LL Bean

I ordered a Baxter State Parka on line to be delivered to the store in Mpls. I am in Florida. My son was moving from Southern CA to Mpls in January. I placed my order December 26 the parka was to be delivered January 6. On January 7 my husband and son tried to pick it up. It wasn’t there. The store said on line orders take 4 to 6 weeks. I called customer service in Maine they assured me that on line orders take only 7 to 10 business days. They also promised to track the order and let my husband and son know the status. They did call my husband and say it should be there but it wasn’t. He checked several more times. The store finally told him they were expecting a truck on the 11^th. He went to the store yet again on the 11^th. The truck had come but no parka. 10 business days no parka. They said maybe tomorrow’s truck. So I called Maine again to cancel the parka. Maine said they can’t cancel the on line order only the store in Mpls can cacel it and credit my card. So for the upteenth time back went my husband and son to cancel the order. Terrible horrible very unsatisfactory service. No 100% guarantee no effort on their part to assist. Suggest you shop North Face instead.

Went to Beans on Thanksgiving evening to see the giant musical lighted Christmas tree. I love this place around the holidays! We went inside the Home Store, and l fell in love with the oh so comfy large sectional sofas and leather recliner. With out inspecting the furniture though, I have no idea what the quality is like. I would hope that for over $ 3000.00, that the sectional quality would be excellent. If anyone has purchased furniture, I’d love to see a review. Anyway, lots of great Christmas décor and ornaments for sale, beautiful wool rugs, and décor items. The prices are a little high.

A cool store with multiple buildings, one for home furnishings, one for clothing, one for sporting goods, etc. Large parking lots. The staff seemed to want to be somewhere else and acted bothered if you asked them a question. This happened more than once during our visit.
The selection is excellent, prices are high, and the quality is cheap, made in China stuff.
They give you a lifetime guarantee, and you will need it. LL Bean used to sell mostly made in Maine and made in New England goods. My my, how times have changed.
Been there, done that, won’t be back ever. Once in a lifetime is enough and I LOVE outdoor clothing and sporting goods stores. Yeah, kinda disappointing.

When my husband and I were vacationing in Portland a couple weeks ago, we took a day trip to their campus for fun. We were blown-​away by the sheer size of their «campus» and the fact we needed to park nearly ½-​mile away from the main building. On our trek from the parking lot, we observed a fly-​fishing course taking place on their main lawn (one of many outdoor activity lessons you can register to take) which looked pretty fun!
The clothing store: Imagine browsing Costco filled only with clothing and accessories. I am the first to say I despise clothes shopping, and typically go only when I’m on a «mission» (ie. buy a new dress for my cousin’s wedding). However, I actually had fun browsing and even made an impulsive splurge!
The home store: If I had to furnish a new home on an unlimited budget, this would be my one stop shop (from furniture to bedding to outdoor decorations). I love the homey style of LL Bean.
The outdoors store: We do not hunt or fish, but I can only imagine this sector would be a hunter/fisherman’s dream!
Remember to take a picture in front of the big boot before you leave.
LL Bean is our favorite shopping destination (store, online, catalog, etc.) because their products are high quality. Yes, they are on the expensive side, but their products come with a lifetime guarantee.

Purchased trousers from their mail order service. Despite providing them with exact measurements, the trousers arrived two inches longer than what I specified in my order. When I called customer service to discuss the return, the male employee was exceptionally nasty and rude. He kept telling me I was not wearing the trousers correctly. Now that is a new one on me. They sell traditional clothing, so how many different ways can you wear a pair of pants? I had the exact copy of the order I sent them, yet the LL Bean employee kept telling me I must have sent the measurements in incorrectly. I actually had my local alterations-​tailor lady do the measurement to ensure they were done correctly. Terrible terrible rude service, supposedly coming from a company with a very old reputation for superb service. Speaking to a customer service manager did not help much either. I finally filed a BBB complaint and another complaint with the state consumer protection agency. LL Bean FINALLY refunded my money weeks later. I will never do business with this horrible company again. Ironically, they continue to send me their worthless catalog, which I use for target practice.

I’ve been a loyal LL Bean customer for more than 30 years because they stood behind their products, so I was very surprised when LL Bean issued me a «gift card» rather than a reimbursement for returned merchandise. Apparently a gift card is the new default reimbursement method! I sent several emails to Customer Service, but the various reps who responded all essentially blamed me for not understanding their complex policy regarding Paypal purchases (which, BTW, is not explained anywhere on their website). UPDATE: After escalating the issue via Facebook, I eventually obtained a full refund.

