It must be 1984, I'm hearing Duckspeak.




So the following is a direct quote from Business Insider.
Last week, J. Crew fans rejoiced on news that clothes would get cheaper this spring.

Unfortunately, those reports aren't true, the company told us.

Women's Wear Daily quoted the retailer's CEO Mickey Drexler as saying that spring prices would be "much more friendly."

But the publication has since issued a correction.

"We are simply maintaining a balance of pricing across the board and better communicating to our customers what we have and why it is worth the price it is," a J. Crew spokesperson said. "Emphasis for us is always on the quality and design at best possible price."

J.Crew's prices have become more designer than middle-market. The company was once routinely compared to Gap, but now the prices are considerably more expensive.

For instance, men's work pants cost $59.95 at Gap, but $79.50 at J.Crew.
As to Duckspeak, it's one of the Newspeak words that we shuddered at when we read 1984. Orwell explained:

 "Ultimately it was hoped to make articulate speech issue from the larynx without involving the higher brain centres at all. This aim was frankly admitted in the Newspeak word duckspeak […]."

26 comments:

  1. Hmm, must be why my last J.Crew purchases have been Old School (2007-08) purchased on eBay.

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  2. "We are simply maintaining a balance of pricing across the board and better communicating to our customers what we have and why it is worth the price it is,"

    Sounds like somebody at 770 wants to revive the "If You Only Knew..." campaign of 2008. You know, because it was so popular the first time.

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  3. They're going to convince us why it's worth it to pay high prices? Haha no thanks! I do like some of their things enough to buy them at J. Crew and not elsewhere, but not full price either. If they didn't mark things down and offer a discount on top of that, I wouldn't be buying. Nothing there is ever worth full price to me.

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    1. Frankly, very few things anywhere are worth full price. I look at the "full price" as the opening volley in a slow-paced and silent negotiation, as in "oh. Look. They marked it down again."

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    2. Such a good analogy, Fred. I feel doubly ripped-off, as J Crew marks up their prices by approx 40% for us poor suckers in Aus.

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  4. Well said, WFF. Full price is definitely an opening. I can't remember the last time I paid fp. I'm not sure how much the Crewniverse will be getting out of me. I'm not in love with anything they've rolled out lately. Printed t-shirts, much?

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    1. merci, gigi, my feeling is that design decisions come from a one-trick pony and pricing decisions come from a polyester-clad bookkeeper. Sigh. with, of course, all due respect to bookkeepers….

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    2. Gigi, I know I only speak for myself but your reviews are always my go to when thinking about something J Crew. It's not your fault that their designs are starting to not be hitting the mark with their customers. Please, keep posting.

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  5. I did always consider J Crew one step up from Gap. But all their pricing is really pissing me off. I ordered some tshirts for 25% off spring fling thing and now they have everything off 30 % the very next day. It's like they throw the shit up and see what sticks. Tired of being a Pavlovian dog.

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    1. Elegantly stated, BB! Although since they will do price adjustments, they're not as bad as some. Fair's fair. I just don't like the rigamarole, especially when I have to deal with someone who thinks the money's coming out of her/his own pocket.

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  6. I had to get away from JCrew because it was driving me insane: the pricing, the quality issues, the CFS...
    Duckspeak, oh cripes! Good one Fred!

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    1. Hi, dani, when I read the recitation of the explanation of how what Dear Leader said meant the opposite of what he said - well, how could I not think of Orwell? and of course Millard the Duck.

      Or could Dear Leader be like Gulliver, an able and decent man surrounded and tied down by hundreds of tiny minds and tiny talents?

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  7. Scary, Fred. We don't like it. Have bought very little in months ( a pair of Kikis, 40% off). I don't like being treated as though I'm a dimwit. I'd forgotten about Duckspeak as I've never reread that book. Perhaps I should?

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    1. Hi, Lane, I reread the Little House books in my 30's and found them scary and depressing (blizzards! Locusts! Wild animals! Lightening in the kitchen! Strokes! Strangers! No penicillin!). Since then, I've been careful about revisiting, but I do think 1984 might be worth the risk.

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  8. I totally agree that ""full price" is just a hopeful suggestion from a retailer. Waiting for a great price is part of the shopping game for many who recognize the sporting qualities in the experience. Of course there are also the many who just want a fair deal to be given and a quick and easy transaction. Retailers must be nimble in tough economies but I have no idea how to retrain customers who know a better deal is coming tomorrow. Since I can usually wait it out and I have the accessibility of many local stores, I feel that I typically get good value per dollars spent at J Crew. I understand that is because I am willing to play a game that shouldn't have to be such a competitive sport.

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    1. Teacups, you sound like a medalist in the Retail Triathlon: Wait and Run, Leap and Pounce, Demand Price Adjustment.

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  9. Indeed. That is one of the reasons I am trying so hard to step away from the game. It involves a lot of time and energy which can be spent more productively. Although I must admit, I still like the game - a little!

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    1. You can make it aerobic if you throw your arms up in the air with vigor when trying on.

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  10. I too have purchased very little compared to prior years at J Crew. Most items on sale with a promo, I still love their coats and the basics like Tippis, Toothpicks, button downs and Jackies. But the sweaters this season between the designs and the fabric content were a total miss. Like many the promo, pricing games are exhausting and I prefer to look on Ebay for items that I may have missed from prior years.

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    1. I certainly agree about being dragged into a game of The Price Is Right - wish I could have better luck finding things on eBay!

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  11. The shoes are getting really pricey indeedy - $350 and up last time I looked. Not very friendly at all! Haven't been in Gap for years except with the kids, the clothes for 12 year old girls are awesome, honestly the dresses Tallulah gets from there are like mini Oscars de la R's. Nothing has tempted me from the women's in the past, but will take another look as they just have a new designer in

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    1. I'm going to look again also - Gap is due for a turnaround.

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  12. Best to wait for Final Sale, or as I call it "The Running of the Ugly Sweaters."

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