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.
Bythelake mentioned this yesterday and I had the same experience, so I’ll post the vent ... I tried the new Factory Anya’s in the gray suede and the quality and fit are so much worse than my pairs from years past. The elastic is ridiculously tight and they hurt all over. The suede is cheap and stiff.
ReplyDeleteI’ve had good luck with the Anya in the past, esp the metallic colors and the Belvedere Red, but this year’s version seems to be following the overall J Crew trend to bottom-of-the-barrel quality.
In contrast, I received my Boden order yesterday. The colors! The shoes! The attention to detail! The Ottoman Dress is gorgeous. I’ve found the fit at Boden tricky at first but it has become my go-to for polished, special pieces.
I have always enjoyed perusing Boden's catalog but a lot of times the prints aren't quite right for me or the cuts are a little off. I have to say - this last catalog has me swooning over a ton of items. I'm less familiar with the ins and outs of getting deals there but I see myself ordering at some point this fall.
DeleteGot the grey factory Anya’s as well, they were only $19 with discount. Love the color. I sized up to 8 from my normal 7.5, not tight in the toe, but it’s plastic inside and the foot was sweating a lot... since it’s not leather. I got bleeding blisters in the back of my foot yesterday...not sure if I will wear them for a work day.... but perhaps a grocery run in the fall.... overal disappointing
DeleteYes, yes and yes - I left a detailed review on yesterday's post - also blisters on the heel. So sad, as I loved the Cece and the Anyas just don't cut it. Color is great, so I hope they will soften.
DeleteI haven't tried Boden's shoes, but they always look great. I wish they had stores in the states. ( I saw Nordstrom now caries some Boden, but I don't know about the shoes)
Looking for other flat options if anyone has some ideas.
Madewell has new ballerinas called the Reid. They also comes in pumps (which i have and are soft leather and comfy. So i assume the flats will be the same way. HTH
DeletePurchased pair of the Reid Leopard Calf Hair Print in their ballet flat. Nice quality has a sole like Jcrew's beloved Cece's which I miss. Run true to size however the width is a little wide for me in the heel. I am size 10, medium width but narrow heel. Will put a gel othotic in and hopefully this will do the trick. Purchased with the $25.00 off Promo last week.
DeletePic if the Reid’s on my IG
DeleteI need a pair of leopard flats for fall - thanks for the tip on the Reid’s. My beloved leopard Ceces (back from when they were really Italian-made) are in tatters. I’ll try the Reid’s.
DeleteNot as stylish as I'm sure you are all looking for but I have had great luck with Born and Coach flats/loafers. I had complicated foot surgery last year and haven't graduated to wearing heels yet. Love my Coach loafers!
DeleteYes, Coach shoes are actually really great. Great leather, well constructed. Coach is another brand that’s fallen out of favourite and trying so hard...
DeleteReceived a new customer 20% off coupon from Boden.I may use it to to try their slightly heeled Leopard print ballet style. Looks like JCRew’s Kiki. I’m not familiar with this company, can anyone provide feedback on their shoe sizing if possible? Thanks
DeleteI’ve found Boden shoes true to size. Normally I try to wait until a review is posted to see what others have said. Great thing about Boden is that they have measurements for nearly every single piece of clothing, which is so helpful when ordering. Seriously don’t understand why most other companies don’t do this. I probably order more from boden and garnet hill for that reason. Shipping is great and I have never ever had a quality issue.
Delete@Mollypop thanks for the info
DeleteWhy is there no % off sale? It's August - get that summer stuff cleared out!!
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed that Jcrew did not offer their new loyalty program to international customers> I have been a long time Canadian customer and we continue to get the short end of the stick.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Plus no free shipping on crewcuts anymore and the new arrivals day last week didn’t have free shipping (which normally it did) so it looks like we are getting shafted in Canada.
DeleteTo be fair Jcrew is still nicer to Canadian customers then many other US retailers. I appreciate Canadian currency and shipping rates are acceptable, they charge me taxes and I do not have to pay surprise duties/brokerage fees on delivery. Shipping to Ontario takes about one week. Returns can be made to a store. There is definitely a room for improvement but in comparison with Anthro or Sundance they are a lot less frustrating to shop with.
DeleteThat is true, I do appreciate those things you mentioned. :) and they def have amazing customer service.
Deleteshipping to Vancouver...I am looking at 9days..then add the weekend and its 2 weeks. for $12 I think I should be getting it faster. I always forget what I have ordered when it arrives.
DeleteThe current shipping timeline blows. A few years ago items came by UPS (my delivery guy knew me by name - much like Norm on Cheers). Shipping had a much shorter turn around time.
DeleteThe lack of current promos when other retailers are blowing out summer stock is confusing. Does JCrew believe any of us will buy polos, tees and shorts at full pop in mid August?
How about a big ol summer blow out with free shipping and show us the fall stock we want to see and dream about.
I just got an email explaining the new Jcrew rewards program. They are doing away with the Jcrew credit card rewards and just combining it all into one. The benefit I see to this program is for people that do not have a Jcrew credit card: they will get a five dollar gift card for every $200 they spend. Card holders will get a five dollar gift card for every $100 they spend. They act like it is so much better, but this is basically the same as the previous program where you got a $25 gift card for every $500 you spend. I do love the free shipping though!
ReplyDeleteI received the same email. For as little as I purchase anymore I am going to stop using or perhaps even cancel the credit card. I get better cash back with my Discover card and don’t mind losing the additional $5 reward. Especially if I still get free shipping through the rewards program.
