Does anyone have the LL Bean Visa Card?

[NY Disney fan]

I wanted to know what was your opinion on the card and if you found it useful and worth having.

 

[adkkev]

I wanted to know what was your opinion on the card and if you found it useful and worth having.

useful for ordering from LLBean for the free shipping & coupons. Otherwise we never use it ...

 

[labdogs42]

I like it for the free shipping and monogramming.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I like it for the free shipping and monogramming.

Do you find yourself using the card often and accumulating free or vastly discounted items?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We have one. DH uses it almost exclusively for work--I only use it to order stuff from them. Because DH travels ~5 times ayear, for week-long seminars and classes, he charges all his airfare and costs to the card, then gets reimbursed by his company. So, the coupons add up quick (1, $10 coupon for every $1000 charged). We pay the card off each month.

We live in New Hampshire, which has a few LL Bean factory outlets (in addition to no sales tax). So, I shop there once or twice a year. That increases your benefit because you can find bargains. I also just ordered DD15 a really nice backpack for school--used 6 coupons, paid $9.95, free monogramming, free shipping. It should last her the rest of HS, maybe beyond.

Bottom line, if you like their gear, do a lot of outdoorsy stuff, etc., and pay off your monthly balance, it's a pretty decent deal. They do occasionally send notices for promotions on balance transfers and the like. If you carry a balance, I would look for a low interest rate, rather than rewards, but that's up to you.

 

[Donut23]

We work our credit cards hard for travel benefits. For example, we pay just about EVERYTHING with our AMEX card. Those points can be transfered just about anywhere. For example, we transferred AMEX points into DH's Delta skymiles account. With those points we got FREE First Class airfare to Alaska for our wedding.

We transfer AMEX points into our Holiday Inn account for FREE Hertz Car rentals.

About 5 years ago I introduced my (then fiance) to LLBean. He immediately became a Bean-aholic. Heck, the end of that year I'm sure there was a banner hanging on the main building in Freeport....."Thank You --- -------- for a winning sales year!

Ok, ok.....

DH's workplace is pretty casual and he is now a walking billboard for LLBean. His LLBean catalogs are cherished when they arrive! He uses his LLBean card, as others have said, for the free shipping an specials.....not much more.

 

[swilshire]

I do most of my other shopping with my Amex card for miles, but am also a frequent LL Bean shopper. The free return shipping makes it SO easy. I order two sizes if I'm not sure and keep the one that fits. Just ordered my first Christmas gift last night.

Sheila

 

[MichelleinMaine]

We use ours for everything. We live 15 minutes from the main store and the new outlet, so can use those coupons on good deals there and end up with clothes/etc at a very reasonable price. I also have a son in boy scouts who always seems to need something new for each camping trip he's on. (The latest- me trying to buy thermal underwear in a July heatwave. ) For our lifestyle, Beans is a very practical reward. Your needs may be different.

I will say that I've been very impressed when dealing with Barclays (the bank issuing the card.) Much better customer service than other banks I have cards with.

 

[plummer925]

I have one with quite a low credit line (I have limited credit, but they at least gave me a card!) of $250. I've had it for 3 months and have already had $30 in free certificates (I use it mainly at LL Bean). I did take advantage of free shipping once, havne't used the monogramming YET (plan to do so though).

They also offer free RETURN shipping if you use the card with their catalogs, and that's a nice benefit. Also, unless you have a high return, the company does not back returns out of the points (I'm sure they would if someone was taking advantage, but I've returned a few things to LL Bean and have not had my points reduced for it).

I love the card.

 

[PaulaSue]

What des everyone think of the backpacks?

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

What des everyone think of the backpacks?

Great backpacks. DD and DS got them in first grade and use them all the time...they just finished 3rd grade. They will be used for 4th grade if big enough to carry everything!

