WOW! Columbia sent a new jacket!!

[allison443]

Does anyone remember the Tightwad Gazette? They used to publish budget tips from readers. One of the tips was something like this--they suggested buying a rusty old Craftsman tool at a yard sale, and taking it to Sears for replacement-apparently Sears had a lifetime guarantee on Craftsman tools. They said you could then use the new tool for a Father's Day gift!!

I am not suggesting this, and I don't even know if Sears still has that guarantee...

 

[allison443]

This falls along the same lines as Craftsmen hand tools. I have purchased used Craftsmen hand tools at yard sales and taken the time to go through them and return any broken ones to my nearest Sears for exchange. They have a lifetime warranty. Sears has never asked me the details of when/where/how I acquired the original tool, nor how it came to be broken. They've always fetched me an equivalent replacement, sometimes a refurbished one, and sent me on my way.

Oh my goodness...I swear I didn't see your post before I posted the tightwad gazette story!!! Sorry!

 

[mickeyduck]

My teenage son needed a lightweight rain jacket for a missions trip. I bought a decent used Columbia mens jacket at our local Goodwill for $4.98. When I washed it the lining disintegrated, it looked like a box of kleenex had gone through the wash. So I packed it up, wrote a nice letter, and sent it to Columbia Customer Service. Three weeks later they sent a new Columbia jacket as a replacement with a $90 price tag. I'm a Happy Camper!!

Hi mjh8955,

I'm not sure if you still have your columbia jackets with you, but i was hoping i can compare Columbia jackets with you as it relates to two labels found on the jacket.

The main label says it's size and maybe gender. If you look at the back of that label, is there anything printed there ? Do you recognize the language(s) ?

The second label shows the material composition and washing instructions. Besides english, do you recognize the other language(s) ?

There should be a code as well. Can you write down the codes ?

Examples would be a group of codes like this:

"RN 79526
US 03243"

What does it say on your jacket ?

Thanks in advance

 

[SandrA9810]

Any time there's a life time warranty on the product, it doesn't matter how many hands it exchanges. That particular product is protected with the warranty for life.

Many times there's a guarantee that a product free from manufacture defect. In that case, the purchaser would've had to shown proof of receipt and what defect it had. A lifetime warranty means that if anything happens to the product, the manufacturer will assist with the repair or replacement of the product back to original working order.

That's an awesome story.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Hi mjh8955,

I'm not sure if you still have your columbia jackets with you, but i was hoping i can compare Columbia jackets with you as it relates to two labels found on the jacket.

The main label says it's size and maybe gender. If you look at the back of that label, is there anything printed there ? Do you recognize the language(s) ?

The second label shows the material composition and washing instructions. Besides english, do you recognize the other language(s) ?

There should be a code as well. Can you write down the codes ?

Examples would be a group of codes like this:

"RN 79526
US 03243"

What does it say on your jacket ?

Thanks in advance

This post sounds mysterious..., like maybe there is a problem that may be happening more often with the jackets (as in a defect)?? I love mysteries!

 

[allison443]

This post sounds mysterious..., like maybe there is a problem that may be happening more often with the jackets (as in a defect)?? I love mysteries!

I agree....very strange to bump up a two year old post! This thread is from 2008....

 

[Topper]

-----------------------

I fail to see where it makes any difference.. If they have a policy of standing behind their products 100% it doesn't matter if she purchased it in a Goodwill Store; if it was a hand-me-down from a neighbor; if it was a gift from Grandma; or if she purchased it for the full price in a retail store..

Any time there's a life time warranty on the product, it doesn't matter how many hands it exchanges. That particular product is protected with the warranty for life.

Actually, you would be incorrect. Here is how the warranty is stated on Columbia's website:

LIMITED WARRANTY - OUTERWEAR
(DOES NOT APPLY TO FOOTWEAR OR SPORTSWEAR)
SEND YOUR CLAIM USING A TRACKABLE SHIPPING METHOD

What This Warranty Covers. This Limited Warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship in outerwear manufactured by Columbia Sportswear Company (Outerwear). This includes defects in zipper pulls, zippers, snaps, stitching, dye bleeding, leaking of Columbia's waterproof Outerwear line, and any other Outerwear defects that may occur under normal wear. Columbia does not warranty and is not responsible for damages caused by misuse, abuse, accidents, the natural breakdown of materials over time, or problems that may be reasonably expected with normal wear or failure to follow Outerwear care instructions.

How Long This Warranty Lasts. This Warranty lasts for as long as you, the original purchaser, own the Outerwear. Coverage ends if you sell or transfer the Outerwear.

How To Get Warranty Service. You may seek resolution directly through the retailer where you purchased the Outerwear. In many cases, the retailer will be able to assist you. You may also send Outerwear (including any shell, liner, and other components), shipping prepaid, (you pay to ship the item to us, we pay to ship the item back to you) directly to us.

The OP is lucky that Columbia replaced the coat, but they were not under any obligation to do so.

 

[SandrA9810]

I agree....very strange to bump up a two year old post! This thread is from 2008....

