I sent this to both Gander Mountain and Columbia.
Notice; I will be placing this exchange on my blog.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Alan Maki
Date: Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: I bought these hiking boots at Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, Minnesota on Saturday [Incident: 111017-000020]
To: Columbia Sportswear Customer Care
James,
From: Alan Maki
Date: Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: I bought these hiking boots at Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, Minnesota on Saturday [Incident: 111017-000020]
To: Columbia Sportswear Customer Care
James,
Taking these boots back is not an option.
I live in Warroad, Minnesota over 400 miles from the store I purchased them at.
I tried taking them back to Gander Mountain in Bemidji, Minnesota and they told me they would not refund my money because "it was your responsibility to know what you purchased." The Bemidji store is over 140 miles from me--- one way.
Either way, an exchange would cost me more in gas than what I paid for the boots.
If you advertise something as "waterproof" (according to the salesman WP stands for "waterproof") the boots should be waterproof at least to the point where one can walk through the damp early morning grass.
I went to purchase hiking boots for fall hunting and ended up with boots that did not serve the purpose I specifically stated I wanted them for.
You should see to it that I am refunded a portion of my money in line with a comparable pair of boots that are not waterproof. In no place is there anything in the box or on the box explaining your coding as to what is waterproof and the limitations of waterproofing.
Alan L. Maki
--
On Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 3:46 PM, Columbia Sportswear Customer Care <columbia@custhelp.com> wrote:
Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.
We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you within 96 hours.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Subject I bought these hiking boots at Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, Minnesota an Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 Discussion Thread Response (James) 10/18/2011 01:46 PM Hi Alan,
I am sorry to hear about your boots. I am sure that Gander Mountain has a return policy, especially since these shoes are such a new purchase. As far as the Coretek Boot itself, the material is indeed meant to be waterproof. However, it doesn't have a waterproof membrane, meaning that if water penetrates the outer material, your feet end up getting soaked.
So in essence, the material on your boots is waterproof, but I would recommend buying something that has an Omni-Tech or OutDry membrane, meaning that even if water penetrates the outer material, your feet will remain dry.
I understand your frustration as a consumer, and don't want you to feel like you don't have any options. I would encourage you to take the footwear back to Gander Mountain and see what they can do for you. If they are not too much help, contact us and we will get you taken care of.
Regards,
James
Customer CareCustomer (Alan Maki) 10/17/2011 05:09 AM I bought these hiking boots at Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, Minnesota an Saturday, October 15. The salesman told me these boots were waterproof. He told me the "WP" stood for "waterproof." I walked through the moist grass this morning and they got soaked through. I obviously wasted $79.00. Question Reference #111017-000020
Date Created: 10/17/2011 05:09 AM Last Updated: 10/18/2011 01:46 PM Status: Waiting First Name: Alan Zip/postal code: 56763 Country:
Phone: 218-386-2432 Last Name: Maki Style # Columbia Coretek WP
Alan L. Maki
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell: 651-587-5541
Primary E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net
E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com
