Who Is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 24hourcampfire

Home Posted By: djpaintless Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I'm wondering what bone-head is making the decision to turn some of my favorite Filson products into expensive crap.I have several of the original weight Filson Sweaters they are some of the finest sweaters I've ever seen. Not cheap but can be expected to last for decades.I was at a store recently and saw that they had Filson Mid-weight sweaters. I took a look at them and was astounded, they were pretty much Walmart quality sweaters but still had $189 price tags! Looking at the label I noticed "Made in China". Mine are "Made in the USA".Same thing with the Alaskan Guide Shirts, the US made ones were superb quality heavy-weight last for years shirts. The Chinese made ones are thin, Walmart quality for the same price.I guess they haven't completely ruined everything yet since Filson's US made stuff is still very good. It just pisses me off that they are trying to pass off obviously inferior quality replacements for the same price. The Chinese could make stuff to just as high of quality if Filson made them but they haven't. I'm not really anti-Chinese I'm just anti charge-the-same and give me less.Maybe it's just a typical example of what's happening with American made stuff in General but Filson in particular seemed to me to be a bit of an American Icon, now it's going down the tubes.Where do they make Carhart?.....................DJ Posted By: thumbcocker Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Some are made in mexico. Some redwings are made in china too. Shame. Posted By: MtnHtr Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Welcome to the New USA.Corporate bigwigs have sold out America and they are laughing all the way to the bank.Carhart is made offshore as well as Wrangler jeans.And products are becoming smaller yet still the same price. The Big mac should be named the "Little Mac"! Lols!MtnHtr Posted By: VarmintGuy Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Djpaintless: "I", am, ANTI-CHINESE!I am very disturbed that the folks at Filson are interjecting commie-crap into their line-up!I was just out on the west coast and visited their factory store (Seattle, Washington) this past summer and looked at many items.I did not notice any made in China labels but I probably only looked at 5 or 10% of the items in that store!I have many Filson items including several Filson canvas outer Rifle cases and some travel bags etc!By coincidence I just got a call last Friday from a close friend and Hunting partner of mine who still lives in the Seattle area.He was at the Filson store shopping and his lady friend was buying him a Filson fly fishing vest (185.00!) as a belated Christmas gift he wanted some advice from me on the vest.I know he is anti-made in China and I am sure he would not have accepted/suggested this gift had it been made in China.Yikes I say - what/who next? Remington? Buck Knives?Leupold? Sturm Ruger & Company?Sheesh!Hold into the windVarmintGuy Posted By: derby_dude Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 That's what happen when you have to dance to the tune of international bankers and the dollar is in the toilet. Don't blame Filson blame the Federal Reserve Bank and Congress. Posted By: bxroads Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 The theory of made in America assumes that we have American's that really want to make it........... Posted By: sgtsmmiii Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 If I recall correctly, I believe that Filson was bought out by Ralph Lauren ( of Polo fame ). So, it's probably becoming "yuppie-ized". Posted By: Steve_NO Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 they have a whole line of "fashion" crap now that is indistinguishable from Eddie Bauer or any of the other stores.the tin stuff is still good, the waterfowler sweaters are still bulletproof, and the packer wool coats coats are still the bomb....thankfully, my stuff will probably outlast me so I won't be needing to buy any more. Posted By: Otter Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 What is Filson??? Posted By: crossfireoops Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by sgtsmmiiiIf I recall correctly, I believe that Filson was bought out by Ralph Lauren ( of Polo fame ). So, it's probably becoming "yuppie-ized". That's where Carhart's pretty much gone.GTC Posted By: 340boy Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I have a filson soft rifle case(sock?) and I love it.I have thought about trying their clothes, but I guess I wont... Posted By: Just a Hunter Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I sent a shirt back to them that I had ordered for my wife. It was made in China and it didn't fit right. I had ordered it, but all the shirts that I had bought pryor were made in the U.S. So I wrote them a letter letting them know I would not be buying anything they made from China, including the shirts I had always bought. They asked me to let them know what I was interested in and they would tell if it was made in China or not. Well, I am not bothering with that, but have been looking at Schaefer products. They are all made in the U.S. Fislons outerwear is still made in the U.S as has been mentioned and I have no complaints about it.I should mention that Filson must have felt some pressure from consumers when they went