What would you do about my slippers?
Assuming they were yours, of course!
I bought my slippers from L.L. Bean last fall, and they did a great job of helping me to stay warm. Plus, they were nice and comfy, so comfy that I, an avowed hater or shoes, wore them happily...they really didn't feel like shoes!
They've held up fairly well except for one thing: the lining.
The lining of the slippers has worn almost completely away in the heel and toe area...it rolls up under my socks especially by the toes and feels pretty uncomfortable. The slippers are not completely unwearable, but I'm a little disappointed that a pair from L.L. Bean didn't last longer.
L.L. Bean does offer a satisfaction guarantee so I can return them if I want to. Would you return them if you were me? Do you think it's unreasonable to be unsatisfied because they didn't make it through more than one season?
If I do decide to return them, do I just ask for another pair of the same slippers? Unless the design has changed, the same thing will probably happen. I could theoretically keep asking for a new pair, but that seems terribly wasteful.
I'm so bummed. I really liked these slippers because they were comfortable and warm and yet they didn't look like slippers(which was important, because I wear them while I'm teaching piano lessons). I suppose the sensible thing to do would be to find some shoes to wear, but I really, really hate wearing shoes inside the house. Plus, I'm not sure that shoes would be as warm as my slippers were. Although, perhaps some real boiled wool clogs would work out...they'd probably be warm, and they wouldn't feel as constricting as real shoes do. Then again, those type of shoes tend to be fairly expensive.
What's a frugal girl to do??
I would return them and try a different slipper (the same ones will just wear out again).
I would probably just buy myself a pair of insoles and glue them in the existing pair since the postage to send them back would probably be as much as the insoles. Or maybe glue in a piece of fleece cut to size.
Many of the slippers that I have purchased in the last 5 or so years seem to have a built in life of about 6 months. Price doesn't seem to make much difference. I think the materials that make them so comfy and warm is what also makes them degrade rather rapidly.
Absolutely return them!!! LL Bean has such a great return policy and for that very reason, we order from them...I have never had a bad experience returning anything at all to them!!!
I think that if anyone in their management saw this post they would encourage you to do it also.
BTW, they always ask 'why?' one is returning something and I have noticed several times over the years that they will advertise a piece of clothing as "improved"...I think they really want feedback in order to improve the quality of their products.
I agree completely with Maddie. Having worked in retail for many years, I have seen customers with truly legitimate complaints all the way to customers who "take-advantage-of-a-really-liberal-return/exchange-policy". If you call them and discuss the issue, they will likely send you a postage paid bag to return them in or some other type of credit for any return postage you might pay. Good luck!
I would also return them - doesn't LL Bean have an arangement with Sears where you can just drop off an item at a local Sears for return?
Also, I am very surprised - I usually get *years* of wear out of my wool slippers and my toe usually pokes out before any other issue shows up.
I wear wool socks though - do you keep your feet bare in the slippers? Maybe the oils from a bare foot break the material down faster?
I second the glueing in a piece of fabric or insoles. They just don't make 'em like they used to what with planned obselescence and all that. It is a shame, though.
I bought the same style of slippers for my husband. After only one month, the lining starting coming up just like yours. I had them send a replacement pair, and they did the same thing.
L.L. Bean knows there is a problem with the design and keeps on selling them.
I think you should get a refund instead of a replacement.
Hey I think you should/could always start out by contacting their consumer services to see what they are willing to do. I used to work in consumer services of a organic food company and we didn't give refunds, but did give coupons to replace the products. Start off by contacting consumer services via phone or email and go from there.
Also I think the insole thing could be a 'band-aid' solution, but personally I would want the new pair myself.
Stacey, that's Lands End. 🙂
I *love* L.L.Bean. I've had only 1 thing from them ever wear "badly" like your slippers. They send you a label for shipping them back, and will replace them with the same thing, or credit you the full sales price towards another item. Do send them back, and see if there's another, similar pair of slippers to use the credit towards.
I'd contact LL Bean and make use of their satisfaction guarantee also. When I buy something I expect it to last for more than a season and I bet most other people do too! Even if they send you the same pair again, hopefully it's been improved by now if they know it's an issue!
I have the pair. I ended up tearing the lining out and used them that way. I still find them comfy, but now I have worn a hole in the top by my toe. I guess I'll order a new pair.
