Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Be Aware of eBay Listings for Codes

I often check eBay to see if there is an item from previous seasons that I missed in my J.Crew Collection. What I have come across is something that I thought I would bring to light: selling codes that are already published on J.Crew's website!

There are some eBay sellers who are charging users to get a J.Crew online coupon code for 30% off + Free shipping & handling. The best part is the description states the code is "Valid through 7-29-10 - SO PLEASE HURRY!!!". Clearly the code they are talking about is the current EXTRA30 promotional code.

They are even using images for their listings that I created exclusively, with J.Crew's stock photos of course. (Like the one above is currently being used. I created it for the September 5, 2008 "J.Crew's Fall Looks For Women {Do you like?}" post.)

I never saw public codes being sold like this before. I think one possible explanation is that some customers are selling their unique J.Crew catalog codes on eBay. (Incidentally, I find those listings to be fine and can be a win-win for everyone involved.) I think some eBay sellers are hoping potential customers are confusing the unique J.Crew catalog codes for these universally public ones.

Again, I just wanted to make you all aware of it so you don't spend money on information that is already public and more importantly, free for everyone! :)

18 comments:

  1. That's very kind of you Alexis to think of us all and to post this warning :) What unscrupulous people are lurking out there waiting to nab our hard-earned money!

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  2. FYI, you can report fraudulent listings to EBay. I just reported the listing for the 30% off code.

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  3. ReginaO: I know right! I don't mind it when there are listings to sell those unique J.Crew catalog codes because that is not universal information. And the sale can be a win win for everyone. However, to sell information that is already public and disguise it as not, is a bit shady.

    Lauren PHD: I didn't know about that (reporting listings to eBay). Thanks for sharing that! :)

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  4. Hopefully anyone who thinks to look on Ebay for such an offer just googles it first and finds it here. Oh, the humanity.

    Thanks for spreading the truth, Alexis!

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  5. How do you search for the codes on ebay? What do you type in the search box, never done it before.
    Thanks,
    Dane

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  6. I saw that listing last nite and posted it on the sellers and seekers site. I was really disgusted but I've noticed that nobody has fallen for it, yet.

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  7. On the subject of Ebay, I see someone is trying to unload Dauphine jackets for $350... hope no one falls for those, either, as the jacket was on the j.crew site for months at $99.....

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  8. ew, that is so unattractive. shame on them. thanks for bringing it to light, alexis and others. :)

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  9. LVG, you may remember when a JC tee with an outline of a rose sat on Ebay for months at $175...

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  10. Well this is an actual code, for the cool price of free. It's for Banana Republic, 40% off two items:
    DLX8DGLGXTYW.
    It expires today, so I hope someone can use it.
    I have another code I might not be using, so if you plan on using it email me at ama7410@msn.com

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  11. Argh. Sounds like that seller needs a 'code' of ethics.

    har har.

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  12. Nasty!

    Now if a JCA would like to sell a current catalog 20% off code, I am interested in buying. Contact me at

    dunc209 at shaw.ca

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  13. Oh the times I have seen a listing on Ebay for something (makeup, whatever) where I know their asking price is ABOVE retail, plus shipping. I get so irritated I almost want to message them and vent. Ebay is a dinosaur, for the most part, thanks to Etsy.

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  14. Yeah, when I read this in another post my jaw dropped. Someone would actually list this on eBay?!

    Lauren PhD, great for reporting this seller to eBay. What a crazy seller trying to get $ from innocent buyer new to JCrew.

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  15. Loosely related. The Silk Indigo skirts popping up are indeed Outlet items which the seller is not disclosing. Sadly I bit on the offer and they are cheap and unlined. Thankfully I can return mine but everyone else, beware and ask first since the Outlet seems to now to re-running this fabric.

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  16. Aw, JenLynn, I'm sorry that happened to you. It's still a pretty skirt though. Same with the navy Ikat skirts that have started popping up -- saw them at the Crewlet in Atlantic City when I visited. I still like those, though, and may get one -- I just always like to bid / pay with the source of the garment in mind.

    People are poopy!

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  17. Oh, and someone had the Bazaar dress listed at $499 the other day. About the only thing I know of that can command that much is one of the Talitha gowns from a few years ago! And even then they usually sit around at that price.

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