to China as they have an explanation for it in their catalogues. Not a very good one either. Posted By: MtnHtr Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Just remember "Made in The USA" is not always a guarantee of quality.Some folks paid for it with their lives: Firestone Tire Recall "Many of the tires were made at a Decatur, Illinois plant. Worse, when the tires fail the vehicle often rolls over and kills the occupants." MtnHtr Posted By: Just a Hunter Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I could be wrong, but weren't those tires made overseas? Posted By: muledeer Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 My wife and I were in the Seattle store a couple of weeks ago, looking for a jacket for me and a couple of items for her. Found some good stuff for her, still made in the USA. The want to keep it that way, but more and more of the stuff there is coming from China. On the other hand, I was in Cabelas in Post Falls, Idaho in December -- and there was nothing in kitchenware and very litle in clothing made anywhere but China. My vacuum sealer was made in Italy, and my grinder was made in Poland -- all those products are made in China now, that Cabelas sells, anyway. I wonder just how many people in China who manufacture and deliver this material have ever actually handled grinding vacuum-sealing venison after their hunting trip? I'd be pretty willing to bet "zero"! I have a pretty good clue that people in Italy and Poland who make such items actually know how to use them, and have some passion for what they're building. I'm fairly sure this isn't true in the Chines villages where people get turned into workers in whatever plant gets put in there. In any case -- I am making very strong efforts to buy exactly nothing made in China.Dennis Posted By: djpaintless Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 At first Filson came out with the "Lodge Collection" to distinguish the traditional line from the new Chinese made stuff. Now they are having some of the traditional line like sweaters and Alaskan Guide shirts there.I knew what the lodge collection was and to avoid it, but replacing traditional items just sucks.If you buy Filson, Check the Label!........................DJ Posted By: MtnHtr Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 And the Chinese are certainly capable of building first class junk: China Exports Lead Poisoning A great hiking boot that was sold out to the chinese awhile back, pure garbage: Vasque Sundowner A pard bought a pair of the chinese version and they literally fell apart in one season.And the sad story of once Made in the USA Herman Survivor Boots: Wal Mart's Marketing Plans MtnHtr Posted By: mathman Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 QuoteYikes I say - what/who next?Remington?Buck Knives?Hate to tell you bud... Posted By: GeoW Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Just look for the Union Label Posted By: MagMarc Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I was a wallyworld supplier in my past career. It's not fun to be involved with them and I'll leave it at that. Posted By: Cheesy Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by MagMarcI was a wallyworld supplier in my past career. It's not fun to be involved with them and I'll leave it at that. I am, and you're right, but we all make money at it, which is why I go to work everyday. Posted By: Son_of_the_Gael Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by MagMarcI was a wallyworld supplier in my past career. It's not fun to be involved with them and I'll leave it at that. So was I and I know what you mean. I can hardly stand to go into one of their stores now. Posted By: HawkI Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I've gotten in the habit of buying my Pendleton's on fleabay just so I don't have to buy the Chinese/Mexican crap.Iv'e bought two recently mad in the 60's.What kids do with their parents stuff, I guess.... Posted By: Sightfisher Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I haven't seen a single product improve in quality after it was moved from the US to China/Mexico etc.I just heard on FoxNews a few weeks ago that Brunswick stock making bowling balls here..and moved production to Mexico, and surprise...product quality has fallen off. One of their managers started his own U.S. bowling ball business and has orders coming out of his azz. I think that any business can compete in the US, with dedicated workers, quality products, and proper management. That might not mean having a union shop but in the above example, the workers did get profit sharing plan for their efforts. The problem is that people are happy to buy cheap crap rather than pay a little extra for quality. That could be the result of all the small shops around closing and mega stores and the internet taking over. Most mega stores hire people that don't know anything about the gear they sell. They recommend whatever makes the most money. Its not about selling quality gear to a customer, like it used to be in smaller stores. At the internet stores everything is boiled down to price, it is pretty hard to show on a webpage how one boot is better constructed than another and is therefore worth twice as much. Posted By: HawkI Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 The problem is that no one should have a job go overseas without the product having tariffs coming back in and no one should be allowed