OT-LL Bean guarateee-worth the $$??

[familyfirsttimer]

Sorry it is OT but my Budget Board friends always steer me right!

I bought the flowerd backpacks from LL fall of 2007 for only 12.95 each. My DD used hers this year and one of the zippers is broken. I looked into returning it because I know they guarantee. But here is my dliemna, it says if they no longer carry it (they dont) they will refund it and if I use the prepaid shipping labe it wil lbe less $6.50 for the return. that would give me a 6.50 credit-totally not worth it, I would just keep the bag and not use that one compartment.

So, my question, is that your experience? I was hoping they would offer a substiture as a replacement....please share your experieces with them to help me make this decision. TIA

 

[Gretchen3ajoshmom]

I love LL Bean - (disclaimer i am a native New Englander) and have never had any problems with there products. I have heard people sending 20 year old boots back and have had them re soled. I have had my boots since 1990 and have used them every winter! Granted, in PA we don't get a ton of snow! I love there duffles, sleeping bags, and clothing too. I cannot way enough good things about LL Bean! I have the credit card and it covers shipping and monogramming.....and gets me dollars towards future purchases...Good luck....

 

[CSwan1]

I just returned the flowered lunchbox a few weeks ago. The zipper came off. They told me they didnt have any more in stock but I could choose a different one. I was in a rush so I asked for a gift card to come back at another time. There was no problem. I havent been back yet. I think I will wait for school shopping time.

 

[plummer925]

PLEASE remember - this is a satisfaction guarantee, NOT a lifetime guarantee!!

if you bought it 2 YEARS ago for $13.oo do you feel that you got your money's worth? If so, then it's not FAIR to return it to the company. If you feel that for a $13.00 backpack you should have gotten more than 2 years out of it, then return it (but really...how much time does one expect with a $13.00 backpack?).

 

[Grendalynn]

Did you ask if they would send you a new one, even if its not the same? Maybe similar? I take for granted having an outlet store right here in town. That being said, they sell all kinds of catalog returns - not broekn or damaged, but items monogramed or special orderd that customers didnt like... 100% Customer Satisfaction. Or send it to me and I will go in and trade it for you and send it back! PM me if you want...

I would call again and ask for a replacement. if you are only out $6, thats not too bad - the back packs are generally great and hold up well. DS10 got his in 1st grade and still uses it every year! I even bought it with someone elses initials on it and then cut them out - Talk about budget!!

 

[ceecee]

PLEASE remember - this is a satisfaction guarantee, NOT a lifetime guarantee!!

if you bought it 2 YEARS ago for $13.oo do you feel that you got your money's worth? If so, then it's not FAIR to return it to the company. If you feel that for a $13.00 backpack you should have gotten more than 2 years out of it, then return it (but really...how much time does one expect with a $13.00 backpack?).

Ours got stuck and I fiqured we had our $'s worth out of it as it lasted an entire school year! DH was able to unstick it and now it's fine. Just think of it as a Target, Walmart backpack it was probably cheaper than that and I'd say $6.50 a year is a bargain!

 

[rbork]

my suggestion would be to eat the original sale price you paid. If she got 2 yrs out of it. I would think it's not worth returning. Now a 39$ 1 yr old book pack w/ a broken zipper maybe?
I have always had the llbean back packs. My youngest broke his zipper too on the outer compartment. But I factored in how hard he was on it. Totally not llbeans fault. So I ate the cost but still bought another and told him to be easier on the zips.
Let me add - that I am a loyal customer. llbean has outstanding custumer service which is scarce these days. I enjoy the quality of their products. I too purchased retuned dufffles from my local llbean outlet. I kept surfing for dark green w/out initials and wha la after about 6 mos...I had a complete set. Best duffles I've had and get alot of use from them. Good Luck w/ your decision...again I'd eat the sale price you paid and call it a day.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Just wanted to add that I ordered it on Oct 2007 but she did not use it until this school year as we already had the backpack for that year. Over the Christmas break is when I foind out the zipper was broken and I just decided to wait until the end of the year instead of figureing out something for her to use until we got a replacement.

I thought that it was a lifetime guarantee and if it got a hole or something, I think I could understand more than the zipper breaking after 3 months of use.

Anyway, thanks for all your comments. I was just not going to do anything but then I always read about people here and great replacement from LL Bean, that i just thought I'd ask.

 

[plummer925]

Just wanted to add that I ordered it on Oct 2007 but she did not use it until this school year as we already had the backpack for that year. Over the Christmas break is when I foind out the zipper was broken and I just decided to wait until the end of the year instead of figureing out something for her to use until we got a replacement.

I thought that it was a lifetime guarantee and if it got a hole or something, I think I could understand more than the zipper breaking after 3 months of use.

Anyway, thanks for all your comments. I was just not going to do anything but then I always read about people here and great replacement from LL Bean, that i just thought I'd ask.

Well, if it was only 3 months, then yea, I'd return it.

LL Bean does NOT have a lifetime guarantee - they have a Satisfaction Guarantee. The guarantee is on the back of all the receipts, posted throughout the store, and on their website.

This is what the guarantee says:

"Our products are guaranteed to give 100% satisfaction in every way. Return anything purchased from us at anytime if it proves otherwise. We do not want you to have anything from LL Bean that is not completely satisfactory."

Essentially - if you feel you got your money's worth from something you bought, then you are satisfied and the guarantee doesn't really apply to you. If you do not feel you got your money's worth, then you are unsatisfied, and by all means, return the item.

