Leon Leonwood Bean, a hunter, and fisherman developed a waterproof boot which was a combination of leather uppers and rubber bottoms and named it the Maine Hunting Boot in 1912. He sold them at first through a mail order circular and then through a four-page mail-order catalog.
This boot, now named the L.L. Bean Boot, is still a staple of the company’s product line. 
L.L. Bean opened its flagship store in Freeport, Maine in 1917. This store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and has only closed four days since 1951: two Sundays when the blue laws were changed in Maine in 1961, to honor the death of President Kennedy, and to honor the death of the company’s founder in 1967. 
L.L. Bean continues to be a family company and the current leadership includes Shawn Gorman, great-grandson of the founder.
The company is a global one, selling its products online or via catalog all over the world. In addition to the duck boot, the company sells men’s and women’s clothing, backpacks, outdoor gear, and other types of shoes.
The company has educational programs connected to many of its retail outlets to support the outdoor interests of its customers. Customers can sign up to participate in a number of outdoor activities and learn the basics: all equipment and instruction are provided. Activities include clay shooting, fly casting, archery, and sea kayaking, to name a few.
L.L. Bean has 115 stores in the United States and Japan, has 5,500 employees, and had $1.61 billion in revenue in 2014.
In November 2020, L.L. Bean began selling their clothign and shoes at upscale department stores, such as Nordstroms.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, retailers such as L.L. Bean are having a difficult time receiving merchandise from manufacturers in Vietnam in 2021.
The L.L.Bean “Bootmobile”, which travels the country throughout the year, also serves as a mobile store during its college tour, selling Bean Boots, custom laces, and more. 
L.L. Bean maintains a corporate office in Freeport, Maine.
L.L. Bean
Leon Leonwood Bean, a hunter, and fisherman developed a waterproof boot which was a combination of leather uppers and rubber bottoms and named it the Maine Hunting Boot in 1912. He sold them at first through a mail order circular and then through a four-page mail-order catalog.
This boot, now named the L.L. Bean Boot, is still a staple of the company’s product line.
History
L.L. Bean opened its flagship store in Freeport, Maine in 1917. This store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and has only closed four days since 1951: two Sundays when the blue laws were changed in Maine in 1961, to honor the death of President Kennedy, and to honor the death of the company’s founder in 1967.
L.L. Bean continues to be a family company and the current leadership includes Shawn Gorman, great-grandson of the founder.
The company is a global one, selling its products online or via catalog all over the world. In addition to the duck boot, the company sells men’s and women’s clothing, backpacks, outdoor gear, and other types of shoes.
The company has educational programs connected to many of its retail outlets to support the outdoor interests of its customers. Customers can sign up to participate in a number of outdoor activities and learn the basics: all equipment and instruction are provided. Activities include clay shooting, fly casting, archery, and sea kayaking, to name a few.
L.L. Bean has 115 stores in the United States and Japan, has 5,500 employees, and had $1.61 billion in revenue in 2014.
In November 2020, L.L. Bean began selling their clothign and shoes at upscale department stores, such as Nordstroms.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, retailers such as L.L. Bean are having a difficult time receiving merchandise from manufacturers in Vietnam in 2021.
The L.L.Bean “Bootmobile”, which travels the country throughout the year, also serves as a mobile store during its college tour, selling Bean Boots, custom laces, and more.
L.L. Bean maintains a corporate office in Freeport, Maine.
I received a Moonbeam Clock as a gift and the adapter stopped working. I had always thought these looked cool. I went online to chat with LLbean today and was basically told without proof of purchase there was absolutely nothing they could do to help me. I asked if they could simply send a replacement adapter..they said no. Without the adapter the lights don’t work on the clock which is half the reason that I like it. Chat agent went on to say that because of “bad apples” and dishonest people that they changed their policy. I asked them to look at my purchase history to prove that all my purchases have been normal and consistent over the years Yet, I was still told without proof of purchase there was nothing I could do. The chat was also disconnected without me agreeing to be finished. I live in New England which is synonymous with the LLbean products or at least used to be but after the complete unwillingness to help me, my family will no longer purchase from your company. They would rather I spend $65 on a brand new clock even though all i need is the replacement adapter.
Just got off the phone with LLBean customer service ! Horrible! I am looking at an extra large dog bed that has literally fallen apart in a period of 1 year and three months ! Customer service told me to ship it back and they would analyze it ! They would decide if I had a justified complaint ! I told them I would send a picture, they told me they couldn’t go by a picture !!! Funny that’s how I bought it by looking at a picture on line ! I trusted the name !!! That was my first mistake ! Customer service also told me if I didn’t like it to go hut from another company ! I am shocked !!!! I have always heard nothing but great things about llbean ! Not true !!!!! I am suppose to leave my xtra large dog without a bed for god knows how long while your staff decides if I am justifies ???? This is not customer service !!!! This is horrible !!!! When speaking to a supervisor with e same attitude as the customer service agent I realized I was getting no where ! Well for less than $300 dollars you lost any future business from me and any one I can spread the word to !!!!!!!!
LL Bean quality has degenerated to the point that I won’t buy from you anymore. Most recently I was tremendously disappointed to see the flimsy new women’s oxford shirts. My existing LL Bean oxford shirts were made in Peru, out of thick, substantial cotton. They’ll last and last. But these new ones were no better than items I can find in ‘big box’ stores. In fact, I gave a Signature linen top I bought this summer to Big Sisters clothing drive because it just wasn’t as good as similar fashions I saw at a major big box store for less than 1/4 the price. I’ve taken to looking on eBay for the ‘old’ model oxford shirts. It’s terribly disappointing that Bean, which was once unique, is just another disposable fashion retailer. You’re still skating by on your brand reputation, but you’ve lost that reputation with me. Terribly disappointed that my mainstay for decades has abandoned quality.
