Sierra Trading Post- so great, it may be the cause of my divorce
Written: Jan 04 '05
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All of my college buddies and their wives got together over the holidays. After dinner, a few beers, and some light conversation, the guys went downstairs engage in discussions about guitar amplifiers that go to 11 and to read Strongbad's latest email. The women, for some reason were less than enthusiastic about our chosen entertainment, so they stayed upstairs and exchanged stories about how irritating their respective husbands are. As was reported to me later, my wife complained about my online shopping habit saying, "every single day a new package shows up in the mail from Ebay, Amazon, or Sierra Trading Post."
I would love to refute her, but unfortunately, she is right. Though to be quite honest, I don't really get that many packages from Amazon. The packages that arrive from Sierra Trading Post more than make up the difference.
I've been shopping online from Sierra Trading Post (I'll refer to them as STP from here out) for years. I believe the first thing I ever ordered from them was a wool driving cap for around $7. At the time, I never realized the gateway into online shopping nirvana that I was opening.
So what is STP exactly? Is it an outdoors retailer, a men's boutique, a women's discount outlet, a shoe emporium? Yes. STP is literally all of these things and more. I know of no other place I can buy a Dana Design backpack, an Hugo Boss blazer, a pair of women's Born clogs, a set of Egyptian cotton sheets, and a bed for my dog all that the same time, and for 35-70% off of retail.
As something of a shoe nut (I have about 20 pairs of shoes, which is a lot for a man) this is the greatest website in the world. In fact, if all STP sold was shoes they would still be one of the best online retailers out there. Men's and Women's dress shoes, athletic shoes, hiking boots, sandals, you name it, they have it. Mezlan, Johnston and Murphy, Born, Ecco, Dr. Marten, and Dansko are just a few of the brands I have seen and purchased on STP. Sizes and colors are sometimes limited, but at their prices I've never been unable to find something, and it seems like they are adding new items nearly every day.
As is a concern to many people when buying at an online outlet, STP does carry many items that are irregulars and 2nds. In my experience this is the exception and not the rule, and all items that are such are clearly marked and fully explained. Everything I've purchased has been first quality merchandise. STP even goes so far as to explain when items run large or small and how best to order a size that will fit.
Returns are simple. A return UPS label is included with your order; no RMA is required ($5.95 or so is deducted from the price of your refund to cover shipping costs). They offer a complete satisfaction guarantee. Anything may be returned for any reason. I've only done it once, but it was a piece of cake.
I've had limited experience with their customer service, but the couple of times I've had to contact them, they've been most helpful and accommodating. They even offer a live chat option on their website so that you don't have to sit on hold to speak to a representative. In my opinion, this is the only way to deal with customer support.
STP ships your order a variety of ways depending on how fast you want it and how much you wish to pay. I've never used anything but the surface shipping (except when they offer a free upgrade to 2nd day air around the holidays). Average shipping time is less than 7 days, and most of my orders have arrived within 3 or 4 days (though I live in Utah and most of my orders have shipped from Wyoming, so I have an unfair advantage in that area). Items always arrive well packaged and in perfect condition.
To make a partial list of things I've ordered from STP: two backpacks, several shirts, countless hats, gloves, and socks, dozens of shoes, a couple of ties, two dresses (for my wife, not me), three belts, and a sleeping bag for my dog (no kidding). I've spend literally thousands of dollars, and saved probably just as much as I have spent. I once returned a pair of shoes, because they fit funny. Other than that, I've been 100% satisfied with every purchase I've made from STP.
Sierra Trading Post might well be the best retailer on the internet. With real time inventory, multiple pictures and angles of nearly every item, complete and detailed descriptions, large color swatches, and a 100% guarantee, the only other thing I could ask from them is to email me every time something I would love comes up for sale- stuff moves quickly on this site.
This is the first site I check any time I need clothes, shoes, outdoors/camping stuff, and home decor. I will continue to use them as long as they remain online. Hopefully my marriage can stay intact that long as well. Check them out; you'll be glad you did.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Countless items of clothing, outdoors merchandise, and shoes
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Epinions.com ID:
spaceage
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Member: Matt
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 5 members
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