Lands End backpack...return/exchange??

[Bound and Rebound]

My son just finished 4th grade and has had the same lands end backpack since K. The zipper gave out just last week so we have had 5 years with the same awesome bag! (the seam ripped a little causing the zipper to separate from the bag, subsequently causing the moving part to fall off one of the teeth rows)

Does anyone know if Lands End will exchange his bag for a new one, I can pay the difference if that is the case. I don't think I will be able to find the original receipt from 2013, perhaps in my email....

I have read their return policy online, but don't see any procedure to return the item.

Thanks!

 

[QueenIsabella]

Personally, I'd be embarrassed to return a 5 year old backpack. The zipper broke because it was worn out, NOT because there was something faulty in the construction. Besides, your son is probably ready to move up to a larger backpack than the one he carried in kindergarten.

That said, I did return an LL Bean backpack that the zipper broke on--twice. We'd had it for less than a year. I can sew, so I was able to fix it the first time, but the second time, it wasn't going to hold. They replaced it for free, as they should have. When I called them, they were able to input my info and pull up my list of purchases over the years. I was pretty impressed--the guy goes, "Is this the turquoise collegiate backpack that you bought on August 18 (or whatever)?" They replaced it for free, and when they sent the new one, they sent packaging and a label to return the old one. Not sure if Lands End does the same thing.

 

[larissawbb]

This is why LL Bean changed their return policy. It’s not meant to replace products after they have worn out naturally years later. To answer your question, yes they have a lifetime customer satisfaction guarantee with proof of purchase, but be prepared for some serious stink eye.

 

[wendow]

Five years of use seems like the backpack did it's job quite nicely. There's no way I'd return it. If you liked the backpack and felt it worked well for your ds, I'd just buy a new Land’s End backpack.

 

[goodeats]

I returned some Lands End moccasin slippers after a few years of use. It might have only been one year of use, I don't remember now. I honestly felt they should have lasted longer than they did for the price. They sent me a check for I believe a prorated amount. Or maybe it was the lowest price the slippers were sold for. I don't remember it being the price I paid.

I've also returned a printer to Costco after it died after a year of use. Again, I felt it should have lasted longer. I also feel the Christmas Tree meme lady might have had a case for returning her tree. Our Costco tree dried out very quickly this year.

5 years for a backpack, to me, feels like a good amount of time. But if you feel it should have lasted longer I would start with the Lands End department at Sears. They have their return policy to keep people as customers and to keep you shopping there.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Is this a serious question? You actually want to return a 5 year old backpack?

 

[Minniemouse07]

Land's End is great about returns, but I wouldn't return a 5yo backpack. That said, we love LE backpacks and both my kids used them for many years.

I bought an LE swimsuit (they rock) years ago just before we were married, wore it for a season and then was pregnant through the following summer. At the end of that summer I went to use the suit again and the elastic in the suit was disintegrating. I called LE and they sent a replacement out ASAP. The suit was just over a year old and falling apart. 16 years later, I still have the replacement suit...and it hasn't had any issues.

 

[scrapquitler]

My son just finished 4th grade and has had the same lands end backpack since K. The zipper gave out just last week so we have had 5 years with the same awesome bag! (the seam ripped a little causing the zipper to separate from the bag, subsequently causing the moving part to fall off one of the teeth rows)

Does anyone know if Lands End will exchange his bag for a new one, I can pay the difference if that is the case. I don't think I will be able to find the original receipt from 2013, perhaps in my email....

I have read their return policy online, but don't see any procedure to return the item.

Thanks!

I bet they probably would refund/exchange for you, but personally, I would never even ask after 5 years.

 

[Bound and Rebound]

Well just for all the naysayers the lady I “chatted” with on their site today did say they they would take the return no problem, I told her how old it was and everything, but now I feel like a cheap skate. Oh well, thanks for replying anyhow

 

[wendow]

Well just for all the naysayers the lady I “chatted” with on their site today did say they they would take the return no problem, I told her how old it was and everything, but now I feel like a cheap skate. Oh well, thanks for replying anyhow

I'm not sure any of us were 'naysaying'. Land's End is a great company with awesome customer service. We pretty much all knew they would go above and beyond, and yes, they would take the backpack 'back'. Should they? No, if you got five good years out of it, you should be thrilled. Most backpacks last two (my experience with 4 kids).

I'm sorry we made you feel like a cheapskate (just trying to give an honest opinion...). I would not return the backpack. What you do is up to you!

