“Critique of L.L. Bean: Quality, Price, and Customer ServiceL.L. Bean's reputation for durable goods and strong support is tested by this $68.65 Zip Top Boat and Tote purchase for a family member undergoing chemotherapy.
Here's a timeline of the experience:Purchase and Initial Issue (May20, 2025): Bag arrives with loose threads in multiple places, failing basic quality control for a mid-range item expected to reflect the brand's craftsmanship.
Complaint Email (May 30, 2025): Customer emails L.L. Bean, noting disappointment in unfinished product despite premium price for quality.
Initial Response (Shortly After): L.L. Bean apologizes and promises to forward feedback to the department—no offer of resolution, perceived as dismissive.
Public Review (Following Response): Customer posts review criticizing quality and "snippy" reply, declaring no future purchases.
Replacement Offer (June 30, 2025): L.L. Bean monitors feedback, orders a new tote (Order #010389477790) as replacement, noting backorder delay until Sept 30, 2025.
Cancellation (Oct 2, 2025):
email cancels order with minimal explanation and no alternatives.
Quality: Loose threads signal lapses in oversight, undermining the "built to last" promise.Price: $68.65 feels overpaid for flawed execution, eroding value.
Customer Service: Starts reactive and minimal, improves post-review but fails with abrupt cancellation, lacking follow-through.
Overall, this timeline exposes inconsistencies that could deter loyal customers, urging better QC and reliable resolutions.”
“My first time ordering jeans, I exchanged them because they were too long. After receiving my return they still were a bit long so I decided just to keep them . I washed them after wearing them a couple of times and they came out faded and with light colored streaks. This didn't happen to my wrangler and Levi's jeans which I washed together with the LL Bean jeans. Well, I tried LL BEAN, But, I will not reorder any more clothes from them. I bought my wife a 300.00 jacket from them. I hope nothing like this happens when I send it to the cleaners.”
“sizing seems to always be different. A sweater ordered in large on an previous order was to big. Next order was for 3 sweaters ordered in medium. These should have been large.
I believe quality is ok but size not consistent. Therefore 1 star.”
“I was initially thrilled with LL Bean Store when I found the brand of comfortable shoes I'd been searching for online. Although the desired color was unavailable, I purchased the shoes due to the store's one-year return policy. After wearing them only once and keeping them in good condition for almost a year, I attempted to return them three times.
Unfortunately, my experience turned sour. During my third visit, the desired color was available, but the cashier claimed I had already returned the shoes, citing the receipt I provided. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't assist me. I was extremely upset, as my initial positive impression had been ruined.
Disappointed, I told the cashier I would never shop at LL Bean Store again and even discouraged friends from doing so. I regret sharing this negative experience, but I needed to express my frustration”
“It was not so much LL Bean but one of their products. LL Bean has great service but their Katahdin Field Watch leaves much to be desired. I thought that the watch would last longer than 2 years but the insides fell apart. I had not come close to stressing the watch as it was what I considered my good watch and repairing the watch would have cost as much as the watch sells for.”
“Having been a long time customer of Ll Bean, I was very disappointed with the quality of two pair of jenes that I just received. Having paid $79.00 per pair, the fabric was terrible and I could have purchased a competitive brand for half the price. There wasn't even a label with LL bean information on it..”
