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jimh posted 06-27-2012 09:02 AM ET (US)
When we were preparing to go to Isle Royale in August of 2010, we bought a new IGLOO 94-quart cooler at West Marine. Months later, we were contacted by IGLOO or West Marine--I don't recall precisely--and informed that the stainless steel latches on the cooler were defective and a safety hazard, and we should return the cooler to West Marine for replacement of the latches. We did that.
The steel latches were replaced by plastic latches. Apparently at that time IGLOO did not have a steel replacement for the defective steel latches. In the intervening 18-months Igloo has since re-designed the steel latches, giving them a plastic cover.
Since our initial purchase and use, we have only used the cooler perhaps four or five times with the plastic [latches]. We only use it when we are going on a week-long boating trip. For shorter trips we use a smaller cooler. On our last trip, one of the latches failed on the IGLOO 94-quart cooler. The durability of the latches was not very good--they ought to last more than a few uses.
We took the IGLOO cooler to West Marine this weekend and asked them to replace the plastic latches with the original steel latches. West Marine said they could not do this, the original steel latches were discarded. We'd have to buy new latches (at our expense). The latches are part of a replacement part kit of latches, hinges and other stuff that sells for $30, and the latches are just the same old non-durable plastic latches. West Marine said we'd have to contact Igloo to get a steel latch replacement.
I called IGLOO's customer care line. I explained that I wanted to return to the original configuration of my product, that is, to have steel latches instead of the less-than-durable plastic latches that we were given as a replacement for the original steel ones. The person on the other end of the line, who described herself as "the manager of Igloo's customer care," told me I was out of warranty, and that Igloo would NOT provide replacements. If I wanted steel latches I would "have to upgrade to steel latches by purchasing them."
I explained that I had already purchased steel latches when I bought the cooler initially, and I was not satisfied with the replacement plastic latch that I had to accept in the recall replacement procedure.
The customer care manager explained that if I wanted steel latches I should have kept the original steel ones because, she said, "it was your option to exchange them; it was not mandatory." This seems like an absurd position. The manufacturer notified me the product was defective and asked me to bring it in for replacement of the defect. Now I find out the process was entirely voluntary on my part. IGLOO's customer care manger seems to suggest I should have kept my steel latches if I wanted steel latches and ignored their safety warning about the defect contained in the steel latches.
Replacement steel latches are about $14 each. IGLOO's position is since I bought the cooler more than one year ago, there is no warranty on anything. I would describe the "customer care manager" as having a bit of a snotty attitude about this. Her response was basically to offer me no remedy, to suggest I should have ignored the safety recall, and that I now need to buy an "upgrade" if I want to get the IGLOO product back to the state it was in when I bought it originally.
Jefecinco posted 06-27-2012 09:30 AM ET (US)
Sometimes it is effective to ask for "The Supervisor" when receiving unsatisfactory customer service from a first line responder. Supervisors often have the authority to provide a more satisfactory response.
Butch
number9 posted 06-27-2012 09:52 AM ET (US)

quote:
Sometimes it is effective to ask for "The Supervisor"

quote:
The customer care manager explained,
Doubt Jim is a neophyte to CS encounters.
Do you have a copy of the recall letter you can share with us?
...
Tom W Clark posted 06-27-2012 10:05 AM ET (US)
I just ordered a new Igloo 94 quart Marine Series cooler last week. It as delivered to my front porch here in Seattle for $94.
The first thing I did after talking it out of its box was to remove the two (plastic) latches as I find the cooler works better without them. The lid stays shut and you don't need two hand to unlatch of open the lid.
I think reinstalling a set of defective and dangerous latches is a bad idea.
Gezafishes posted 06-27-2012 10:35 AM ET (US)
I would print your post in the form of a letter and mail it to customer service, and send a courtesy copy to their corporate offices:
James Morley
Chief Executive Officer
Igloo Products Corp
777 Igloo Road
Katy, TX 77494-2972
I am willing to bet they will send you the latches at no cost.
Dave Sutton posted 06-27-2012 10:41 AM ET (US)
I'd enjoy a nice drive to the county courthouse, get an ice cream cone on the corner with a crisp $20 as payment, and then spend the change filing a small claims court case. Serve them with a registered letter, and enjoy receipt of a set of hinges attached to a brand new cooler sent FEDEX after they get your filing asking for both the replacement hinges and damages totaling whatever the limit is for a small claims court case. Time for their CS folks to get a taste of a disgruntled customer.

