This is kind of a big deal for me. Nick Barnett knows Backcountry.com exists!
A little background. Nick Barnett plays linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. I’m from Wisconsin. (I understand that a lot of people who are into climbing and skiing aren’t also into ‘ball sports,’ so I’ll just give you a heads up that this blog post might be of little interest to you. Sorry.)
Being from Wisconsin means three things: 1. You’re a Packers fan. 2. You hate the Bears (and now the Vikings, too) and 3. You’re on the waiting list for Packers season tickets. (40 years long or so.)
So my boss calls and says that a Green Bay Packer is upset with Backcountry for messing up the shipping on an order and writing ‘Go Bears!’ on the outside of the box. What? Green Bay Packers order from us?! Too bad I can’t access all their e-mail addresses since I can’t get into the ordering system.
Barnett posted a picture of the offensive box on his Twitter feed, and Wisconsin agreed to stop all shipments from Utah at their border. Well, not exactly, but we got some angry e-mails. Quick explanation: It’s unlikely that ‘Go Bears’ was written before this box left the warehouse. The gear gets boxed in about 2 seconds, and the label gets slapped on immediately before the order is tossed in the back of a waiting truck. The packers (in the Backcountry.com warehouse) literally process thousands of orders per day. Though I have to admit that it’s also unlikely the box was defaced once it crossed into Wisconsin since everyone in that state is a diehard Packers fan and lifelong hater of the Bears (and now the Vikings, too). It’s a mystery for now.
To apologize, we refunded Barnett for his first order. Then he placed another one with Next Day shipping and it didn’t arrive for two days. The reason is that Saturday’s not considered a “business day.” I didn’t know that either. We are refunding his shipping costs.
So Nick, sorry someone wrote ‘Go Bears’ on your box. It (probably) wasn’t us. In fact, I have the song “The Bears Still Suck” queued up on my iPod right now. If I find out someone here wrote on your order, I’ll personally beat them with a stick while wearing a Chuck Cecil jersey. Go Pack!
ByRocky Thompson
that is really, classic Packers funny. Go Pack! (and yes, I still love Brett Favre, even though he wears purple this year. although i still don’t like the Vikings… say what you will, and judge me if you want. but that’s just the way it is.) thanks for a great post! yes i ski, run, bike, and even climb a little, and i still follow “ball sports” (favorite divisions NFC-north and AL-central).
AWESOME!!! Great story.
So now tell us what was in the box. I want to know what a linebacker orders from Backcountry.
dang….refunds for writing “offensive” statements on boxes….feel free to write stuff on my shipments…..question my manhood/sexual orientation/religious beliefs…be creative….hell….make me laugh and i wont need the refund….
Does Green Bay have a post office capable of receiving such important mail or would it have taken a detour through Chicago’s processing center? If so that would explain the [awesome] message. Go Bears!
I love the outdoors and I love the Pack. I didn’t know Backcountry had Packers fans on its payroll. That’s enough to make me give you more of my business. I’ll even spread the word to the rest of the Nashville Packer Backers Fan Club. Go Pack Go!
Go Bears!!
What makes this post remarkable is the Chuck Cecil comment.
But really…great way to reach out and attempt to turn a negative situation into a positive situation, Backcountry.com. In today’s world of open commerce things like this will happen and addressing mistakes and being open is the best way to handle situations like this. People forgive and forget mistakes as long as you have their best interests at heart.
And now there are a few more Packer fans who know about Backcountry.com. Cheese curds for everybody!
As a Packer fan I had to laugh when I saw the box. I am hoping Nick (@NickBarnett) uses the situation for fuel during the Packers at Bears game later this season.
Go Pack!
Packers suck. Go Bears!
I’m confused why the offender wouldn’t just make the universal statement “Packers Suck”. Though perhaps being a Minnesota resident I’m just more confused about cheering for da Bears. Since this is still a mystery I feel fine in offering up my hypothesis that maybe someone somehow realized he was an NFL player but thought he played for the Bears…go Bears? I know it’s good business to make nice with the customers, but fortunately I do not work for backcountry.com so I feel free to identify Nick Barnett as a total whiner. Twitter….honestly.
Please somebody explanation of what is Bears and Packs?
-Yuri
Siberia
They didn’t know Saturday wasn’t a business day? Business…5 days a week. Weekdays! Just cuz we get mail on Saturday, doesn’t mean it’s a business day. Wow, kinda funny..
The Vikings just pounded the Packers earlier this year.
Go Patriots!