to strike for gold leaf toilet paper without expecting repercussions.The biggest problem is failed and side-taking leadership at the highest levels. Posted By: MagMarc Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Do/did you guys deal with CTL? Posted By: KDK Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by Mtn HunterCarhart is made offshore as well as Wrangler jeans. Careful on those blanket statements there. I just bought a Carhartt coat a couple of month ago that has a big old UFCW tag in it. While Carhartt does import some stuff, not all of it is foreign made. Posted By: bluffview Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 "At first Filson came out with the "Lodge Collection" to distinguish the traditional line from the new Chinese made stuff. Now they are having some of the traditional line like sweaters and Alaskan Guide shirts there."That is what I heard a couple of years ago. Too bad about original/traditional stuff. I've got 3 U.S. made AK Guide shirts, none need replacing but I won't be buying any of the China made. Glad I got my stuff when I did and it's been wearing like iron, or should I say tin. Posted By: rosco1 Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I havent bought anything from Filson in about 10 years..But the several pair of double tin pants I bought last are still going strong..It'll be a shame if they ruin that product... I'd hate to price those same pants now, I think they were in the 300$ range when I bought them. Posted By: biglmbass Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by KDKOriginally Posted by Mtn HunterCarhart is made offshore as well as Wrangler jeans. Careful on those blanket statements there. I just bought a Carhartt coat a couple of month ago that has a big old UFCW tag in it. While Carhartt does import some stuff, not all of it is foreign made. See your point, but it's the exception & not the rule of Carhartt items these days. Checking their website shows that the vast majority of their stuff is not US made. Posted By: Penguin Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 I have quite a bit of Filson's stuff... double mac cruiser and cargo pants, 3 hats, and one of the discontinued Klondike jackets which are great because they are washer friendly. Most of that kind of stuff is still the same as always just higher priced. It's good stuff and I'd hate to see it change. The Chinese are determined to stay the currency peg route until they have it all I guess. The question isn't 'why are imports cheaper' it is 'why has the relative cost difference of producing like goods and services in China vs America not diminished as free market theory told us it would'... Will Posted By: alpinecrick Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by bxroadsThe theory of made in America assumes that we have American's that really want to make it........... Yeah right.....and illegal immigrants are doing the work that Americans don't want to do.........biggest lies in America.Casey Posted By: BrentD Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by alpinecrickOriginally Posted by bxroadsThe theory of made in America assumes that we have American's that really want to make it........... Yeah right.....and illegal immigrants are doing the work that Americans don't want to do.........biggest lies in America.Casey Actually, I think it assumes that we have Americans that are willing to pay the price that is required for Americans to want to do the work.Personally, $189 for a sweater is just nuts. Most of the Filson stuff is WAY over priced so far as my banker is concerned. Posted By: mike762 Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by BrentDPersonally, $189 for a sweater is just nuts. Most of the Filson stuff is WAY over priced so far as my banker is concerned. Not if the sweater or coat in question lasts 20+ years. It's kind of a once or twice in a lifetime purchase. $50 for a WalMart or Cabela's wool sweater that might last 5 years, or $190 for one that lasts 25, assuming reasonable care for either, and no increase in the size of the wearer. Posted By: Tod Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by VarmintGuyDjpaintless: "I", am, ANTI-CHINESE!I am very disturbed that the folks at Filson are interjecting commie-crap into their line-up!Don't you believe in capitalism? The goal is to maximize profit, so outsourcing manufacture to a cheaper country allows the company to increase profits for the owners. It's the American way. Posted By: Waders Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Question: Who is ruining Filson?Answer: The American consumer first. Government second.Explanation: Supply and demand; if people would stop buying cheaper stuff (eliminate demand), then Filson and other companies would stop selling it (eliminating supply). Conversely, if consumers would buy (aka demand) quality products, then Filson would be happy to sell (aka supply) them.It would appear that the profit margin for quality products doesn't support the production of them. Some of the main factors affecting profit are: (1)the cost of materials, (2) the cost of employee labor, and (3) the cost of making a sale. If the profit margin is low, Filson needs to sell a lot more garments to sustain the operation. If the profit margin is high, then Filson can sell fewer items, but they risk not selling enough.So, why can't Filson sell top-notch stuff and continue to stay in business? I haven't a