Fox Collectors

Definitely off topic but thought I would share some good feelings with a recent visit to our local L. L. Bean store.

I have a pair of L. L. Bean Maine Hunting Shoes (Boots). Those are the ones they seem to be famous for: rubber bottoms with leather tops and lace up style closure with the metal speed hooks. I have had these boots for just about 40 years. I had the rubber bottoms replaced by L. L. Bean about 20 years ago for $23.00. After a whole bunch more miles on them, they will again be needing new bottoms.

Talked with a very nice gal in the L. L. Bean shoe department and she said they would replace the boots at no cost to me if I preferred that. That’s right: FREE! New ones like mine are around $140.00.

Despite their generous offer, I’m going to have new bottoms put on my old boots for $39.00. New boots might be nice but my old ones are like an old friend.

I would also like to add that my wife did some Christmas shopping while there and had $48.50 in merchandise. Check out gal said if she bought something more for at least $1.50, my wife would get a $10.00 gift card. That’s class.

Jolly

as my dad taught me you catch more flys with honey than you do vinegar
I too have always had good luck and service with Bean,good quality , fair price and service

I stopped doing business with LL Bean when they changed the name of their famous "Maine Hunting Shoe" to "Bean Boot" so the yuppies could wear them.

Destry

Destry, they've got both the Maine Hunting Shoe and Bean Boots. They appear the same, but I understand a different compound in the rubber portion is used, the Bean Boots rubber is supposedly a little more wear-resistant...don't know if it's true, but that's what I've been told.

I had the good fortune to flyfish for stripers with a gentleman from Maine. He said he purchased a bag from Bean and decided later that he wanted another design. He went to the store and told them he wanted a different style. They told him that they were sorry that he did not like the one he had, gave him a new bag and he got to keep the old one! I wish they had a store in Idaho.

I am sure that some of you have visited the Bean Store in Freeport, Me. If you haven't and if you have a chance to do so, please take advantage of it. Great store with just about everything that you might think about or need for life in the outdoors--and, as a plus, there are actually people there that can help you if needed. The Bean philosophy survives!