Long time customer
Been sick – got better and saw many charges to Citi MC; previous balences under a $1000- dont think those charges were mine – Citi uncooperative and wont send me copies of my statements; I am a senior cjtizen 72 and recuperating
I think this is unfair treatment. Citi cashed my recent check and did not apply to my acct and then they contacted trans union
When I bought my boots. I was given an Iron clad warranty LL Bean would replace them no cost. I went to a local store and they would not do anything for me. I was given the number to corporate. They said they have no way of repairing the boots nor giving me a new pair. I had only used the boots for winter snowstorms. To blow out the driveway and to go up north the the Adirondacks for some fun tromping thru snow. Not a happy camper!! Back up your product and stick with it!
Today I placed an order from the LL Bean catalog for a total of $117.21. The catalog I was ordering from indicates free shipping with $50.00 purchase. I was charged shipping because my order was being shipped to three different locations. So I am now paying three shipping fees. I find this to be unacceptable when the catalog says free shipping for orders over $50.00 and makes no mention of number of shipping destinations. This will b e my last order with the LL Bean Company.
If there was going to be a shipping charge I should have been told this when I placed the order and there was no mention of it.
So as I stated this is my final order. I called customer service at LL Bean and I was told they could not do anything for me.
No more LL Bean for this customer. Period!
You made 3 purchases not one, and they totalled 117
Each one was less than 50 dollars. No free shipping
Another #PinkTax #LLBean complaint:
Men’s pull-on swim shorts, $34.95.
Misses’ pull-on swim shorts, $54.95.
That’s a 57% PinkTax!
Not OK! I will shop elsewhere until this is remedied!
REALLY!!?? I have never ever heard of a “PINK TAX” for anything outside of LL Bean. That is just crazy!! As we all will age, I do not need to be “Taxed” on my size! WTF!!
A ‘pink tax’ is what people refer to when women’s items cost more than mens’. Nothing to do with size.
As a multi-year customer, who respects the principals set by LL Bean, I have become disappointed with the “Pink Tax” apparently being place on plus size women. Pink Tax has become a national topic discussion being reviewed by many companies and I believe LLBean should review its pricing model. Example: Washable Linen Splitneck Tunic Long-Sleeve is $59.95 but $64.95 for plus size a $5 up charge. How much does an extra inch of material cost? And why not an uncharge from size 8 to 14? Pink Tax promotes the age-old “your image is your self worth and you are punished for being a woman”. I would be happy to share business articles focusing on the injustice being done each day by companies through the Pink Tax. Thank you for your quality products, but I object to the Pink Tax and will be unable to purchase more products from LL Bean. My loss but my principals.
Respectfully,
Donna Bailey
Agree! Another #PinkTax LL Bean complaint:
Men’s pull-on swim shorts, $34.95.
Misses’ pull-on swim shorts, $54.95.
That’s a 57% PinkTax!
Not OK! I will shop elsewhere until this is remedied!
Pink tax is for the cost of women’s items over mens.
Fat tax is the charge for plus or big & tall.
Principals run schools. Principles are what you think you have.
LL BEAN employees do not have their bright buttons on. Today I tried very respectively to explain to a manager of customer service, that they had made an error. They did not understand that if their error was not corrected, it would cost LLBEAN to lose a $800.00 sale.
If other LL BEAN customers have uncorrected errors happen to them, and those errors are not corrected, then you will see LL BEAN out of business. I think the company is headed toward closing the company now! The return policy change is not legal, and customers are now taking legal action against LL BEAN. Amazon.com is where I have been a customer since 2012 to present. I have never had a problem with AMAZON.COM as I did with LL BEAN.COM. I will no longer shop at LL BEAN, they over charge, have poor quality items, and now refused to return it! We shoppers need to be united in this fight, refuse to buy their products! Stand up and unite together.
Aloha! I typically am a huge llbean fan. Purchased many gifts this Christmas for family from LLbean. More recent experiences have lead me to question my loyalty to your company. I ordered a small rug with the help of a associate. She and I talked about what would happen if I decided I did not like it and would rather have the medium personal travel toiletry bag. Well after two weeks with the rug I thought maybe I would rather have the bag. I called in yesterday and talked to a associate. I clearly explained my questions and situation. It was obvious he was distracted and possibly doing something else while taking my call. He answered me twice with comments that made no sense. I asked to speak to a manager. He transferred me to “another level of customer service”. I felt like he just had his buddy sitting next to him take my call. I told the man who took my call all that had occurred. He never once said sorry for the way my call had been handled. The other gentleman explained that it would cost me more than worthy to send the item back and would take many weeks to get the bag. Totally different than what the lady said. I told the man that I live on a military base and that I was driving and approaching the gate so he would know I need to talk to the military cop. When I got to the gate I asked him to hold on. He was talking over me (as he had been most of the call) and said, “no.” He kept talking. I had to raise my voice to get his attention and remind him I was going on to the military base. After he heard me talk to the guard he realized what he did and he apologized. I ultimately left this talk very upset and HIGHLY disappointed in the customer service. Also with no hopes for the bag!! I always remember Llbean being a joy to deal with. Now I would think twice giving LLbean gifts to anyone in fears they would encounter the same disrespectful treatment.
