Tyler Tibbetts, eighth from left, of Jay, a student at Central Maine Community College, was among seven Maine community college students awarded scholarships in honor of Leon A. Gorman at a ceremony held Tuesday at L.L.Bean’s Corporate Headquarters. Each Leon A. Gorman Scholar received an award equal to a full year of tuition at a […]
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L.L.Bean to court: Suit over return policy lacks footing, give it the boot
L.L.Bean is asking a court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the Freeport retailer’s new return policy. The company changed its unlimited return policy in February, claiming that some customers were abusing the virtually unrestricted return or exchange policy by taking back worn-out items years after sale – essentially treating it as a lifetime replacement guarantee, Bean said. […]
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Flowfold’s Maine-made packs tested on Mount Kilimanjaro
Before making its debut next year at L.L. Bean, a high-tech backpack was tested in one of the world’s harshest laboratories – the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Portland company Flowfold got its start in 2008 making durable wallets from up-cycled sail cloth. Last year, owners Charley Friedman, James Morin and Devin McNeill decided to develop a sturdy […]
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L.L. Bean will rue curb on lifetime guarantee
By Scott Duke Kominers Bloomberg View L.L. Bean has eliminated its famous 100-percent satisfaction guarantee under which it promised to repair or replace its products for life, no questions asked. Now, returns must be made within a year (except for defective products), and require proof of purchase. The outdoors company says that the guarantee had […]
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Thos. Moser, L.L.Bean collaborate on luxury fly-tying desk
AUBURN — On Friday, high-end furniture maker Thos. Moser and outdoor retailer L.L.Bean announced a collaboration: the creation of a Limited Edition Fly-Tying Desk, handmade from American black cherry with 20-plus dovetailed drawers. How much? $12,500, plus $750 shipping, making it the most expensive item on llbean.com. And how limited? Just five, and two have […]
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Lawsuit challenges L.L. Bean’s return policy change
An Illinois man has filed a class-action lawsuit against Freeport-based L.L. Bean, claiming the company’s change in its return policy is “deceptive and unfair.” Bean late last week announced that it was changing its unlimited return policy,saying a growing number of customers were abusing the practice of allowing customers to return any product, regardless of age […]
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Joline B. Pequinot
BRUNSWICK — Joline B. Cloutier Mann Pequinot, 78, of Brunswick, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, Feb. 4, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Lewiston on Sept. 11, 1939, the daughter of the late Robert E. Cloutier and Delima P. (Caron) Cloutier. Joline attended Lewiston schools where she enjoyed roller skating, going […]
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L.L. Bean drops its unlimited returns policy, restricts free shipping
FREEPORT — The days of turning in your old, worn-out Bean boots for a brand new pair are officially over. In a reversal of its longstanding policy, L.L. Bean will no longer accept returns on any product it has ever sold regardless of the item’s age or condition. L.L. Bean executives said the decision was […]
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Working: Al Andrews, L.L.Bean's first truck driver, finally retires
FREEPORT — Forty-two years ago, Al Andrews became L.L.Bean’s first full-time truck driver after a forced promotion from the clothing department — his boss told him to drive the truck or hit the road. Andrews laughs about it now. After half a century with the company, he’s ready to hand back the keys. Andrews, 67, […]
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L.L. Bean holiday sales steady as company readies buyouts
L.L. Bean’s holiday sales have been steady but not record-breaking, as the company prepares to offer employees buyouts aimed at freeing up cash. The family-owned company does not publicly release sales figures. Spokeswoman Carolyn Beem said sales leading up to the holidays have been up and down, but “there is no reason to be concerned […]