WhyI like working for L. L. Bean

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I’ve been working for a little over a month as a multi-packer on the 1st shift. What that means is that when customers order multiple items, be they shoes, hats, jeans, shirts, etc, there are about 150 people working from 7:00 AM 'till 3:30PM putting the aforementioned stuff into bags/boxes, slapping a shipping label on it and throwing it on the conveyor belt.

I am the ONLY person on 1st shift who had never done this before. everyone else is either a regular mutli-packer or a season multi-packer. Last holiday season I worked for Bean in the gift boxing department, which is a completely different animal, in terms of how methodical you can be.

In gift boxing, presentation and neatness count.

In multi-packing, well, those 2 things are 5th or 6th on the list.

Anyway, the last 2 weeks I have been taken aside by our trainers/supervisors and we had a little chat in which I found out I wasn’t quite meeting the perfromance goals. Last week for example, I was supposed to be at 75%------I was at 33.7%:smack: :smack: :eek: :eek: .

Now, it hasn’t been the easiest of times lately, dealing with my mom’s death this past March, and being wait-listed/rejected by all of the radiology programs that I applied to, but I haven’t been using those things as an excuse, except for why I can’t get to sleep until 1:30 AM every morning.

Wednesday, I had another chat with one of the supervisors and she said that I still wasn’t meeting performance expectations and she said that the multi-packing and me might be a bad fit-job wise.

I thought for a minute and then said, “Not to be rude, but is that a way of saying that I’m going to get fired or that you want me to quit?”

Kim, (the supervisor) looked truly shocked, and said, “God no!! That isn’t even up for consideration. You had an A+ performance review as a rehire, it just may be that this isn’t the best position for you to have.”

Well, today she caught me at the end of the day and said that my performance had gone up so that the whole job-switch thing would be put off for a while.

And THAT is why L. L. Bean is a cool company to work for.

I worked in a Barnes & Noble and saw them toss 3 people out the door, because the former employees weren’t "meeting customers needs.

Well it could be that management just had them working in the wrong part of the store, but heaven forbid you transfer the 26 year old music major/ musician back to the music department where he could actually do some good.

No, that would be REALLY stupid.:wally :wally :wally :smack: :smack: :smack: Morons of management.

2

Band name!!:slight_smile:

3

Bean is a great company to buy stuff from. In fact, I need some new walking shoes.

We’ll be in Freeport sometime next week. If we meet you and act nice may we have a dicount? :wink:

4

I adore L.L.Bean’s stuff! And that’s something, coming from a GothPunk. :smiley: But, really, they make great gear and it last for-fucking-ever.

I’ve had my bluchers for over twenty years… just wish they made them in a chukka height, 'cause they’re great for scrambling over the rocks here in Arizona.

5

L.L. Bean is a wonderful company to buy from. Their customer service reps are very helpful and my things were delivered promptly and all in tact (thanks for packing with kindness).

I worked for over a year for Sierra Trading Post and another year + with Cheyenne Outfitters. Though STP has great stuff at fantastic prices, I do not recommend working for them at all. Cheyenne Outfitters wasn’t bad but felt sorry for the packing crew in the warehouse when it was 25 degrees below zero…

Am glad you enjoy your job and the company.
Much luck getting into radiology - it’s worth it in the end.

6

My mom has an LL Bean credit card so she can get free shipping and stuff. She finally realized that it simply makes sense to buy my Dad’s clothes from there. They fit, they last, and she doesn’t have to run from store to store looking for stuff.

I love the LL Bean canvas totes. When I was in college, EVERYONE had them (except me), and that’s what they packed for weekend car trips. I finally got one for christmas a few years ago. I have a HUGE one and I just ordered one (personalized) for my dissertation chair as a thank-you gift. Cool new colors! Someone needs to buy me a yellow or pink one. Oh yeah.

I seriously knew some guys who didn’t know what to do for spring break one year so they decided to go to Freeport (from Virginia) to go the outlet. That’s how big LL Bean was amongst the Young Southern Gentleman Hunter/Sailor crowd.

7

I lived in Yarmouth and Portland (Maine) for years before moving on to NH then Oregon.

Had more than a few seasonal jobs up at Beans! It IS a terrific place to work. All companies should be as fair, upstanding and honest with thier employees. I was always a part time and seasonal person, but I was always treated with the same level of respect and care that the full-timers were.

That’s why I have no problems buying from Beans either online or when I’m back home (I always at least stop in, even if I’m not buying) - because I know that I’m supporting a company that’s truly committed to its people and its community.

Nice to know you, fellow Boot Buddies!

8

L.L.Bean is one of the best companies ever. They are very nice and committed to customer service. Almost every year I get to go to their factory store and just have a fun time in the store. Great place to shop, and I’m sure a great place to work.

9

Bean’s used to have free shipping, but no more. Most of their stuff is imported (like everywhere else) but it’s good to see their customer service is still decent. They used to have a lifetime return policy as well. Is that still around?

Damn yuppies ruin everything, I swear.

10

Yup, still a lifetime return policy. My family goes every year, and they’ve taken back everything I’ve ever given them, even if I’d just decided that I didn’t like it, or it had a small stain, or had obviously been worn until it died.
I do hold it against them that they’ve stopped making The Best Slippers the World Has Ever Seen, but I bought two pairs three years ago when they were phasing them out, and figured that I’d be well supplied for slippers for the next twelve years or so.

11

I have a coat by L.L. Bean and hiking boots on right now… I love L.L. Bean.