STORE WARS: J. Crew vs. eBay
Starting March 13th and running through April 2nd, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2012. For a full introduction see this post. The bracket on the right will be updated as the tournament progresses. Click on it for the full size. Make a case for your preferred competitor in the comments section, but don’t forget to vote at the bottom of each match up. On with today’s showdown:
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Strengths: Much like Banana Republic, J. Crew is a brand that if you wore nothing but their clothes 24/7, 365, you’d look much better than most. From t-shirts to tuxes, they cover it. Their Ludlow Fit suiting and blazers. Outerwear of all types. The “in good company” selections. Their extra 30% off sale codes/events. Students and Teachers get 15% off full priced items, in-store, with a valid school ID.
Weaknesses: On average, they’re more expensive than their main competition, and they sometimes command an eyebrow-raisingly-high markup just by putting their weight behind an item. Lapels on the Ludlow are a little trim for some. Ties are rarely more than 2.5″ wide. The in-house upgraded brand “Wallace and Barnes,” which has different stuff, which might be more durable(?), for a higher price. Lots of “imported” and “made in China.” They’re an industry leader with confidence, but some of their product descriptions can come across as borderline arrogant. Their “free shipping at $150” promotions are priced laughably high.
Strengths: Known as “The World’s Online Marketplace.” And this just in… the world is a big place. Prices can be outrageously low for quality goods. So if your local thrift stores keep leaving you disappointed, eBay might have you covered, and then some. It’s one of the places that guys who love heritage brands and old-world craftsmanship go to for steals. Ebay is as much of a skill as it is a website. If you’re good at eBay, then you’re probably wondering why it wasn’t seeded much, much higher. But if you’re not, then it shouldn’t even be in the tournament. If you want to play the game, and you get good at the game, you can outfit yourself for incredibly cheap with high quality, unique stuff.
Weaknesses: You have to keep an eye on things and keep dropping in. If you’re the “I just buy something when I need it” type, maybe not the best place to look. You probably have a good idea of your shoe size in a certain brand, but it’s harder to tell how that vintage Italian suit is going to fit once it gets to your door. Ebay continues to do their best to keep buyers protected, but buyer beware. Check those shipping charges, and if returns aren’t accepted? Eesh. Some guys would just rather buy new, or when going used, head to a thrift store.
Your votes determine who goes on to the next round. Cast your ballot below. Voting ends at midnight ET.
UPDATE: Despite having very vocal supporters, eBay goes down.
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Store Wars: J. Crew vs. eBay
- J. Crew (73%, 850 Votes)
- eBay (27%, 309 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,158
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I vote eBay just on shoes alone. Here’s my trick – Find a pair of shoes you love from the current season. Wait until they are discontinued and the next season’s offerings are out. Search eBay for them and pay 1/3-1/2 the original price! Naturally this can be done with more than just shoes.
Ebay hands down. I have had a few previous experience picking up random clothing and shirts from there but this past month I grabbed a pair of AE Sanfords for 55 bucks. The condition is great and all I need to do is go out sometime in the next 6-12 months I’ll take them in and get them shined up professionally and try and have them get some of the creases out if they don’t work themselves out during that time.
Just got a new with tags polo ralph lauren made in italy linen spot coat that retailed for $1300 for $240. My vote is on ebay.
Yesterday my Canali made in Italy of super 110’s fabric, double breasted, peak lapel tuxedo came from an eBay seller. It’s in mint condition and better made than anything at J. Crew, and it cost me $60. eBay wins hands down.
JCrew hands down. Way too much fake stuff on Fleabay. Plus I haven’t bought anything from JCrew that hasn’t fit like a glove.
In honor of this contest, I purchased a pair of Allen Edmonds on ebay last week for $15 and got them in the mail last night. Wow. I had no idea what I had been missing. These shoes are so comfortable and, even though they are used, they look phenomenal. I’m a convert.
Whoa. Nice find.
Kinda surprised ebay is losing so badly. I guess J Crew is ok, but it’s always priced out of my budget.
I’m surprised so many people DON’T shop with eBay. Would’ve loved to have seen an eBay vs. Thrift Store final.
