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The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about Columbia Sportswear

Welcome to our customer reviews and complaints page for Columbia Sportswear. We understand that making informed decisions about where to invest your time and money can be challenging, which is why we've created this platform for our community to share their honest feedback about their experiences with Columbia Sportswear.

On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used Columbia Sportswear's products or services. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service.

Whether you're considering doing business with Columbia Sportswear, or you've already had an experience with them, our community's reviews and complaints will give you a valuable perspective on what to expect. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about where to invest your time and money, and we hope that our platform will be a valuable resource for you.

Please feel free to browse our reviews and complaints and share your own experience with Columbia Sportswear. Your feedback is an important part of our community and will help others make informed decisions.

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2:59 am EDT

Columbia Sportswear Columbia refuse do refund or change it's defective boots

I bought Women’s Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ Boot. As shown on the boot, it is waterproof, and therefore I bought it. But just 2 months later, it started to leak. I contacted to Columbia's Turkey Distributor (Assports : http://www.asports.com.tr/) and they send the boots for checkover. Than they informed me that is because of USER FAULT! There is no puncture or any damage like that on the boot. So how it can be user fault? I asked them to change it or to accept return, but they refused. I sent an e-mail to their international customer care center, and explained that their Turkey distributor does nothing. Although I explained that, the international customer care center is just offering to contact with their distributor again!
I am so disappointed. How can be possible: I mean how an international outdoor brand can't help it's customer.

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Nikki Lambert
, US
May 28, 2017 8:17 am EDT

I bought the same boots and mine leaked instantly. The boots were supposed to be warm up to -30 and cold air chilled my toes at 4 degrees Celsius. They certainly were not warm or waterproof which is the reason I chose that style.
I think it was the stitching. I told Columbia I wanted a full refund because I found out my sister bought these boots also and hers leaked as well. They refused to refund my money and only offered to send me another pair of boots that probably won't work. There must be a design flaw and Columbia told me they never heard of this problem before. I ordered running shoes as well and they were also defective causing damage to my ankle after wearing them for a week.

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cm-pdx
, US
Aug 18, 2015 7:37 am EDT

I've found Columbia to be nothing but wonderful with exchanges or returns for any reason.

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6:20 am EST

Columbia Sportswear Don't buy from them

We ordered winter coat from the company Columbia Sportswear. But after 2 months, the zipper was broken. We contacted the seller and asked if they could repair it, because they offered warranty repair. The agreed and took the coat. Later they returned it with the broken zipper, and they did nothing. We decided to change it, but the seller told us that he hadn’t had the required size. Total scam. We lost money and wouldn’t recommend you to buy form this company.

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6:15 pm EDT
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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Columbia Sportswear deceptive warranty policy

My husband and I purchased a Columbia Sportswear winter coat for our son last fall (2012). About half way through the season the zipper broke. We contacted Columbia and they said that it sounded like this was a covered defect. We were instructed to send the coat to their warranty center for inspection just to make sure. We did this. We contacted them and were told that it had been inspected and the defect was covered under their warranty. Their warranty states: "If the Warranty Department determines, in its sole that the Outerwear has a defect covered under this Warranty, we will repair or replace it within approximately two weeks. If the defective Outerwear is not repairable and an identical product is not available, we will replace it with a garment of comparable style and color at our discretion". We were then told that they could not replace the coat at that time because they did not have any comparable coats in our son's size in stock. We were told to call back in June/July when they got their new stock in. We did this. We were again told that they did not have any comparable coats in stock. We called in September (2013) and, again, they did not have a comparable coat in our son's size. I should note that this whole time they have had comparable items in our son's size available online, however every time we called we were told that the warranty center's stock is different from their regular stock and that the warranty center's stock is notconsistent. Columbia could have easily replaced the coat from their other stock if they chose to.
My main complaint is that they violated their warranty policy by not replacing the coat within two weeks. They are also deceptive in that nowhere do they inform customers that they will have limited replacement choices due to the fact that their warranty stock differs from their regular stock. In addition to this, they have never responded to my concerns that I reported on their website. I also tweeted my concerns to the company. They replied by asking me to Direct Message them my contact information and my concerns. In order to do this, they had to "follow" me and I had to "follow" them. After Direct Messaging them, I received absolutely no response from the company and they "unfollowed" my twitter account. I also made a complaint on their Facebook page and received no response. They also deleted this complaint. The customers need to beware that this company violates their warranty policy and also does not respond to customer concerns.

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3:35 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Columbia Sportswear Repair/replacement service is a disaster

If you have a Columbia Sportswear coat that you like, this is a warning: NEVER, under and circumstances, EVER send it to the company for repair. They will not repair your beloved coat. They will send you a hideous and vastly inferior jacket and destroy your old one, even if you have told them: "If you can't repair it, please send it back and I will pay someone else to fix it."
I lost a more than 20-year old Quallofill parka to this company this way -- the best coat I had ever owned. When I had to pursue the matter to obtain a better, more closely comparable replacement coat, I spent months wrangling with them, as they send me series of absolute crap, cheap stuff that did not fit as advertised, did not have any features of my old coat and none of which was satisfactory. I even had to pay shipping to send one back, despite it being their error. Eventually I had to settle for some awful coat that i detest.
Add to the hassle that the company absolutely no longer has ant knowledge of the words "coat" or "parka." They call everything a "jacket" even when it comes down to your shins. Utter BS and a tragic, maddening experience all the way around.
I will never buy Columbia again and will advise anyone to avoid them and their rip-off policies. .

