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.
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ReplyDeleteMine is a problem not with the company, but with the store... their shoulders are *too small*! I pretty much can't wear J Crew tops because the shoulders are so small compared to the bust and body. It seems that they even try to hide this by folding things artfully in product photos, so then I think an item won't have the same problem, but it does. Come on, J Crew... give us some space in the shoulder! Or at least show the real outline of the garment.
ReplyDeleteAs the reviews of fall items start to roll in, my vent is that even though JC has improved their designs, it seems that the quality is just still not there. To me, "classic" JC is not just the design, but the construction - and a pretty blazer or almond-toe pump are not classic if they won't last a season. Plus, the prices they're charging are insane given all of the shortcuts (cheap buttons, acrylics and polyester, glue marks on shoes, etc.) they are taking. The review thread has a lot of "not worth it at full price" reviews.
ReplyDeleteDitto Silver Lining.
ReplyDeletePrices are way too high this season.
Quality is not there.
Stock issues---either my size is sold out already or they are shipping in November. SERIOUSLY. and I am talking on basic, white shirts. Looks bad that they can't even stock basics, plus, they lost my order in the end.
Ditto silver_lining. Sigh.
ReplyDeletesub
ReplyDeleteOT but looks like many pieces of sale-priced swimwear were marked down overnight, in some cases up to $20 less than they were yesterday. Plus take another 30% off that. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with silver ... my Sept. catalog finally arrived yesterday (I hadn't really been in the stores for quite some time) and I just didn't see anything that interested me. I'm all jacket-ed out this season, so other than the schoolboy in decadent red, possibly the Teddie dress (which worries me due to length, or lack thereof) and my viridian green pencil skirt (which STILL has not shipped!), I just didn't see anything that stirred me.
ReplyDeleteAnd knowing as I do what the quality issues are, I tossed the catalog in the reycle pile almost immediately. Sigh. :(
I'm annoyed at the final sale management. While I'm glad they seem to be restocking this go-round, they are dropping prices on items from one day to the next!
ReplyDeleteI ordered a swim tank/skirt for that one last beach trip we are taking (be gone, Hurricane Irene!!) yesterday. One piece was $29.99 and the other was $24.99 before the extra 30% off. Total around $38 before tax/shipping.
I check the final sale this am and each piece has dropped significantly in price. Now the pieces total <$25 total before tax/shipping. $13 is pretty difference!
I've emailed them to see if they can adjust since my order hasn't even shipped yet, but you just never know! I always hate to see items drop in price after the extra 30 is over, but I really hate to see them drop while it's still going on and I've just ordered!
I hate it when you're in the process of ordering something that continually pops back in FS...and then it goes "out of stock." And then the next morning it's back in stock again. :[
ReplyDeleteThis is kind of stupid, but I noticed in the latest catalog that they STILL have an Asian looking model for the business wear, as they have for years.
ReplyDeleteWHY?
It somehow seems like such a stereotype to me...
I hate final sale esp. swimsuits. How can a swimsuit that I have never tried be final sale???? Still waiting it out and won't buy anything at final sale anymore.
ReplyDeleteOh, Elaine! Thanks for the heads up...agh, the tank I ordered at what I thought *was* a good price is now forty dollars cheaper. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to over-burden my ps, she has been fab and literally has bent over backwards for me lately.
For those of you searching, some of these prices are really good. Like get them now good. If you can fit into J. Crew swimwear (I know it isn't the easiest for some folks, esp with sizing issues that J. Crew has had lately), these suits last quite a long time. I still have suits from three or four years ago that look brand new.
So that is my vent...forty dollars? Wow. Come on now, J. Crew...stop screwing around!
Hi everyone, haven't written in a while but I've been following. Had to chime in on this.. I agree, prices are WAY too high! There are things that I want but I can not drop $500 for 4 pieces! It's insane! Anyway, I am hoping for some kind of 20% off promo or something that would help me out a little bit. Not to mention that it burns me every time I get my rewards that we get 25 bucks for every 500 spent. That seems like a joke. That's not even the tax on $500! Alas, I am in a never ending conundrum because I love my JC but they really don't offer many perks for loyal customers. Hmmph!
