Thanks for doubling your prices, JCP

[FoxInFiji]

My sister is in the retail business (buyer) and she said that JcP has been having a lot of trouble with the new pricing scheme. I guess old habits die hard and people don't feel like they are getting a deal unless it's on sale/clearance. My mom is one of them. It makes me sad because I wish more stores would follow the trend of lower prices and less sales.

That really sucks that they just upped their prices out of the blue like that!

[Deleted]

Hey, weren't you the one celebrating this announcement the other day?

[sierramist03]

Yep we went to buy DH a shirt a quick dry polo and the cheapest one was $28 and most were 35-40.

[tarheels]

I really, really hated the old JCP with its fake inflated prices. I loved the new JCP - it was like Target. But apparently whoever the hell JCP's core customers are didn't like it, so my brief foray into shopping JCP has ended.

Who ARE JCP's core customers? I'm clueless on this. I don't know who would want to have to fuss with coupons 340 days of the year or whatever ridiculousness they used to have instead of just paying Target prices year-round.

JCP's just plain pissed me off now, so I'm likely to never set foot in one again. Before the new CEO, I'd probably been in a JCP maybe 5 times in my entire life. You know how all the northern nesties feel about WM and how they'd never set foot in the place because of the clientele and how dirty and run-down the stores [apparently up north - they're nice here] are? That's kinda how JCP is viewed here. Now that the cool guy is gone and they've reverted to their old ways, nope, it's regained its old WM-esque status.

[Deleted]

LOL. I was all "really?" about your previous comment because I hate the coupon/sale game. I do it because I can't stand not saving money when I can, but I'd much rather know what the price is all the time than know I'm probably paying twice as much at times beacuse I didn't find the right coupon/wait until the right week. Unfortunately I never shop at JCP under either scheme, so I didn't really support the change with my $$.

[stephm0188]

The thing is, they didn't even give it a chance to work. The pricing strategy rolled out before the new lines of merchandise. Grandma clothes at low prices are still grandma clothes. Then they started coming up with updated stuff and new lines like Joe Fresh (which I LOVE) but they're already canned the CEO and gone back to their old ways.

They had won me back as a customer, but if they're going back to the inflated prices, forget it. I won't shop at Kohl's for the same reason.

[emoflamingo]

I loved that I could buy pants in short length, but I will probably stop shopping there if I have to wait for a sale to buy them instead of having them always be a low price.

Watch out, JCP, or you'll be going the way of Montgomery Ward!

[emoflamingo]

Apr 24, 2013 16:18:24 GMT -5 stephm0188 said:

The thing is, they didn't even give it a chance to work. The pricing strategy rolled out before the new lines of merchandise. Grandma clothes at low prices are still grandma clothes. Then they started coming up with updated stuff and new lines like Joe Fresh (which I LOVE) but they're already canned the CEO and gone back to their old ways.

They had won me back as a customer, but if they're going back to the inflated prices, forget it. I won't shop at Kohl's for the same reason.

Exactly. I'm sorry, but I can get that crap at your sale price, EVERY DAY, if I go to Wal-Mart. Not even the Lauren Conrad line could get me into that store to buy things. Not to mention that Kohl's doesn't carry a lot of petites (they REMOVED the petite section in the 2 closest stores near me -- mine never had one) and that was one of the bonuses of JCP.

[pitterwoo]

Apr 24, 2013 16:11:01 GMT -5 tarheels said:

Who ARE JCP's core customers? I'm clueless on this.  

I think they are too, TH.  

I think we are the core customers that they were hoping to reach, but the roll out was done poorly and I guess they couldn't wait for new customers to come around.

I loved it over the past few months.  I did the majority of my Christmas shopping there.  

[demelza]

Damn.... I love the everyday fair and square pricing..... LOVED IT WITH ALL MY BEING!!!! This sucks.

[stephm0188]

How obnoxious. I picked up a Fiestaware placesetting there recently for $29. Totally in line with Home Laughlin's $29.99 pricepoint.

JCP has them priced at $51 now. Even with an elusive 20% coupon, it's overpriced.

[moolarkey]

I was working part-time at Macy's when JCP made this change. I can't even guess how many people came in and complained that JCP wasn't having sales and no coupons. These people would tell me they weren't going to shop at JCP if there weren't coupons.

When I worked at Macy's I got so tired of all the sales, it is hard on employees. There are "one" day sales almost every week with "preview" day the day before which means they are honoring sales prices those days. THen at our store, if they'd already put the signs up we had to honor them. So if sale day was Saturday, preview was Friday but they put the signs up on Thursday, we had to use a little machine to check every single price of everything we checked out in case it was on sale. It was great for the customer but really backed up the registers.

I know it sounds like I didn't like working there but I did. I just think Macy's is over-board on the number of sales they have.

There is also a sale almost every Wednesday. Employees aren't to request time off on these sales either.

