwatch to the "blackwatch plaid" button front shirt that is being offered in retail -- dislike the added red stripe). I just placed a sizable order yesterday and I expect to get my outerwear order today -- if much of that stuff goes back, I may be giving this factory stuff a try. If anyone tries the blackwatch plaid factory stuff on in person, please report here!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! They added new stuff since last night, I placed an order around 10:30 pst, and now there is way more stuff. Including a super cute blackwatch classic blazer! It would be really nice if the Jcrew promos would apply. And it would be even better if all the Jcrew company sites were linked, like Gap does.
ReplyDeleteMore plus points for the website transition. I noticed that the links in my Factory review posts still point to the correct item. I wouldn't have expected that at all.
ReplyDelete* 1 of 2
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California is getting 2 J'Crewlets. One will open in Milpitas at the Great Mall. The other will open at the new outlets in Livermore on 11/8.
gigi - Great but nothing close to me! :(
DeleteGreat, more jules and teddie dresses that no one wanted when they were made in retail versions, now even shorter to save more production $$.
ReplyDeleteI was able to get free shipping and no HST on my order to Canada.
ReplyDeleteOff topic, has anyone in the GTA checked out the new J. Crew Factory store at Vaughan Mills? It opened this week and they are advertising 20% off purchases of $150 or more. Vaughan Mills is too far away for me to get to, unfortunately.
I had NO idea that was there!! Thanks so much for the info, I'll try and get my sister (b/c she has a car haha) to take me sometime and I can report back.
DeleteAh, I am jealous!! I am so tempted to go as it looks like there are some older styles that have been reincarnated in Factory versions that I would love to check out in person. Somebody has to post photos if they get a chance to visit!
Delete...I don't know why they haven't advertised it more broadly - this is the very first JC Factory store in Canada (that I know of, at least). I only heard about it when I was listening to CHUM FM radio last week and they ran an ad for Vaughan Mills.
Has anyone tried the Factory warmspun sweater dress or the Factory banded shift dress?
ReplyDeleteI purchased the sylvia patent wedge for $70 about a month ago, it just shipped. Do you guys think that is a good price for this shoe? I would love the Mona wedge but haven't seen it in show up in my size for months.
ReplyDeleteJust thought of something... does this mean no more shopathome cashback for Factory orders? It very well might since it's a completely different website now.
ReplyDeleteebates has already gotten on this and created a separate "store" for Factory (they're both at 3% cash back), so it might be on shopathome's radar, at least.
DeleteDid anyone else notice that factory first membership gets free shipping on BOTH jcrew.com and the factory site till 11/1?
ReplyDeleteThis is a tremendous deal combined with the MUSTHAVE code! :)
I was just coming here to post the same thing Rosie, seems like a great deal!
DeleteFor Jcrew.com the free shipping doesn't show up in my cart but it's there if I click through to check out.
Deletehi! i was wondering how to get free shipping because when i click through check out i still get charged for shipping. thanks!
DeleteThanks for the tip Rosie! I just wanted one of those baggu bags at the 30% off price but there was no way I was going to more than double the cost of my order by paying for shipping. Just checked out thanks to you! :)
DeleteAlice, I just signed up for Factory First using my email already associated with my JC account, completed the sign up by logging into my JC account on the factory website, then I went over to the JC site and logged into my account and when I clicked through the checkout there was no shipping or taxes. HTH!
I just logged into J.Crew.com and this is the message that popped up:
DeleteAs a special thank you, we will be offering some exclusive benefits throughout the year. To make sure you are taking full advantage of each and every perk, check your email and sign in to your registered J.Crew account each time you visit jcrew.com.
Today, please enjoy free standard shipping.
I am bummed that you can't order factory items internationally now (other than Canada). Quite like the website otherwise.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone looked at the Men's section? I click on "Men", then I click on a sub-category, and it automatically takes me to "Boys" no matter what sub-category I choose. Is this a personal problem or are you seeing this too?
ReplyDeleteI'm not having this problem when I go to the men's section. The subcategories still take me to menswear.
DeleteIt's working for me now too... that was odd!
DeleteOT, someone was looking for the polka dot envelope clutch the other day...they had a whole bunch in the sale section at the 45th and Madison store in NYC today. They also had a ton of the tillary purses in the green, blue and pink, and the polka dot naomi top (69.99-25%). HTH someone.
ReplyDeleteFactory always looks cute but always disappoints. The only thing I like from Factory are the "Jackie" cardigans which are 100% cotton. For those interestested in the Mona wedge check out Vince Camuto on line. They have a suede wedge (Melle) that is almost identical and only $98! I bought the Mona's in the tan suede and the Vince Camuto in black and I can't really tell the difference. They have a cute bright blue version I almost bought but how many wedges does one girl need:)?
ReplyDeleteHave you tried the Charley sweater (aka Jackie pullover)?