Dave
.
Blackduck posted 06-27-2012 11:09 AM ET (US)
So, for $28 you can fix the problem. Sounds like a deal to get rid of something that's annoying the heck out of somebody. Wish I could solve all, or any, of the things bugging me for $28- Sure, Igloo is wrong, but you probably have done all that you can.
gnr posted 06-27-2012 11:16 AM ET (US)
At the root of this is Coleman's fear of being sued by some moron who injured themselves on the perfectly good steel hinges.
contender posted 06-27-2012 11:16 AM ET (US)
Jim: I fine it hard to believe that Igloo will not just send you another set of hinges, especially if you have a product liability letter in hand with a receipt of the cooler. Also I would think the letter came from Igloo not West Marine. I kind agree with Gega, a letter needs to go to the right person with copies to some others...
17 bodega posted 06-27-2012 11:53 AM ET (US)
That doesn't say much about their faith in their own product or company for that matter. Save a nickel on latches rather than pleasing the few customers that follow up on product failure. Most good customer service managers will honor a warranty that is a few months out.
They probably figure that they sell so many of these things to Costco, Wal Mart, etc. that no foul is done to their bottom line by shafting a customer or two...
Teak Oil posted 06-27-2012 11:59 AM ET (US)
This all goes back to the worst feature on every Igloo cooler ever made; their hinges and latches are complete crap. For 100 dollars you should be able to get a cooler that does not have to be mounted in your boat backwards so the latches do not come loose going down the road or across the bay. This why these coolers are good for storage and seating only IMO and a premium cooler is worth the additional cost when you want a product that will actually last.
PeteB88 posted 06-27-2012 05:55 PM ET (US)
They're dang lucky Dale the Whale isn't the subject of this customer service foolishness. He just keelhauled Airstream and maybe (probably) and some idiot from a third world country who tried to scam him. . Issues resolved.
Jefecinco posted 06-27-2012 07:00 PM ET (US)
Number9,
You know, I suspect you're correct and Jim is a guy who knows how to work the system. Since this is a forum and a person who follows this thread may be a neophyte I thought it would do no harm to mention the elevation principal.
I hope you noticed the post was not addressed to Jim.
Butch
newt posted 06-27-2012 08:24 PM ET (US)
It just so happens that I have an Igloo cooler with the nice stainless hardware that I refused to take off back when they said it was dangerous. The cooler is on its last legs with a cracked top and cracked interior. The hardware however is in fine condition.
In trade for a free pass on some bad grammar or poor punctuation, Jim, I will send you the hardware if you can wait a couple weeks.
jimh posted 06-27-2012 08:30 PM ET (US)
Here is the recall campaign letter:

quote:

Dear Valued West Marine Customer,
Because our top priority is customer satisfaction and safety, we are notifying you of a voluntary product recall for the Igloo® Marine Elite coolers purchased through West Marine stores. This advisory concerns only those Igloo® Marine Elite coolers with stainless steel latches sold under the item numbers listed below:
Igloo® Marine Elite 72 quart; Item #00044476
Igloo® Marine Elite 128 quart; Item #00044479
Igloo® Marine Elite 94 quart; Item #00044478
Igloo® Marine Elite 162 quart; Item #00044480
A sharp edge on the stainless steel latch may cause lacerations to arms, legs or other areas of the body. This voluntary action is to eliminate any injury risk that the stainless steel latch may pose to people when the latch is not fully secured. Igloo Products Corp. is working with West Marine to send customers a free replacement kit latch with instructions that can easily and safely be used to replace the latches currently on the product. If you have not received a kit, you may contact Igloo Products Corp. toll free at 1-(888)-257-0934 to confirm that a free latch replacement kit has been mailed to you. Please discard the stainless steel latches after removal from the cooler.
Click here for a copy of the instructions and an instructional video.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience of this recall and want to assure you that the safety of our coolers is our highest priority.

Thank you,
Igloo Products Corp.