D'oh... I usually notice it too. But most the time, it's strange topics that wind up getting bumped. This one seemed too normal.

 

[libinatorsmom]

That is awesome.... a company that stands behind thier product!!!!

 

[krcit]

Hmmm. I like a bargain just as much as the next guy but this doesn't seem right to me.

 

[Scurvy]

Actually, you would be incorrect. Here is how the warranty is stated on Columbia's website:

LIMITED WARRANTY - OUTERWEAR
(DOES NOT APPLY TO FOOTWEAR OR SPORTSWEAR)
SEND YOUR CLAIM USING A TRACKABLE SHIPPING METHOD

What This Warranty Covers. This Limited Warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship in outerwear manufactured by Columbia Sportswear Company (Outerwear). This includes defects in zipper pulls, zippers, snaps, stitching, dye bleeding, leaking of Columbia's waterproof Outerwear line, and any other Outerwear defects that may occur under normal wear. Columbia does not warranty and is not responsible for damages caused by misuse, abuse, accidents, the natural breakdown of materials over time, or problems that may be reasonably expected with normal wear or failure to follow Outerwear care instructions.

How Long This Warranty Lasts. This Warranty lasts for as long as you, the original purchaser, own the Outerwear. Coverage ends if you sell or transfer the Outerwear.

How To Get Warranty Service. You may seek resolution directly through the retailer where you purchased the Outerwear. In many cases, the retailer will be able to assist you. You may also send Outerwear (including any shell, liner, and other components), shipping prepaid, (you pay to ship the item to us, we pay to ship the item back to you) directly to us.

The OP is lucky that Columbia replaced the coat, but they were not under any obligation to do so.

In light of that, I wonder if they still would have replaced it if the OP had told them where she bought it. I agree with kcrit - I like bargains and I love companies with good customer service, but this doesn't seem right to me, either. It rubs me the wrong way.

 

[CinRell]

I'd put my money on YES they'd have replaced it anyway. This is good PR for them.

Look.. .likely OP will purchase from them from the warm fuzzies from this instance. She posted about the situation on the internet and who knows how many people have seen this... it will likely pop up somewhere in "Columbia" searches. This will lead to more sales from people impressed (I'll def. give them another look!). Their prices are so inflated compared to their cost....

A company this successful isn't run by morons... they would have asked more questions if they really cared about the fine print.


I give a to the OP! AND to the company! Marketing at it's best!

 

[pyrxtc]

Hi mjh8955,

I'm not sure if you still have your columbia jackets with you, but i was hoping i can compare Columbia jackets with you as it relates to two labels found on the jacket.

The main label says it's size and maybe gender. If you look at the back of that label, is there anything printed there ? Do you recognize the language(s) ?

The second label shows the material composition and washing instructions. Besides english, do you recognize the other language(s) ?

There should be a code as well. Can you write down the codes ?

Examples would be a group of codes like this:

"RN 79526
US 03243"

What does it say on your jacket ?

Thanks in advance

This post sounds mysterious..., like maybe there is a problem that may be happening more often with the jackets (as in a defect)?? I love mysteries!

I think maybe someone wants the numbers so they can get a new coat too.

 

[mickeyboat]

Thanks OP for reminding me. DD10 has a Columbia fleece and the zipper pull broke. I am going to try to return it to the store first, and if they won't take it, I will send it to Columbia.

 

[LilMamiBella]

You know, I never would've thought of contacting the company. If something like that had happened to me I would've probably taken it to someone who does alterations. Oh well I know next time!

 

[janey99]

I think maybe someone wants the numbers so they can get a new coat too.

That's funny - to me it looks like someone thinks the OP might have a grey-market or counterfeit jacket and is trying to figure it where it came from.

 

[MartinaC]

As someone that lives close to the Columbia Sportwear co. is I can tell you that that is how they opperate. They just have great customer service. The satisfaction of there clients is important. Another NW company that has a simular policy is Leatherman Tools also made in portland,or. If any of there products (blades etc) break you can return it to the company and they will send you out a new one.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Hi mjh8955,

I'm not sure if you still have your columbia jackets with you, but i was hoping i can compare Columbia jackets with you as it relates to two labels found on the jacket.

The main label says it's size and maybe gender. If you look at the back of that label, is there anything printed there ? Do you recognize the language(s) ?

The second label shows the material composition and washing instructions. Besides english, do you recognize the other language(s) ?

There should be a code as well. Can you write down the codes ?

Examples would be a group of codes like this:

"RN 79526
US 03243"

What does it say on your jacket ?

Thanks in advance

What an odd first post.

 

[buzzlady]

What an odd first post.

Not to mention that the original post was from 2008! Strange to bring it up.

 

[Swimalie]

As someone that lives close to the Columbia Sportwear co. is I can tell you that that is how they opperate. They just have great customer service. The satisfaction of there clients is important. Another NW company that has a simular policy is Leatherman Tools also made in portland,or. If any of there products (blades etc) break you can return it to the company and they will send you out a new one.

Hi former neighbor! I used to live in Hillsboro and used to drive right by the Beaverton Columbia office all the time. They are a great company and remember - "don't mess with mother"