First, I’ve been a big fan of L.L. Bean for years. Customer service and return policy continue to be fantastic. Unfortunately, that’s where my love for LL Bean ends.
In recent years, style, color, sizing, quality, workmanship and materials have taken a striking downturn. Particularly in clothing. Fit and finish are frankly sub-​par. Why should I pay higher prices for low quality and poorly designed clothes made in China and Pakistan, when I can find much better elsewhere – and sometimes on par with pricing for great clothes made in the USA or Europe?
The answer naturally is that I don’t.
Please bring back the old L.L. Bean quality and craftsmanship. I’d love to love you again.

My husband received a pair of house slippers for Christmas. They did not fit as they were too short and narrow. We returned via the mailing label and UPS. There were no slippers in stock at nearby stores.
A few weeks later, the slippers arrived. These fit better, but are still a bit on the small side. It seems that there is a problem with the sizing.
Then we received a bill for $ 6.50 today. Really??? Well, if the slippers were sized correctly we would not have had to get in the car in the middle of winter and return them by UPS 16 miles away. What about our gas, and time and trouble?
I would never ever ever purchases anything from LL Bean again. Quality is so so. Not worth the hassle. I am surprised they are still in business.
I could have used Zappos and received free shipping and returns.

Never buy anything from these thieves online or over the phone. It is uncanny why they keep sending me the wrong product. What isn’t surprising at this point is that they keep and wasting my time and ruining my hunting trip.
I also haven’t received my money back. I probably never will.
I have a masters degree, I like to think that I speak English well enough. But even over the phone they can’t get an order correct.

This place is very nice to walk into, the magazine and website is real great but the prices are outrageous! The only thing that is made in Maine are the tote bags and a certain boot. The rest are imported, wish they could help out local Mainers and get them to be vendors instead of China.

The first thing that crossed my mind upon nearing the LL Bean mothership was «White People!» (as the girl in pink from the Rebecca Black «Friday» music video does her dance). I honestly have no idea why everyone goes bananas about it and I probably never will, but alas, I helped my husband pick out some Christmas gifts so here goes my review:
There are a few different buildings on the «campus» for various things: a general clothing/​retail store, a furniture store and a hunting store. We only shopped at the clothing store. Oh look! A giant boot in front of the store! Let’s take a picture?! (Still don’t get it). The inside is pretty big and can be a tad overwhelming if you’re just browsing, since there’s so much stuff. We were on a mission for some particular items, so it was easier to narrow our focus. The winter clothing they had out was really warm. If I had some expendable income, I would have gotten myself something, but unfortunately, it was too expensive for me. We did pick out some good stuff for my husband’s family, though, so given the high quality of the materials, it’s probably worth it, but I think you’re also paying more for the name than the product itself.
Checkout didn’t take too long and the cashier was really nice. On our way out, we grabbed some free boxes and tissue paper for wrapping purposes. We also checked out the pet section on the bottom floor and thought about getting some coats for our dogs, but ultimately decided against it, given that we didn’t have room in our suitcases. Besides, I don’t think my dogs can tell the difference between LL Bean and PetSmart.
Would I go back? Eh, probably not, mainly because I STILL DON’T GET THE APPEAL, but also because I just plain ol’ don’t enjoy shopping and I’m not about to go out of my way for it. They have a catalog, so if I really wanted something, I would just order it. Oh and this neat thing called a website. But don’t let that deter you from going. If you’ve always wanted to go, then by all means, check it out. They have lots of stuffs. I’m sure its a good time?

Not the LLBean of yore, that’s for sure. Like most American apparel corporations, they’ve abandoned the U.S. in favor of cheaper and more easily exploited labor in China. Predictably, the quality has been lowered, and when they run out of items or sizes (which is often), they can’t tell you when or even if they’ll be getting more in, since they rely on unreliable Chinese manufacturing and transport. I hardly ever shop at LLBean now.

Why is their website so horrible!!? They are a very large entity and their website is a throwback… reminds me of what web surfing was 15 years ago… I am so sorry to consistently have such a gruesomely slow experience when I try to shop LL bean online!

