Duluth Trading Co.

Full review
Duluth Trading Company is an online retail store that offers products that are primarily related to work or outdoor activities. Scout, a Labrador retriever, helps advertise many of the specials.

The company also accepts orders from catalogs, and by mail or telephone. Whenever an order is placed, the company sends the most recent monthly catalog of specials along with the order. Patrons can also order free catalogs from the website.


100% Satisfaction Guarantee

The company offers a 100% guarantee, stating that buyers can return items “at any time for an exchange or refund…” That’s a pretty strong guarantee, and indicates to me that the company stands behind its products. Luckily, I haven’t had the need to make a return, as I found the product I ordered to be of high quality.


Products

Duluth Trading Company has a variety of product categories. Many of itmes in each category are a bit unusual, such as the fire hose products, which are made from the material previously used to protect fire hoses. Here is a non-inclusive sampling of categories and products:
• Men’s clothing – these are mostly outdoor or heavy duty casual items
• Women’s clothing – ditto
• Accessories – these include gloves, belts, watches, hats
• Tools & shop items – screw drivers, clasps, clips, emergency repair tape
• Organizers & bags – tool bags, briefcases, backpacks
• Books – about 100 books on various topics, but revolving heavily around the trades (contracting, etc.)
• Dog Stuff – limited but varied, including toys, feeding dishes, seat protectors, cargo liners, fist aid kit
• Games & toys – quite a few building or creative type toys
• Military inspired items – duffel bags, compasses, flight suits & jackets, and even a pith helmet
• Truck & car stuff – cargo stabilizers, tire repair kits, glove box organizers, trunk bags, emergency cones


Ordering From the Website

The system for ordering mirrors other online sites. You can add items to a cart, delete them or adjust the number you want to order. Many of the products are sized or have options, so before adding them to the cart, the buyer must identify the specifics through drop-down boxes. The site also has a wish-list option for those who want to save items for later ordering, as well as an option to email information on a specific product to someone else.

Site navigation is simple. Menus across the top and down the left side are clearly defined. Clicking on one brings up a subsequent menu within the chosen category, so that the buyer can quickly find a specific item. The buyer can also do a fast keyword search.

Some items seem a bit pricey, while others seem comparable to products on other sites. I ordered a protective dog cover for the back seat of my car. I thought the cost was a bit much, but when it arrived and I saw the material and the quality, I had no regrets. In fact, I was delighted!

The company accepts American Express, Discover, Master Card and Visa. My charges were accurately and promptly processed.


Shipping

Upon checkout, the buyer is offered a choice of shipping methods and the cost of each is listed. At any time, the entire shipping cost chart can be easily accessed. Shipping rates are based upon method of delivery and vary according to the total cost of the order rather than weight. The highest shipping charge applies to orders totaling $200 or more.
• Standard ground - $6.95 to 16.95
• 3rd day - $10.95 to $20.95
• 2nd day - $14.95 to$24.95
• Overnight - $16.95 to $36.95

I placed my order in the evening. The next day I received an email stating that my product had been sent via standard shipping. Two days later the package was delivered. Can’t ask for quicker service than that!


Miscellaneous

Duluth Trading Company has an Affiliate Program. If you have a website and sell their products, you can earn commission.

Buyers can sign up for email notifications of specials or contests. When an order is place, the company will include a gift card and ship the package to a third party if requested.

When an order is shipped, the company includes a copy of their “Trading Shop Calendar”, which lists special advertising events throughout the year, as well as unusual facts and humor in each month. Consider the entry for March 13: "William Herschel discovers Uranus, 1781" and March 14's entry: "School kids make first joke about Uranus, 1781." Fun facts can also be accessed on the website, in the form of a trivia quiz.


Recommendation

I liked shopping the Duluth Trading Company site. There are several products that I have earmarked for future purchase, and I love the seat cover that I purchased for my car.

Overall, I have been more than satisfied with the product I ordered - Deluxe Seat Saver - and the service of the company. Not only will I continue to patronize them, but I recommend them to others who might be looking for outdoor gear and specialty items.