I tried to order the polartec fleece in violet in either a womens”s or petite size which you are completely sold out of as well as the double L. mixed cable sweater in blue heather in either size women’s or petite and again I was told you were sold out online and in stores as well. I know you do not want to be left with a lot of unsold inventory but I feel your buyers should be fired. This is one of the best shopping seasons and they blew it. C. Chapas
Very disappointed. I was told by several employees in my last visit that the Double Ll relaxed fit would be back in stores this fall. Nope. Some Corporate stooge has decided that everyone wants to wear stretchy gross spandex jeans.
I hate them. Bring back the 100%cotton jeans. Sorry I don’t care for stuff that sticks to my body like glue. I’m not a size zero. I can’t afford to buy several sizes to try and return them by mail.
Been is still trying to compete with the designer fru fru types. I use to depend on your staples.
I drive two and a half hours a one way to get to the Tysons store.
Bring back cotton jeans no spandex and the heavy cotton oxford shirts.
Keep the Chinese made spandex out.
My two cents.
The problem is that no one EVER replies. A well-meaning customer cannot even get any answers.
Very disappointed. I went to the,Flagship store.
Bought,a vest . Regular price.went to the outlet saw the,same vest. I couldn’t get the,difference back. Use to do that. Gee. You can see I’m a geeat,customer. I could have used the f difference back. 20 bucks. You all don’t care anymore. Again cheap quality except for the vest.
WAKE UP CORPORate….Fix it or you will go south like landsend and Kamart!!!!!!!!
VERY DISAPPOINTED in recent LL Bean Customer Service. Went to Tyson’s store and wanted just one basic white blouse that was 49.95. Hoping to take advantage of the Labor Day promotion offering 25% off of a 50.00 purchase, I asked a sales person on the floor if they would consider tax when factoring in the cost. No, sorry, we have to draw the line somewhere she said. Then she started pulling things off of the sale rack and pushing them in my face, each time exclaiming what a great deal they were. VERY insulting! So I swung by the register in hopes maybe the cashier would be reasonable. I got the same response from the cashier, so then I asked the price of a tube of lip balm from a display basket, and he said 3.95. The same cashier said rather forcefully that I might as well buy that lip balm so I could get the discount. I responded angrily that I may as well NOT buy that lip lip balm, placed the blouse on the counter and walked out. All for 5 cents! I had no use for the lip balm, and perhaps if it had been $1 I would have gotten it to save the hassle. But 3.95 for something I don’t even need is a dozen eggs and a loaf of bread. And the fact that LL Bean sales people are getting so insultingly manipulative and pushy is troubling. Who is pressuring them? SHAME!!! This is not the LL Bean I have shopped at for years, quibbling over a nickel!
The amount is $50 before tax. Same as if you asked for it at any other place. If you had bought the lip balm you would have gotten the 25% off, which would have been worth your trouble. If they gave every cheap idiot such as you a nickel, they would be out of business faster than your rude self can get mad because you didn’t want to buy something you obviously can’t afford. Maybe you should have bought glue for your lips.
The sad part is i wouldl love to buy from LL Bean but just as it has always been you do not support size 15 on mens footware. ( except 3 18″ boots) . Maybe since sales have been flat the last 2 years you could maybe sell to a smaller but very interested type of consumer.
Concerned that for one order to the UK for a pair of shies I have received three pairs of shoes and been charged three times. What is more concerning is that customer services representative Marsha is denying the second and third charges are actually on my card. I have never had this trouble with LL Be an before – what is going wrong. I thought LL bean liked customers.
I for one will purchase even more merchandise for standing up for what you believe in. Thank you for putting America first and believing in protecting our citizens. All these snowflakes boycotting businesses because they didn’t get their way is as childish as it gets.
Hey there, if you’re thanking LL Bean for putting America first I think you ought to take a moment to read the labels on what you bought there…
I am absolutely appalled at LL Bean’s decline in customer service. I have been asking a simple question: Can you or can you not give me a reliable tracking number for orders sent via USPS Priority Mail? I have by email and by phone. Exactly half of the employees said “yes,’ while the other half said “no.” I asked for a supervisor. The first one, Chris, seemed very confused and kept interrupting me. The second one, Beth, kept interrupting me as well. Is common courtesy no longer important to this company? If you are too busy to treat your caller with respect, then put the caller on hold until you have a moment. Mor
I see people who saying they are, or were loyal LL Bean customers for years saying they are going to cancel their LL Bean credit cards and/or say they are not buying from LL Bean again because they support our president. I for one will keep on buying from the company as their products and reputation have been, and will continue to exemplory. In fact, I plan to put them higher on my list of places to buy from. I am sick of people posting negativity, and will do my best to point out the good in people and in companies. Keep up the good work LL Bean! There are more of us that support you than those who don’t.
Sorry D. Johnson, but companies that support this President and the NRA are both on my list to NOT purchase from. I am totally against military style weapons (and I’m a hunter) being sold and corporations that take political positions are just stupid.
I will not go into detail on this L L Bean site about this international embarrassment for America called “president”— small “p”.
Hopefully, the children among us will lead the fight to correct the insane ability to kill in the name of the 2nd Amendment. The gun lobbyists own Congress.
And Fox news brainwashes the head of state — who doesn’t read.
After a lengthy conversation with customer service last October I was told because of LL Beans warranty on products, my bean boots that had lost their tread on the bottom would either be resoled or replaced. Now trusting LL Bean because of their reputation my boots were sent to them and they were replaced. When my boots returned to me they were not the boots I sent them. I sent 8 inch boots and I received 6 inch boots. Unfortunately for me I didnt photo the boots before I sent them because I trusted their reputation. Jokes on me! After contacting them, the representative made it sound like I wanted something different than what I sent them which was not true. They informed me I could have the 8 inch boots (what I originally sent them) If I wanted to pay the full price for them! I have never been so disgusted in my life! The LL Bean word means nothing and I will never purchase from them again! They sent me what they wanted to send as a replacement and it is pretty much tough luck for me. Apparently finding corporate emails to voice my displeasure is just as difficult as getting the product I had.