ReplyDeleteI will happily take any price drops. I am waiting and watching for last day of promo to see how low prices go before ordering. How can we complain on the one hand that JC prices are too high, then complain on the other hand that they have dropped their prices quickly? If price dropping bothers you, you have to learn to wait it out and not get caught up in marketing-induced emotions over items.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of too high prices, last night saw a "collection" dress in B&M, plain black with short dolman sleeves, knee length. 100% rayon, 100% polyester shell, for $350. Seriously?
Cass: I am not sure who your comment was directed at, but I thought I would add my thoughts...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you normally, but I think this is the first time I personally have seen swimwear drop this significantly and this early (which is what I guess I meant in my original comment). In the past, swimwear has sold out at the higher sale prices. So I was more amazed than anything. And for what it's worth, I won't be asking for a price adjustment. I prefer to ask my PS to help me on other problems.
Plus with the Crew we all have seen items that we don't expect to sell out to sell out and others that we do expect to sell out to just kind of sit there for months. It does feel a bit nutty sometimes.
I think your patience is definitely the right way to go 90% of the time with the crew, but the other 10% of the time, paying full price is the only way to ensure getting an item. :)
My vent is with items that are 100% cotton. I've had a few shirts develop holes only after 2 or 3 washings (always gentle cycle, in a high efficiency washing machine).
ReplyDeleteAnd as a Canadian J.Crew fan since 1993, I have to chime in on the price hike for Canadian customers. For a staple like the Jackie Cardigan, it went from US$62 to US$80...and that doesn't include the shipping, duties and taxes! It comes to about US$116 for just the cardigan. Le sigh!
Hi Dina, not trying to knock you, and I know it sucks to end up paying more for something. Just didn't want to send the message to JC that we don't like price reductions. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a Canadian JCrew shopper I am frustrated to no end with the new Canadian prices that are 20% higher than those on the US site. The dollar has been par for quite some time!The increase in price far exceeds potential custome fee's. I am so turned off I won't be shopping with them until this is resolved.
ReplyDeleteCass, I totally hear you. :)
ReplyDeleteSo, on that note.
J. CREW, LISTEN. Please, please think about converting your inventory system to the one Boden has, whereby you can see is something is in stock, low stock, out of stock, and in some cases, the amount of weeks something is backordered. Wouldn't that be fab, everyone? That way we can have some idea of whether or not FP is definitely worth it? Or even the first sale cut? Or is that just way too customer friendly? LOL.
Way too customer-friendly, dinagideon! Remember when we used to be able to input "99" in the cart? That was killed after extensive discussion on JCA. Better for them to have us believe everything is in high demand - even if we see it languishing in the sale section for months on end! ;)
ReplyDeleteBeginning with Fall 2010, I noticed issues with pant size. They are not accurate. I normally wear a 6 and tried on the high rise cord the other day in a 6 and veryTIGHT so I am mature enough to size up and went to an 8 and it was also tight in waist and thigh...ugh! Did not purchase. However, I went home and tried on my cords from 2008/2009 in 6 and they fit perfect. What is up with their sizing? Also, I agree with quality lately...many of my t's have small snags/holes and threading in a lot of my casual blouses is coming undone....I'm torn between ordering the Martina wedge but the price is so dang expensive for a wedge! Also, I too did not find too many outstanding pieces in the September catalog...I actually thought it was boring! Hoping for a brilliant OCTOBER catalog....fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Dina -- the differences in price on some items were shocking. I almost fell out of my chair early this morning -- there were several items I've been watching for quite some time that I couldn't snatch up fast enough. At $25 for a Liberty swimsuit, I'm gonna take my chances!
ReplyDeleteIf anything I get doesn't fit me, my mom or one of my 2 sisters will benefit, lol.