J. Crew. Despite being able to find some great deals on eBay, nothing beats the ability to try on items in stores and the most importantly, returning your internet orders (also in stores).
Used shoes or discontinued sale shoes at ebay? since
it’s more than half off Steve and Matt here talking about, so it seems like it’s the former we’re talking about here and…. who buys used shoes? I am a bit surprised since I figured there is massive hygiene issues? I’d think it’s about half way between buying a used t-shirts and used underwear, much more close to underwear.
I dunno, cheap is good, but buying things like used ties or jackets are fine – and used vintage t-shirts would be my limit. Perhaps people are okay with buying used shoes, but not me.
So I’m genuinely torn here. I have abnormally narrow shoulders, so even a 36 jacket usually doesn’t pass the wall test for me. But I walked into Jcrew last friday, and three different jackets all fit perfectly…in the shoulders. It was one of the most unbelievable shopping moments in recent memory. Having said that…I’m too cheap to ignore ebay if I can find the right size.
So is it a safe prediction that the winner of this bracket wins out?? I’ll make that claim…
umm, I don’t think voting for J.crew doesn’t mean people aren’t shopping at ebay occasionally, you know?
BTW, what’s with all these massive ebay loves in the post? I think buying off ebay can be pretty good for hard to find items, but it can be downright waste of money and time as returning is sometimes almost impossible, not to mention hit/miss fitting.
I agree with you on taking a gamble on used clothing. I was skeptical and made sure to compare the condition of the leather on the top, out soles, and looking at pictures of the liners and footbed. If there was something off or indicated a good amount of wear I would not have pulled the trigger. I can only assume there are horror stories with this type of thing all the time. Doing a little research once I actually got the shoes gave me the confidence to keep and not re-list them.
No. I’m talking about last season’s shoes (brand new) at 1/3-1/2 the price, not used.
Picked up a pair of Kenneth Cole NY shoes that retailed on Zappos for $149.99 during its season for $50. Done it with a few other pairs too. Again, brand new.
I don’t see the difficulty here.
If you shop at J.Crew you get to buy J. Crew’s top notch products, all at full retail. Or at best, you snag a piece during a J. Crew approved discount.
If you shop on EBay, you can buy THE SAME J.CREW MERCHANDISE a few months later for 50% or less. Plus wide access to even better products for ridiculously low prices.
J. Crew is great. J. Crew is overpriced.
Solve the pricing issue by purchasing on Ebay.
Ebay is the best of both worlds, I don’t see how you could choose J. Crew here.
I didn’t choose jcrew, but if one is a particularly difficult size (as I am) that rarely shows up on second hand market, then the chance of finding a nice used item in your size on ebay is will-o-the-wisp…
Some time ago when I was beginning to build my wardrobe, I would buy J Crew trousers off of Ebay. It’s a great place to find their suiting trousers in Ludlow fit for less than $100.
For all of you who think that eBay is a risk, this is what you do: Find out your size first, only look at products from reputable vendors (see the feedback) and make sure they list the dimensions of the product.
A Zegna suit for $150 with $200 of alterations (not that I can imagine that much alteration if you bought close to your size in the first place) will be the best fitting suit you will have ever owned (unless you’ve already bought a Canali or Brioni suit!). And better than anything the mass produced J Crew, BR or Lands End will make. The cloth used in Zegna, Armani, Canali, etc is unbelievable.
Read all of other posters’ comments above carefully. Allen Edmunds shoes for $15? Canali tuxedo for $60? If you’re not doing it, you’re missing out.
And if something is a fake you’re covered by eBay’s guarantee. It comes down hard on fakes.
Joe, can eBay get a bye into the next round? 😉
By the way, do you ever use communal bowling shoes at the Bowling Alley? It’s the same with eBay. You can disinfect them if you like, or just stick with the brand new shoes. Either way you can get a bargain.
I got some used Allen Edmunds loafers in excellent condition (must’ve been used twice) for $30. I think they’re great, but I’m not sure I’ll keep them. Know what? I’ll just list them on eBay! they’ll sell, so I just make sure the starting price is the same as I paid and I’m covered.
Fake stuff is overblown, stay away from names like Gucci, Prada, etc., and search for stuff that the average joe has not heard of but is still super high end. No one is faking
Gaziano & Girling or Kent Wang items on ebay.