 

[PaulaSue]

Thanks! I want to order the girls tonight since I thought I heard they are good but not sure if I got them mixed up with another company.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

The backpacks wear like iron!! I have ones that my older two used in preschool. I put an iron-on patch over the monogramming, and re-used them for my younger two. This trick also works if you, hypothetically, find the perfect backpack for $10 at an outlet store because it got returned.

Even DS13, who is incredibly hard on stuff, can get a few good years out of a Bean backpack. The one I just ordered for DD15 will probably get her through college.

 

[debf]

I have one but they raised my interest rate late year.When I called to ask about it they said it was nothing I did it was because of the economy.I was pretty mad about it.I pay it off every month when I use it.This months bill was a whopping $9.95. I keep it to get the free shipping. Just watch your interest rate.

 

[arminnie]

I like the card. It is issued by Barclay's which has better service than the Chase Disney card.

The free shipping is the great attraction for me. Three years ago I spend two days wrapping and shipping Christmas presents to friends and relatives across the country.

This past two years I've just gone to the LLBean web site, picked out the gifts and had them shipped. They have a good gift selection in the late fall. I can find things for the people who have everything. Last year the most unique gift was a custom jigsaw puzzle that was a map of that person's address. Also at Christmas they usually give a $10 gift certificate per $50 order.

They were the first to have the payment automatically deducted from my checking account.

 

[PaulaSue]

Just to warn others who are thinking of applying....I took the Disers advice and applied tonight. Got approved but will not be getting the info for the account till they send the card in 10-15 days. UGGG! Unless I wan tto pay $30 for it to be fed exed. I call customer service and they were no help, lady was nice dont get me wrong.

So the ONLY reason I applied (it took almost 30 minutes to answer all the questions) was for the perks for the girls backpacks on sale. Okay I am a witch and NOW will not buy from them unless it comes in time still for the sale.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Just to warn others who are thinking of applying....I took the Disers advice and applied tonight. Got approved but will not be getting the info for the account till they send the card in 10-15 days. UGGG!

UGH! How frustrating! Hopefully it will get there quicker!

The backpacks wear like iron!! I have ones that my older two used in preschool. I put an iron-on patch over the monogramming, and re-used them for my younger two. This trick also works if you, hypothetically, find the perfect backpack for $10 at an outlet store because it got returned.

A seam ripper will take an outlet-store monogram right off in a jiffy.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

A seam ripper will take an outlet-store monogram right off in a jiffy.

True enough, but that leaves the tiny holes. That's where the iron-on patch comes in handy. Especially since I typically shop the outlet or pass them down to another sibling.

BTW, DD15's backpack arrived yesterday, and she absolutely loves it. She hadn't wanted monogramming (she's too cool for that!), but I got it anyway, and she really liked how it looked--it's pretty subtle. She especially likes the separate pocket for shoes--she runs, and also has to walk to school, so an extra pair of shoes is a big deal for her. In fact, if it has the shoe pocket and a place for her iPod, everything else is just gravy!

 

[Poohbear5]

I've had the Beans card for about 10 years. They switched banks 2 years ago, we reapplied and got one with the new company. We got tons of free/discounted stuff over the years. I shop the online sales to make it go further.

The problem we've had with the backpacks, is that they wear so well that the kids get sick of them! They had the same one for 4 years of middle school, we donated them (in great shape) and bought new ones that lasted through high school just to have a new color. They still use them for dayhikes.

We did have one backpack with a zipper issue 2 years old. We sent it back to Beans, they offered a new backpack or would replace the zipper. The customer service can't be beat.

When Bean's changed banks, we did open a Disney Visa. We keep the Bean's for free shipping and monogramming, but Disney Visa pays 1% on all purchases as compared to Beans 1/2% on all purchases (I think it's more only on Bean's purchases).

 

[PaulaSue]

Just in case anyone was interested. I vented to LL Bean and I got a response and am in the process of figuring it out right now. I am feeling much better and now I am thinking of ordering a few more things.

So much for the budget board.