I did need something that seems to have fallen out of stock since 2 days ago, so I hope it shows up again. My question about sizing on size XL swimsuit bottoms was answered with the arrival of my first MUSTSHOP order yesterday ... XL is not for you if your butt is closer to a 10/12. Arrgggh. So the glamour bikini in Playa paisley is now out of stock in size Lg, but I ordered the regular one this morning. Hoping the glamour bikini bottom pops back soon.
I have a love/hate relationship with final sale and bouncing-ball markdowns. As all of you well know, I pretty much never buy anything that isn't marked down. I am patient and cheap, lol! Having learned how to play the final sale game (something I fully attribute to y'all), I've scored some really, really amazing deals on things I absolutely love.
But it can be maddening to have just ordered something that drops significantly in price the next day and be told 'no' when you request a price adjustment. Considering 85% of the population would never even know it happened bc they don't check the items daily like we do, why they can't just make the adjustment for those who do ask is very odd to me.
Final sale is like a game to me, and I don't really mean that in a negative way. It's like a treasure hunt for fashion finds, some of which are artifacts. Yes, retail shouldn't be a game, but it's almost like a fun little pastime for me, and overall I feel I've benefited from sale-item stalking, so I'm not really complaining.
I'd like to see a search engine feature on the factory site as well.
ReplyDeleteJust realized this would be better posted here than the spot I first posted it...
ReplyDeleteJust this summer I've had:
1. 2 t-shirts that became unraveled on the arm seam after one wear and wash. (JCrew did send one to tailor free of charge to be repaired - okay job but noticeably not the way it started. Second shirt not even going to bother with.)
2. 1 silk shirt that was mislabeled so instructed me it was a blend and to put in washing machine. As you can imagine it came out destroyed. JCrew did exchange for me, but what a hassle.
3. 1 linen romper that had leg seam come unraveled after one wear.
Quality, timeless pieces? That's four articles of clothing in the past few months I've bought that didn't even make it through more than one wear.
I have gotten several swimwear pieces over the years, not on final sale and most for the price of $19.99. Willing to wait until final sale is over and take my chances....I just don't like even giving $25 away/I want to be able to return an item even if it doesn't work--Final sale is not fun in the least IMO.
ReplyDeleteI just opened my parcel and there are 2 holes in the belt loop area of the grafetti green Matchstick cords plus the belt loop area is all black. Their quality sucks.
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ReplyDeletewent to the store to check out the new sweaters-- they all feel so cheap! acrylic and nylon blends, ugh! or, you have yo pay way too much for 100% wool or cashmere.
ReplyDeleteSo, I have been emailing my personal shopper since first thing yesterday morning. I didn't get her "I'll be back in the office" automated message. I emailed her a second time to be sure it went through. There WAS an earthquake here yesterday afternoon, which preoccupied all concerns. I emailed again today.
ReplyDeleteNothing. I tried a second personal shopper who helps me when mine is not available. No answer there either. I emailed "contact us" to see if they were having problems; also "erica." And I'm telling them I want to place an order. Anyone hear of any issues there? Yes, I phoned, but could only get voice mails. Hmmmm.
Suzy: Did you have trouble getting your 20% off cardholder coupon to work? I was having an issue, and I didn't know what was going on because it is supposed to expire tomorrow. Oh, well.
ReplyDeleteI figure if it doesn't work tomorrow, then I might contact someone, but will wait, which it sounds like I would have had to do anyhow.
I did hear back from mine yesterday, she was fine, but obviously a bit freaked out. I have no idea what went on as she just wrote back to touch base and let me know she was fine.
Well said, silver_lining! ITA that quality isn't there (lack of lining, poor workmanship, poor materials, etc.) but prices keep on rising. I see that our economy isn't doing well and costs are rising, but JC must be making so much profits with the crazy prices they're charging. I must confess I was under the crewlade influence ordering those man made sole pumps from the fall role out, but they all went back since quality wasn't there.
ReplyDeleteIt's me again. Why is everything FALL shipping in October or November or December? I'm about to cry, struggling to put together an order. Did they not make enough??? Some things are flat out sold out. HUH? Are they going to come out with more stuff so I can buy some dang pants?
