Anytime, anywhere: fashion brands with a lifetime guarantee
'12.02.2021'
Source: RBC Style
RBC Style talks about foreign and Russian brands that offer to repair their products at any time and in any country.
In 2016, The Guardian noted that the concept of a lifetime warranty is rapidly gaining popularity. First, the willingness to repair or replace a thing throughout its entire service life speaks of the company's confidence in the quality of its product. Secondly, it increases brand loyalty: you must agree, it is nice to understand that the manufacturer is ready to help the buyer at any time. And thirdly, the lifetime warranty helps to minimize the negative ecological footprint: the item lasts as long as possible, which means it does not replenish an already littered landfill.
However, despite the obvious advantages, the concept was not widely adopted. Quite the opposite: some brands have either introduced lifetime warranty limitations or have abandoned them altogether. Dr. Martens, who once offered to repair or replace For Life boots if they, for example, had seams or eyelets deformed, took the line out of production in 2018. And Patagonia, whose lifetime guarantee is so much praised by the world media, offers a service only for residents of the United States. However, there are still products that are a pleasant bonus to the purchase of which there is almost unlimited manufacturer support in any country.
Canada Goose
Canadian tech outerwear manufacturer Canada Goose offers free repair or replacement in the event of a manufacturing defect at any time after purchase. The warranty does not cover knitwear and accessories, as well as items that have become unusable due to an accident, improper care or as a result of normal wear and tear. If the buyer, for example, burned, torn or washed the jacket, then the brand will return it to its original appearance for a certain (promised - reasonable) fee. Canada Goose also emphasizes that a lifetime warranty means repairs over the lifetime of the item, not over the lifetime of the customer.
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In any case, for almost 65 years of its existence, the brand has debugged the service so much that it is ready to promptly consider every request. To do this, Canada Goose has a special landing page where you can describe the problem and even attach photos. After discussing the terms of repair or replacement of the item, the buyer will need to send it to Canada at his own expense. The company promises to conduct an examination and return the repaired product within four weeks of receipt (but warns that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline may be increased), covering the cost of return shipping. These conditions apply to outerwear purchased from official retailers (they are listed on the Canada Goose website), in particular at TSUM. TSUM itself does not give a lifetime guarantee on the items sold.
Arc'teryx
Outdoor clothing specialist Arc'teryx offers the same warranty conditions as Canada Goose. The brand's website has a convenient form for submitting a service request, in which you can describe the model and its damage - whether it is a broken zipper, loose seams or scuffs with a short service life. Shoes, accessories and equipment for mountaineering are covered by a limited warranty: they can be repaired or replaced in case of improper quality not for life, but within a period of one to three years. After accepting, discussing and confirming the application (this, according to the information on the website, takes 3-5 weeks) Arc'teryx is ready to accept a thing that has been previously cleaned of contamination. The company explains that it can clean the product on its own, but for a fee and with an increase in the return shipping time. This process can take 4-6 weeks depending on where the buyer lives.
Filson
The American manufacturer of products for an active lifestyle Filson accepts under warranty all items with a factory defect, except for down jackets and vests, knitwear and leather products, suspenders, gloves, umbrellas, shoes, socks and hats, as well as items created in collaboration with Burton, Airwalk, Vans, Cowichan and other brands. Filson is ready to repair things that do not fall under the basic warranty for a separate fee, which is discussed with the client after filling out the application on the website.
In most cases, the company resorts to darning, which it considers to be the most reliable method of repairing gaps and holes, but the result of which may look unaesthetic. Filson emphasizes that functionality and longevity are more important than appearance, and a refurbished item can never look like it just came off a store shelf. "Rather, the damage and subsequent repair show the unique wear history of each item," the brand said.
Unlike colleagues, Filson does not take on cleaning things from stains, soot, wool, feathers, blood and warns that it can return the package back. The company will pay for the delivery, but this condition does not apply to all international customers.
hardenco
The American niche brand Hardenco has gained worldwide fame thanks to the fact that over the past ten years, buys old sewing machines from former workers in closed factories in New England and sews on them denim jackets, shirts, aprons, trousers and baseball caps. The team is confident in the quality of each product, but understands that even the most high-quality denim is wiped over the years. Therefore, he offers to mend holes for free at any time from the moment of purchase of jeans, and if the fabric and accessories have worn out so much that any attempt to fix it only entails new damage, then he can exchange the old product for a new one. In addition, Hardenco repairs items purchased from other brands. You can find out the cost of the service and send an application by mail.
Plan B
There are practically no brands on the Russian market offering a lifetime warranty. Indeed, even with complete confidence in the quality of the product, unlimited repairs can result in significant costs. In this context, the Moscow-based brand Plan B, which claims it can repair jeans as many times as necessary, looks like a daredevil. “We believe that jeans only get better over time, acquire personality traits of their owner and deserve to be extended if they are frayed or slightly ripped,” the team explains their approach. At the same time, if repairs are impossible or useless, Plan B carries out a trade-in offering to hand over the old pair and get a 20% discount on buying a new one.
Goruck
Created by former SWAT soldier Jason McCarthy, Goruck offers tactical backpacks that can also be used to increase weight during training. Each is backed by a Scars Lifetime Warranty, under which Goruck offers to fix or replace the product free of charge and without a receipt (“if you can actually wear it out”). To submit an application, an online form is provided, after which the specialist promises to contact the client within one or two working days. There is also a special kit for those looking to upgrade or update their backpack, such as adding eyelets or changing compression straps. Goruck promises to do this for a fee. Shipments to the United States for both warranty repair and customization are at the customer's expense. Return shipping will be fully covered by the company.
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Red oxx
Jim Markel, CEO of the American manufacturer Red Oxx, is so proud of the No Bull warranty program that he even invites buyers to include branded travel and walking bags in his will. There really is something to be proud of: absolutely all brand products, including limited editions, special releases and corporate orders, purchased not only in official retail stores, but also at eBay auctions and second-hand stores, are covered by a lifetime warranty. Red Oxx promises to make every effort to eliminate the factory defect, and if this is not possible, it will replace the bag with a new identical or similar product for free. The whole process will take 45 days from the moment the product arrives at the service. The company will then invoice up to $ 30 shipping, depending on the buyer's return address, and charge $ 25 in case the bag needs cleaning.