DeleteI'm still a bit confused about rewards. I got an email on 7/31 saying I was "in!" because I already had a credit card. I checked my rewards status last night (after having placed a few orders in the last week) and it was showing no activity so I emailed CS to ask what's up. I was informed this morning that the rewards program is only for if you don't have a J.Crew card and that the rewards program for the card is separate. Then this morning I got an email that they're combining as of October...so...I assume that means I accrue rewards under the card program until it converts to the new program?
ReplyDeleteHere is what I was told verbatim by a VPS that has been there for years and I emphasize years: J.Crew Card holders benefit from rewards points more so than non cardholders on the rewards tier. Now if the company doesn’t change the scheme of things that’s another story in the future.
ReplyDeleteI returned some things in-store last night and noticed a table full of cute chino shorts-at full price?!? Seems like a long while ago they mentioned getting sales cycles more in sync with actual seasons, but shorts are at least half price other places now?
ReplyDeleteI guess estimated delivery really is an estimate.
ReplyDeleteI thought with this new rewards program I would be able to link my teacher discount to my online account. Sure would be nice!
ReplyDeleteI received my last two orders, all popbacks.
ReplyDeleteOrdered the Breathe tank top in gray, received a tiny green NBxJC bralette. Hmmm.
Ordered the sleeveless tank in Betsy Ann floral, received the symphony floral (which I already own). Hmm.
Ordered the ruffle neck v-neck sweater in cream. Received a pilled and stretched sweater with obvious perfume.
Got the regatta painted skirt in M and as Lynn guessed, it would be too big. Might be the size or the box pleats but I looked extremely wide in it. The print is darling but the elastic waist is very low-end.
Out of 6 items, am only keeping one. Sadface!
@eeps sorry about the skirt. Yes, the elastic isn’t the greatest, however the print more than makes up for this. Just a matter of finding an appropriate fit. Funny story with mine, I was in Portofino recently and someone mistook it for a Dolce and Gabbana! I do have their skirt in a nautical motif. Jcrew’s Is an inexpensive alternative.
DeletePoor @eeps, I realize when we order popbacks they are often returns, so the chances are greater than usual for an error. But three out of six is terrible! Did you call CS, they are good about rectifying these errors. Will find you a replacement, or a similar item and honor the price you paid. When my gingham pajamas arrived with no bottoms I ended up with a lovely pair of navy/white polka dot pajamas. Once a pair of socks arrived with a run and I ended up with a nicer pair in a similar color.
DeleteTotally agree!! I took a chance on the sweater; knew it might have problems but didn't realize just how ragged it would be. The other two issues are related to ...I dont even know. The sleeveless tank I can understand the confusion because the two have same item number, just different product names and colors. I addressed that with CS via email and they're going to price adjust once I reorder the item (and get the right item). The Breathe tank top is a headscratcher. The plastic bag has the correct item number and color code, which says heather charcoal, even though clearly the bralette is kelly green.
DeleteI'm glad I got to try on the regatta skirt even though it was the wrong size. I don't think the shape and length works on me - the wide box pleats gave me a barrel shape, and I'm 5'1 so the length was quite long. I do love the print but it doesn't make up for the fit shortcomings and the elastic back IMO. Glad I can stop stalking a popback now!
Ordered a couple of the Abigail Borg items cotton silk peasant blouse and tee for a friend. She’s sending them back due to poor quality fabric not a silky texture at all and the fabric with the tee was quite scratchy. Overrated to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI got the cross-strap sandals in leopard calf hair online, where the only information was ‘leather upper, import’. This is a made in China calf hair with made in Vietnam synthetic lining and sole. It doesn’t matter if they slap the word ‘collection’ on the sandals, they are a far cry from the all leather, made in Italy pairs I purchased in the past. This is definitely the gilded age - problems masked by a thin gold gilding.
ReplyDeleteVent: pricing games. Yesterday I put the Buckled gladiator sandals in metallic blush in my cart. They were 34.99. This morning I checked and they were the same price. I was waiting for another order to come before I wanted to buy them. When I went to order a few hours later they were 64.99.
ReplyDeleteYou saw that too! Thought I was losing it with too much sale browsing. It feels a really sketchy pricing practice to me. One day $43 cdn, then boom marked "new to sale" at $83 CDN. Same with the other style of gold flat sandals.
DeleteBUT I do want to say thank you to all the lovely JCA contributors who continue to post price drop notes and also comments on their finds. Often makes me look with fresh eyes at items I had passed over before.
Hello:
ReplyDeleteNeither a gripe nor a love, but I'm not sure where else to post questions looking for general J.Crew advice.
Topic: Shoe Returns.
I'm in between sz 12 and 13 in shoes, and I recently bought a pair of their Ludlow wing tips that were in sale/pop back. They arrived, and it was obvious by the light crease marks, very mild spots on the soles, and disheveled packing paper that these had been worn--albeit very briefly--and returned. It didn't bother me, but I'm sure many others wouldn't have been happy.
The fit is questionable. I wore them on the carpeting at work for @15 minutes and as much as I love the style (and sale price...) I just don't think they are a great fit. Sadly I will be sending them back. There are no scuffs or damage per se, but these will now have been previewed/returned twice. Need I worry that J.Crew will get them and say, "So sorry, but we cannot sell these now as new and thus we reject the return request"...?
Tough crowd.
DeleteI've received shoes in similar condition and let them know right away. I'd jut call or email CS and explain
DeleteLast week my J.Crew account was hacked. Someone logged in, changed my username and password, and then used my credit card to place an order. I called CS and they immediately cancelled the order and I thought they restored my account, but this morning I went to log in and my username no longer exists. Not very encouraging in terms of security and I am going to reconsider what information I store there going forward. Just a heads up for everyone else.
ReplyDelete