Amazon vs. L.L. Bean Signature – Store Wars Rd. 1

STORE WARS: Amazon vs. L.L. Bean Signature

Starting March 15th and running through April 4th, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2011. For a full introduction see this post. To see the updated bracket, click on the image to the right. Make a case for your preferred competitor in the comments section, but don’t forget to vote at the bottom of each match up. On with today’s showdown.
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Strengths:  They’re the world’s #1 online retailer.  Huge inventory of watches, music, movies, books, electronics, and a solid inventory of shoes.  Style isn’t always about clothes.  Their watch deals can be pretty solid when compared to department store prices.  Their sneaky “other customers shopped” / “you might be interested in” section is absolutely meant to get you to buy more, but it can be fun to browse.  Pretty good Black Friday sales.  Relatively low threshold for free super-saver shipping.  Parent company of Endless and Zappos too.

Weaknesses: Their lack of clothing options.  Style isn’t always about clothes, but… a lot of the time it is sorta kinda maybe about clothes.  Watch section is littered with third party non-fulfilled eye brow raising dealers (could be gray market, who knows).

Strengths: Like Lands’ End Canvas, their much updated and improved fit.  Has a certain J. Crew feel with a huge dose of L.L. Bean unique ruggedness.  Their incredible New Traditional Twill suiting.  Their affordable canvas bags (in bright red no less).  Their archive items like this leather travel bag.  The ability to make great looking, well fitting clothes that are neither snooty nor schlubby.

Weaknesses: Overall expensive ($75 for a henley?), but they do run sales from time to time.  Lack of selection, but (another but) they’re a pretty new venture.  Sometimes the impressive commitment to their roots can lead to items that just full on miss the mark.

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round. Cast your ballot below.
UPDATE: L.L. Bean Signature doesn’t have that great of a showing, and Amazon moves forward.
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