As a loyal J.Crew customer for over a decade, it genuinely pains me to write this review. I've purchased dozens of J.Crew items over the years. sweaters, jackets, shirts and have always associated the brand with quality and professionalism. Unfortunately, what I experienced at the Southpoint Mall location on 6/18/25 was one of the worst customer service encounters I’ve ever had.
When I approached the register with a shirt I planned to purchase, I was assisted by a staff member named Isabella. From the start, her demeanor was cold, rushed, and disconnected. No greeting. No warmth. Just robotic efficiency, and not in a good way.
Still, I was in a good mood , ready to wrap up a successful mall trip. I made a simple comment: complimenting her sweater and asking what kind it was. I like sweaters and was genuinely curious, so that I may purchase one in the future.
Her response? She abruptly ended the convo rudely, and immediately turned to the next customer. No eye contact and without any acknowledgement of me.
It wasn’t just rude. It was dismissive. It felt like a microaggression ... as if she was silently saying: “You're not worth my time.”
I wasn’t rude. I wasn’t inappropriate. I wasn’t lingering. Just a normal, friendly customer. And yet, I walked out feeling like I didn’t matter.
That night, I replayed the moment in my head and realized just how unacceptable it was. So the next day, 6/19/25, I went back to return the shirt. I no longer wanted to support a store that made me feel that way.
That said, the manager was kind, professional, and took the time to listen. She acknowledged my experience and processed the refund without issue. That interaction was a reminder of what customer service should feel like.
Unfortunately, the damage was done.
If Isabella is a reflection of how J.Crew is hiring and training its front-line staff, then something is clearly broken. No long time customer should walk out of a store feeling invisible, especially after spending money!
I don't know if I’ll return to this location again. Right now, I have no plans to.