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Originally Posted by Eben
LLBean makes millions and millions of $$ on clothing alone..the waders are such a small % of their income, i believe they could care less if they lost $ on them.. Plus, they have many customers like spence, who fish so little that they never wear out their gear   |
Orvis is a clothing company. 85% or more of it, anyways. They sell a "life style", these days.
Fishing, and waders in particular, is an extremely small part of the company.
Orvis was in an uproar about waders a few years ago before their policy change. Letters in the mail warning of the policy change, reps specifically mentioning surf anglers, and returns of waders just so people could start a new season with a free new pair really got them worked up. I just have a lot of trouble believing that the LL Bean warranty policy for their waders is, at least financially, good for them. In terms of developing customer loyalty, maybe it balances it out.