As a loyal llbean customer I will be closing my account and discontinuing my credit card if it is true that LL Bean supports that facist Trump. Say it isn’t so.
Totally agree with this former customer’s comment. Anyone that could support such an unqualified, ignorant, and disgraceful person for president will never get my business again. He is a white supremacist and bully. Supporting such an abomination, so your company can benefit is beyond reprehensible. He is going to harm the very people that you rely on for customers and either you do not have enough sense to know it or just do not care. Either way I am finished buying from your company. Saw the owner of this company on Fox News and was thoroughly disgusted!
Make america great again. Love us or leave us
As a 2nd generation L.L. Bean loyalist and longtime cardholder, I am writing to inform the company of my intent to close my credit card and discontinue doing business with L.L.Bean. I will not support a company who supports #45 and his dangerous agenda.
My family and I have been loyal LLBean customers for 30+ years-buying while stationed overseas, for our children and extended families-and have always appreciated your excellent products and service. It breaks my heart to let you know I will never purchase anything from your company again. I can’t support a company that endorses a person set on destroying the Presidency, Democracy and America herself.
Sorry, can no longer support a company who allows politics in the “shopping” arena. Your company should remain neutral in a polarized nation. Taking sides against a Presidency who is trying to to keep Americans safe is unacceptable.This isn’t about a religion but about keeping our citizens safe. Sorry to see you cave to political pressure and the haters.
Hasta la vista!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Just heard that Nordstrom is dropping Ivanka line of clothing due to low sales. This is what happens when women unite. Go to #GrabYourWallet.org for full list of Trump friendly companies which women and men must boycott. POWER TO THE POCKETBOOK!!!
Shocked that the owner of LLBean is a Trump supporter. In my mind, Trump does not stand for equality in the USA and his policies, right out of the gate, are creating chaos. LGBT rights, as well as all minorities, are to be protected. Immigrants made up our wonderful country and alienating and targeting certain groups is anti American.
So, I will no longer be shopping and promoting LLBean. I hope the word is spread and enlightenment will follow.
I think that many people /in the US and overseas/ in their mistaken hope made a mistake and supported Donald Trump. They wanted change and felt that the Donald will fit the bill. I have never watched such a vulgar campaign as this one. I hope that the guy will be impeached and will go down in history in shame. this does not reflect on LLBean as a company. Hopefully, next time a more suitable candidate will run for a President of US. In the meantime, we all have to suffer this idiot and his family in viewing the daily news.
Mrs. Dana Rezl,
Vazany, Czech Republic
You must be queer
Thankful for a company that knows how to honor authority, even when they don’t full agree with them. I will send my business your way
My family has patronized LLBean for the past 40 years and will no longer do so because of its affiliation with Donald Trump’s presidency. Please change your support of this increasingly tyrannical president.
I thank God that I still live in a country with some semblance of freedom of speech/press.
I never thought it would be possible for this country to have a president worse than Richard Nixon but we’re there. Trump’s astonishing level of ignorance is thrown at us every day. I wish that my adult sons never had to be exposed to the national atrocity known as Donald Trump. I just bought a beautiful coat from L.L. Bean last fall. It will be my last. I am so embarrassed for your company.
You have great product and love your shipping policy. But I just can’t get myself to purchase from a company who supports a president and policies that are so Anti- Women. I’ll be shopping elsewhere.
Please cancel all catalogs to Joseph or Lois Halley as we cannot do business with a company that supports Donald Trump. It is shocking that a business with such a reputable reputation supports a person as disreputable as Donald Trump. Cust #
4059112815.
Please remove my name from your mailing list. My hard earned dollars will not support Trump.
Dear LL Bean:
I will no longer be shopping at your store due to your financial support for Donald Trump and all that he stands for.
Politics in clothing you people are crazy. Keep your politics to yourself and your other social media.
Geez.
I will no longer be shopping or wearing any clothing from your company as a result of Linda Bean and your corporations involvement with a corrupt Trump family and the corrupt election. Do not email me or send me any more catalogs. It is discraseful that any woman would support a person who insights sexual assaults on women, is a tax evader, disrespects the disabled and is connected to corrupt and social crimes, like his connections to Russia and foreign terrorist country’s for financial profit. I am disgusted and ashamed of your company. Until you take action to correct your wrong doing DO NOT CONTACT me.
I have been a loyal customer of LLBean for over 30 years! However, I will no longer be purchasing anything from the company until Linda Bean is no longer on the Board of Directors. While I believe in the right to support a political candidate of your choice, this does not extend to giving assistance to, especially financially, an individual who is a racist, bigot and misogynist! Unfortunately, this election has polarized this country and its citizens. I think it is imperative to be vocal and to support only those companies and individuals who have the courage and conviction of standing on the right side of history!
The fine letter from a loyal former LL Bean employee published in the New York Times (Saturday, January 14, 2017), decrying the call to boycott the company, which he believes it does not deserve, states that the company has given millions of dollars to environmental and educational causes. Yet, an heiress of the founder and a board member gives tens of thousands of dollars to a sham PAC in support of Donald Trump, a climate-change denier. So are Marco Rubio and Carly Fiorina to whose primary campaigns your executive chairman gave money, while declaring that “we [the company?} stay out of politics.” It should not be surprising to anyone that the behavior of a company’s leadership does not always coincide with the image that it wishes to project — and struggles to protect. Mind your demographics.
