Tuesday, August 23, 2011

J.Crew Email: Change is good: $8.95 flat-rate shipping (plus, free shipping on $175+)

"Thanks!" to Irina who shared the following email J.Crew sent today.

The email announces J.Crew's new shipping fee structure: free shipping on orders of $175 without a code and flat-rate shipping of $8.95 for all orders underneath $175!

The verdict is out whether or not JCAs are excited about this change. From the comments in various posts, some JCAs are concerned that (1) the new shipping rates will reduce the number of promotions offering free shipping with lower minimums; (2) the minimum for free shipping is still too steep; and (3) the flat shipping rate of $9 is high for low purchase amounts.

Personally, I was all excited for J.Crew to introduce a flat-shipping rate. But I was hoping to see free shipping with a lower minimum (maybe over $125?)

On a bright note, at least J.Crew's flat shipping rate is similar to ordering $60 worth of merchandise from their old shipping chart (which is a fair amount to order). They could have easily chosen a higher flat shipping rate. I am grateful they did not. :)

Also, J.Crew's standard shipping-delivery time is one of the best for online retailers. The turnaround from time of order to delivery at doorstep for me is very quick. (I cannot say the same thing for Gap, Inc., or Lands End Canvas, whose standard shipping times are much slower for me.)

17 comments:

  1. Agree, free ship with $100 actually would make me happiest ... but at least shipping costs no longer escalate as basket size increases, which is what really made me mad in the past.

    Maybe now I'll set my sights on Nordstrom, which still charges too much for shipping (and their shipping is soooooooooooooooo slow, omg). With Gap/ON/BR, shipping is slow but at least it's free.

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  2. OT: Whoa! I just felt that earthquake in upstate NY. I hope all the DC-area JCA's are doing okay.

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  3. Felt it here in Northern Baltimore too SL. I'm sure the ones in Southern MD, VA and DC are outside of their buildings right now since Arlington was the epicenter of the quake. My h works in Balto. City. He said by the third 'shake' he was out of his office & down the stairs, & he doesn't scare easy. Scary, to say the least for people in office buildings.

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  4. Me too in NC. God that was scary. I was in the middle of a conference call and I didn't want to alarm anyone, I thought maybe there was road work nearby. When I say comments start streaming into my FB page saying ppl felt it in Mass., etc. is when I got super freaked out. My son's school is 30 mins from my work, and right now it feels like 3,000 miles. :(

    At least I'm wearing my Casbah perfect shirt today. I'd be easily spotted in the rubble, argh.

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  5. Literally couldn't stand up to go get my kids out of their beds to get to a safe area, really scary. That was the absolute worst feeling.

    We are in Alexandria, which is around 80 miles from the epicenter. No damage except to many of my husband's collectibles, all of which are action figures. Many of those tumbled to the ground. I think they will probably be fine. (See, this is why collecting clothing is so much easier--they can be re-hung and re-washed and be as good as new.) :)

    Worried about the Lynchburg folks. The quake was centered pretty close to them. My PS wrote me about forty minutes before the quake hit, I expect they are fine, but possibly sent home? Anyhow, hopefully they are okay.

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  6. Hope everyone impacted by the earthquake is safe!!!

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  7. We felt it here in my office in upper NW DC/MD. Scary, but okay. I live in Alexandria, like dinagideon. Hope nothing is damaged at my house. Otherwise am okay. Hope others are, too!

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  8. The epicenter was near J Crew? So...you're saying even Mother Nature is pissed about the Canadian price discrepancy. *lol*

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  9. Elaine, Dina, and everyone, I hope you're all ok after that scary quake. Felt it a little way up here in Western NY.

    And also, to get somewhat on topic, Elaine, seriously, what is up with Nordstrom??? I ordered a pair of shoes in-store TWO WEEKS AGO, and they still have not been delivered. Allegedly they will arrive tomorrow... we'll see. I am appalled at the slow speed. I guess I am spoiled by J.Crew where it never takes more than 3 business days for regular shipping!

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  10. They need to offer free shipping to J Crew credit card holders. There aren't many benefits, and this should definitely be one.

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  11. IL - agreed. If they offered free ship to cardmembers, I'd get a card.

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  12. I totally agree, IL. If cardholders got free shipping, I'd probably buy more.

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  13. Anthro offered free shipping last summer and it was mayhem. People would order one item, then 2 hours later place a second order for another item. I can only imagine how much Anthro spent paying for this kind of shopping habit, and I can understand why JCrew would not offer free ship on any size order.

    I really like the flat rate and am happy they chose a "reasonable" dollar amount too.

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  14. I order regularly from Crewcuts for my 2 daughters, in part because of the free shipping. There is no way I would be a frequent customer without it. All of the Crewcuts competitors (Boden, LL Bean, Lands End, Garnet Hill) have free shipping all the time or so frequently that Crewcuts would die on the vine without it. I wish they would extend that policy to adult stuff as well - I would buy a lot more if they did.

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  15. Whoa, I hope all of you who felt the earthquake are okay. I'm in CA and we're somewhat used to them...

    I would like a lower limit flat rate ($50) or so. I just don't like ride-alongs but I'd rather do that instead of paying shipping.

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  16. Do you know if I can change my shipping speed preferences? I realized that I had it ship for 5-8 business days, but I need 3-6.

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