I, too, would ask for a refund then use the money to buy something that will last, like the clogs. Reason being, your feet are not going to grow any more like your childrens. Your shoes will probably last longer than you realize. I have a favorite pair that cost 60$. I have had them 2 years so far.that is 30$ a year. If they hold up as long as I think they will, I will probably end up paying 10$ a year for them. Not a bad price in my book, considering that I am really hard on shoes as well. (The orignal lead foot my mom would say)
It sounds like you wore them allot and probably wore them out. Dont you think you got $20 of wear out of them? Dont abuse a great return policy.
If only Halflinger costs were $20. We're talking $120.
Well, I think you have a few options here. I would for sure send them back to LL Bean. They can't improve upon a product unless they know what is going wrong with it. They offer a satisfaction guarantee so that they can improve upon their products, and so they can keep you as a customer happy, which you're not, so by all means send them back!
As far as requesting a new pair though, I'm not so sure I would right away. The same thing will most definetely happen again with lots of wear. Perhaps just go to Target or Kohls and purchase a similar pair for the summer from there. I doubt you'll be wearing them nearly as much in the summer anyways...just on those cool days when you want to feel warm and cozy 🙂 Perhaps next winter then, give LL Bean another shot. Maybe by then they'll have made improvements to the slipper and you would find they can last longer than one season!
On the other hand, I've also found that my slippers rarely last more than one season. Granted, I buy big fluffy cheapies from Target and I wear them so much (and even outside at times for things like taking out the trash and getting the mail) that I often replace mine mid season. What can I say, I love me some slippers!
FG I would so send these back. For slippers to not last one season is nuts.
My own little slippers, much the same design, now have a worn spot in the bottom of the right foot area. I intend to put a piece of duct tape over the bottom and keep right on wearing them next year (my third season with the $10 slippers!!)Good luck with the return!
I would send them back. L.L. Bean is great for standing behind their products and personally I don't think daily wear should wear out a pair of slippers in one season. I have a pair of slippers similar to that from another manufacturer and they are so comfy sometimes I forget to take them off before leaving the house. Mine are lamb's wool or something similar on the inside and they aren't wearing out at all, even with all the daily use both inside and outside the house.
@ Stacey - It's Lands' End, not LLBean, that has the return policy with Sears.
I would definitely call the LLBean customer service and describe the issue. They may be able to recommend a pair of slippers that would stand up better. It is completely reasonable to expect their slippers to last more than one season without wearing out the way you described.
LL Bean is one of the best companies out there in terms of returns. Definitely do it if you weren't satisfied. It's one reason I have bought from them.
Heck, I still have my backpack from MIDDLE school. It lasted me through college and I'm 26 now and will be using it as luggage for my vacation this weekend.
I have never bought a pair of LL Bean slippers, but my cheap slippers do the same thing, usually after one season. However, I think with the price of the slippers and the quality you expect from LL Bean, the slippers should last longer. I have purchased all 3 of my children's back packs from LL Bean and they are all in perfect condition and have lasted for years, even my 2 teenage boys have had their backpacks for 5 years now. This was definitely worth the price since the other back packs which were destroyed before the school year ended.
I would definitely return them and let them know what the problem is.
I think it can be teetering on the line of unethical if you just count on replacing them on the company's dime every time you wear them out. I'm not necessarily saying don't return them for an exchange, I just think people can take advantage of customer service.
If you continue to utilize their company for other products, then its not so bad. But seeing as how you've worn them every single day for as long as you have, that's just typical wear. Its like how your flip flops get dirty at the end of the summer. Its just a part of life.
I work retail and I think that it borders on unethical to return them based on the satisfaction guarantee -- especially if you plan on doing it again with the same style. I would call customer service but expecting a brand new pair of that same style (which seems to not meet your higher than normal usage needs) seems unfair. Obviously you were satisfied with them because you wore them on a daily basis for long periods of time. You even wrote a blog post about how much you loved them. While that lining does look pretty bad, you wore them to teach piano and other tasks. A normal consumer would probably only be expected to wear them to and from bed or the shower or maybe on weekends. If you do choose to exchange them I think you should at least ask for a recommendation of one that will hold up to your high-use needs and exchange them for those instead.
I think if you wore them all day every day for most of the winter, then that's it and you should just buy another pair. It's just called "wearing them out". However, if you used them only occasionally or rotated them with other slippers, then, by all means, use their money backed guarantee.