The sales - especially the Friends & Family that are just starting are really good for customers but it is a lot more work and stress on employees.

[Deleted]

Apr 24, 2013 16:17:39 GMT -5 @juno said:

LOL. I was all "really?" about your previous comment because I hate the coupon/sale game. I do it because I can't stand not saving money when I can, but I'd much rather know what the price is all the time than know I'm probably paying twice as much at times beacuse I didn't find the right coupon/wait until the right week. Unfortunately I never shop at JCP under either scheme, so I didn't really support the change with my $$.

Yes, the coupon game stresses me out. I never shop Macy's because of it, because I feel like I'm leaving money on the table if I shop the wrong day.

I mostly shop Nordstrom for clothes. I like the points, and once something goes on sale it stays on sale until it's gone. None of this fluctuating price crap. (Ok, except once a year anniversary sale). And they had me at best return policy ever.

[aimeedyan]

I, too, bought into the new concept at JCPenney but it seems the American people aren't ready for fair pricing without gimmicks. Ridiculous. And I hate that the CEO that had such good, cutting edge ideas was booted because of how it was rolled out. And because people are stupid.

Penney's has been teetering on the edge for years now and I think this might just send them over the cliff. Too bad, because I did like their new lines. I got a pair of the cutest kelly green pants a few weeks ago for $16! I'm sure they are $30 now

{I refuse to shop at Kohls, too}

[davescatch]

The only thing I ever bought at JCP was curtains - I loved their selection, prices, and the help you got if you came to the department and needed assistance.

This back and forth crap is going to be their demise. Too bad. I won't miss them at all.

[IIOY]

As someone who is infuriated that JCP terminated its CEO and has gone back to its insane fake-sale practices, this thread is gratifying to read. 

This entire episode will be a case study in behavioral economics classes for the next 20 years because it highlights how people have certain triggers and will react to them regardless of logic.  In this case, rather than have constant, lower prices, people would rather have the thrill of the hunt, which means that at least part of the time they will be paying a higher price because there is no sale or coupon OR they will be forced to go without because they refuse to pay full price.  It's absurd.

ITA with the PPs who said that the old JCP was dirty, cluttered, and unpleasant.  I loved the revamp with its cleaner look, fresher styles, and bold colors, and I started shopping there regularly because I appreciated knowing I was getting the lowest price no matter when I was there.  Frankly I will start avoiding the store again because I despise the coupon game.

I also have no clue who the typical JCP client is, but frankly this whole situation makes me picture a frumpy, middle-aged or older woman who lacks taste and needs a hobby.

[simpsongal]

I thought the prices were better after a sale (w/the inflated price). But if they're jacking them up that much, then lets go back to the everyday fair and square prices

[Deleted]

I kind of agree with Simpsongal. I did like the new price structure because it was so low key, easy to follow and stress free. However, I do feel like the pricing was still better even the inflated prices, sales and coupons. Also, I never got too worked coupons there because they weren't real strict. I always just asked the clerk if she had a coupon I could borrow and they complied.

I liked JCP lately becuase I felt like the revamped the style to stuff I like in both clothes and housewares. BEfore it was either all cute baby clothes and old lady stuff..nothing in between.

I'm sad they're probably losing all the cool line ups they had for me. Now I'm with you all, I have no idea who their core demographic is. There's not much for me in the days to come I don't think. My Mom and MIL rarely shopped for clothes there because it was really old lady for them or too trendy.

I hate Kohl's because it's in such dissaray and the quality is crap so I never go there. I don't mind Macy's. The sale structure is stupid..lol..but they hand out coupons freely and there's always something on sale everyday so I don't feel too ripped off. JCP seems to be more strict with their sales.

I'm neutral on Walmart. I don't choose to shop there but I will if there's no other options or if Rubes is sick and needs Tylenol (IT's right next to her dr.). I don't pretend to take the moral high ground or look down on people who do like it though. It's NBD to me. I live in the homeland of Target and while I like it..It's just a Walmart with better ad campaigns in my eyes.

[demandypants]

I never paid attention to JCP before their image change. And just as I was coming around to it with their new lines and reasonable prices they went and screwed it up. I worked at Kohl's through college. The sale cycle was ridiculous. I would laugh at people when they came in and asked if there was a sale going on. Uh, if you pay full price for something at kohl;s you are a fool. but we would adjust sale signs from 25% off to 30% off to 20% off on the same item in one week.

[emoflamingo]

I am awful with coupons. Except formula coupons because that stuff is like gold. But I can clip them and then I will go to use them and about 75% of the time, they're expired already.

So, you'll never see me a) on the crazy couponer shows or b) in a Kohl's or JCP with their crazy coupon sales they have.

[wawa]

No! You bastards! I was planning a JCP shopping trip this weekend to pick up some fat clothes so I had stuff to wear to work while I'm working on this baby weight. Well, that's off the list now.

