RE: [Philmont]: Branding Boots

MessagePete Swiggum wrote:
  I won't comment on the practice of returning boots for full credit after
using them after a year. That's for a different time.

Pete,

Although you didn't "comment", you did highlight that aspect of my message,
leaving me and probably others to think that you believe my actions were
less than completely honorable. So I will comment anyway.

Businesses like LL Bean and REI are not fools, and they have lifetime
satisfaction guarantees for exactly one reason: because it improves the
bottom line. Their prices are not the lowest, meaning the consumer pays a
premium for the privilege. Overall, the resulting increase in sales more
than offsets the cost of returns and exchanges. It's just good business.

Bean's policy was the significant reason why I chose to give my boot money
to them and not one of their competitors. They get a fair amount of my
business overall; you could say that I'm a pretty loyal customer. So when
the salesman in the Bean store says "Bring 'em back *anytime* if you're not
completely happy with them" (emphasis was his), I take them at their word.
Although I would never consider returning an item that had simply worn out,
my situation fit their policy comfortably.

My replacement pair is now three years old, has in excess of four hundred
miles and a pair of Philmont brands on them, and I am completely happy with
them. Fact is, when these boots fall apart, I'll probably buy my next pair
from Bean based on this experience.

Explain to me why this is not in keeping with the values of scouting.

>Ched Hudson
ASM Troop 994
Fairfax Station, VA
Philmont '67, '04, '06

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Received on Mon Nov 21 13:46:19 2005