I went with my gut and voted for J.Crew. eBay can be good, but it can also be a big risk, depending largely on the honesty, accuracy, and competence of the seller. You can do a lot of things to protect yourself as a buyer, but there is always an element of risk.
J.Crew is generally out of my price range but I can always dream (and snatch bits and pieces when they go on sale). And I can try those on first, or at least return them if they don’t work. And as someone who requires suit separates, J.Crew suiting is basically a Holy Grail of suits that are high quality, relatively “affordable,” and will still fit my body type.
I voted for eBay because I can get all the J. Crew stuff on eBay for 50% off. And I do. All the time. Be smart and buy only from trusted sellers, and you’ll never go wrong.
Uhh… J. Crew without question.
Who do you vote for if you buy J.Crew stuff on eBay?
Brooks brothers shortwings in chocolate suede. Made in italy. Worn maybe 2 times before I bought them. 75 dollars. Ugly chukkas at j. Crew=135 dollars. Ebay wins.
whoever re-sells g&g or kent wang is out of their mind.
If you don’t know your body and shoe measurements, you shouldnt be shopping for clothes and shoes on Ebay in the first place.
I think UnionBay?
The fact that you know your own measurements doesn’t mean that sellers know how to correctly measure a garment, or take the time to do it carefully.
I want eBay to work for me sooo bad because I know the deals that can be had. But, I like J.Crew for their fit and the fact that they have an XS size. Yes, I’m not a huge guy and I like my clothes to fit properly. I also wear a 7 or 6.5 in shoes. So basically, I have to buy new because there’s nothing used in my sizes on eBay. My main complaint about J.Crew is the quality is less than I would expect for the price.
I’m not sure I’d even want to pay $50 for Kenneth Cole shoes.
Teach me the way master!
Ebay is too much of a gamble for me.
One of my personal mantras has always been: When you find something you like, buy it in every color.
The J Crew washed shirts were one of those items for me and I literally have more than a dozen in my closet. I used to love J Crew but now they have all but completely eliminated their XXL size so I can no longer shop there. I know there are some little guys out there that welcome the XS but I hate that it seems to have been rolled out at the expense of catering to us bigger guys.
I agree. I was a bit shocked when it was 74-26 when I voted. J Crew is nice, and they know it, and make you pay for it
A quick vote in support of J. Crew for innovation.
Received an email this morning advising they are now able to ship internationally, with a free-shipping offer valid thru end April!
Wow. This screws up my whole bracket. I had the Bay taking the championship!!!
I’m a new eBay convert. I voted for them (twice) over J Crew because i think the positives GREATLY outweigh the negatives (by far) and the opposite is true of the Crew. While I do like J Crew’s stuff and own a thing or two from them, they’re never ever worth it unless there’s some massive sale going on. Or if they’re on eBay.
As for trying things on – if it’s something like shoes, i get opinions on the fit from the internet and if i can, try them on in a dept. store. Not that difficult.
There are no good thriftstores in my area and I’ve had a great experience with eBay so far (so maybe a few bad purchases will bring me down to earth). Super duper bummed they’re not making it to the next round.
Hey thanks for the heads up. I have been trying on blazers at all my local department stores and even small and/or 36 is too wide in the shoulders. The closest J Crew next to me is in Chicago and I don’t get to go up there very often, but I will definitely check it out next time I can. What type of jacket did you buy in the end btw?
I worked at J.Crew, so most of my wardrobe is from there – I’m a 22 year old student and I worked with the resources I had. However, I will never walk into a J. Crew and pay their absurd prices as a normal customer. The fact that I scored a pair of BNWT Black Clarks DB’s on Ebay for $35 shipped tips the scales. Ebay takes more work, but I’m willing to put the work in.
I worked at J.Crew, so most of my wardrobe is from there – I’m a 22 year old student and I worked with the resources I had. However, I will never walk into a J. Crew and pay their absurd prices as a normal customer. The fact that I scored a pair of BNWT Black Clarks DB’s on Ebay for $35 shipped tips the scales. Ebay takes more work, but I’m willing to put the work in.
I buy used shoes on eBay without so much as a second thought. Never had a problem.