God damn it. I HATE coupons and special sale days with a firey passion. I'm not organized enough for that shit. I need things. I go buy them. I hate needing to wait for a coupon or a special day. I actually just sent an email to one of my coupon loving friends asking for her help spending a kohl's gift card. I know if I just go in there on my own I'm going to end up spending 3x more than she would, but I don't know the secret handshake or whateverthefuck it is that let's you get the special super saley prices.

[tarheels]

Here's the new commercial they released today. qz.com/80280/in-new-ad-jc-penney-pleads-with-customers-to-come-back/

Yeah, um, NO. The announcer sounds like a preschool teacher. And there's not a single man featured in that ad - just women and children. Obviously, JCP's going after the frumpy mom set again. Count me out. Such a shame - new JCP was awesome.

And I've gotten 2 coupons from them in the last week. I've just been annoyed at the junk mail appearing.

[pugz]

I walked into a JCP 2 weeks post partum and asked where the nursing bras were and the associate just pointed me to a rack with like 3 bras on it in weird sizes. Thanks.

I went back a couple of months ago and everything was hideous. So much neon stuff and the plus selection was horrific.

I'm a Macys girl now, Kohls is a clusterfuck with an even worse plus selection.

[aimeedyan]

If they want to grab that market, they'll probably turn a profit and flourish again. They just need to do it and stick with it. They'll lose me, and probably anyone in our generation, but they'll have a good customer base again to work with.

Introducing Jonathan Adler stuff is awesome but totally lost on that demographic and not worth the money or effort. Upside is that it'll all clearance soon and we can snag the good stuff!

[stephm0188]

I can't figure out exactly who they are trying to reach with these changes. The new commercial seems to idicate they're going for our age group who are in touch with trends, have busy lives, and small children/growing families.

And yet, every change they're making says that maybe that isn't their target market. Bringing back the frumpy clothes and jacking up the prices so you arer forced to play the game where you have to watch for sales and coupons... that's pretty much the polar opposite of what they were trying to portray in that commercial.

It's like they straddled the fence and couldn't decide which way to go.

[emoflamingo]

May 2, 2013 13:34:34 GMT -5 stephm0188 said:

I can't figure out exactly who they are trying to reach with these changes. The new commercial seems to idicate they're going for our age group who are in touch with trends, have busy lives, and small children/growing families.

And yet, every change they're making says that maybe that isn't their target market. Bringing back the frumpy clothes and jacking up the prices so you arer forced to play the game where you have to watch for sales and coupons... that's pretty much the polar opposite of what they were trying to portray in that commercial.

It's like they straddled the fence and couldn't decide which way to go.

Exactly. Couponing with a full-time job?



I am more likely to buy from a store that has consistent low pricing and no coupons (like Target) than I am to shop at a store that has coupon bonanzas every week and jack their price up just because I don't have time to keep track of your coupons.

I tossed every JCP thing I've gotten the last few weeks because they are all coupons that are going to be no good in a few days anyways.

[TBM]

I can't figure out their demographic either.

I rarely shopped there prior to the fair pricing, but I have shopped there often in recent months. I guess I liked the new 'sleazy' lines better than the fuddy duddy stuff. ;p

I liked the no coupon thing too. A lot.

[BeagleMama]

Apr 25, 2013 7:18:33 GMT -5 IIOY said:

As someone who is infuriated that JCP terminated its CEO and has gone back to its insane fake-sale practices, this thread is gratifying to read. 

This entire episode will be a case study in behavioral economics classes for the next 20 years because it highlights how people have certain triggers and will react to them regardless of logic.  In this case, rather than have constant, lower prices, people would rather have the thrill of the hunt, which means that at least part of the time they will be paying a higher price because there is no sale or coupon OR they will be forced to go without because they refuse to pay full price.  It's absurd.

ITA with the PPs who said that the old JCP was dirty, cluttered, and unpleasant.  I loved the revamp with its cleaner look, fresher styles, and bold colors, and I started shopping there regularly because I appreciated knowing I was getting the lowest price no matter when I was there.  Frankly I will start avoiding the store again because I despise the coupon game.

I also have no clue who the typical JCP client is, but frankly this whole situation makes me picture a frumpy, middle-aged or older woman who lacks taste and needs a hobby.

:Y:

[SusanBAnthony]

I am officially done with jcp. I used to shop them a decent amount even before the fair and square pricing, but I am over it now.

The icing on the cake was that I drove 45 minutes to a larger penny's this week, to shop for towels and curtains. Both departments were being remodeled and instead of cramming the merchandise elsewhere, they just put it in storage. No curtains, no towels, fuck you penneys.

[IIOY]

And just to pile on further, this morning the WSJ ran a photo of someone carrying a pile of Joe Fresh clothing from the collapsed Bangladesh factory. :-(