DeleteFactory items are hit and miss. Yes they are cheaper than the ones found at the regular site, but after getting them I often have that med moment.
ReplyDeleteThe exception to the meh are the factory ties and socks. Yes the usual offerings from J.Crew are better made and nice, but if you watch you can pick-up a tie for under $20 and this is the big bit, the factory ties seem to me to be every bit as good if not better than the ones at BR.
Can anyone comment on the quality of the factory denim? I have my eye on a few pairs for me and my DH.
ReplyDeleteI wish they had left the combined shopping cart feature alone. When shopping JCrew.com, every so often I'd add a few factory basics to make the shipping charge a little easier to swallow.
I would say it's very comparable to retail denim. I only buy my jeans from the factory store b/c the sale prices are so good and they have lasted me ages.
DeleteThanks very much!
DeleteGiven that I'm trying to focus my spending on fewer items of better quality, I doubt I'll be shopping Factory very much. Most of my Factory purchases have initially seemed OK but later proved to be a disappointment. (Of course that's often true for retail these days too.)
ReplyDeleteFor example, I love the colors of my Factory print pencil skirts, and I was so happy to pick up prints I'd missed at retail, but they're not lined, so even with a slip they don't hang well. The classic trench is a notable exception and has turned out to be a very nice purchase at less than $100.
I am in the same camp with you Hexicon. I find the crewneck cardis to be OK but *just* OK. I like the cotton double-serge pencil skirts because I love the pockets. Everything else I have tried, which isn't much, has been a return. Like you I prefer fewer items, of higher quality, rather than a large assortment of mediocre.
DeleteI really believe that Factory is being positioned as the lower-cost version of J.Crew (your stylish secret). Nothing wrong with that but I expect we'll see prices on the regular site to continually increase as they work to move the brand more toward designer status.
Hi from Australia - love you JCAs!! Funny and helpful all at once - your reviews are a big help to us ordering from the other side of the world - it can cost twice as much as the purchase price to send something back from here - so without you JCAs JCrew would have made a lot fewer sales out of me anyway.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to comment on the new Factory site. A BIG downside is that if you had something in your bag on sale from Factory and the JCrew site had a promotion - it would be applied to the factory items too - even if they were already marked down a lot. Now it is a separate site with separate promotions. JCrew wised up...
I like it, overall. I'm of course bummed that we can't use retail codes and put it all in one cart anymore. But I'm really glad the flat rate shipping is more reasonable, and it looks like they're offering a lot more merch. Of all my J Crew purchases, Factory and retail included, I've had just as many quality disasters with retail as I have with Factory, so I don't really have any beef with buying Factory (especially since I'm still in grad school and can't drop $120 on a pair of corduroys).
ReplyDeleteAlso, something I've always liked about the Factory site: the models SMILE. Fancy that!
I'm glad I came to confirm we couldn't do one transaction for Factory and retail items. I kept thinking I was doing something wrong! LOL! Anyway, thanks as always to Alexis and all you JCA's I found out about the free ship yesterday at both sites! I need to buy a lot of basics at them moment and got some great deals on both sites. T
ReplyDeleteI cannot figure out how to get free shipping at the regular site. Was the free shipping only good yesterday? I had signed up for "Factory First" awhile ago and made sure I confirmed my registration. There are a few items that I wanted to buy from the regular site with the 30% off promo.
ReplyDeleteI plan to pass on the factory items. I was at the factory store the other day. I cannot see paying a lot of the high prices for lower quality merchandise.
See our discussion above. Make sure you sign in to jcrew.com with the email you used for Factory First. My free shipping didn't show up till one of the last pages of checkout.
DeleteMy waitlisted item just shipped twice. Boo.
ReplyDeleteWondering if anyone can compare the no. 2 pencil skirt and the factory pencil skirt? I see that the factory one is a little shorter. And maybe it's not lined? Is the fit the same and is it tts? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can't seem to get the factory site to give me the free shipping, no matter what I do (I'm in Canada). Ahhhh!!
KLovestoshop - Irl pics & review of the Factory no 2 in this post. There's also a side-by-side pic of the retail vs. factory. Both are lined. The Factory has more of a felt feel to the wool, a flatter nap(?). That didn't bother me personally because retail quality has taken a hit and I wouldn't wear this skirt often anyway. Factory runs one size smaller, imo, and is shorter in length than retail.
DeleteReview of the retail pencil in this post with links to other blog reviews.
Thanks so much, gigofca! These reviews are extremely helpful.
DeleteThese are superficial updates to the factory website. Where are the reviews? Wishlist? Quick look? Ability to select and filter by multiple sizes? Ability to check local store inventory? No filter for "XXS" yet?
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking they separated the retail and factory websites primarily to ensure codes / shipping minimums could not be used across both sites.
Thank goodness they retained the "relevance" sort default /sarcasm... Who even uses that??