If I buy a pair of boots for $100 and they last me 5 years, then I got my money's worth - I won't return them (if I did so, I feel that would be taking advantage). However, if the soles of the boot separated year 2, then yea, I'd think they should have lasted longer and would be justified in my returning it.

 

[hppy2bhome]

I read your post and yes I would return it even if I used it for 2 years or one.

I know you purchased it 2007 and she just used it this year.

return it. I would not be satisfied with the product if it only lasted 1 or 2 years of use. LL BEAN is better quality then target or walmart so I would expect more regardless of what I paid.

chris

 

[m&m's mom]

I read your post and yes I would return it even if I used it for 2 years or one.

I know you purchased it 2007 and she just used it this year.

return it. I would not be satisfied with the product if it only lasted 1 or 2 years of use. LL BEAN is better quality then target or walmart so I would expect more regardless of what I paid.

chris

It was $13.00 for heavens sake and it was stored for 2 years.
I would definitely not returning it.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

My experience is if they do not still have the item, they have credited the full price of replacement. (eg if it was the original pack, they have refunded the price of an original pack).

While I agree with others that folks take advantage of the guarentee (the infamous 20 year old returned boots.), I don't think it's much to expect a zipper to last a year (or I think you said it broke after 3 months.) I would have no issues returning it.

I'm local, so not sure how the return postage works. FYI with the LLB credit card, you do get free shipping both ways.

 

[Mama to Three]

Call them and explain the situation. I'd be surprised if they didn't substitute something for it or give you a credit.

My DD used her backpack for two years and the zipper was always prone to get stuck. One day it stuck and there was no fixing it. I called them and they said I could switch it out at no charge. I ended up upgrading to one with wheels and they applied the credit toward the cost of the backpack that I returned (they paid for the shipping for the return as well).

Since then I've made a point to buy from them. They really do care and really do want to make sure you are satisfied with your order. I also love that you get a real person on the phone right away when you call.

 

[hppy2bhome]

It was $13.00 for heavens sake and it was stored for 2 years.
I would definitely not returning it.

since when is there a statue of limitation on being satisfied?

I would never take advantage of 20 year old boots but you bet your boots I would return that backpack.

=)

 

[QVCshopper]

Do you have a store near you? That way, you don't have to pay for shipping.

I bought a two piece swim suit--the bottoms faded terribly in a hot tub, but the top was fine. I took it to the LLBean store and was given a credit toward a replacement bottom. I had the swim suit for less than a year when the bottoms faded, and I wasn't happy with that--even if pools are hard on fabric.

No questions asked when I did my "exchange" and I like my new bottoms very much--so far, no fading!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

It was $13.00 for heavens sake and it was stored for 2 years.
I would definitely not returning it.

For what it's worth, I went in last year to buy DS a new pair of sandals. I mentioned to the clerk I'd bought him a pair 2 years prior on clearance, with the intent for him to grow into them. He grew through the size over the winter, and so I was there buying the bigger size. She very adamently told me to bring them back in, even though they were no longer sold and it had been 2 years. It did not even occur to me to return them after that amount of time, but she said absolutely to do it.

Of course, I couldn't actually find them when I got home. Whole other story!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

For what it's worth, I went in last year to buy DS a new pair of sandals. I mentioned to the clerk I'd bought him a pair 2 years prior on clearance, with the intent for him to grow into them. He grew through the size over the winter, and so I was there buying the bigger size. She very adamently told me to bring them back in, even though they were no longer sold and it had been 2 years. It did not even occur to me to return them after that amount of time, but she said absolutely to do it.

Of course, I couldn't actually find them when I got home. Whole other story!

Thanks for the support. I truly thought it was lifetime guarantee like I said earlier, not satisfaction guarantee, that's why I even asked the question and because I kept reading it on here. Thanks for your honest experience and not giving snippy remarks like some others have done.

 

[plummer925]

Thanks for the support. I truly thought it was lifetime guarantee like I said earlier, not satisfaction guarantee, that's why I even asked the question and because I kept reading it on here. Thanks for your honest experience and not giving snippy remarks like some others have done.

FamilyFirstTimer - I truly hope that you did not take my remarks as snippy - I did not intend them to be at all.

FYI: I used to work at LL Bean and my husband currently does - in the Cust. Svc center (returns) there. It's AMAZING how many people think it's a lifetime guarantee, that's why I pointed out that it was a satisfaction guarantee. It's also amazing the stuff people bring back...sheesh...Note I'm NOT talking about you. After you said you stored the backpack and only used it for a few months, I'd completely support you taking it back!!!

If I did act snippy, please forgive me, as that was not my intentions.

Blessings,
Crystal

 

[GraysMom]

There is an LL Bean store at the Promenade Shops in Center Valley, PA (near Allentown/Bethlehem) if you want to see if a store will let you return them so you don't have to deal w/shipping costs.

 

[buzz5985]

I've had better luck with Lands End for my DS. He has had 2 back packs his entire school career that started in preshcool. He first used the junior collegiate, from preschool to 4th grade. We purchased a collegiate in 5th grade - he will be in 7th grade next year and still looks great. Never a problem with the zippers.

I also had the Lands End diaper bag - which I loved. DH had a LL Bean back pack - which he got in an outlet store - but the zipper also gave out on that. We never thought to return it.

Janis