Props to...rad customer service / warranty experiences
Excuse me if I've missed it, but I think it'd be useful to have an ongoing thread to give shout outs to companies we've had exceptional customer service or warranty-help from. Every sort of gear.
I used to only ever buy bottom barrel shit from STP because that's what I could afford. Recently I've learned how much better top-notch designed gear is, and how awesome it feels when a company stands behind that gear. Reports from mags are always worth more to me than any website copy or other, lesser, random internet bitching.
Clothing
FreeRide Systems: Maggot owned and operated. Rad gear. Insanely helpful CS. They even opt not to make products that many of us would buy (hardshell pants) because they can't currently have it both make fiscal sense and provide the sort of warranty/CS they want to.
Patagonia: The most bomber warranty and CS in the big-gear-company world?
Trew: Only have one (ongoing) experience but seems very promising, with fresh gear promised this fall after old shit de-lammed.
Free The Powder: Never had to warranty, but upfront CS has been awesome. Sizing advice, and sending paid return labels with gear makes purchasing less a headache.
Bikes
Diamondback: Can't believe I'm writing that. Really like the bike I bought from them but have had a few problems with the rear wheel. Sent me a new hub and paid for local shop to rebuild it. Recently asked for some spec info for rim replacement and instead they sent a whole new wheel.