Figured I'd vent somewhere. Take this post for what it's worth, it's really neither a negative or positive review, just a warning when dealing with these exclusive gear maker shops.
Christmas 2013 I received a very expensive and very nice TAD Praetorian hoodie for a gift. 100% Merino wool, I'd wear it in the summer if I wouldn't melt. Great mid layer or top layer in weather below 60*, and I wore it pretty much every day.
This fall I get it out of the closet and happily continue wearing it. Around November I notice one of the sleeve cuffs is unstitching. Well, part of TAD's price is their excellent warranty, so I send it in.
About a week later I receive an email: "Your article was evaluated for warranty and deemed non-repairable. You will receive a certificate for it's original value." Sweet, right? Maybe, if they could (or wanted to) keep up production for demand. And didn't discontinue colors or styles every few months. The simple black color has been replaced by "tactical"-sounding "Deadfall" (AKA dark brown), "Deception" (a weird grey/green/brown color), "Phantom" (dark gray) and "Slate" (lighter gray). I guess black is no longer tactical enough. Okay, I have to settle for something else. How about my size? Nope, only Deadfall in my size, the color I want the least. I've been checking every single day for a month with no change in stock.
At this point, I'm asking (maybe even begging) for my old hoodie back. "We're sorry, your article has been damaged out. We are unable to return it to you." Come on...I could've fixed the stitches myself. I'd almost give up that certificate for it. It's likely ashes by now, or turned into upcycled hipster scarves.
There are worse things to have than $175 in credit for a broken, year old hoodie.
