Letters That Took Jerry's Breath Away
Wiggy,
This is a testimonial to you. Thanks so much for all of your products. I have 4 of your bags (for relatives) a sweater, two liners for the parka, socks, a ground pad, all are the best I have owned. I have referred many people to your site that have never heard of you. My recommendation is simply that if Wiggy’s offers it, it will work as advertised and more. Best wishes for the future!!!!
Jim Parker
Jim,
Thank you for your letter and best wishes for the future.
I get many emails like the one from Jim complimenting the products that we make at Wiggy’s but today I received a thank you card that caught me by surprise. After reading it I sat still for about 20 minutes because of what I read. I am copying it into this article because it is a letter the likes of which I never expect to receive.
Hi Wiggy,
This is Byron, a recent customer, and I hope all’s well.
Thank you for all you do. I truly appreciate…
*The wonderful clothing and gear that you make
*The ethical and humane ways in which it is made [both for the humans making it and the animals not needing to be killed for it]
*The passion you possess for educating people on how outdoor gear should function
*The innovations you’ve developed while making your gear
*How you stand behind what you make
*The example you’re setting for how we can still make things in this country
*The way you make arctic-ready equipment accessible to the general public
*Your penchant for story telling
*You are giving Cookie a good home
*And for the droll sense of humor you display in your videos
You are truly appreciated-and I just wanted to say thanks.
Best, Byron
Byron your letter just took my breath away. I do not know how to say thank you except to say I will do my best to live up to what you have said.
THANK YOU
Wiggy
When I started to show my bags to retailers I was rejected, but advertising in outdoor magazines to the general public was the key to getting business. The consumers who wrote for my catalog read it, which the retailers didn’t. The consumers understood what I was offering and they started buying my sleeping bags. I was honest with my customers because I knew of no other way to be.
I have taught people to understand why my sleeping bags do not have stitching across the bags because that means cold spots. Of course, I have made an effort to explain what I have done and what I do over the years and all of that information is on the web site.
So, once again Byron thank you for your letter.
I now leave you with a email that arrived while I was writing the article.
MYSTERIOUS THERMODYNAMICS WITH THIS LAMILITE STUFF
Back in the late 90's, while shopping in Grand Junction from my home in Utah, I saw Jerry's store and had some time to kill. I went in, met Jerry, got a quick tour, was sold on Lamilite and bought a bag. At home in Utah at 4,800' elevation, even summer nights are cool. I LOVE SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS, in all kinds of weather. I was blown away with the bags ability to keep me warm on frosty nights. My first sleep out on a warm 60 degree night, I thought "Man, I'm gonna roast in this bag"! Wow, was I surprised ! Something about this Lamilite that I don't understand, allows excess body heat to "breathe out"??? I stayed very comfortable on that warm night and yet, on cold nights, I'm just as comfortable. Mysterious thermodynamics for sure. I will never have anything but a Wiggy's bag. This may sound weird but, when I visit friends out of town, I sleep on their guest bed IN MY WIGGY'S BAG so as not to cause any excess laundering on their part. Oh, speaking of laundry, this bag is a "piece of cake" to wash in your own machine. Most of the friends we visit don't understand my wanting to sleep in my sleeping bag when there's a nice clean bed available. It's all about a good night's sleep. I've been so happy with the bag that I haven't been to Wiggy's website for over 20 years. Curiosity told me there must be new stuff out there. WOW, I'm in the shopping mode now, looking at maybe a new Wiggy's bag. Thanks, Jerry for all you've done for us outdoors folks !
– Mef Fisher