Simms service

[Catch 22]

I sent in my bootfoot waders to Simms for evaluation due to some leaks around the seam where the boot meets the wader. I tracked my UPS shipment of the waders to them, and it took exactly one week.

After they had the waders in their hands for over a week, I called them to find out what was going on with my waders. I was told the the service rep was on the other line, and might be a while, but that she had just sent an e-mail to me with all the info. Great, I'll just get the e-mail with my info. Two days later, still no e-mail (I still haven't received it), so I called again.

I was told that the needed repairs would be about $100, but there was no guarantee that they work, and I would do best to use them as a back up, and try to patch them myself. In fact, they were going to include 2 patch kits when they sent them back. Fair enough, they've seen some serious use over the years.

Well, the waders arrived (strangely, it took 2 business days longer than the trip out there took). No patch kit anywhere in sight. I'm gonna call them about it.

This wouldn't be so bad if it were the first time, but it's not. I sent them in last year, or the year before for repair. When I got them back, they leaked in exactly the same place as they did before being sent. I called them up and insisted they issue a call tag to send them back to Montana (to their credit, they did). I explained that I had an upcoming trip, and needed these waders back by a certain date. The waders did not make the trip with me. They got back to me after I returned from the trip.

Maybe I'm too demanding, but in my eyes they are 0 for 2 in customer service. I needed new waders, and I thought about companies that have never failed me. After looking at several brands, I ordered the LL Bean waders online Sunday. They were at my house on Tuesday, and in use Tuesday night. I'm betting that I can count on LL Bean to provide great service if needed. As for Simms, I'm done with them for now.
End of rambling,

Jeff

[pvansch1]

I got a pair of LL Bean Waders this spring - They have been wonderful and dry so far. Knock on bamboo!!
Good luck with them, let's get together and fish sometime.
Pete

[flygirl]

Info on Simms service is appreciated, I was starting to consider them for my next pair of waders. Although I don't own anything by them ,I have a friend who swears by LL Bean....any problems are always fixed immediately & they will give you credit to upgrade if you ask them.

[The Patriot]

I just purchased my second pair of Simms waders, and while I haven't had any experience with their customer service, I have been very pleased with their products.

[AvoDrake]

I own a lot of Simms gear - waders, boots, vest and have pleased with all of the gear I own.

Have only used their service once. I jumped out of a drift boat and got my wading staff caught up on the edge of the boat and ripped the sheath of my wading staff. I called Simms inquiring about replacing it. I was intending to pay for it. They took my address and Fed Exed me a new one along with the attatched retractor for no charge. That's what I call service!!

(Have also had similar great service with Sage when I snapped off a rod tip when I accidently hit the power button of an electric sun roof) - Yep I am a walking accident ready to happen!! :D

[Catch 22]

let's get together and fish sometime

If this #@!& rain ever stops!


Info on Simms service is appreciated

That's why I posted it. I like to hear the good and the bad about a product. If someone is looking for info on a brand that I've had a good experience with, I'll be glad to post that, too.



I have been very pleased with their products

I own a lot of Simms gear - waders, boots, vest and have pleased with all of the gear I own.

I have no problem with the product. I got decent mileage out of the waders. It's the service that I found lacking.




They took my address and Fed Exed me a new one along with the attatched retractor for no charge.

That is great service. I wish they were consistently like that. If they were, I wouldn't have felt the need to look elsewhere. Unfortunately, while perusing (I just like that word) other boards over the years, it appears that Simms has been spotty with their service. Sometimes they have great service, other times not so great. This time, it cost them.

I prefer to buy locally ( I bought the Simms waders at Upcountry), but sometimes the circumstances dictate otherwise. Of course, the way I understand it, next year we can buy LL Bean locally. :)

Jeff

[pvansch1]

Nice post Catch22

I need to fish, been cooped up and the home projects are as far along as the $$ will allow for now.
Did you get boot foot or stocking foot for your new waders?
I went with the stcoking foot and boots for the first time, what a difference in walking streamside.
How was Roscoe??

Pete

[Catch 22]

Pete,

PM sent.

Jeff

[Ray]

Knock on wood, but I have a lot of Simm's products and have never once had to sent anything back. They make such a great high end product I will still buy it, if something ever does go wrong I'll probally just replace it with new.

[FishHawk]

Simms seems to be having a lot of problems of late. Their quality and service has gone down hill. Seems as if they grew too fast . That's what happens when you get big contracts from Cabela's and LLBean.
FishHawk

[steve]

LL Bean local? What's the scoop on that; when and where?

[southpaw526]

Believe it or not, for customer service, I really like Hodgman.....I returned a pair of wadelite breatheable waders (cheapy $100 waders) to them & they offered to repair them....They did just that & when I got them back, they were still leaking....I called them back & w/o incident or questions, they replaced them w/ a brand new pair.....That pair lasted about 1 year & started to leak....I called them again & this time they issued me an upgrade to the guidelite waders.....Same breathable material, but a little thicker & more durable for people who really beat on their waders (hence the "guide"lite designation).....extra reinforced crotch & knees....Great set of waders.....I've had those for 3 years now & no problems.....KNOCK ON WOOD!!!! I hope I didn't just jinx myself for simply trying to be nice & pass on some good information..... I too had an issue where I had a fishing trip coming up...I simply let them know that & they were more than happy to put a rush expedite on it for me..... Since then, I've invested in a pair of their stretchlite waders & have officially sworn off any other type of waders.....They're made of the same breatheable fabric, but it's stretchy & very comfortable....Never felt anything like it.....Check out their website...They have different grades of waders for different levels of abuse.....They rate them by how many days a year you spend on the water....You'd think for the amount of money that Simms charges, they'd be more eager to please....But that's not alwaysthe case w/ these companies the grow too big for their britches....Good luck.....

[DA]

I've had mixed results with Hodgeman. In the 70's I sent them a pair of Hodgeman chest high waders to have repaired. The boots had cracked. I had used the waders for about eight years and expected to pay for the repair. They sent me a new pair at no cost to me. Two years ago I called them about a pair of Hodgeman hip boots that I rarely used because they were uncomfortable due to pressure on my ankles in water a couple of feet deep. My brother has the same problem with his Hodgeman hippers. Hodgeman said there was nothing they could do about it. I have since learned that rolling the tops of my polartec outer socks down to the ankles prevents the discomfort.

[Catch 22]

LL Bean local? What's the scoop on that; when and where?

Sorry for the delay in answering, but I just saw your post. LL Bean is planning on opening a store in South Windsor in August 2007.

[southpaw526]

That's great to hear, but I still plan on making the annual trip to Maine for the black Friday sales.....It's tradition in my house....