LL Bean Wants Chicago Lawsuit Dismissed

CHICAGO, IL — L.L. Bean is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit that was filed over its new return policy. The company said the Illinois man who sued the retailer never tried to return any products. The man claims L.L. Bean's new return policy, which replaced its old policy in February, is 'deceptive.'

The company's previous policy allowed customers to return products any time after they were purchased. Starting in February, L.L. Bean imposed a one-year limit on returns under its new policy, after the company said a growing number of customers were treating the return program like a "lifetime product replacement program" and returning heavily worn products.

The man who filed the lawsuit, Victor Bondi, said customers who bought items before the new policy announcement did so with the understanding that they could be returned at any time in the future.

L.L. Bean said the lawsuit misrepresents the new refund policy, and that purchases made before its announcement on Feb. 9 are not subject to the new policy, as long as there's proof of purchase.

The retailer said there's no evidence that Bondi tried to return any items, and is seeking dismissal of the lawsuit.

Photo by Robert F. Bukaty/AP