This is available from http://www.igloocoolers.com/Safety-Alerts
jimh posted 06-27-2012 08:38 PM ET (US)
As an educated and native speaker of English language, I have to note that the word "voluntary" (as used above in the notice of the recall campaign I have quoted) is a modifier of the recall. The recall is being done by Igloo. Igloo is voluntarily initiating the recall of their product. This is to distinguish the recall campaign from a mandatory product recall campaign forced upon Igloo by some government agency who has authority.
The notion put forth by the "customer care manager" that it was "voluntary" for me to comply with the safety warning about the danger of the defective product being recalled is an absurd corruption of the real meaning of the term "voluntary" in regard to this recall.
I was warned by West Marine and Igloo that the product I bought was potentially dangerous to use, and I return the product for a remedy of the problem. The remedy provided has not been satisfactory and does provide the proper usability or durability expected. I think it is reasonable to expect the latch on the cooler to be durable enough to tolerate a few days of being opened and closed without failing.
jimh posted 06-27-2012 08:55 PM ET (US)
UPDATE:
I emailed the text of the initial article in this thread to IGLOO this morning around 9:15 a.m., and appended the following to it:
"I would like IGLOO to provide me with replacement steel latches for my cooler. Please let me hear from you on this matter by return email."
At 11 a.m. I received an email reply soliciting my mailing address so IGLOO could send me replacement steel latches for my cooler and expressing their regret that my experience with their customer care representative was unsatisfactory.
Kudos to IGLOO.
17 bodega posted 06-27-2012 09:02 PM ET (US)
Good to hear. Sounds like someone with some good judgement took charge. The goodwill created is worth so much more than the latches.
Teak Oil posted 06-27-2012 09:36 PM ET (US)
Jim I am glad you will receive your latches but why did it have to go to this point? Why couldn't customer service just send you the latches in the first place, isn't that what they are for?
PeteB88 posted 06-28-2012 09:33 AM ET (US)
Jim nailed it - having worked with medical device recalls and verbiage for part of my life he voluntarily contacted them and indicated his wish to voluntarily volunteer to refit his device with the original components approved for that specific model at the time of manufacture. Furthermore, it is likely that those component hinges were considered acceptable or best technology available at that time and specific to the intended use. I doubt any significant history of injuries caused by coolers, hinges or latches has been documented at all by Igloo or any other cooler manufacturer.
It is unclear whether life testing or failure mode analysis was conducted to determine likelihood of injury to users because any likelihood a "sharp edge on the stainless steel latch may cause lacerations to arms, legs or other areas of the body" probably never occurred to design engineers. This information must have come from field reports.
They will document this for sure.
jimh posted 06-28-2012 02:59 PM ET (US)
Pete--I don't want the defective component. I want the proper replacement of a similar quality. I am confident that is what IGLOO will send. For them to send out defective components would be to assume a lot of risk.
fno posted 06-29-2012 02:00 PM ET (US)
Judging from the number of Igloo coolers I and others have owned due to a regular stream of failures of components, I doubt that Igloo even knows the meaning of "life cycle" or "failure mode analysis" On the other hand, there are many cases of products being made too well and putting the company out of business, so Igloo's business model may actually be working for them. I too have considered one of the high end coolers for my boat. I have yet to justify that when the Igloo cooler gives me 5-7 years of use and I can buy four of them for the cost of a Yeti. That adds up to 20-28 years of cooler use. Then again when the parts start to fail, that adds to the cost. Also, an Igloo is usually dimensioned to hold the correct amount of beer for that particular outing. Many of those high end coolers have rounded out interiors that tend to make your beer fall down and lay on its side. Not good in a bouncing boat.....
poker13 posted 06-29-2012 03:49 PM ET (US)
I have been reading people's complaints about Igloo hinges and latches for years, but my experience has been pretty positive.
I have a 54-quart Igloo that I bought in the early 1990s, so it's nearly 20 years old. It has been used for camping, boating, partying, etc. Only once did I have a problem and it was caused by me. I tried to force the lid down when I had overstuffed the cooler and one of the hinges popped off (acutally, it was only one of the screws that holds the hinge to the cooler). The hinge didn't suffer any damage. Since the thread was stripped, I put some 3M 5200 in the hole, screwed it back on and it's working like new. This was easily eight or ten years ago.
I don't know what other people do with their Igloo coolers, but if you don't abuse them you shouldn't have any problems.
