My Filson Repair Experience

I was lucky enough to find this Filson Large Rolling Duffle Bag about five years ago at Nordstrom Rack for ~$250 (after sales/etc.).  The dark brown color had just been discontinued from the Filson lineup, and my guess is that this was the result.  I love it.

I got this with the intent of using it on hunting trips – especially those that require me to check a bag.  My experience with Filson has been fantastic, although I haven’t bought anything from them in years.  I don’t like the price ‘adjustments’ that have taken place over the last couple of years.  And I have a sickeningly big collection…

This bag has been on multiple hunting trips.  It’s a great size, in that most of the stuff I’m hauling is more bulky vs. heavy.  Think pheasant/upland hunts.  On my most recent trip to Kansas, I did my normal pack, but noticed when I landed that the bag severely wobbled once I started rolling it.  I was walking through the Wichita airport and it was like there was an earthquake…

After the trip I gave it a good once-over, and saw that both tabs had come unscrewed from the bolts above the back wheels (see the pic above – those two screws on the arch of the plastic).  These are important connections in the design of the bag, in that it keeps it connected to the wheels/mechanism, and keeps the wheels aligned.

I immediately went to the Filson website and filled out a repair request.  It was very simple.  Name, product, date of purchase, problem statements, sentimental value, etc.  I had to agree to the normal disclosures, including one that if the damage is outside of warranty, then they’d let me know the cost, etc.  I clicked all the necessary buttons, and hit ‘SUBMIT’.

I shipped the bag to Seattle, and crossed my fingers.

About a week later, I got the ‘acceptance’ email, saying that they were going to do the repairs, and they’d let me know when they were done (with return shipping info).

Exactly three weeks later, I got the email…my bag was on the way.

It arrived shortly thereafter…

The bag looks great.  Literally nothing done to the outside, as there was no need.  However, the inside is a different story.  The tabs and screws were completely replaced, and the wheels are now perfectly aligned.

I haven’t loaded it up with 50 pounds of hunting gear and wheeled it around, but that might be a fun exercise with my kids…

I am VERY pleased with the Filson repair process.  The sign up was easy, the communication was fine, and the turn around time was much better than expected.  It is a great feeling knowing that there is some built-in insurance on these high-quality and rather expensive pieces.  Here’s to many more trips with this one…