Re: How to get new backpack for "free"

Step 1: Buy backpack
Step 2: Abuse backpack for 7+ years
Step 3: Send in backpack to manufacturer
Step 4: They call and say "uh... this is not repairable"
Step 5: Receive latest model in Z mail



Some dork with said backpack (how about a shave goofball?) in 2007 on JMT:


New backpack:


7 more years of bliss...



Point is... Gear manufacturers are pretty great.

Stuff I've gotten repaired / new over the years:

Granite Gear: above... brand new pack (no cost other than shipping pack to manuf)
MSR: Dragonfly stove wore thru... new one for about 25 bucks
MSR: Snowshoes. brand new ones due to ... well... wearing out (no cost other than shipping old to manuf)
Gregory: Multiple repairs and parts sent. no charge
Leki: sent new bottoms to poles a couple of times. no charge (currently spring is broke in one... may just buy new pair now) no c

Now I need to work on getting Osprey pack fixed up

Have fun

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Congrats! I love it when gear companies do stuff like that. I've received good service from Smith Optics and just last year Simms sent me a new pair of fishing waders when they deemed my old ones "unrepairable".

I need a new backpack as well. There's all sorts of stuff flaking off the inside of my old REI pack and I'd like to get something a bit lighter and maybe a few more pockets.

Me and old faithful........

Goofball looks like Chuck Norris!

Bought a Mammut Down jacket from an REI 'Deal of the Day.' I'm guessing they were trying to get rid of their bright red selection. I simply sent it back to Mammut and they replaced it with the color of my choice--just paid shipping.

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Torero14
I'm guessing they were trying to get rid of their bright red selection. I simply sent it back to Mammut and they replaced it with the color of my choice--just paid shipping.

I have a whole collection of "color overruns" that are really high quality, cost almost nothing.....if one can learn to love the color "green apple"! (Tumi luggage decided it was a bad idea and let the whole line go for a song)

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The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.

Might be time to send that worn out Packers hat back (to the Niners) to get a new one. Red is your color....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/05/2014 02:39PM by Bearproof.

Green and Gold baby
Green and Gold



15-1 and one and out.. that one hurt... the one above... Supa Bowl win baby
(really wanted to go back and get 2012 version)
Eli and Giants really thorn in my side...

Had whiners number... now ... argh!

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Did any of the companies require proof of purchase (7 years later??)

One time I sent back a bag of dried fruit that was supposed to be pitted (wuz not); company sent back a whole case of mixed goodies!

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The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/07/2014 08:56PM by Bee.

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Bee
Did any of the companies require proof of purchase (7 years later??)

One time I sent back a bag of dried fruit that was supposed to be pitted (wuz not); company sent back a whole case of mixed goodies!

Dey showed ewe!

Never had to show poof of purchuse.
If they question anytin I show pix of Chuck Norris in action (like above).
They get the goods in the mail purty quickly after dat.
Tangling wit dat guy is like hiking tru Manzanita.

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chick-on
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Tangling wit dat guy is like hiking tru Manzanita.

Manzanita is MUCH nastier!! (especially that kind with the thorns)

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The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.

it prob costs companies $1 to produce each backpack in some sweatshop. Incredibly high margins. they can afford to give some away.

Probably not the ones that are still manufactured in the USA, like this Gregory's backpack:

http://www.rei.com/product/648696/gregory-denali-pro-pack

.

My husband didn't get a new backpack...

In 2007 I sent his 1985 Jansport backpack back to the company and they repaired his zippers and restitched some seams. Before I sent it I removed it from the frame and cleaned it in the bath tub with Oxyclean. After repairs, it looked almost like new.