 

[QueenIsabella]

Well just for all the naysayers the lady I “chatted” with on their site today did say they they would take the return no problem, I told her how old it was and everything, but now I feel like a cheap skate. Oh well, thanks for replying anyhow

You feel like a cheapskate because you knowingly took advantage of their policy. No law against doing that, but you called them, knowing this would be the outcome. Own that. The difference is, most of us wouldn't have called, because we would have felt we were taking advantage. You called anyway. That's on you. Your whole "see, they let me do it!" doesn't make you morally right. If that hurts your feelings, you might want to reexamine your choices. Being cheap, in my mind, doesn't mean taking advantage of others.

 

[Dakota731]

That’s why they changed their return policy. I had a friend who bought a backpack from them for her son in kindergarten and returned it for a new one for free every year till he graduated college! Hard for a company to stay in business like that.

 

[maxiesmom]

You feel like a cheapskate because you knowingly took advantage of their policy. No law against doing that, but you called them, knowing this would be the outcome. Own that. The difference is, most of us wouldn't have called, because we would have felt we were taking advantage. You called anyway. That's on you. Your whole "see, they let me do it!" doesn't make you morally right. If that hurts your feelings, you might want to reexamine your choices. Being cheap, in my mind, doesn't mean taking advantage of others.

That is a big chunk of the though process on the Dis--"Disney let me do it, didn't stop me, so it must really be ok". As someone books CRT each day of their trip, just in case, and books 3 different resorts because they don't know where they want to stay just yet.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

This is why return policies are changing. Five years and a zipper breaks- daily use opening and closing minimum 4 times daily during school year. Approximately 3600 times minimum (180 days times 4) and it’s even asked if you should return. Like the used Christmas tree returned to Costco in January!

Sure within a year or two I’d contact but you asked opinions NO WAY after 5 years! It ridiculous to expect any company to replace.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

I've also returned a printer to Costco after it died after a year of use. Again, I felt it should have lasted longer. I also feel the Christmas Tree meme lady might have had a case for returning her tree. Our Costco tree dried out very quickly this year.

I’m sorry Christmas tree lady returned her tree in January AFTER she used it! That is taking advantage. If it dries out quickly prior to Christmas that is one thing returning TEN DAYS AFTER Christmas is taking advantage of Costco.

 

[SouloTravlr]

They shouldn't replace the bag, but they probably will to keep a customer happy. Buy a new one next time instead.

 

[lisa_from_nj]

Wow! I can’t believe they took back an old trashed backpack. I did not have such luck with the Lands End return policy for an item with a major defect. When my daughter was younger, one year I bought a down jacket in March on clearance for $35. Original selling price was around $70. She did not wear the jacket until the following November. In less than a week the zipper broke. Clearly I should be able to expect a zipper to last more than a few days. My husband called up customer service. I just wanted was a jacket with a working zipper, not my money back. Since we didn’t have a receipt, customer service offered a credit in the amount that the jacket last sold for towards a new jacket. That was $7.49. What a waste of my money! Lesson learned. I think Lands End stuff is cheap junk and they do not stand behind their products. I have not bought anything from them since.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow! I can’t believe they took back an old trashed backpack. I did not have such luck with the Lands End return policy for an item with a major defect. When my daughter was younger, one year I bought a down jacket in March on clearance for $35. Original selling price was around $70. She did not wear the jacket until the following November. In less than a week the zipper broke. Clearly I should be able to expect a zipper to last more than a few days. My husband called up customer service. I just wanted was a jacket with a working zipper, not my money back. Since we didn’t have a receipt, customer service offered a credit in the amount that the jacket last sold for towards a new jacket. That was $7.49. What a waste of my money! Lesson learned. I think Lands End stuff is cheap junk and they do not stand behind their products. I have not bought anything from them since.

Not having the receipt is what caused your problem.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Wow! I can’t believe they took back an old trashed backpack. I did not have such luck with the Lands End return policy for an item with a major defect. When my daughter was younger, one year I bought a down jacket in March on clearance for $35. Original selling price was around $70. She did not wear the jacket until the following November. In less than a week the zipper broke. Clearly I should be able to expect a zipper to last more than a few days. My husband called up customer service. I just wanted was a jacket with a working zipper, not my money back. Since we didn’t have a receipt, customer service offered a credit in the amount that the jacket last sold for towards a new jacket. That was $7.49. What a waste of my money! Lesson learned. I think Lands End stuff is cheap junk and they do not stand behind their products. I have not bought anything from them since.

Without a receipt that’s pretty much how it works at every store. And if it was a clearance item I’m assuming it was no longer in stock to exchange.

 

[SharonZ]

I would never think of returning a backpack after 5 years of use, the zipper wore out due to normal wear and tear - not due to being defective.