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 know traditional retail is hurting all over and each misstep has major consequences. I did buy the club collar shirt yesterday in black watch plaid because I missed it last year and really like the collar but that's the only thing that I wanted to buy, but not even at full price. Look at a company like Under Armour that seemed to do no wrong that is now struggling in the retail game. I wish J Crew would recruit a new CEO/leadership who are not afraid to make hard choices and maybe sacrifice quantity to focus on fewer items at a higher quality. Get the magic back with the brand and focus on its roots. I liked the idea of "heritage" items but for pete's sake make them the same, or at least close. If it was wool, do wool, it's not hard. I would rather have one original wool sweater versus 10 choices of OTS or ruffle acrylic sweaters. That's what Old Navy and F 21 are for. I think in the beginning it will be very challenging but if they really care about the company it's the right thing to do. Otherwise relinquish the trademark and let another person try to revive it properly. Isn't that what J Crew did with Madewell? I think "rollneck" and "barn jacket" are trademarked but this rollneck revival was nothing like the original. On the plus side I am usually on the hunt for older, pre-owned, items which look better than the new stuff but it still makes me sad to see so many problems that were partially created by not changing and maybe changing in the wrong way due to leadership. In the grand scheme of things I know this is petty and I am thankful for being able to gripe about a selfish topic like J Crew clothing, it is a luxury in a world where many have no choices at all, or no good choices. Happy Thanksgiving to all the JCA's out there!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Teri. I think that they're stuck. With the amount of debt that they have, they can't infuse more money to try to increase quality, but they keep making one bad decision after another. Now a "curated beauty line" (which you can't see on the site BTW, you have to search individual items)? Why would I purchase beauty from JC when I have Sephora with its generous return policy, free samples, and VIB program?
DeleteThey've also always been slow to embrace technology (see: site) and social media and I think this has hurt them as well. They've mainly ignored the feedback on this site for almost 10 years, and when they don't they miss the point. The "heritage" items are a good example - first they bring back a swimsuit from the 90's and a cropped anorak (?) then they try for some sweaters and coats but change them so much that they're no longer throwbacks. I have the original 2007 toggle coat and it is nothing like what they're trying to sell on the site today (G8982) - IMO, the reboot doesn't need "modern tweaks" (read: cost-cutting measures) because the original had a pretty timeless design and good quality.
JC seems unable to learn from their mistakes and I don't know why this is. I think that if they were seriously going to try to turn things around, they'd have to get leadership that was supportive of data-driven decision making (and I'm not talking just overall $$, but really digging in and looking at what sells, what doesn't, what gets returned, etc.) and really paying attention to customer feedback. Past leaders have been all, "I'm a creative/merchant, I don't care about numbers" but come on - I'd like to think you can balance the two.
Yes, I'm definitely thankful to have the luxury to gripe about this (at the end of the day it's just clothes, but I find it a welcome distraction from the craziness of the world) and I'm thankful to have a great group of posters to be able to chat with for 9.5 years. Happy Thanksgiving, JCA's!
Well said ladies. I agree!
DeleteI totally agree with less quantity and more quality. And bring back the beautiful prints.
DeleteI agree with the above as well. IMO they can take one of the two options; one decrease some of the B&M, but stay true to their original self by offering mid to high-priced well styled high quality clothes but through retailers like Nordstrom; or go the route of H&M+BR (Mixture of poly suiting items + OTS crap) with B&M. I don't think they can do both going forward. I still buy most of my clothes from the crew since I can't afford all designer. And yes, we are fortunate and thankful to live in a world where we can complain about this :)
Deletethe fact that they're adding beauty seems another play for young, 20-something fast fashion crowd--they think people will pick it up as an impulse. There's enough for the fast fashion crowd and not enough for those of us who want beautiful, wearable clothes at reachable (biut not dirt cheap) prices.
DeleteWELL SAID. I truly wish retail would focus on less is more. I'd be willing to pay more to have less options at a higher cost along with matching quality. It makes me sad to think about when I was younger and I dreamed about the day I could afford to buy multiple outfits, now I'm all grown up (lol) and have money to spend but there is nothing I want.
DeleteI think a lot of this is just that the clothing retail business is oversaturated. I don't know how any of them are staying afloat. I'm turned off by all the emails and gift guides telling me what I need to buy. I want to enjoy wearing my clothes, not enjoy buying my clothes. I'm tired of the whole business of buying.
DeleteSeems to be a few new arrivals on the factory site. They don’t show up in the new arrivals tab but under individual category tabs but it seems like the site is getting updated at 7am eastern.
ReplyDeleteI think when you introduce a product such as beauty that really is nothing to do with your core it is nothing but desparate, and I look at it is almost preferring to ignore the real problems.
ReplyDeleteLike the debt, the outdated needs work website, sales people cant find check other stores inventory etc.
why compete with Sephora or in my case Bloomies with rewards/bonus points on beauty.
the brand can still be turned around
No one is looking to get beauty from j crew. Who did they survey for this? I think it’s odd.
DeleteI did place a large order yesterday mostly composed of new arrivals however the item I wanted the most was sold out from under me in all sizes before I got to check out. It was a green sweater in wool with something Donegal in the name. It was supposed to be my good new sweater. Also I was expecting a new tippi but didn’t see any. Hopefully it’s still coming.
ReplyDeleteYes! Where is a holiday tippi???