Visited the Flagship and Outlet stores in Freeport as well as the Outlet store in Ellsworth, ME, in October 2014. As usual they were well stocked and had plenty of helpful, friendly staff to help find items and to check them out. Bought a discounted «returned» Polo shirt off the «70% off» rack and another pair of their outstandingly comfortable flannel lined jeans at full price. I have a couple of pairs of the lined jeans that are 4 – 5 years old and still are quite wearable, plus the flannel lining is still in good condition.
The really outstanding feature of L L Beans’s service for me is that they found my cell phone that I foolishly slipped into a pair of jeans that I was trying on, but did not buy. They are now mailing the phone to me gratis! What a company! They are devoted to customer service. You pay for it in their product prices which are not the lowest, but are the sign of a company that stands behind their products 100% and will go the extra mile for you!

Took the kayaking discovery class with L.L. Bean. Every one of their staff members were awesome, from the phone rep to the bus driver to the instructors. Their employees clearly love what they do. They were fun, attentive and safety-​focused. We wanted to tip them and they indicated no tipping! Our group of 14 thoroughly enjoyed their time.

Guess I had high expectations prior to coming here… items were a little on the expensive side.
We were there around 10−11pm so monogramming wasn’t available, despite the store being open ²⁴⁄₇. Our cashier and the employees there were very nice and friendly. Monogramming was $ 6 for non-​LL Bean cardholders… Not too bad.
Love their canvas tote bags!

The Good and the Bad.
I was at my camp at Sebago lake for Memorial Day weekend, the weather was rainy and dreary so I decided to take a road trip with my yellow lab, Jimmy, to LL Bean in Freeport. I assumed it was dog friendly, heck!, they have labradors on everything they sell. How wrong of me for assuming.
I arrived with Jimmy and was told «No dogs allowed». I was surprised. Jimmy was banished to the car.: (
The store with a hunting department and lots of things for dogs and labrador art, and dog beds, and throw pilllows… bummer.
I still bought two labrador throw pillows, one was $ 60 and one was $ 40. Yeah, I know, kind of crazy. Also, two labrador hand towels, $ 8 a piece.
I have a Eureka Copper Canyon 6 tent purchased from them for $ 270, last season it fell apart like tissue paper. This tent was not worth $ 270. Thank goodness they honored their return policy and gave me a gift card, including tax for the value of the tent and I used it to get the same tent (was that dumb?)
Their items are very overpriced and sadly, mostly are not made in America which is surprising for such an «American Themed» company. It’s really sad. Lot’s of folks in Maine could use the jobs.
To their credit, their staff is helpful and courteous and their return policy is great.
FYI – The Orvis Factory store is down the street, and although much smaller, has some similar type goods and IS Dog Friendly. Thanks «Orvis».

The different Bean stores are built close to each other and it’s like a college campus. To shop here is overwhelming. First of all it’s nearly impossible to find a parking place close by an entrance. We had to walk what seemed like several blocks to get in. Everything is so crowded you are better off to shop on line and have it shipped for free.

I love the big boot out front. I take a picture with it every year! And the store is very exciting, but it’s not dog friendly :(

I have been buying men’s clothing from LL Bean for 20+ years and prior to the last two years have always been very pleased with their products. However, since 2011 I have nothing but problems with the quality of their merchandize. They have obviously made conscious decision to cut corners on their quality. It is a shame to see this once reputable company going to the dogs!
* After walking 100 yards in wet grass I could have wrung out my socks in the walking boots purchased in ²⁰⁰⁹⁄₁₀ that LL Bean advertised as being waterproof. I think I threw them away.
* Those boots were replaced by a pair of waterproof Trail Model Hiker II boots less than two years ago. Soon they will not be wearable as the lining inside the heels has worn through (and they are not water proof either). They are also falling apart at the seams.
* The lining inside the slippers purchased 10 months ago has already worn through. The previous pair from LL Bean lasted for many years. This pair are for the trash now.
* Three of my Oxford cotton shirts are failing at the same place on the left shoulder seam. The shirts are in otherwise decent condition but will now be consigned to the trash. I have no idea how many times these shirts have been laundered but I have a lot of shirts so each shirt is worn about twice a month.
* The weight of the material in three twill shirts (TY264077) I just purchased is significantly inferior to another similar twill shirt purchased a year or so earlier even though both were made in Sri Lanka. Also, the button holes on these new shirts are fractionally too small so the small buttons on the collar are especially difficult.
* Earlier this year I returned three twill shirts (TY269337) as one had no wrinkle resistance when washed the first time and the collars were incorrectly constructed on the other two so the back of the collar did not sit on my neck. The back order for the fourth shirt was cancelled.
Buy elsewhere.