Friday, August 22, 2014

The Contest: Week 12 - JanSport School Bags

Just in time for back-to-school, I decided to profess my admiration for JanSport school bags for The Contest.  Find out the results below and where this puts Andrea and I in our ultimate battle for letter-writing superiority!
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Dear JanSport,
 
I have three boys.  Perhaps if you have sons, you are aware of the demolition properties of the male sex.  Over the last decade, my boys have ripped apart the stitching in the family minivan, broke apart the front door, and disassembled every baby gate I ever owned.

Despite this, they are good kids.  They play chess, the piano, and ice hockey.  They are extremely kind and compassionate to their friends and neighbors.  They never mean to cause damage, and they are always very remorseful when it happens. 

It’s just that they are pretty much the equivalent of the iceberg in relation to the RMS Titanic.

Based on previous experience, it was always assumed I’d be buying two or three school bags a year for each son.  Whether it was ripped stitching or another busted zipper, no bag seemed capable of surviving a full semester with my boys.

Yet that all changed this year when I bought JanSport bags.

In the midst of one of the coldest and harshest winters in Chicago history, our three JanSport bags stand proud.  There is hardly a scratch or blemish on them.  They look as good now as the day I bought them.

Thank you, JanSport.  In today’s world where everything seems designed for a limited life-span, you have restored my faith in quality goods.  On behalf of my family, thank you.

Now if you might consider designing kid shoes, I would really appreciate it. 

Sincerely,

Marianne Walsh

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So did they chuckle?  Did they call?  Did they drop an extra-strong new bag in my lap?

Nope.

No matter.  I'm still devoted.  Once again, I am going to assume they are monograming a new product just for me.  Perhaps #1 Mom in gold thread.

It's important to have dreams.

Anyway, that leaves my score firmly at 37.  Find out how Andrea did today by clicking HERE!

13 comments:

  1. Sweet! My son has a different brand but it feels crazy strong and I am praying it lasts through a year of him hauling 35 pounds of school work around.

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  2. I go through 3 backpacks a year with my 14 yo. I've wised up though, I get all three NOW. Last year I had to buy a new one at Christmas time and then again at Easter - do you know how expensive that is?! At this point, the next one I buy is coming from the Army/Navy surplus store.

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    1. Ug. HATE buying school stuff in the middle of the year - talk about highway robbery!

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  3. I have two Jansport backpacks from Anna that are like six years old.
    My kids are haaaaard on back packs.
    They look brand new.
    Jansport knows they have you where they want you.
    But a coupon would have been nice.

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    Replies
    1. True, but I love that they have a warranty! If any kid can destroy an indestructible book bag, it's one of mine.

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  4. I'm crushed that they didn't respond! I had a Jansport and used it for all 4 years of college. Then I learned that you could send your backpack in for refurbishment, which I did and it came back good as new and I used for 3 more years of law school. I still have it and love it. The best part, though, was that I got a postcard from my backpack while it was away, telling me that it was having the best time at camp. It was adorable. Couldn't they at least send you the cute post card? When I saw the headline I was *so* excited to see what they did. Now I'm just sad. (But glad that your kids have good backpacks! Ours is Jansport, too!)

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    1. A postcard?? I almost want one damaged so I can send it away! That is hilarious!!

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    2. Why do I suspect that you ay have reason to send one away for refurbishment at some point. Not that your boys are hard on stuff or anything :) I did see on the form that even if it doesn't meet the warranty, most repairs are under $20. And seriously, that sucker was good as new. Would be totally worth it

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  5. You are right about JanSport. It's like Lands End used to be, when it was still a bunch of folks in the hinterlands of Wisconsin. Those were the days, dammit.

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    Replies
    1. You are so right. I miss the old Lands End and their old-school TALLS.

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