DeleteWhere are Tippis in new colors?! I would by more, honestly! I'd love a nice tartan Tippi WITH a matching cardigan. I miss the Tippi cardigans so much. I wish I would have bought more before they decided they were too uncool for youngsters.
DeleteI placed an order with my VPS yesterday and also noted I hope J. Crew will do a tartan Tippi next year - she said should would pass it on.
DeleteI third the tartan Tippi...JCrew has offered the same tartan button downs the last couple of years. I’d like some other options.
DeleteA tartan Tippi? Swoon. That sounds amazing
DeleteIt's been a while since I've shopped at J. Crew but have been waiting to purchase a couple sale items and noticed they haven't been doing a percentage off sale lately. Is this typical? Not sure if this is a new change they're rolling out like Gap has done with in-store sale items.
ReplyDelete@Michelle-Yes this is a new strategy that was implemented about two months ago after the new regime took over. % off sale is few and far between now a days.
Deletewhen they started doing this....you see sale page items lingering. they do not sell. when a good is promo on..it moves. Gee maybe I should run the company!!
Deletehttp://money.cnn.com/2017/11/22/news/companies/j-crew-store-closings/index.html
ReplyDeleteIf they are trying to shift to a digital first business as stated in the article then maybe they should invest in technology and fix all the website bugs!
DeleteIf they go digital first, that will be an interesting circle back to JC's beginnings as a catalog/mail order-only brand to physical store presence to store expansion and back to the modern equivalent of mail order: web only. I think they should scale back on stores and focus on web: get the website running well, do online catalogs and online ad campaigns via social, and scale down the number of offerings the way that Sezane does, with quality basics and then one-off basics with a twist in limited runs.
DeleteI wish they would disclose the stores that are closing. Maybe they have but I haven’t seen it.
DeleteIs the red velvet foldover clutch already sold out? :(
ReplyDeletePopped back up this morning!
DeleteThis isn't a vent, but rather a big thank you to the phone customer service people, who are always so nice. I was going to order the wide neck fair isle sweater yesterday, but before I could check out it had "sold out". Of course, this morning it is back in stock, but excluded from promo. I called, just to see if there was any chance they would honor the price for me. The lady I talked to was so pleasant, and in addition to honoring the 40% off, she gave me free overnight shipping! I have my complaints about the pricing games J.Crew plays, but their email and phone customer service has always been top-notch for me.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree about the phone CS representatives. While I dislike waiting until 7am, to speak with someone (a cost-savings measure, I presume), every time I contact CS for whatever the reason, I am satisfied with the experience. I know there will be some point when I am not very happy about some issue that needs to be addressed, but until then, I have to give JC kudos for their phone CS reps.
DeleteThis is great to hear. I have always had great CS. I received a price adjustment for a sweater yesterday and the woman helping me was exceptionally pleasant.
DeleteI got the pup in the bag email again🤣
ReplyDeleteIf they want to switch to digital start with ending such emails. It so infuriating!!
OMG me too...seriously???
DeleteThere are 3 new skirts i swear were not there yesterday.
ReplyDeleteAre they mercantile skirts? Every so often I look at the site and think "new arrivals" and then realize it's JCrew screwing up and adding mercantile stuff. :/
DeleteYes, I see a couple of new ones, including the gorgeous plaid ruffle one from the presentation. Thanks for pointing them out!
DeleteI was really on the fence about the Sweater Jacket with Tartan Trim. It could be cute or it could be over the top. Plus it's really only wearable about seven weeks of the year. Then they changed to not be included in the promo. $325. for seven weeks a year tops when it was $195. on promo? I guess J. Crew saved me $200.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you guys think of that cable knit sweater with the fringe that’s on the bottom left front. Comes in olive or cream. I’m oddly drawn to it but the fringe looks like a big ol’ snag. 😂
ReplyDeleteMeh...the cable is very pretty, but I'm not one for fringe. Surprisingly my hubs who was sitting near me when I was browsing found it interesting :)
DeleteInitially I was intrigued but the slit is a dealbreaker for me. IMO it makes it less versatile.
DeleteI agree with above. The fringe does nothing for me. It cheapens the look.
DeleteIf you scroll down a couple of rows, this instagram shows a couple different girls wearing it. I like it on them better than on the website model. The need for a layer is annoying though.
DeleteWhoops, here's the account! https://www.instagram.com/kristymayn/
DeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have experience with the Classic MacAlister Boots (suede chukkas)? A pair of these arrived yesterday, and I'm not sure how to proceed. These aren't "tight" in the obvious sense that my toes feel jammed into the toe box area, but in just trying them on and walking around the bedroom, the fit across the top of my smaller toes is more snug than ideal. I also have the uncomfortable sensation that stray edges of fabric are pressing against my feet.
The big question: Will these shoes contour to my feet with wear, or do I send them back for a larger size? My dilemma is that if I decide to keep them and suffer through a break-in period, there is the chance that a few weeks down the road I will be left with blisters on my toes from shoes that have not molded to the shape of my feet, at which point they will "used" and not returnable...
Thanks for your advice!
Greetings Every Mann - I don't "break in" shoes anymore. If they aren't comfortable after wearing them for 5 minutes out of the box, they aren't going to be. It means they don't fit and I either exchange them for a different size or return them. This has saved me a lot of time and helped me avoid a lot of pain over the years. Good luck! Jennifer
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