'Loyal' L.L. Bean customer sues company for changing legendary returns policy

Ashley May | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption L.L. Bean drops its unlimited lifetime return policy Customers will have only one year to return an item.

An Illinois man is suing L.L. Bean for “breaking of its promises” after the company announced changes to its warranty last week.

Victor Bondi filed a lawsuit Monday in Chicago federal court against the outdoors retailer based in Freeport, Maine. Bondi, described as a "loyal" customer who purchased Bean boots, said the company's legendary warranty has always been the "basis of the bargain" for all of his purchases, according to the suit.

"L.L. Bean’s repudiation of the warranty is a violation of the law and a breach of warranty between L.L. Bean and Plaintiff and the other Class members," the suit states, "and L.L. Bean must provide corrective notice to all potential customers about the change in its warranty."

More: L.L. Bean puts foot down: No more refunds on grandpa's 20-year-old boots

The retailer's executive chairman, Shawn Gorman, said in a letter to customers last week the warranty change is because some customers are abusing the policy, returning "heavily worn products" or products purchased at yard sales.

The new policy limits most returns to a year, which is a major change for the company who baked a lifetime refund policy into its DNA after 90 of the company's first 100 pairs of signature boots fell apart in 1912.

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