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.
This is not so much a vent as a pondering of J. Crew's business model. Keeping in mind I know next to nothing about business or running a huge retail company, but I noticed today that the Buffalo Check Peacoat (item 07089) is marked down to $295.00 + 30% off. This coat was originally released about one month ago (if that) for $350 and it is now selling for $206; nearly $150 less than its starting price point.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't J. Crew be better off releasing the coat at the $200 price point and not marking it down so quickly / not having so many promotions? Its to the point where buying almost anything without a markdown + promotion is completely irrational.
There are so many other items like that that end up selling for a fraction of their original price. I wonder how the original prices are set.
The coat in particular, I recall some reviewers saying that the quality wasn't $350 quality. But I feel like people would be much more likely to spend in the $150 - $200 range for a medium quality coat. Why don't the original prices accurately reflect what the item is actually worth?
I don't get it either. Many JCAs have pointed out J. Crew is really trying to position themselves as a high-end brand but realistically, their quality is not as good as it should be (and was in the past), especially for the prices they're charging. I can only speak for myself but instead of training me, as a customer, to buy full price, they've trained me to look at high-end retailers because their wares (on sale) are only slightly more expense than the prices J. Crew is trying to charge.
DeleteI've needed a few work blouses and even though I turned to J. Crew first, I was disappointed by how cheap and thin their silk felt so I ended up getting one from Kate Spade and another from Bloomingdales. J. Crew is still the #1 place I go first to check out clothing when I'm in need (and even when I'm not!) but I find myself buying high-end brands when I need something because J. Crew's quality is just lacking. I have an old cashmere cable knit sweater from J. Crew that I've worn so much I can't wear it out of the house anymore! My parents asked me if I wanted another one for Christmas and I said I did, but not from J. Crew. All of their cableknit sweaters for women are paper thin and have three-quarter length sleeves! I asked for one from Brooks Brothers. Maybe J. Crew is low high-end to some shoppers but if I'm going to shell out big bucks for clothing, I want to make sure it can last more than a few wearings!
The Collection stripe wool popover was released 2 weeks ago. The price was $425 but now it's in the sale section for $299.99. I also wonder why the description states the material is "Polyacrylic/polyamide/nylon" when it's supposed to be wool. Is this what "brushed wool" turns into? There seems to be a lot, not all, but a lot of junky Collection items. Where/when will they unload this stuff? Maybe when Final Sale returns in a few weeks.
DeleteI definitely agree that pricing is wacky, but when JCPenney tried to sell things at a low initial price and not have sales, they lost all their customers. People like to feel like they are getting a "deal" even if it's all just mind games. Plus they also want to get the full price sales from the few non-price sensitive customers who don't even need to bother looking at price tags.
DeleteI also agree that because of the lackluster recent offerings, I have been looking to higher end designers and just buying the items when the dept stores have good sales. Getting stuff these days from Tory Burch, Elie Tahari, Joie, Parker, Kate Spade etc. when Bloomie's, Saks and Neiman Marcus have sales. The price of these items on sale is about the same as the original prices JC is asking for items of lower quality (or the prices are lower than the JC collection items).
DeletePeople love "a deal." 30% off, 50% off, consumers feel "smart" when they think they are beating the system by getting something at a big discount. Espcially when the brand is really desirable and J Crew is.
DeleteI don't think J. Crew expects to sell much at FP. The design may be worthy of these prices, but the quality generally is more "mall store" than high-end brand and the actual selling prices of items (does anybody buy anything at less than 30% off anymore?) reflects what they are worth.
Cass: As far as JC Penney's goes, I think their low price strategy failed because they've always been a coupon retailer and it was hard to re-train customers to not want a deal. I also think they suffered from low-quality merchandise and an abundance of it. Walking into a Penney's is a nightmare. There are racks and racks and racks of clothes that I feel too overwhelmed to sort through and look for the good stuff. And I like shopping! I can only imagine how overwhelming that must be to someone who doesn't. I hope they can turn their brand around because I feel they still have great stuff to offer, they should just do so sparingly and at a higher quality if they want to not give so many discounts.
DeleteLL Bean is a retailer that's not big on discounts and I buy stuff from them (not clothing because it doesn't fit and is a little too mature for tastes right now) without even looking for a deal because I know they stand behind their products. If J. Crew wants to stop the discount train (which they may not want to as Ruffles pointed out) they should look into providing quality clothing again.
...and in addition to reliable quality, LL Bean offers great service and flawless shipping. This inspires loyalty and full-price shopping.
DeleteIt seems like J Crew does the hard stuff well (design, marketing). But JC falls way short on the easy stuff - where are the MBA's to manage the sourcing, manufacturing, fulfillment etc?
Vent 1 inconsistent pricing: Last week I purchased the grey tipped schoolboy for $119.99 - 40%. About half of the jackets were marked $119.99. The others still had the initial markdown. There were no problems at check out and it was not final sale. When I arrived home, I realized that the jacket was on a cousin's wish list, so I stopped by my "home" B&M the next day to purchase her gift.. The 40% promo was continuing. The SAs at this store insisted that the jacket was still priced at the initial markdown These SAs stopped just short of accusing me of ticket switching. I left empty handed, and headed out to the first B&M where I purchased the gift with no issues. (My cousin's size was ticketed at the 1st markdown. I brought the gift along another size with the correct pricing to the counter.)