ReplyDeleteDina - yes! I finally had time to go through the catalog and website and pick a few favorites to order my sizes...and now I can't order. Really? I actually sent my order - for 7 items! but it hasn't been processed and no one has replied! Making that DVF dress I like even more appealing, lol. Will see if I hear anything tomorrow.
ReplyDeletejcrewph,
ReplyDeleteI agree. I don't preorder or buy anything at full price as the prices have risen so much and the quality is not worth it at all anymore. I have only preordered one time and that was for a jacket several years ago that was a collection piece in ivory with silk roses all down the front--so worth it:) I got my September catalog and had to look through it twice and there was nothing I even wanted. I had to go through it again just to be sure. Wow. Never had that happen. Even in the past years there has been one or two things I wanted. To me, even though the color is back there is nothing I want or like!
I know I am completely late and out of the loop with this question but I keep seeing everyone talking about a 20% cardholders promo. I am a cardholder and I did not receive that. Did everyone get one, or was this another case of the mystery selection, where for no rhyme or reason some people get things and some don't?
ReplyDeleteMy problem is I miss the "old J.Crew." To me, they are forgetting what made J.Crew so successful and are becoming far to trendy. I also miss the quality. Everything seems to have short cuts. The cashmere sweaters are not the quality they use to be. Fabrics are not the same and seem to be mass produced. I also am finding the sizing inconsistent. Some items are running large and other items are much smaller. Overall, I am becoming frustrated with the entire line. I have looked at my purchases the last twelve months and noticed I am not buying from J.Crew like I use to. I think the direction they are going doesn't reflect the talent of Mickey Drexler. It seems way off base and his influence is lagging. I hate to see this happen.
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ReplyDeleteI received an order today with an obvious defect. I completely love the Wild Spots Cardigan but it had a very visible cut on the front by one of the button holes. There is a instore security tag, so it was a store ship back.
ReplyDeleteI called CS, and of course they were sold out of this item in my size. They offered a return, but I thought I could fix it or get it fixed, so after they asked me how much it would cost to fix it, they offered that as the discount.
I was being super conservative in my estimation, it would still look obviously mended, and I had no idea they planned to only give me that as discount.
That would have been the end of the story, but before they concluded the call, I asked if they would be able to resell a defective item. Of course not. So I suggested that it would be fair that I receive half off discount on a unsaleable item. And after she talked with her supervisor, I got it.
And while not a perfect job, I was able to mend the defect with little issue and got the Cardigan for $20.
I'm hoping that a store didn't knowingly return a cut item for resale.
They really need to make sure people on the chat line know what they are doing. Was trying to decide on some swimwear and needed measurements. Got them just fine yesterday using the chat feature but still undecided. Decided I needed to check another item and size and the chat person Erin today told me she could not get those measurements for me!!!WHAT. I tried again and got Jeremy who easily gave me the measurements for the item I had just asked for....however, by that time what I wanted had sold out b/c it was a couple of hours later. J.Crew lost a sale but it was their incompetent chat person Erin around 11:00 am Eastern time that cost them the sale.
ReplyDeleteMy vent, like others, is regarding continued poor quality and ridiculous prices. I read the JC website info about their cashmere where they state that all cashmere will pill, it just continues to shed or some BS. Then why is my Ann Taylor cashmere cardi still in perfect condition? I'm not buying it....literally, I'm not buying their cashmere.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Cashmere should not pill much, if at all, if it is good quality. JCrew's cashmere is made with short fibers that pill easily. I own vintage cashmere made with quality long fibers that looks great after many years. I will never buy JCrew cashmere again. People comment on the great colors but so what if your sweater looks like crap after only a few wears!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy two vintage tees which I recently bought have bought developed HOLES after just one wear!! Am so upset since I really like the feel of these tees. What terrible quality!
ReplyDeleteMich,
ReplyDeleteWere your vintage tees V-necks? Just curious.