You Know It's A Good Backpack When . . .
OPEN: JANUS FILE #0361
As I've mentioned from time to time, I get around by bike. Which means that if I have to take anything with me (and that is just about all the time), a good backpack is essential.
Make that backpacks. I have several, in a number of different styles. For instance, if I'm making a quick run to Kroger, I'll grab one that usually stays empty. I'll stick some reusable shopping bags in it, and possibly the document case containing my TARC schedules, and off I go. There are a couple of sling packs that I use as auxiliary packs if I'm returning a bunch of books to the library (or if I'm anticipating checking out several books).
At the moment, my primary backpack is the one where my laptop spends most of its time when not in use. (That way, I know where it is. As I may have suggested at times, my condo is something of a Fibber McGee's closet.) It's made by High Sierra Sport Company. To be precise, it's their "Access" model.
The primary reason I chose this backpack, of course, is because it has a padded compartment for my laptop. After that, it was cargo space. I like a backpack that has lots of cargo space. Besides my laptop, I also carry the charger and wireless mouse, a couple of notebooks, and various and sundry other items.
While the main feature behind my choice of the Access was the laptop compartment, there was a feature I discovered after I purchased it. It has a built-in rain cover that tucks into its own compartment when not in use. Looking back on an occasion where I was caught in a downpour (and some of the things in the backpack I was using getting more than a little soaked), I thought this was possibly the best feature of all.
Unfortunately, the rain cover was also where I had a couple of minor problems with the backpack. The rain cover's compartment is at the bottom of the pack, and it zips closed when not in use. When I'm wearing the backpack, the zipper hits me just above the waistband of my slacks, and it rubs against my back. Even if I tuck in my shirt, it doesn't last long. A minor irritant, but one I can handle. The big problem occurred one day when I discovered that the slider of that zipper had become caught in the one of my belt loops. It happened as I was trying to take the pack off, and I discovered that it wouldn't. Not only was it impossible for me to take off the pack, I couldn't reach around to disengage the slider from the belt loop. Fortunately for me, this happened to me when I was on the bus, and I was able to recruit the aid of a fellow passenger. In the process of separating the zipper from the belt loop, the zipper was well and truly broken. (Better than having the damage done to my slacks, though.) Again, not a major problem, and the backpack was still able to perform normally. It just became a little difficult keeping the rain cover in its compartment when not in use.
Several weeks ago, I was looking at High Sierra's website. As I was glancing at the main page, one link in particular caught my eye -- the one that said "WARRANTY." I clicked, and quickly learned that most of High Sierra's products have a lifetime repair or replace warranty. (Products with wheels have only a five-year warranty.) With another click, I found the company's address, and I wrote a letter. I told them what had happened, and asked if this was covered under the warranty.
I mailed the letter, and about a week or so later, I received a letter from High Sierra. Yes, that was covered under their warranty, and they told me what I needed to do to return the pack. I followed the instructions, finally found a box large enough to hold the pack, and after dashing off another letter listing both the problem and the return authorization, I took it to the post office.
A few days later, I received an email from High Sierra. I had used my post office box, and since they were shipping by FedEx, they needed my home address. I replied with my address, and requested that a signature not be required. Hey, I live alone, and if I'm not at home, well, there's no one to sign for it. They sent an email when it was shipped, and said that I should receive it within a couple of days.
As I figured, the package arrived when I wasn't at home. On September 9, I returned home to find a rather large package resting against the door of my condo. One quick glance showed that it was indeed from High Sierra, and it was my backpack. (Yes, I am keeping the box. It should come in handy if the need arises to return it again.) In addition to my backpack, they included a $10 rebate coupon for my my next purchase of a High Sierra product. (That probably won't be until 2011, because I usually look around for backpacks during the back to school shopping season.)
A few days later, I was riding the bus. A woman and her daughter got off at the same stop I did, and at that point, I noticed that the daughter's backpack was also made by High Sierra. Not certain of the specific model, other than I could tell it wasn't an Access. I told the woman, "Good backpack," adding, "Mine's from the same company." I asked her if she knew about High Sierra's warranty. She didn't, and I gave her a somewhat condensed version of the story I just told you. I also gave her their website, and she said that she would have to check it out later.
I guess word of mouth is some of the best advertising. And good customer service, too.