ReplyDeleteVent 2: Returnable vs. final sale depends on location. Several days after the jacket fiasco, I stopped in B&M #3 to scope out stocking stuffers. 40% off signs were up in the sale section. I found the double breasted schoolboy marked $99.99. At checkout, I was offered the option of paying either the ticketed price or receiving 40% off as a final sale. I accepted final sale for personal purchases; fortunately the gifts were FP so there was no heartburn. On my way home I stopped at the "unfriendly" B&M mentioned in Vent #1. I made a small purchase from sale section to have in reserve in case I need a last minute stocking stuffer - 40% off and returnable.
All of the stores discussed above are within a 40mile radius,
Vent 3: J Crew's standard response to sale/pricing complaints is to suggest/imply that the Crewlet might be a better fit. It isn't.
Instead, J Crew might want to give some consideration as to how discounts and customer service are handled by the higher end brands it wishes to emulate. Sales are less frequent, but there is no shame to waiting for either a seasonal markdown or F&F discount. Final sale is reserved for the deepest discounts.
If J Crew wishes to move upstream it needs to up its game.
Based on my recent experiences I am now on a self-imposed ban - no store visits until March.
Okay - hold the phone.
ReplyDeleteThe remarkably weird $498 Collection Embellished Moroccan Sweater (07862) that was nominated a few days ago as a "questionable item of the week" on this blog (alternative name: "backpack sweater") has gone from being fully stocked last night to being completely sold out this morning. I cannot fathom that this is true, especially since the sweater has been eligible for the 30% off promo before today.
Maybe they decided it was so embarrassing that they should cut their losses and remove it from their offerings...
DeleteHa, no I'm sure they felt it was too special to be sold at 30% off so they pulled it from the sale.
DeleteThe backpack sweater is back this morning - in all sizes. :)
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DeleteI've noticed this has happened with multiple items. The Vintage Holiday sweater was sold out one minute and fully stocked the next. I've been stalking both JCrew's and Factory's sites for a few days now. Factory thinks they have some clever marketing strategies by removing likely 'best sellers' from the deeper sales, and then adding them back after the sale ends. Oh, and if you ever get insomnia like I deal with (daily), check the sites from 3:00-5:00 AM and you may find your size restocked and may be able to quickly snag it. I'm thinking they restock the returns and then update the site around that time.
DeleteBTW- I've also been stalking this blog for a while now and totally didn't realize there was such a large Crew following. I feel at home and love your sassy and witty comments! I've been a fanatic since I was 13...31 now. Gosh, who knows what large purchase I could've made by now!
I rarely vent since I don't normally have a lot of complaints, but ugh, this new shipping policy is chapping my butt.
ReplyDeleteI ordered three items, two of which are for me, and one for my son for Christmas. The one item, the lovely cable pocket sweater in ivory, came super fast and in great condition from one of my closest stores in the area. So yay, right?
As of this morning the other two haven't shipped, the Nike waffle sneaker in green (was a popback) and the adorable "the dark side made me do it" tee for my son.
I hold no hope on the waffle sneaker coming since it is apparent they are no longer shipping directly from Lynchburg and relying on the stores instead, but the tee surprises me since it just came out and is fully stocked. What's the holdup?
Anyhow, I know some of you are able to commiserate, so I thought I would put it out there since I am feeling super cranky tonight. ;)
(Oh, and other Virginians feeling like they were spoiled before...what, one day turnaround for most items before shipped from L'burg? I guess those days are gone...)
I am disliking the new "ship from anywhere" where there's inventory, instead of relying on inventory from their warehouse. I place an order a few days ago for a S Navy Excursion quilted vest for my daughter for Xmas, and got the dreaded email saying that they're out of stock. I've received A LOT more of those "we're sorry..." emails since they changed their inventory management system. I'm always worried that I'll get a defective store return merchandise.
DeleteWell the two items still haven't shipped, but I see that they have the shoes back in stock, so I just ordered them again. If they don't ship, or both get canceled, I might just have to send a pissy e-mail to someone. It takes a lot for me to get irritated, but that would definitely push me over the edge.
DeleteThose excursion vests are so cute, that stinks. Maybe you will find one someday. :P
I am no longer ordering from JCrew b/c of this shipping change. They have lost me as a customer after 13+ years. Too crazy. Used to get my orders in 1 or 2 days and if I wanted "shop worn" items I would drive the hour one way to a store....
DeleteP.S. I only shop in person at the Factory store 2-3 times a year now while on vacations.
DeleteI bought the fair isle leggings in blue last weekend and after just one wear they have a small hole in them. So disappointing! I really liked these leggings but they're going back. J. Crew needs to work on it's quality control.
ReplyDeleteAre we allowed to complain about Madewell here? The pricing/discount inconsistencies are the same. Here's my experience from last night:
ReplyDeleteAt a B&M, I bought three items. When I got home, I saw in an email that they were still honoring the 30% off orders of $125 or more, so I placed an order for two of the items I'd already purchased (couldn't find the third online) and got the discount. When I pulled out the duplicate items to return today, I noticed that one of them was actually on sale in the store, so that was 40% off, making it less than I'd paid online (where it was full price). At the same time, I was able to locate the third item online, and had to call customer service to honor the 30% discount, as I couldn't cancel and replace the order or add to it. So now, I'm going to return the two full-priced items that I bought instore at no discount, and then, when the order arrives, return the third item (the one that was on sale in the store). I hate to finagle this way, but seriously, if the pricing and discounts were consistent, I wouldn't have to jump through hoops to get the best price possible.
You can totally vent about Madewell. It sounds super frustrating too- knowing you could pay less for the same item after less than 24 hours!
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