We have been buying from LL Bean for 50 years. No more. Bean’s decision to vocally support Trump makes them a company we oppose. Trump’s policies will harm many Bean customers. We hope others will join us in boycotting LL Bean so that Bean will live to regret its uncaring decision. Anne-Marie and Bruce Freed
My relationship with LL Bean began with our annual summer vacation in Friendship, Me , when my sons were about 8 years old. They are now 47.
Either during our Maine stay or through the catalogue, we shopped regularly. My most recent visit was 18 months ago.
Alas, consider me an ex-customer as of now. It may be a futile gesture, but I would simply no longer get any pleasure from purchasing from a company associated with the devastatingly dangerous election of an untutored, egomaniacal, irresponsible president.
Make America great again simply means Make America White Again. Relatively harmlessly, LL Bean has always cultivated that image. As long as it was kinda tongue-in-cheek, I could go along with it. Times have changed–dangerously–and I can no longer support a company tainted by that association.
I was incredibly disturbed to learn that LL Bean family members and members of the Board contributed financial support to Donald Trump. They have a right to do this but I also have the right to never buy another product from LL Bean. I further will take the time to suggest to family and friends that they do the same. It is very disappointing to me that a Company I have held I high esteem could consider a man like the President Elect suitable for anything involving integrity, let alone President!
Just as the Bean family is free to choose support a political candidate, I have that same freedom and will no longer spend my money at LLBean. Ever.
If LL Bean donated money to Trump’s campaign we will never buy from you again!!! Is it a company choice?
I agree that Linda Bean has the right to support whomever she wishes politically. HOWEVER, she violated campaign finance regulations which brought all of this bad press to our attention. Then she chose FOX (NOT)News to complain about the bad press she’s receiving. Still I would have continued to purchase from LL Bean had not President elect Trump decided to get into the fray. Once he says buy LL Bean, that’s the last thing I will do. I look forward to your company finding some responsible way to get out of this most unfortunate situation (remove L. Bean from the Board perhaps, make a generous donation to the Women’s March– a couple of suggestions). Until then I will not be purchasing anything else from LL Bean. I was sad to cancel my pending order this morning, but I can live without those items more easily than I can live with buying from a company that has Trump’s ludicrous endorsement.
I’m sorry but if you support a person that brags about sexually assaulting women, I refuse to purchase anything else from your company!
Last time I checked, nobody is required to buy LL Bean products. So, you have no right to bellyache if you get boycotted.
I can’t speak for anybody else, but until you disavow trump, and show some support for those that the Republicans traditionally screw over – I will not be buying your products.
First, I’d like to thank L.L.Bean for the great products and customer service that they provide. I’m very happy to say, I purchased my wife’s Christmas presents from L.LBean this past Christmas. She loves the sweaters,etc., and couldn’t be happier.
Secondly, I did listen to what is happening to L.L.Bean, on XM Radio/Fox News, this morning. Never in my six decades of life, have I heard of such stupid behavior, after a political election. I feel fortunate, to be able to say, when President Obama was elected, that there was absolutely no public outcry, no civil disobedience, no moronic behavior, like boycotting targeted individuals or companies that supported President Obama.
I was very pleased to hear that Linda refuses to be intimidated by such individuals, and there abhorrent behavior. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt, This is My Story
Rest assured, you can count on me and my family to stand with you and support your right to help any candidate of your choosing. Those that would choose to boycott, have no understanding of America, it’s history, or the Constitution. There seems to be a dramatic drop in civility, in a certain element of our society, where all that matters is winning, no matter the means. How pathetic!
I second that! Well said
I like L.L. Bean products but refuse to engage with an enterprise that djTrump lionizes from his bully pulpit. While Linda Bean is on your Board of Directors, please remove my name from your records and do not send me any additional catalogs. Thank you.
As a loyal LL Bean customer for over 40 years I will no longer purchase from your company. Linda Bean may think I’m a bully for my decision, but she has supported a man who is a bigot, racist, liar, and on and on.
Stephen Bean and Linda Bean -,I am writing to let you know my association with LL Bean is over. I can not support a company that support a man like Donald Trump for president. This is supporting hate, discrimination, and abuse of women. A man who is dishonest and has no ethics. Shame on you. Lands End will be getting my business.
My suggestion to you – stay out of politics
I will not do business with LL Bean or any other company that supports The racist bigot Donald Trump .
My orders to LL Bean have been cancelled
I will never again give one more cent to a company I have always believed to represent the very best of American traits and values. When I learned you had given money to a man who makes fun of a handicapped man, talks about grabbing women by the crotch, is willing to wipe away health care for 20 million people, and actually brags that he admires the leader of a hostile nation who perpetrated an assault on our electoral system that has far-reaching implications for the safety of our democracy….Oh, and yes! Even invited this same hostile power to hack our systems during the campaign….Well, LL Bean, I’m not sure what you now stand for, but you sure aren’t the company I thought you were. We’re done.
Please forward this message to the Board. As Linda Bean has taken a very public stand on support of Donald Trump, please be advised that although I live in Australia I am an American expat and shopped at your store whenever i was in Maine. I loved your products. No more. Donald Trump is a disgrace and Linda Bean (by using her famous last name) is putting forth her support.
Well, I as well as the other 65 million voters will pull our support from your store. LL Bean will not be around for sure in another 100 years. Linda votes for Trump. America buys at Target.
I’ve been a customer for over 20 years. Proud of Linda Bean and her stance against the liberal bullies! Trust me, your sales will go up now!!!
I have purchased from LLBean for years but will most definitely be supporting the boycott until Linda Bean is removed from the Board. All of us are entitled to make our political views known but some of us have less influence than those of us who are not wealthy. So if that is a way myself and other like minded customers can make our views heard will will do it. Further, it is not just that Ms. Bean supported an individual who I loathe but she contributed more than was legally permitted. That alone should be sufficient to have her removed from the board.
