About the Business
L.L.Bean, founded in 1912 and headquartered in Freeport, Maine, is a renowned American retailer that specializes in outdoor and recreational gear, clothing, and homeware. Known for its L.L.Bean Boot and commitment to quality, the company serves a loyal customer base globally through e-commerce and strategic retail partnerships.
Business Highlights
General
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Sustainability
Product
Customer Service
Payment Options
Membership Programs
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Reviews Summary
L.L. Bean has a rating of 2.1 stars from 579 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers dissatisfied with L.L. Bean most frequently mention customer service, credit card and return policy. L.L. Bean ranks 74th among Outdoor Clothing sites.
I purchased Waterproof 650 Down Gloves for cold-weather hiking. Some of the reviews said the gloves didn't keep hands warm, and I should have paid attention. These gloves are okay at 50 degrees but if the air temperature is any lower, my hands got very cold within about two minutes of being outside. I'm very disappointed and am returning the gloves.
Like REI, generally good quality at high prices. However, also like their prime competitor they have an increasing tendency to include merchandise of borderline design and offshore manufacture that leaves you entirely dependent on their liberal return policy.
Recently bought a sweater online that offered free shipping to Canada and found the US price tag still attached. I got charged $310 (cdn) for a $169 (usd) product… essentially overcharged by $50 after exchange and tax. I won't be buying again fro LL Bean.
I was very impressed with L. L. Bean!
I plan to revisit some day, when I'm a bit more flush (with cash, like I was last time I shopped there via catalog).
As you might expect from a long-established proud rural Maine company in those days (nearly all the great clothes I bought were made in USA), both design and build yielded some of the best clothes I've ever owned. I feel like a slob compared to how I dressed then, lol.
Old Nordstrom comparable. Reliable, prompt... Long ago.
Selection: B+
Quality: A
Customer Service: A
Pricing: Fair
Snail slow delivery. No tracking options. I guess customers are suppose to sit at home for days waiting to see if today will be the day a package is delivered. Their web site does not permit reviews which is a sign they do not give a (you know what). Do not order from this company.
I like LL Bean but they want you to return their stuff at Sears which is like suggesting you don't really have an option because where are Sears anyway? They are all closing down. So they should include free label returns rather than charging for them.
I love these shirts!They are my go-to summer wear. I wish they still sold the Dark Olive color though and made new colors too. I got shoe polish on my old olive shirt, and it washed out!. They get better with washings. And the weight is perfect. They are worth the price. Just miss my olive color. I'm from Maine originally, so I feel like I have a piece of "home" wrapped around me.I met Mr. Bean when a child. He was at the door greeting people. Good memories.
Changes delivery date 3 times! Ordered July 26. Now they say sept. 5th "maybe"! What the hell? Why should anyone have to wait 5-6 weeks for their child's birthday gift? Of course when I ordered it was going to be delivered by Aug 2. Another shady as hell Republican owned company only concerned with THEIR pockets rather than those hard working customers who fill them!
Great quality goods. Good prices. Free shipping. Easy exchanges. Fast delivery. I just wish they freshened up their business casual shirt collection much more often. They are still selling the same designs I have already owned for five or more years. I'd like a "Bean-quality" update to my wardrobe.
Just got off a chat with LL Bean's customer service about some boots of theirs that are only five years old and are starting to fall apart and was told they "are not repairable." Great. Bean used to stand by their products, but apparently no more. So sad, another reputable company gone down the drain. Guess I'll have to find another brand...
This is a very old American company. So I tried to buy American--wrong!
The apparent quality of these expensive sheets looks like they will compare closely with crap one gets from the Chinese via Penney's--and, the pillow covers have no pockets. At least Penney's has those.
If you want to buy American, forget ol' L L Bean!
When you want an item constructed with 110% quality, backed by 110% customer service then look no further. I have happily purchased wonderful products for my entire family for both winter and summer holidays that will probably out last every vacation we could ever take. Perfect fit, superb quality, and if there's ever a question their customer service is tops! Love L. L. BEAN!
Just had a chat member cut me off because I was complaining about taking 4-6 weeks to get an exchange completed. In this day and age who does that but LL Bean. Her last reply to me before cutting me off was not very nice. I'm certainly through with LL Bean. Last couple pairs of slacks I bought ripped after about 6 months, so obviously their clothes are not what they used to be either.
Has the LL Bean family sold the company? Everything about doing business with them is different. Famous quality and superb customer service are NO MORE. My latest boots from them bite into my ankles so I returned for an exchange. Three phone calls of 10 to 15 minutes on Hold. One call never answered. One dropped call and finally the answer they had not processed the return they had received a week before so pay the bill. They have become Kmart. I can just go to Kmart to buy cheap Chinese boots.
I recently bought two T shirts at L. L. Bean. I'd never shopped there bit it was aunt's favorite store. Quality must have gone downhill! I carefully washed my T shirt in cold water and put in on a drying rack. Imagine my disappointment when it had completely lost its shape. I paid a lot more than usual hoping to get a good quality item that would last a long time. What a waste of money!
Be an Outsider, for LL Bean is to get some very nice and quality items. Excellent service, and products that are very well made and comfortable. My husband will only wear their all leather slippers. No one else even comes close to the comfort these bring to his feet.
Returned two products, ordered one more and was to receive a refund on the one product upon return. Did not get a refund. Talked to any number of people, thinking the last time it was actually worked out, saying i would be refunded by check. As most others say, good quality/good product, but forget customer service or anything involving accounting. Even though i have enjoyed their product over the years, i will not be placing anymore orders with them.:-(
LL Bean used to sell excellent, very comfortable high quality clothing. I was a regular customer—not any more. I stopped buying their clothes nearly two decades ago because they stopped stocking those nice, quality clothes and started selling garbage. I don't know why anyone would shop there now
Everything I've ever purchased from L. L. Bean has been top quality. From boots to backpacks, whether it's for hiking or back-to-school, the products are made to last. The backpack I got my daughter in the 4th grade lasted through high school, it was used daily and carried some very heavy loads. I still use it for travel and day trips, straps and zippers in good shape after all this time. My husband's snow boots lasted 15 years before they needed to be replaced. Good, quality items.
When LL Bean runs any type of site wide promotion they do not honor their military/ first responder/ front line health care worker discount, but claim to honor their service. This company is a capitalist company who clearly has little to no respect for the people serving this country on the front lines. Go shop Patagonia!
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- Sitejabber’s sole mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
- Sitejabber has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
- Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members