clue, but I would hazard a guess that it is chiefly the cost of labor and the government's unfriendly approach to businesses. State taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. It simply never ends. We are facing the same thing in my small business: Expenses are outpacing revenues. You can only raise prices so much. Then at some point the difference between employer and employee salaries decreases to the point that it is no longer worth it for the employer to continue running the business. The employer takes all the risks and is the last one to get paid. Meanwhile, the Filson employees are screaming bloody murder because they "only" make $28.80 per hour stitching zippers onto bags, and the government continues to make it unfavorable to do business here (Boeing finally had enough and simply left town! And I don't blame them.)So anyway, suppliers will always supply what consumers demand. Consumers and suppliers are being taxed into oblivion. So the answer to the consumer is to demand cheaper goods. To meet that demand, the answer for the employer is to outsource production. That used to be Japan, but now it's India and China. (And the Japanese were mad because the Chinese were getting "their" jobs!) So, do what you will, but until America takes a different approach to government AND adjusts its expectations as to what an "adequate" standard of living is, things will only get worse.Sorry for the rant--Carry on! Posted By: Calvin Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 You entrepreneurs need to see this as an opportunity, not a bad thing. If china/mexico is pumping out crap, start your own company making quality products and get rich. I'm serious about that. Posted By: djpaintless Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/12/10 Originally Posted by WadersQuestion: Who is ruining Filson?Answer: The American consumer first. Government second.Explanation: Supply and demand; if people would stop buying cheaper stuff (eliminate demand), then Filson and other companies would stop selling it (eliminating supply). Conversely, if consumers would buy (aka demand) quality products, then Filson would be happy to sell (aka supply) them.I disagree with your analysis. As I mentioned before Filson tried to start a new line to distinguish the imported crap from their old lines. I didn't really have a problem with that, you could simply not buy it and continue to buy the older style higher quality items. The "Lodge Collection" apparantly didn't sell very well at all. And so to try and squeak higher profits FILSON not the CONSUMER started sneaking in sub-standard crap and lowered quality but not prices. That's not the consumers fault it's FILSON's.I'm not saying that people shouldn't buy Filson products, some of them are still very good. But a few years ago everything they made was of high quality, now only some of it is....................................DJ Posted By: Waders Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/13/10 Originally Posted by djpaintlessThe "Lodge Collection" apparantly didn't sell very well at all. And so to try and squeak higher profits FILSON not the CONSUMER started sneaking in sub-standard crap and lowered quality but not prices. That's not the consumers fault it's FILSON's. I hear what you're saying, but it doesn't change my original point. I agree that Filson is making cheaper stuff and trying to pass it off as its "good stuff." But apparently, the consumers are OK with it and are continuing to buy it. If they didn't, Filson would either have to lower its prices or go back to making higher quality stuff--and raise its prices. Consumers drive the market (if everyone had refused to buy DVD's, we'd all still be using VCR's). It's not really an issue of "fault," but rather, demand curves. Manufacturers will continually test the market to see what products they can sell at given prices. If everybody stops buying the current Filson products at the current prices, we'll see a change. Posted By: djpaintless Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/13/10 Originally Posted by WadersOriginally Posted by djpaintlessThe "Lodge Collection" apparantly didn't sell very well at all. And so to try and squeak higher profits FILSON not the CONSUMER started sneaking in sub-standard crap and lowered quality but not prices. That's not the consumers fault it's FILSON's. I hear what you're saying, but it doesn't change my original point. I agree that Filson is making cheaper stuff and trying to pass it off as its "good stuff." But apparently, the consumers are OK with it and are continuing to buy it. If they didn't, Filson would either have to lower its prices or go back to making higher quality stuff--and raise its prices. Consumers drive the market (if everyone had refused to buy DVD's, we'd all still be using VCR's). It's not really an issue of "fault," but rather, demand curves. Manufacturers will continually test the market to see what products they can sell at given prices. If everybody stops buying the current Filson products at the current prices, we'll see a change. Either that or the current management will drive a company that has prospered for over a 100years into the ground and bankrupt it. None of which would be the consumers fault.I've been the kind of customer that any company would want i.e. I bought a LOT of their stuff. But I'm not buying the crap they are importing now and it ain't MY Fault or any other consumers.Your arguement implies that current management is intelligent enough to respond to their customers. I don't think that they are.................................DJ Posted By: MontanaMan Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/13/10 It's damned hard to find any type of clothes that are still made in the U.S.Scentlok is all made overseas which was a surprise to me.Just about everything Cabela's carries in made elsewhere, ditto Gander Mountain.Don't know about Sitka gear...........Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, NorthFace is all overseas.KOM & Sleeping Indian are made here but that's limited stuff & outta sight price wise.What else is made here?MM Posted By: mike762 Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/13/10 Diamond Gusset Jeans. Some Danner boots. White's boots. Schnee's boots. Some Redwing boots. Landerwood uniform shirts. Hart, Shaftner & Marks suits. That's all I can name off the top of my head. Posted By: BrentD Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/13/10 Originally Posted by mike762Originally Posted by BrentDPersonally, $189 for a sweater is just nuts. Most of the Filson stuff is WAY over priced so far as my banker is concerned. Not if the sweater or coat in question lasts 20+ years. It's kind of a once or twice in a lifetime purchase. $50 for a WalMart or Cabela's wool sweater that might last 5 years, or $190 for one that lasts 25, assuming reasonable care for either, and no increase in the size of the wearer. IF it lasted 20 yrs. I have some Filson stuff. Very nice, but no chance it lasts 20 yrs unless I only wear it a couple of days per year. In which case, a Wally World special will also last 20 yrs. My favorite Filson piece is a cruiser vest. It gets worn very little on an annual basis, but it just falling apart in just 6 yrs. Brent Posted By: mike762 Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/13/10 All I can say is that you must be pretty hard on clothing. I've had skivvie shirts last longer than that. Posted By: whodat Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 Check out Bemidji woolen mills for some of your wool products. I just bought a wool shirt jac, very nicely constructed and reasonably priced.. much better quality than woolrich or pendelton products. Posted By: Armen Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 Originally Posted by PenguinI have quite a bit of Filson's stuff... double mac cruiser and cargo pants, 3 hats, and one of the discontinued Klondike jackets which are great because they are washer friendly. Most of that kind of stuff is still the same as always just higher priced. It's good stuff and I'd hate to see it change. The Chinese are determined to stay the currency peg route until they have it all I guess. The question isn't 'why are imports cheaper' it is 'why has the relative cost difference of producing like goods and services in China vs America not diminished as free market theory told us it would'... Will It's because China isn't a truly "Free Market".What frustrates me is the executive leadership within these businesses that fail to see what the real savings is (if any) to their bottom line by globalizing. There are so many "hidden factories" involved with sustaining a manufacturing process overseas, from training, to re-training, to endless quality improvement/corrective action plans, travel, more travel, wasted manhours in the domestic markets trying to make their new global sites functional, etc.; not to mention the high scrap rates at these global sites. I'd really like to see the actual, TRUE savings or Return on Investment realized by a corporation that moves all their manufacturing operations off shore. Posted By: mike762 Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 Thanks. I checked out their website and they look to be pretty good. I notice that they offer some Filson stuff. Do they make it for Filson, or just offer it? Posted By: whodat Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 I think they're dealers for other manufacturer's lines as well. I beleive Bemidji woolen mills products are made in house.here's the number 888-751-5166 Posted By: mike762 Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 Thanks again. Posted By: acesandeights Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 I didn't think Filson was purchase by Ralph Lauren, but brought in a former "big-wig" of RL (I could be wrong though).Filson now markets additional products, many of which are NOT made in the US. They do continue to make MANY of their traditonal products which are still made in the US. I have written multiple e-mails and returned product registration cards advising I won't buy a Filson product made elsewhere, but will continue to purchase the same products I've purchased in the past that are MADE IN THE USA. Hopefully that means that those that make decisions at Filson will realize they NEED to continue making those same products they've made for years, here in the US, to the same high standards they've held to in the past.If Filson wishes to provide products made overseas it will irk me. If they fail to produce/manufacture those items they have in the past, made in the USA, they will lose me as a customer (and I've spent $1000s for traditional US made Filson products). Filson is one of the companies that provides the products I want and need to do what I like to do in the field. When they change, if they change, I will also change, in