I appreciate that other members of the Board have other views but someone should tell Mr. Trump to stay out of it. His calling for me to spend my money at LL Bean is just going to send me to Eddie Bauer. Sorry.
Dear Mr. Smith, I am not an LL Bean customer and never have been, nothing personal, just not my style. But after hearing that XXXX liberals have called for a boycott against your company because Linda Bean exercised here right as an American to support the candidate of her choice I have decided to become a new customer. I and thousands like me are tired of the selective “liberalism” practiced by those on the left. I think what I want to think, support who I want to support and vote for who I want to vote for and don’t give a rats**s who cares or approves. Much success to you and to your company!!
Mr. Smith,
I am sad to say that Ms. Bean’s contributions of questionable legality to a political figure as divisive, deceitful and crude as Donald Trump require a corresponding action on my part.
While free speech is certainly your right, my use of my purchasing power is another form of speech. After decades of buying many, many items from ll bean (coats, shoes, boots, kayaks, paddle boards, camping equipment etc.) I will not be shopping at your stores again. I do not want my shopping dollars donated to a figure I believe to be a danger to the country and the environment, including our national parks and seashores. I am saddened that you chose to become involved in partisan politics. I will also be cancelling my LLBean credit card.
Unfortunately your label has now been tainted. My husband’s workmate, spotting the LLBean tag on his back pack asked if he wouldn’t be returning it. Sad.
Sincerely,
A former customer
I just want to let Linda Bean and LL Bean know that I totally support them and am so tired to bullies trying to get their own way. I saw Linda this morning on Fox and Friends and am proud that she does not want to give in to the bullying. I have shopped at LL Bean occasionally but after today’s news will be shopping there a lot more often. Stand firm Linda and don’t give in.
We Love L. L. Bean, and shop at L. L. Bean and we supported and voted for Donald J. Trump and will continue to shop at L. L. Bean and will continue to support Donald J. Trump, and we have homes in ……
Maine. God Bless American and L. L. Bean in Freeport, Maine and our President – Elect Donald J. Trump. FRANK P. BARRASSO.
I saw the story on Fox News today and also received Trumps tweet mentioning L.L. Bean.
I just wanted to offer LL Bean my full support and let you know that I too agree that political boycotts of business by these groups are absolutely unacceptable.
I’ve never purchased from your company in the past but want you to know that because your companies refusals to fold to these extortionist behaviours, I am now one of L.L. Bean’s newest customer.
Jim Mercier
LL Bean Supporter
Dear Mr. Smith, I have just requested from your that customer service my name be removed from any of your mail/email offerings. I am disgusted by the link of your board to Donald Trump and the possibility that LLBean profits might have helped fund his dishonest, disgusting candidacy. So disappointed in a company I thought was reputable.
Jane Sharp
Hello,
I heard this morning on the news that an LL Bean board member is being called out for supporting our president elect! I also own a business and feel that we need to stick together in our need to get American companies back on track, especially manufacturing. I am so happy to hear that LL Bean believes in our new president!!! Here is my $1300 order!(#010211205452) I will be back! I will also see that you get all of my corporate business.
Mary Springer
Owner
I am writing to support Linda Bean’s choice to donate her hard earned money to the cause of her choice. I will also be spending more money at your store as well.
Tight Lines
Disgusted to hear about Bean’s contributions to Trump, especially that they may be illegal. I thought Bean had a commitment to the outdoors. Trump thinks climate change is a hoax and wants to do away with EPA. Are you afraid to stand up to the NRA? Shame on you.
50% of the country believes that MAN CAUSED climate change is a hoax for good reason, SCIENCE! The Bean family is entitled to the same freedom of speech that we each hold dear. I will not persecute them for expressing free speech.
Sorry, one more thing, the founder of the company was a HUNTER…..so probably yes, guns are important to the Bean family, again this is their right.
I have been a loyal L.L. Bean customer for decades for everything but shorts. I have to go to Land’s End for those because your shorts sizing does not accommodate petite sizing. Your 7″ and 9″ leg options do not address the real petite issue: the sizing from the waist to the crotch. Your shorts are really missus sizing with different leg lengths so the crotch hangs down the leg on petite customers and is very uncomfortable. I worked in retail apparel for almost my entire career for some of the biggest names in the industry so I know that what I am asking for is easy to fulfill. Copy a petite pants pattern (i.e. Bayside Twill) and cut off the legs to make them shorts. Please, I am entreating you to reconsider your shorts’ sizing decisions and change them to address your many, many petite customers. Thank you.
I was appalled to learn that Linda Bean and LL Bean contributed to a Trump PAC. To support a candidate who is so unqualified by experience, temperament, and ethics is abhorrent. My family and I have purchased from you for decades, but we will be buying nothing more from you.
So what will you be wearing on the protest marches from now on?
I have been a loyal customer of LLBean for many years so I was disheartened to hear about your company’s support of AC man who is threatening to dismantle our civil liberties, as well as the wilderness. Not only is he the most unqualified person for the presidency ever, he only cares about himself, his family, and his brand and will do everything in his considerable power to further the causes that enrich him. In the future I will not be purchasing at LLBean… “sad”
I have been a loyal customer of LLBean for many years so I was disheartened to hear about your company’s support of a man who is threatening to dismantle our civil liberties, as well as the wilderness. Not only is he the most unqualified person for the presidency ever, he only cares about himself, his family, and his brand and will do everything in his considerable power to further the causes that enrich him. In the future I will not be purchasing at LLBean… “sad”
Good Evening LL Bean Executives,
In light of the controversy involving a Bean family member donating to a Trump PAC, do not be discouraged . My family and I have will continue to purchase the fine quality products the LL BEAN company provides. Your customer service has never failed us once, always courteous, professional and pleasant. Any discrepancies are rectified immediately.
