I have been a customer of LL BEAN for 44 years. Over that period of time I have noticed a decline in the quality of the merchandise, but that holds true for all but the most expensive clothing. The Gap, A &F, Old Navy, Lands End, Eddie Bauer, Macy's, etc... all in the same boat. Nothing is of the same excellent quality it once was. I am still wearing some tunics I got from LL Bean over 25 years ago. They have been washed hundreds of times. The color is still good and the material intact. I have a pair of their loafers I bought 30 years ago. They are quite lovely now with a nice, rich patina. Turtlenecks are not as nice as they used to be, but they are still about the best ones out there unless you spend over $100.00. I still purchase staple clothing items from them, but not as much as I would if the quality was top notch as it used to be. We would pay dearly for that quality now. Everybody wants to be paid top dollar for their work and no "natural resources" used and certainly no by products with which to deal... but they want the best products for a bottom dollar price... can't have it both ways folks!
LL BEAN HAS ALWAYS STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. I have never had a problem returning or exchanging anything. That, in itself, means a lot. And, for the most part, their products are ok. Some things better than others. Still a good company.