that I will find another company with which to do business.If Filson is listening, and I hope they are, MAKE FILSON PRODUCTS IN THE USA, TO THE SAME STANDARDS IN WHICH YOU HAVE IN THE PAST. Or, lose me and those that care about traditional Filson products as a customers. I refuse to purchase less than what Filson has to offer. Make less of a product and I will not buy it. Posted By: acesandeights Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 Originally Posted by BrentDOriginally Posted by mike762Originally Posted by BrentDPersonally, $189 for a sweater is just nuts. Most of the Filson stuff is WAY over priced so far as my banker is concerned. Not if the sweater or coat in question lasts 20+ years. It's kind of a once or twice in a lifetime purchase. $50 for a WalMart or Cabela's wool sweater that might last 5 years, or $190 for one that lasts 25, assuming reasonable care for either, and no increase in the size of the wearer. IF it lasted 20 yrs. I have some Filson stuff. Very nice, but no chance it lasts 20 yrs unless I only wear it a couple of days per year. In which case, a Wally World special will also last 20 yrs. My favorite Filson piece is a cruiser vest. It gets worn very little on an annual basis, but it just falling apart in just 6 yrs. Brent If your vest is only six years old, I would return it to Filson stating when and where you bought it and that you thought it would last longer. I would expect them to make it right. Their warranty isn't "specific" because it's better than putting a one year stated warranty on an item. My six year old son (probably five years old at the time) was literally using the leather strap on one of my Filson hats to try and swing on. The wooden bead broke on the leather strap. I called Filson and explained my son was trying to use it as a swing rope when the wooden bead broke and I wanted to purchase another bead. I was sent a wooden bead free of charge, not even charged for the shipping. My hat is well over ten years old. I could have gone to a "craft" store and found a wooden bead, or made one, but thought I'd ask Filson what they cost. They cost less going through Filson, even with a beat up, weathered, 10+ year old hat than the gas would have cost to drive into town.I'm confident that if my Filson wool vest were falling apart after only six years, if nothing more, Filson would want to know, but I think they'd do something about it. I wear my Filson vest a lot in winter months (not so much in the summer ) and it's no where near wearing out, although I will say the wool isn't near as stiff as it was when new. Posted By: TexasTBag Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 Originally Posted by WadersQuestion: Who is ruining Filson?Answer: The American consumer first. Government second. I would say the American worker up there too. Posted By: George_De_Vries_3rd Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 When you have workers without a college education that are unionized, demanding big homes with three-stall garages, a 40-hour work-week, cadillac medical insurance, a boat, a stocking full of bene's, and an income in the high five figures, you as an employer decide to have it made in China, Taiwan, Mexico,...or where ever. I'm not accusing Filson (whose stuff with their label would fill a closet in my house) of this directly but making a general comment about American workers and the manufactering of goods in this country.There was a time we needed unions to protect workers; now it's time to protect America from the unions. Unions have made it virtually impossible to make anything here economically. Man corrupts everything. Note the latest meeting of union leaders with Obama deferring a would-be tax to their medical ins. plans to the rest of America. Posted By: sgtsmmiii Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/14/10 My bad...............Filson sold to former Polo execMar 1, 2005 12:00 PM, John Fischer"C.C. Filson, a Seattle-based manufacturer/marketer of outdoor apparel, luggage, and leather accessories, has been sold to a former executive of Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. and an equity investment firm. Former Polo group president Doug Williams and Brentwood Associates bought Filson on Jan. 1 from Stan Kohls, who has owned it since 1981. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Terri Young, Filson's director of public relations and catalog development, says that Kohls will serve as a board member of the company now known as Filson Holdings." Posted By: djpaintless Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/15/10 Originally Posted by sgtsmmiiiFilson sold to former Polo execMar 1, 2005 12:00 PM, John Fischer"C.C. Filson, a Seattle-based manufacturer/marketer of outdoor apparel, luggage, and leather accessories, has been sold to a former executive of Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. and an equity investment firm. Former Polo group president Doug Williams and Brentwood Associates bought Filson on Jan. 1 from Stan Kohls, who has owned it since 1981. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Terri Young, Filson's director of public relations and catalog development, says that Kohls will serve as a board member of the company now known as Filson Holdings." Well I fart in his general direction!...................DJ Posted By: biglmbass Re: Who is Ruining Filson?.......................... - 01/15/10 Couldn't agree more. © 24hourcampfire