making my day

MAKING MY DAY

For years I take pleasure in publishing testimonial letters that I receive. I believe the more people know what other people think of the products that I make and market as well as how they are treated when they call us is important to the success of Wiggy’s.

As the manufacturer I can assure you I have never had a problem explaining to prospective customers all facets of the various products but when these same prospective customers hear from existing customers it makes a significant difference. Obviously the owner of the company will always say the best about his products. One cannot put a price equivalent on word of mouth advertising.

I also appreciate the feedback that I receive from people who read what I have to say, and it comes from a substantial number of recipients of my newsletter/commentary articles.

Reading the letter below which I received this morning will shed light on why I titled this article “MAKING MY DAY”!

Jerry,

I read every commentary you publish. I not only learn but genuinely enjoy each and every one. Additionally, each one just gets better and more informative with each new offering. This particular commentary is no exception.

Thanks so much for keeping it “real" and equally as enlightening.

I'll be ordering the over garment soon to pair up with my Wiggy's fish net garments as well as a pair of Wiggy's Leg Jackets to pair with my Wiggy's Lamilite boots. Each of the product I own, including you Coyote Light FTRSS system ( awesome!), Lamilite Socks and Booties (again - awesome!), and the Wiggy's Bed Blanket ( ordered in the mid-1990's and still as great as the day it arrived); all, each and every one, function EXACTLY as advertised and actually, better.

Looking forward to continuing to build my Wiggy's inventory and very happy to know these are the ONLY types of The gear I've mentioned that I will EVER have to buy again unless, of course, I cause through my own fault the need to replace. I am having doubts that any Wiggy's product will EVER fail or wear out save a possible re- sole of my boots in Lord knows how many years. This stuff Just DOES NOT wear out or EVER fail.

With each new Wiggy's product I receive, I delight in throwing out or donating MANY a "high end", overpriced, chopped staple fiber, Breathable (ha!), vapor permeable (not), moisture wicking (reads - clammy and shivering),overrated, cold, clammy, quilted (why am I cold in this 0 degree bag in 20 degree weather?), frozen footed, body shivering, zipper failing, schmancy touted CRAP that I used to think was the best I could get. I won't name any names just grab any made in anyplace but America "big name" gear catalog and we all know who they are. We also know who that is not as well. They are not Wiggy's because if they were, they work, function, maintain, endure, and keep a body warm and dry, bear the Wiggy's label and indicate "proudly manufactured in the USA.

Yeah, I'm a believer, I'm a fan, I'm a purchaser, and routine user of Wiggy's products gear, and is 100% convinced there are no finer products. What are equally astounding and completely appreciated are the customer service, personal attention, and obviously passionate manner in which you stand by and completely explain the art, science, and logic behind every item manufactured.

I've said it before and I'll say it once more-

Go American, go Lamilite, go Wiggy's!!

I can't say thanks enough for, as stated earlier, “keeping it real", doing it right, and doing right by your customers.

Most sincere regards,

Jim Dearing

DUCKSBACK GARMENTS

Several men have written asking if I will be or thought about making some of the garments I currently make using the DUCKSBACK material. I have had to respond by saying I already have it on the web site. The only jackets that I am not making with the DUCKSBAK material as it is unnecessary; are the Antarctic Parka and Bib, the various liner jackets and vests or leg jackets because there is no need and the additional costs are otherwise not justified. In addition there will not be any camouflage printed.

AN OBSERVATION OF SLEEPING BAG SALES

I have been making the Hunter model rectangular sleeping bags for almost 30 years. Other than the Nautilus bag which is rectangular that I did make at the beginning of the company the Hunter came later. It is a big bag and sales for it were generally no more than 10 percent of total sleeping bag sales. For the past almost two years sales of Hunter bags have increased to about 30/40 percent of sleeping bag volume. Seeing believes, and if two years ago someone suggested that they would be where they are two years later I would have taken it with a grain of salt. Trust me I am not complaining. Maybe these buyers are part of the preparedness market place after all they want bags that will be around in 10 or 20 years if needed, even if stored in their stuff sacks for years at a time.

How about sleeping bags in the sleeping bag compartment of a backpack?For a number of years backpack companies have been placing at the bottom of some models of their backpacks a space to hold a sleeping bag. How they came up with the size of that space is a mystery to me, because it is too small to hold a sleeping bag for almost any temperature below 50 degrees F.

For the past two years I have been dealing with people both male and female who order a bag, generally a plus 20 degree F model; the ultra-light and will call when they find it will not fit that space. Of course they ordered on line versus calling me and asking. When they do call and tell me that their old bag fit and they thought mine would as well. Reality has set in for them. They ordered the Wiggy bag because they heard good things about it such as it actually keeps you warm. They found out that the bag they have which does fit the space never kept them warm so it was time to change.

Then there are new backpackers who just bought one of these packs and then the Wiggy bag and when they get the Wiggy bag it doesn’t fit in that designated space for a sleeping bag.

In both instances if they do return the bag since Wiggy’s Inc. product was not the problem there is a 25 percent restock charge. That is posted on the web site.

The pack manufacturer does not think but only reacts to a falsely perceived need. But this goes along with the need to have lighter and lighter weight products. Their attitude in my opinion is to hell with the consumer just give them anything that verbally will get the consumer to buy their product regardless if it actually functions. If you were to quiz the pack designer as to how he determined the size of the sleeping bag space I doubt, actually I am sure you would not get a coherent response.

What the consumer who already had a bag that fit the pocket found out is simple; that the sleeping bag regardless if it is down filled or chopped staple fiberfill filled it does not perform at the temperature designated on the hangtag of the bag when purchased. They chose to try and make it work like the LT in Alaska, not going to happen.

Unfortunately the misleading of consumers about the temperature rating of sleeping bags of course other than Wiggy’s is still going on this day, because all of the companies that falsely market their bags in my opinion are irrational, refuse to accept reality, do not think or care.

If you buy a Wiggy’s bag order the radial compression stuff sack so you can tie your bag to the top, bottom or straight up and down on the back of your backpack.