I moved from Florida to Massachusetts and had heard numerous fantastic stories about legendary retailer LL Bean. My wife was still rocking her rucksack from 20 years ago. Mom-in-law has her 30+ year bean boots. So I go all in. I buy flannel sheets, I buy a backback, I buy a jacket, etc. I know I’m paying a little more but it’s buy once cry once purchase.

The first time I try to take some back, slippers that are 9 months of use, it’s denied do to being “normal wear and tear”. I’m like “the stitches popped out the bottom and they don’t look that work”, too bad next. Ok, one bad experience. My kids backpack, the top nylon strap used to hang it up pulls out completely at 28 days old, I take it to the store. I’m scrutinized exhaustedly, they bring over a manager, I finally push and say it’s less than 30 days, take it back or I’m disputing the charge and they finally replace it. My wife just had a similar experience with a jacket that had a manufacturing defect.

tl;dr the new LL Bean isn’t the same quality and they are no longer handling returns in a way that stands behind their products. LL Bean is now just a brand label slapped on cheap stuff.