Wednesday, July 3, 2013

What I want in a J. Crew Store Associate (plus the 40 off sale)

I was posting on The Mothership about what I don't like about a small percentage of J. Crew Store Associates (or SA's). I decided to write a post about it and instead focus on the positive -- what I want in a Store Associate.

1 -- Attentiveness. Please remember to come back to my dressing room after 4 or 5 minutes have passed to see if I need another size or color.

2 -- Patience. If I ask for you to look up the availability of an item, please don't look like it is such a chore. I will gladly take your magical neon encased iPad and look it up myself if you let me have the secret passwords!

3 -- Honesty. I am pretty adept at smelling fake compliments. If I look like stuffed sausage in a pair of Toothpicks, or alternatively, if I am hiding my body in a too-big popover, please don't tell me how great it looks. Constructive criticism can be appreciated if delicately put! Likewise, don't tell me at the register I'm getting "such an unprecedented deal" when we both know J. Crew may mark the item down further.

4 -- Space. I realize number one says "attentiveness" but some SA's take that too literally. I don't wish to be shadowed around the store, nor do I wish for you to "pop up" on me at the register to make sure I told the cashier how helpful you were "chat me up"

5 -- Memory. I don't expect every SA to know my name. I'm always impressed with those who do. I'm always disappointed by the ones I expect to remember me (hello, I was here LAST NIGHT) who don't even recognize my face.

Let me reiterate that the majority of my SA experiences have been positive. I'm always in awe when a SA can produce the item I have been coveting for so long from the back room, or get me a discounted item with free shipping. If anyone who works at J. Crew reads my little blog here, perhaps you might share my thoughts with new employees, who seem to be the "rule breakers."

So now I will get off my soap box and share my goodies from today's visit to J. Crew. It's 40 off sale items if you haven't heard!

I bought the Thistle print popover in Caribbean Blue for $20 after discounts. Isn't she pretty?

I also bought.... (drum roll please!) the Tortoise Flower necklace for about $40 after discounts! Oh how I have wanted this after seeing it so many times on the very stylish Tweed and Toile. What a steal!

I love reading your comments so feel free to post below.!

8 comments:

  1. Hi, TC. I MUST have the tortoise flower necklace!! Were there more in your store? What was the price before the discount? Thanks so much!

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    1. Paramus --- Garden State Mall had five as of today. Good luck!

      Thanks for reading! :)

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  2. I would love to get that tortoise necklace too!!! Great deals! I have avoided the store as they NEVER have the sizes I need, and all the pants are either cut too low, or shorts that are TOO short. Fortunately, however, our store has WONDERFUL S/A's!! Thank goodness. If anyone wants to put one on hold for me or let me know where there are some PLEASE let me know? THKS!
    bichonluvrscloset at gmail dot com

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    1. Most of the SA's I deal with are amazing, and my post speaks to the wonderful qualities that many have. It's also part rant about the handful who haven't quite mastered the art of customer service.

      See above comment regarding Tortoise necklace -- they had a few left in Paramus as of this afternoon.

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  3. Ack! What a whopper of a deal....I'm so excited for you! and you are going to get so much mileage from this cute little necklace. Love the thistle print popover too! Fabulous deals!

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    1. You were the inspiration for the necklace. I can tell I will get mileage out of it based on the many outfits you have worn with it. Cost per wear!

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  4. Awesome SA wish list! And the deal on the popover was huge. I also picked up the thistle popover in the pink and yes the green as well. I paid 41 for each earlier this week so I'm a little green with envy :) I did however manage to get an amazing deal on a staple piece on today , the alabaster Blythe blouse for.... Wait for it... 29.99!!! Love these sales and your post!

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    1. Hey Birdie-- thanks so much for posting! Congrats on the alabaster deal!

      I think the lesson with J. Crew is that 9/10 times, if you wait, you can get a better deal. The problem is that 1/10 times when you should have pulled the trigger. (Hello Porcelain Paisley skirt 2012!)

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