CLOSE: JANUS FILE #0361
As I've mentioned from time to time, I get around by bike. Which means that if I have to take anything with me (and that is just about all the time), a good backpack is essential.
Make that backpacks. I have several, in a number of different styles. For instance, if I'm making a quick run to Kroger, I'll grab one that usually stays empty. I'll stick some reusable shopping bags in it, and possibly the document case containing my TARC schedules, and off I go. There are a couple of sling packs that I use as auxiliary packs if I'm returning a bunch of books to the library (or if I'm anticipating checking out several books).
At the moment, my primary backpack is the one where my laptop spends most of its time when not in use. (That way, I know where it is. As I may have suggested at times, my condo is something of a Fibber McGee's closet.) It's made by High Sierra Sport Company. To be precise, it's their "Access" model.
The primary reason I chose this backpack, of course, is because it has a padded compartment for my laptop. After that, it was cargo space. I like a backpack that has lots of cargo space. Besides my laptop, I also carry the charger and wireless mouse, a couple of notebooks, and various and sundry other items.
While the main feature behind my choice of the Access was the laptop compartment, there was a feature I discovered after I purchased it. It has a built-in rain cover that tucks into its own compartment when not in use. Looking back on an occasion where I was caught in a downpour (and some of the things in the backpack I was using getting more than a little soaked), I thought this was possibly the best feature of all.
Unfortunately, the rain cover was also where I had a couple of minor problems with the backpack. The rain cover's compartment is at the bottom of the pack, and it zips closed when not in use. When I'm wearing the backpack, the zipper hits me just above the waistband of my slacks, and it rubs against my back. Even if I tuck in my shirt, it doesn't last long. A minor irritant, but one I can handle. The big problem occurred one day when I discovered that the slider of that zipper had become caught in the one of my belt loops. It happened as I was trying to take the pack off, and I discovered that it wouldn't. Not only was it impossible for me to take off the pack, I couldn't reach around to disengage the slider from the belt loop. Fortunately for me, this happened to me when I was on the bus, and I was able to recruit the aid of a fellow passenger. In the process of separating the zipper from the belt loop, the zipper was well and truly broken. (Better than having the damage done to my slacks, though.) Again, not a major problem, and the backpack was still able to perform normally. It just became a little difficult keeping the rain cover in its compartment when not in use.
Several weeks ago, I was looking at High Sierra's website. As I was glancing at the main page, one link in particular caught my eye -- the one that said "WARRANTY." I clicked, and quickly learned that most of High Sierra's products have a lifetime repair or replace warranty. (Products with wheels have only a five-year warranty.) With another click, I found the company's address, and I wrote a letter. I told them what had happened, and asked if this was covered under the warranty.
I mailed the letter, and about a week or so later, I received a letter from High Sierra. Yes, that was covered under their warranty, and they told me what I needed to do to return the pack. I followed the instructions, finally found a box large enough to hold the pack, and after dashing off another letter listing both the problem and the return authorization, I took it to the post office.
A few days later, I received an email from High Sierra. I had used my post office box, and since they were shipping by FedEx, they needed my home address. I replied with my address, and requested that a signature not be required. Hey, I live alone, and if I'm not at home, well, there's no one to sign for it. They sent an email when it was shipped, and said that I should receive it within a couple of days.
As I figured, the package arrived when I wasn't at home. On September 9, I returned home to find a rather large package resting against the door of my condo. One quick glance showed that it was indeed from High Sierra, and it was my backpack. (Yes, I am keeping the box. It should come in handy if the need arises to return it again.) In addition to my backpack, they included a $10 rebate coupon for my my next purchase of a High Sierra product. (That probably won't be until 2011, because I usually look around for backpacks during the back to school shopping season.)
A few days later, I was riding the bus. A woman and her daughter got off at the same stop I did, and at that point, I noticed that the daughter's backpack was also made by High Sierra. Not certain of the specific model, other than I could tell it wasn't an Access. I told the woman, "Good backpack," adding, "Mine's from the same company." I asked her if she knew about High Sierra's warranty. She didn't, and I gave her a somewhat condensed version of the story I just told you. I also gave her their website, and she said that she would have to check it out later.
I guess word of mouth is some of the best advertising. And good customer service, too.
CLOSE: JANUS FILE #0361