For those boycotting your business, they will just be hurting the American workers employed by your company. And shame on them!
Thank you,
Mrs. Estrada
I am outraged to find out that profits made from including my purchases were donated by a LL Bean family member/board member for a Trump PAC. $60,000.
My family and I will not be purchasing anymore!
N L Fusco
Westchester County,NY
I am so happy to support LL Bean. Hopefully our next order of corporate wear will outweigh the loss of your business.
Dear Mr. Smith, I have been a customer for many years. I, unfortunately, don’t buy much as my needs have been mostly met and, as you know, your products last forever! However, I have read the complaints regarding donations to President-Elect Trump’s campaign and if I could order more from you, I would! What are these people thinking? It is beyond me as to why the political actions of anyone associated with your company should be of any interest to these sore losers. They should simply be grateful that they live in a country where they can vent without reprisals, a country that supports such a fine “home grown” organization as LL Bean!
Mr. Smith:
My husband and I have been loyal LL Bean customers for more than three (3) decades, as have many of our extended family. Unfortunately, after the recent news of Linda Bean’s strong support (and potentially illegal contributions) to someone we consider a clear and present danger to our country, we will no longer be doing business with your company.
We understand that the people within companies and those who sit on corporate boards throughout this country are free to support and contribute to any candidate of their choosing. While we would prefer to see the very type of campaign finance laws that the state of Maine passed some time ago, we understand that monetary contributions continue at this time to be part of our electoral system. Ms. Bean is free to spend her money as she chooses. However, to whatever degree that flow of funds relies on our shopping dollars, we wish to express our strong disapproval. The only way we can effectively do that is to stop bringing those dollars to your company.
Thus, it is with great sadness that I want you to know we will no longer be doing business with LL Bean and we will be encouraging others in our family to do the same.
Jackie Cilley
Seconding your comments in their entirety, including, in our case, 4 decades of being an LLBean customer.
LInda Bean has stated that it is *bullying* to boycott LLBean; this is false. It is my right to do business with whom I please. I no longer wish to do business with either Ms. Bean or her company.
Bullying to boycott LLBean??? But donates to a bully
I love L.L. Bean products but I won’t be buying anything anymore.I can’t support a company who supports and donates lots of money to a person like Donald Trump. How could a company with such a fine history think that an ignorant, inexperienced, racist, hate-encouraging man could be a person who can lead our country???!!!! I will spend my $$$ elsewhere.
yeah. seriously out-of-date information – bloomberg keeps better records.
Thanks for letting us know this was out of date!
Major disappointment!
My wife and I planned for a year for our Nov. departure on a 10-day Caribbean cruise. On Nov.4 I ordered a pair of black World Tour Rockport shoes, size 9 1/2 EE. The first pair arrived and was size 9 1/2 Medium. I called and a second pair was sent – again size 9 1/2 Medium. I called for the THIRD time and was promised that another pair would be sent and would be handled by hand. GUESS WHAT? THE THIRD PAIR ARRIVED TODAY – SIZE
9 1/2 MEDIUM.
I now have THREE pairs of size 9 1/2 medium shoes. I called and arrangements were made
For UPS to pick them up. I canceled the order because our cruise leaves in three days.
I was given a $20 gift certificate, which I do appreciate, but really……THREE pairs sent, all being the incorrect size? Now I have no black shoes for the cruise, thanks to LL Bean.
By the way, the packing slip clearly states size 9 1/2 EE.
I am most disappointed.
Larry Green
I entered your web site at 9:01 AM on Friday, September 30th to order “The David Ortiz Commemorative Tote”. I entered my data quickly on the Secure Checkout screen. At the top of the screen it said “Thank You – Your Order Is Complete”. When I tried to enter my credit card information, I was unable to enter anything. I then called your Customer Service number, and after a long wait, was told the totes were sold out in seven minutes! It should be noted that I tried to enter the credit card information by 9:04 AM. I have never witnessed such a rip-off and fraud like this one. No wait, the same thing happen earlier this year when I tried to purchase a David Ortiz tote!!
They have the best customer service in the business. I love calling them before Christmas at 11 pm to get my shopping down. Thanks folks!
I have been a customer since 1969 and over the years have purchased many waterfowl
hunting products. I came across a posting on line I cant figure out. Looking at a hunting
knife for my Air Force son-in law stationed in Germany and in the description of the knife
stated no shipment to APO or FPO. Called your customer service and was told no weapons could be shipped to APO or FPO.
In short, clicked on an Ax listed on the same page and no restrictions located in NY state provides service on all KaBar knives to APO and FPO . Hope this heads up helps LL Bean change this restriction.
Vic Halbert
I started ordering from Bean back in the late 1960’s. I used to look forward to each catalog that you sent me and ordered often, but no more.
As I scan the pages of your recent catalogs, one word keeps jumping out at me….IMPORTED!
I am sick of seeing this word and then reading in the papers how so many Americans have given up looking for a job because they just aren’t out there anymore. Its companies like yours causing this by importing most everything that you sell.
When Americans can’t find work, then they have to turn to welfare and Food Stamps to feed there families and the American taxpayers pay the price while you reap in the profits from your IMPORTED goods.
Why don’t you open stores in these third word nations and see how that works out?
Harry,
I too am a five decade-plus L.L.Bean guy.
