LL Bean; Don't throw broken items away.

[Jellical Cat]

Its nice to see a budget board. Several years ago I bought an Ameribag/healthy bag from LL Bean long before they started selling their own lable of "healthy bags". I was cleaning out my closet and was about to toss the Ameribag with the broken strap, when I decided to call LL Bean. They advised that I send it back for 'repair or replacement' even though they do not carry that brand anymore. I got a call. They would not repair or replace it but offered me a gift card of $14.99. I pointed out that I had paid over $70 for it and countered with $50. He countered with $40 and I said it was a deal. My gift card arrived in the mail with $43. on it. Not bad for something that almost ended up in the trash.

 

[rubato]

I was shocked with LL Beans customer service. My son's backpack lost one of the buckles. They instantly sent out a new backpack, monogrammed and all, and I sent the old one in for free. Wow! I just needed a buckle and really, I didn't even think that would be free, but a whole new backpack. I just hope the old one can be reused in some way because it was perfectly good, minus a buckle.

 

[m&m's mom]

Its nice to see a budget board. Several years ago I bought an Ameribag/healthy bag from LL Bean long before they started selling their own lable of "healthy bags". I was cleaning out my closet and was about to toss the Ameribag with the broken strap, when I decided to call LL Bean. They advised that I send it back for 'repair or replacement' even though they do not carry that brand anymore. I got a call. They would not repair or replace it but offered me a gift card of $14.99. I pointed out that I had paid over $70 for it and countered with $50. He countered with $40 and I said it was a deal. My gift card arrived in the mail with $43. on it. Not bad for something that almost ended up in the trash.

Is this a joke?
You really expected $70 for something you had broke in the back of the closet for gosh knows how long? That takes a lot of gall.
I think that is unethical personally.

 

[ajk912]

Is this a joke?
You really expected $70 for something you had broke in the back of the closet for gosh knows how long? That takes a lot of gall.
I think that is unethical personally.

I also think the $15 was more than generous. I am not a fan of stories about people who take advantage of companies just because they are able to. This also goes for printing off a bunch of free coupons and buying hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise for just a few bucks out of pocket. There's a deal, and then there's taking advantage/abusing a company just because no one is stopping you.

 

[HLDisney]

LL Bean does have an amazing return policy but it does seem as though you took advantage of it a bit. You were ready to toss out the bag in the trash and yet you wouldn't take $15 for it??

Helen

 

[Jellical Cat]

Is this a joke?
You really expected $70 for something you had broke in the back of the closet for gosh knows how long? That takes a lot of gall.
I think that is unethical personally.

LL Bean does have an amazing return policy but it does seem as though you took advantage of it a bit. You were ready to toss out the bag in the trash and yet you wouldn't take $15 for it??

Helen

I have bought tons of stuff from LL Bean, including additional two healthy bags. Their return policy, while generous comes at a price. They charge more because they know that they have to stand behind it. I wouldn't have been throwing away my original bag if the strap wasn't broken. They gave me half of what I paid. It was in the closet because I couldn't use it. Now I have a gift card that I will use for partial payment for something else. If you have been to their outlet, you would see how far things are really marked down.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I just hope the old one can be reused in some way because it was perfectly good, minus a buckle.

Their returns very often end up in Goodwill here (where those of us locally can buy a very nice backpack with that one missing buckle- while supporting a good cause ) I know they also donate to groups to help kids needing backpacks. (Safe Passage is one I know of, it is a schooling program set up by a woman who lived in our town to help out children in Guatamala.)

They surely dont' go to waste!