I live in Poland where we wear slippers all winter long. People do not wear shoes in the house. The only slippers that really "last" a long time are the mocassin types made out of sheepskin and lined with wool. Those seem to never wear out. Plus, we can get them here for under $10. It's a great deal. I get tired of them way before they actually wear out.
I would be very thankful I wore them daily for a season and would donate them. I would look on-line to see if another type of slipper from any of the "best" winter companies is on sale right now and buy it for next year.
If you wore those slippers all day for six or so months, I think that's great and way more time than the average slipper-wearer would wear them. They aren't made to be shoes! 🙂
I imagine I will be the only person who reads your blog who thinks this, by the way. 🙂
I do not think if would be wasteful if you were to return the slippers. Nor do I think that you would be a complainer. When you are honest and sincere with them, they are appreciative. I think that it is worth the effort to contact the company. Customer satisfaction is important to them. I am sure that you paid decent money for the slippers. I would expect to get more wear for your money. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
i will return them and get the same slippers, but if they ware out again then i would return it again but get some new slippers
I have these exact same slippers in green. The liner in my slppers also fell apart, but I still use them. You can return them, but you'll have the same problem again if they replace them with the same item.
Yes, you wore them a lot, but last fall is quite recent. I would return them. They seem to be pretty worn out for walking around and piano lessons. I have a pair of their slippers (purchased around the same time) and wear them every day and they don't look anything like yours. Maybe you got a dud pair? Absolutely return them. Abusing the return policy would be returning them after a year's use, in my opinion.
I highly recommend Haflinger wool clogs, just google to find an online retailer. I am on my second pair, the first pair lasted 10 years of hard (daily) use. They are expensive, but on a per year basis, very economical. I would get the clogs over the slippers because the clogs have a Birkenstock type footbed - very supportive. They also never get smelly like synthetic materials. I don't know what sort of climate you live in but here in Canada I can wear them every month of the year and they are rarely too warm, despite being made of wool. They are good for indoor or outdoor use.
After reading some of these comments I thought I would add that I bought a pair of slippers at Costco (Dearfoam) a month before you bought yours. Mine are still in great shape and I fully expect to wear them thru next winter too...I, like you, am a stay at home, homeschooling mom and have worn them EVERY day (even outside to water, get the mail, etc.) these past several months.
One does want to be careful not to take advantage of good return policies but this is obviously a situation for which the policy was made.
I would return them and exchange them for a pair of sheepskin or shearling lined slippers...these never wear out.
I have two expensive pairs of cashmere slippers that were purchased at a retail store and online .
I live in a sub-tropical climate , so excessive wear is not likely .
My slippers wore out in the same place . I have not returned them .
I decide to repair them by finding cashmere sweaters( on change of season clearance at the thrift store I paid $3.00 )and using the cashmere to recover my old slippers . I will double the cashmere where it wears the most . Happy toes : ) Happy pocket : )
I have 2 pairs of similar slippers (clog-type). I wear slippers basically every day for about 7 months out of the year. I think mine are both Dearfoam brand, or Isotoner (I got them 50% off at JC PEnney). I am hard on them, wear them like shoes and have thrown them in the wash several times each. They no longer look brand-new, but they are nowhere near as worn as yours. I remember when you got those slippers 🙂 and I don't think you got a reasonable amount of wear out of them. I think they were in the $30 range, and that's pretty pricey for a pair of slippers, not bad if they last, but I expect more than a year's wear out of something that basically is worn inside.
Ask for a refund and buy a different brand or a different make from LL BEan.
I have old (15 plus years) real Australian Uggs and now (xmas 2013) a pair of the wicked good slippers too. They all wear the the fleece lining down and I found a pair of replacement liners from Plow and Hearth (a local Virginia company). They have made my Uggs like new and should do the same for the slippers from Bean.
That's good to know! The fleece is all but gone from mine. I browsed the site to see if I could find a liner, but came up dry. Do you have a link?
I bought some similarly-priced slippers from Costco recently, and I'm afraid of the same thing you are: the quality just doesn't seem to be there, even though they are quite comfortable, warm, etc. I'll be certain to take advantage of Costco's return policy if they don't last the winter.
Slippers are NOT shoes. Slippers last maybe 3 - 4 months, before they start to smell inside or get torn somewhere. The outer part could still be good but the smell inside.. well then you know they have to go. How can you even think to return them? That is ridiculous. Just buy another pair or put in a lining. You might not find the same but learn to love the next one you buy and maybe you can buy some soft shoes for teaching music.