After 50 years of using Bean products,they’ve saved my life several times over the years and… without question… have given me immense pleasure and protection over the years.
I share your frustration with the “good” products not being available anymore. I’ve personally experienced it. I suppose that’s just the breaks of a company moving from a rather small, local enterprise onto a world stage.
Christmas was always a Bean package opening event, and, to a lesser degree, still is.
I have a new company called Wild Water America that celebrates the outdoor experiece that we know as the Bean lifestyle. I can’t even get an address to present my marketing proposal… and it’s a damn good one… to the current management.
Seems like they’re too big for the little guy anymore.
That statement can not be good to say. Puts a black mark associated with my name.
Not to go on too long, at the end of the day, if I stagged into Leon’s camp, or vis-a-versa, I take some comfort to know, with certainty, that within 30-seconds, Leon and I would have been simpatico and life-long friends. The true heart of the outdoors experience is eternal and immutiable. It cuts across the generations, from my dad, to me, to my kids.
It’s a brave new world… a world-wide world… of retailing, and we can’t be too overly critical of the decisions that the younger generation are making. You can’t dispute the success that they’ve achieved.
To close, check-out WildWaterAmerica.com… I hope you like it… and the very best to you, another Bean Old Guy,
John Hayden
I was not happy with the service.in the shoe.dept in the Marlton, NJ
Store. Everytime I asked the sales associate to bring me a.shoe in a particular
Size, he just plopped the box down in front.of me and didn’t take the shoes out
Out of the box or even remkve the wrapper. I complained to the store.manager
Who informed.me that sales associates “are not allowed to put shoes.on
Customers’ feet” and that this has been their policy for.the past six years.
I would expect that low level of service in a large discount chain such as
DSW.but.not in an upscale.operation.such as L.L. Bean. If they want to sell
Shoes,.then they should have.the proper.service. This.policy is.totally.unacceptable.
I’m an old man, well, older anyway, and I use to love shopping L.L. Bean … had for decades. Most of the clothes I own are Bean products, a lot of my shoes too and outerwear goes without saying. As I sit here writing this, I am wearing a Carefree T that I am not completely happy with, an old pair of sweats (no longer available) that I like, and my ventilated clogs (no longer available). Christmas, when I was married, was about my wife and me opening our pile of L.L. Bean boxes to each other. We both loved our L.L. Bean clothes and were rarely, if ever, disappointed. We were more than the occasional shopper I am now. I enjoyed talking to your people on the phone making orders. Few, if any, of my orders were completed online. BUT …
My Favorite shorts are no longer available … and I don’t really like the ones I bought instead.
My Favorite comfy footwear is no longer available … I keep looking to replace them, no luck.
My VERY Favorite Shirts are no longer available … I had them in almost every plaid at one point.
My Favorite T-shirts are no longer available … and the new choices don’t begin to compare.
It was a little bit heartbreaking and I really don’t know if it will matter, but below is a review I just posted for a Bean Product … well, this is most of the review, I think I made some minor edits that might not be in this version … I struggled a bit writing it. Don’t even know if it will be posted, but I am just so frustrated any more with the company I really loved dealing with. I’ve let so many the $10 cards I earn with my L.L. Bean Visa expire, because I can’t find things to replace the things I miss. I can’t just order something and know I am going to be satisfied anymore … that was what the L.L. Bean name meant to me and I liked that. A LOT!
Here’s the review I wrote for your Pima Cotton Tees:
“I’ve been an L.L. Bean customer for decades. Most of the clothes I own are from L.L. Bean. I still wear clothes that have seen better days that I may have bought from Bean in the early 90’s if not the 80’s. I have a pile of pre-washed cotton tees from Bean that are my favorites and I still wear that are at least a decade old now. They stopped making them a while back, so last year I tried 2 of the Pimas and one of the Carefrees. The Carefrees fit better; aside from the sleeves … just don’t break a sweat in them. The Pimas are made better and a little more tolerant of us who sweat, but they are absurdly undersized. I’ve never worn larger than an XL … even when I was 30 lbs heavier. Lay an XL Pima flat over a Carefree XL … the sleeves are even shorter and tighter, the neck is smaller, the shoulders are smaller, and there is at least an inch missing on each side of the body. Don’t even bother comparing them to the size of my beloved, comfortable, XL, 100% cotton prewasheds from L.L. Bean. That’s just laughable. AND I have never paid $30 for a T-shirt from L.L. Bean until I bought the Pima. BUT, I don’t like the Carefrees all that much either.”
I don’t know what to do any more. Oh, I don’t mind change, but when the change doesn’t meet the standards you’ve come to expect from what it replaced and you have to find something else, it’s just an annoyance. Some would say well just order and XXL Pima shirt … my answer … why don’t you just make a shirt that actually matches your size chart or that fit’s the same as the Carefree? My chest is a 46 not a 50. With the exception of the sleeves (too short), the Carfrees fit well. Besides I don’t really want to pay $30 for a T-shirt, I never have until last year. BUT those Carefrees really are unpleasant if you sweat a lot. Comes all too close to being like sweating in a wet suit. You offered a really great T-shirt at one point … for years. I know, I bought quite a few of them. Those prewashed cottons were amazing … they fit, good sleeve length, they were comfortable, they were absorbent for us guys that sweat … and they still are! I got some that I really don’t know how old they are. They predate my 2006 divorce by at least a few years, my ex probably ordered them for me … and they didn’t cost $30. It was something that wasn’t broken and there was no need to fix it. Ya had it right.
Oh well, like I said, I don’t know what to do any more. I bet Leon Leonwood would understand though.
Thanks for your time,
Harry Murray
Mullica Hill, NJ