"I do not consider a sale complete until goods are worn out and a customer still satisfied."

Leon Leonwood Bean founded his company in Freeport, Maine, in 1912 with a commitment to customer service that has since become legendary. The merchant offers a guarantee of 100 percent satisfaction on its rugged outdoor clothing and gear — even accepting returns decades after the purchase with no questions asked.

For the past 20 years, FedEx has helped L.L. Bean stay true to its heritage of giving people what they want, right down to shipping options. Customers can choose between lower prices (four to six days via FedEx Ground) or faster access (two days via FedEx Express).

To meet customer demand, FedEx runs its own facility under the same roof as L.L. Bean's 600,000-square-foot order fulfillment center in Freeport. The operation processes thousands of mail, phone, fax and Web orders every day, requiring precise coordination of people, products and information. And none of that speed or volume comes at the sacrifice of quality. For example, on the rare occasion when a stitch in a monogram goes awry, craftspeople carefully correct the design and send the product on its way down the maze of conveyor belts and right into a FedEx truck.

From there to the customer's home, L.L. Bean entrusts FedEx with guarding its century-long reputation for delivering 100 percent satisfaction.

llbean.com