Teak Oil posted 06-29-2012 07:36 PM ET (US)
If actually using the latches and hinges on a cooler is considered abuse, then I guess I am guilty. It is pretty irritating to unclasp a latch to get a rope out and have the thing fall off in your hand...
fno posted 06-29-2012 10:41 PM ET (US)
You are just a lucky guy, Poker.
PeteB88 posted 06-30-2012 09:19 AM ET (US)
No perfect cooler - they're great to sit on.
Powergroove803 posted 06-30-2012 10:22 AM ET (US)
I bought a Marine 30 this year, and it is a great little cooler. Holds plenty, stays cold, and fits perfectlyn under my RPS. We will see how long it lasts, but im pretty happy with it so far.

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Author	Topic: The IGLOO Cooler Debacle Has Good Ending
jimh	posted 06-27-2012 09:02 AM ET (US) When we were preparing to go to Isle Royale in August of 2010, we bought a new IGLOO 94-quart cooler at West Marine. Months later, we were contacted by IGLOO or West Marine--I don't recall precisely--and informed that the stainless steel latches on the cooler were defective and a safety hazard, and we should return the cooler to West Marine for replacement of the latches. We did that. The steel latches were replaced by plastic latches. Apparently at that time IGLOO did not have a steel replacement for the defective steel latches. In the intervening 18-months Igloo has since re-designed the steel latches, giving them a plastic cover. Since our initial purchase and use, we have only used the cooler perhaps four or five times with the plastic [latches]. We only use it when we are going on a week-long boating trip. For shorter trips we use a smaller cooler. On our last trip, one of the latches failed on the IGLOO 94-quart cooler. The durability of the latches was not very good--they ought to last more than a few uses. We took the IGLOO cooler to West Marine this weekend and asked them to replace the plastic latches with the original steel latches. West Marine said they could not do this, the original steel latches were discarded. We'd have to buy new latches (at our expense). The latches are part of a replacement part kit of latches, hinges and other stuff that sells for $30, and the latches are just the same old non-durable plastic latches. West Marine said we'd have to contact Igloo to get a steel latch replacement. I called IGLOO's customer care line. I explained that I wanted to return to the original configuration of my product, that is, to have steel latches instead of the less-than-durable plastic latches that we were given as a replacement for the original steel ones. The person on the other end of the line, who described herself as "the manager of Igloo's customer care," told me I was out of warranty, and that Igloo would NOT provide replacements. If I wanted steel latches I would "have to upgrade to steel latches by purchasing them." I explained that I had already purchased steel latches when I bought the cooler initially, and I was not satisfied with the replacement plastic latch that I had to accept in the recall replacement procedure. The customer care manager explained that if I wanted steel latches I should have kept the original steel ones because, she said, "it was your option to exchange them; it was not mandatory." This seems like an absurd position. The manufacturer notified me the product was defective and asked me to bring it in for replacement of the defect. Now I find out the process was entirely voluntary on my part. IGLOO's customer care manger seems to suggest I should have kept my steel latches if I wanted steel latches and ignored their safety warning about the defect contained in the steel latches. Replacement steel latches are about $14 each. IGLOO's position is since I bought the cooler more than one year ago, there is no warranty on anything. I would describe the "customer care manager" as having a bit of a snotty attitude about this. Her response was basically to offer me no remedy, to suggest I should have ignored the safety recall, and that I now need to buy an "upgrade" if I want to get the IGLOO product back to the state it was in when I bought it originally.
Jefecinco	posted 06-27-2012 09:30 AM ET (US) Sometimes it is effective to ask for "The Supervisor" when receiving unsatisfactory customer service from a first line responder. Supervisors often have the authority to provide a more satisfactory response. Butch
number9	posted 06-27-2012 09:52 AM ET (US) quote: Sometimes it is effective to ask for "The Supervisor" quote: The customer care manager explained, Doubt Jim is a neophyte to CS encounters. Do you have a copy of the recall letter you can share with us? ...
Tom W Clark	posted 06-27-2012 10:05 AM ET (US) I just ordered a new Igloo 94 quart Marine Series cooler last week. It as delivered to my front porch here in Seattle for $94. The first thing I did after talking it out of its box was to remove the two (plastic) latches as I find the cooler works better without them. The lid stays shut and you don't need two hand to unlatch of open the lid. I think reinstalling a set of defective and dangerous latches is a bad idea.