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12:31 am EDT
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Columbia Sportswear Does not warranty products

I bought a pair of hiking boots manufactured by Columbia Sporting Goods. The soles started separating from the leather uppers in just a couple of weeks. I sent them in to be replaced and they (Columbia) refused to warranty them even though they were nearly brand new.
At first the said I need to produce proof of purchase, which I did, proving they were less than a year old. Then they claimed I didn't buy them from an authorized retailer (their written warranty does not list this as an issue to deny warranty). Then they claimed the boots were an old style they no longer manufactured.
Bottom line, they refused to warranty their product. Their products are over-priced, and they claim to have "no problem returns." They lied. I might as well have bought a "No Name" cheap pair made in China. Don't buy any over-rated, over-priced products from Columbia Sportswear...they do not warranty them as advertised.

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10:20 pm EDT

Columbia Sportswear Do Not Buy

Do Not Buy Columbia Sportswear Over The Internet

Columbia Sportswear Customer Service department really ***. Customers beware when you buy Columbia Sportswear products over the internet. I really got taken by Columbia when I purchased Whidbey men’s shorts. I originally purchased several Whidbey shorts several years ago and was very pleased with the short. I recently decided to purchase more Whidbey shorts. I purchased 4 new pair size XL over the internet. Same size but different colors. What I got really blew me away. Two of the new shorts fit perfect like the original Whidbey, the other two short had 5 inch increase waist diameter. I called Columbia and ask why a big size difference on the same mark sizing. No explanation, just that Columbia can make changes in sizing at their discretion. 5 Inches is really a big change. So if you want a Columbia Sportswear product you need to go to a shore and try the fit before buying.

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11:55 pm EST

Columbia Sportswear Sports wear winter coats have junk for zippers

I've owned 4 high dollar coats over the last 20yrs(200.00)and two of the zippers have broken-I like the coats but a 50%failure rate is not acceptible.I got smart this last coat and made sure it had snaps also and sure enough the zipper broke today.Come on columbia spend and extra 1.00 and put good zippers in or better yet bring the process back to the good old USA and make a coat worth what you charge-or get out of the business. the buyer deserves to get his or her moneys worth when spending big bucks for outerwear and you need to stand behind your products.

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lvlt96
Tahoe City, US
Mar 06, 2011 8:44 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have been the owner of Columbia Sportswear for most of my life and have loved the quality of your products up
until now. The last two pairs of boots have failed in the exact same place. The first pair I just let the issue go because I didn't save the receipt and figured that was it, that there was nothing I could do. I was weary of purchasing another pair of your boots but I love the feel of them so I took a chance . (Keep in mind this is th following winter season)
In late January 2011 I bought a pair of your Vulcanized leather upper boots, I checked for defects carefully and was satisfied that I had a good pair, they were comfortable and warm and I was a happy camper.
On March 5 2011 after working all day clearing snow off a roof I came home and pulled my boots off and discovered that the whole back of the boot came on stitched, separating the leather from the vulcanized rubber. UNBELIEVABLE! I live in the mountains of Lake Tahoe CA and my business is SNOW, I'm in it all day everyday and count on my boots to not only be comfortable bought reliable! That is now the second time I have been cheated buy your boot products. (I love your jackets) THIS WILL NOT STAND!
The way I look at it you now owe me two pairs of boots and I expect to hear from you shortly.
I have made a YouTube Video that took me and my partner all night to make and am ready to upload it if I am ignored.

Sincerely
James Williams
email address
jdw1163@gmail.com
PN#[protected]

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1:00 pm EST

Columbia Sportswear Bad clothing quality

To start with I am very pissed off customer. Years ago I purchased several Columbia Men's Whidbey Water Short; I was impressed with the durability and functionality of these shorts. My local store informed that they were not carrying the Whidbey short. So I purchased 5 pair from the internet.

Wait happened to your sizing standard? My older Whidbey shorts were XL fit perfect. The new Whidbey short are also XL but the waist is 2 to 3 inches bigger. I now have 5 pairs that are too big.

What was Columbia answer to my problem? We are sorry but sizes do vary.

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jpnewjersey
Denville, US
Jun 03, 2016 8:26 am EDT

Purchased two twin size blankets labeled Columbia (the apparel company who now carry a limited line of home bedding) from Century 21. I washed the blankets before using them and I use them in my family room as a throw. The blankets shed so much they ruined my chair covers. I have tried vacuuming the chairs and using a brush and only had limited results. It also ruined my dryer. I called Columbia and they told me to call the manufacturer, Reveman, who also took no responsibilty and told me to return them to the store. Very disappointed.

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12:33 pm EST

Columbia Sportswear Charged 8 times for the same item

I was charged for the same purchase 8 times! I only received on confirmation. I have filed a fraud claim with Wells Fargo to remove all but one of the pending purchases.

I received a confirmation only on one purchase. The other attempts I received “404 Error” messages and no confirmations. However, my account reflects 8 pending charges for the same purchase!

This was not the first time this occurred. It appears, even though “404 Error” messages are received the purchase still goes through, but no confirmations are received.

Beware when purchasing online-as the “404 Error” messages will process as pending transactions!

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