L.L.Bean — Local services in Niles Township

UPDATE 11/11/2023: Yesterday I went to LL Bean at Old Orchard wearing a defective LL Bean jacket that I have just been wearing because I don't have anything else. The last time I had a bad experience there, I wrote this Google review and I hadn't gone back in years.

I spoke to a manager (Kegan) if they could do anything for me (fully expecting a "No") and instead he immediately was able to help me get a return and a different jacket to replace mine. I want to thank Kegan for helping to turn around the idea of going to the Old Orchard store as well as hopefully, the LL Bean product line. I am hoping this is the start of better future between me and LL Bean. Been buying from LL Bean for years. Loved their products and service. They make good stuff and stand behind their products. Last year before Covid shutdown we bought our daughter a L.L.Bean $300 down commuter coat. She used it for 4 months until school closed down due to the pandemic. During that time the coat started shedding down from every seam at an alarming rate. Plus it developed a tear. I contacted their telephone customer service and they were very helpful and suggested we take the coat into a retail outlet rather than shipping it back to their service center since we lived close enough to one. We decided to take it down to the Skokie store at Old Orchard and start off the holiday season.

What a mistake! Diane, the person that waited on us pointed out we were past the year date, which was absolutely true but with Covid and the shutdown the last thing we were worried about was getting this coat retuned. She initially refused, then condescendingly lectured us on how down worked. I know how down words. I pointed out that we have bought several other down products from LL Bean (which all three of us were wearing) didn’t have that issue. She then, in all of her "generosity" changed her mind but kept telling us she’d do it THIS time but for us to not expect it again. Once the transaction was done she said nothing to us and just walked away from the register. Not a "thank you" or a "we're all done" or some acknowledgement that the transaction was over. She just walked away.

I felt like we were criminals. Afterwards, I asked to speak with a manager that happened to be the young girl (Anna) working the register next to Diane who was in an earshot but said nothing throughout the entire exchange with Diane. She listened to my story but her silence to me was a sign that she was okay with Diane's behavior. While in the end they did right for us regarding the product, I would have rather been told they couldn't give us a store credit and been treated decently. It wasn't what they didn't do for us, it was about how we were treated.

We've bought hundreds if not thousands of dollars of product from L.L. Bean and this location. I’m disappointed with the Skokie L.L. Bean store, not something I am used to saying about L.L. Bean. We still like L.L. Bean and their products but am now a bit more hesitant to buy from them. I hope that the management at the Skokie store does something to improve their customer service. However, for the near future we’ll be avoiding the Skokie location for sure and stay up in Wisconsin if we shop at any L.L. Bean retail location. Not only did we have a bad experience but it put a bad start to the holiday...

Only parked and WALKED BY? THEY/ YOU / VOOGLE GOT IT WRONG- YOU IF 50% OF THE MALL CUSTOMERS - WALK PAST THAT POINT!

BUT , GOOD OR BAD, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT IF YOUR VERY HUNGRY- WHERE I DID GO WAS :" THE BAGLE RESTAURANT" to get the beet borsht, it's seasonal and changes to sweet & sour cabbage ( hot) soup for winter until labor day! They are a 4 star ( -1 for being low on staff after raising prices ( new menu" ) foods almost the same but the can't handle the customer's- plenty if food but cut back on kitchen And way back on servers, floor MAINTANANCE, washroom and " water & napkins" just too much work and people in overdrive all day ( early, non , late and / but holidays I can understand as always but- on a non holiday, weekday?

P.S. THEY HAVE ANOTHER ONE ON THE NORTH SIDE CHICAGO- FOOD GOOD- BUSY BUT ONLY REAL PROBLEM IS LIMITED PARKING AND "DENVER BOOTING" OR TOWS FROM LOTS ( THE GOT PEOPLE THAT FOLLOW YOU AROUND- CALL POLICE ) ASK FOR A COPY OF THEIR LICENCE & LAW: THEY MUST CARRY! IF THE GO IN ANOTHER STORE - WITHOUT A P.I. LICENSE OR NOT - THEY ARE TRESPASSING!!! NOTE : THRE CITY PARKING LOTS ARE GOOD ! BUT IF HANDICAP- LIMITED BY NUMBER OF SPACES?

Anyway:: it is what it is?

Google , Don't follow me around to the wrong places or I'll have to : block and complain so my other :" EMERGENCY LOCATION FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TO KNOW MY GPS LOCATION- OR YOURS IF YOUR DYING! "

I WILL REVIEW / OR NOT - SPECIFIC PLACES BUT FIX YOUR EQUIPTMENT OR...

I ordered online and received confirmation of my pick up. Upon arrival I was not greeted rather ignored. I saw a sales representative by the name of TIM. I informed him that I have a # ready for pick up. He responded by saying "did you pay for it?" Confused by his response I responded by saying "yes, can I provide my name or order #, Will this help?" In a snarky and condescending manner he responds I will see if we can give you your order and see if its even in the back for you. I then responded Im sure it will be here as I have received confirmation its ready for pick up. When he comes out with my order he hands it to me and says "here it is stop at the front desk" rapidly walking away. I hurry to the check out person who witnessed everything and apologizes on his behalf without me even saying a word. Before I leave I make it a point to ask TIM what is his title he says with a puzzled and surprised look "Im a sales representative." My obvious response was that I was displeased by his poor customer services skills. I did inform him that "Ill be sure to leave you a review." He then proceeded to follow me all the way out of the store pleading. This entire interaction has tainted my experience with L.L. bean. I'd highly encourage to remove any sales representatives that display patronizing superiority this could be detrimental to all...