Gezafishes	posted 06-27-2012 10:35 AM ET (US) I would print your post in the form of a letter and mail it to customer service, and send a courtesy copy to their corporate offices: James Morley Chief Executive Officer Igloo Products Corp 777 Igloo Road Katy, TX 77494-2972 I am willing to bet they will send you the latches at no cost.
Dave Sutton	posted 06-27-2012 10:41 AM ET (US) I'd enjoy a nice drive to the county courthouse, get an ice cream cone on the corner with a crisp $20 as payment, and then spend the change filing a small claims court case. Serve them with a registered letter, and enjoy receipt of a set of hinges attached to a brand new cooler sent FEDEX after they get your filing asking for both the replacement hinges and damages totaling whatever the limit is for a small claims court case. Time for their CS folks to get a taste of a disgruntled customer. Dave .
Blackduck	posted 06-27-2012 11:09 AM ET (US) So, for $28 you can fix the problem. Sounds like a deal to get rid of something that's annoying the heck out of somebody. Wish I could solve all, or any, of the things bugging me for $28- Sure, Igloo is wrong, but you probably have done all that you can.
gnr	posted 06-27-2012 11:16 AM ET (US) At the root of this is Coleman's fear of being sued by some moron who injured themselves on the perfectly good steel hinges.
contender	posted 06-27-2012 11:16 AM ET (US) Jim: I fine it hard to believe that Igloo will not just send you another set of hinges, especially if you have a product liability letter in hand with a receipt of the cooler. Also I would think the letter came from Igloo not West Marine. I kind agree with Gega, a letter needs to go to the right person with copies to some others...
17 bodega	posted 06-27-2012 11:53 AM ET (US) That doesn't say much about their faith in their own product or company for that matter. Save a nickel on latches rather than pleasing the few customers that follow up on product failure. Most good customer service managers will honor a warranty that is a few months out. They probably figure that they sell so many of these things to Costco, Wal Mart, etc. that no foul is done to their bottom line by shafting a customer or two...
Teak Oil	posted 06-27-2012 11:59 AM ET (US) This all goes back to the worst feature on every Igloo cooler ever made; their hinges and latches are complete crap. For 100 dollars you should be able to get a cooler that does not have to be mounted in your boat backwards so the latches do not come loose going down the road or across the bay. This why these coolers are good for storage and seating only IMO and a premium cooler is worth the additional cost when you want a product that will actually last.
PeteB88	posted 06-27-2012 05:55 PM ET (US) They're dang lucky Dale the Whale isn't the subject of this customer service foolishness. He just keelhauled Airstream and maybe (probably) and some idiot from a third world country who tried to scam him. . Issues resolved.
Jefecinco	posted 06-27-2012 07:00 PM ET (US) Number9, You know, I suspect you're correct and Jim is a guy who knows how to work the system. Since this is a forum and a person who follows this thread may be a neophyte I thought it would do no harm to mention the elevation principal. I hope you noticed the post was not addressed to Jim. Butch
newt	posted 06-27-2012 08:24 PM ET (US) It just so happens that I have an Igloo cooler with the nice stainless hardware that I refused to take off back when they said it was dangerous. The cooler is on its last legs with a cracked top and cracked interior. The hardware however is in fine condition. In trade for a free pass on some bad grammar or poor punctuation, Jim, I will send you the hardware if you can wait a couple weeks.
jimh	posted 06-27-2012 08:30 PM ET (US) Here is the recall campaign letter: quote: Dear Valued West Marine Customer, Because our top priority is customer satisfaction and safety, we are notifying you of a voluntary product recall for the Igloo® Marine Elite coolers purchased through West Marine stores. This advisory concerns only those Igloo® Marine Elite coolers with stainless steel latches sold under the item numbers listed below: Igloo® Marine Elite 72 quart; Item #00044476 Igloo® Marine Elite 128 quart; Item #00044479 Igloo® Marine Elite 94 quart; Item #00044478 Igloo® Marine Elite 162 quart; Item #00044480 A sharp edge on the stainless steel latch may cause lacerations to arms, legs or other areas of the body. This voluntary action is to eliminate any injury risk that the stainless steel latch may pose to people when the latch is not fully secured. Igloo Products Corp. is working with West Marine to send customers a free replacement kit latch with instructions that can easily and safely be used to replace the latches currently on the product. If you have not received a kit, you may contact Igloo Products Corp. toll free at 1-(888)-257-0934 to confirm that a free latch replacement kit has been mailed to you. Please discard the stainless steel latches after removal from the cooler. Click here for a copy of the instructions and an instructional video. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience of this recall and want to assure you that the safety of our coolers is our highest priority. Thank you, Igloo Products Corp. This is available from http://www.igloocoolers.com/Safety-Alerts
jimh	posted 06-27-2012 08:38 PM ET (US) As an educated and native speaker of English language, I have to note that the word "voluntary" (as used above in the notice of the recall campaign I have quoted) is a modifier of the recall. The recall is being done by Igloo. Igloo is voluntarily initiating the recall of their product. This is to distinguish the recall campaign from a mandatory product recall campaign forced upon Igloo by some government agency who has authority. The notion put forth by the "customer care manager" that it was "voluntary" for me to comply with the safety warning about the danger of the defective product being recalled is an absurd corruption of the real meaning of the term "voluntary" in regard to this recall. I was warned by West Marine and Igloo that the product I bought was potentially dangerous to use, and I return the product for a remedy of the problem. The remedy provided has not been satisfactory and does provide the proper usability or durability expected. I think it is reasonable to expect the latch on the cooler to be durable enough to tolerate a few days of being opened and closed without failing.
jimh	posted 06-27-2012 08:55 PM ET (US) UPDATE: I emailed the text of the initial article in this thread to IGLOO this morning around 9:15 a.m., and appended the following to it: "I would like IGLOO to provide me with replacement steel latches for my cooler. Please let me hear from you on this matter by return email." At 11 a.m. I received an email reply soliciting my mailing address so IGLOO could send me replacement steel latches for my cooler and expressing their regret that my experience with their customer care representative was unsatisfactory. Kudos to IGLOO.
17 bodega	posted 06-27-2012 09:02 PM ET (US) Good to hear. Sounds like someone with some good judgement took charge. The goodwill created is worth so much more than the latches.
Teak Oil	posted 06-27-2012 09:36 PM ET (US) Jim I am glad you will receive your latches but why did it have to go to this point? Why couldn't customer service just send you the latches in the first place, isn't that what they are for?
PeteB88	posted 06-28-2012 09:33 AM ET (US) Jim nailed it - having worked with medical device recalls and verbiage for part of my life he voluntarily contacted them and indicated his wish to voluntarily volunteer to refit his device with the original components approved for that specific model at the time of manufacture. Furthermore, it is likely that those component hinges were considered acceptable or best technology available at that time and specific to the intended use. I doubt any significant history of injuries caused by coolers, hinges or latches has been documented at all by Igloo or any other cooler manufacturer. It is unclear whether life testing or failure mode analysis was conducted to determine likelihood of injury to users because any likelihood a "sharp edge on the stainless steel latch may cause lacerations to arms, legs or other areas of the body" probably never occurred to design engineers. This information must have come from field reports. They will document this for sure.
jimh	posted 06-28-2012 02:59 PM ET (US) Pete--I don't want the defective component. I want the proper replacement of a similar quality. I am confident that is what IGLOO will send. For them to send out defective components would be to assume a lot of risk.
fno	posted 06-29-2012 02:00 PM ET (US) Judging from the number of Igloo coolers I and others have owned due to a regular stream of failures of components, I doubt that Igloo even knows the meaning of "life cycle" or "failure mode analysis" On the other hand, there are many cases of products being made too well and putting the company out of business, so Igloo's business model may actually be working for them. I too have considered one of the high end coolers for my boat. I have yet to justify that when the Igloo cooler gives me 5-7 years of use and I can buy four of them for the cost of a Yeti. That adds up to 20-28 years of cooler use. Then again when the parts start to fail, that adds to the cost. Also, an Igloo is usually dimensioned to hold the correct amount of beer for that particular outing. Many of those high end coolers have rounded out interiors that tend to make your beer fall down and lay on its side. Not good in a bouncing boat.....
poker13	posted 06-29-2012 03:49 PM ET (US) I have been reading people's complaints about Igloo hinges and latches for years, but my experience has been pretty positive. I have a 54-quart Igloo that I bought in the early 1990s, so it's nearly 20 years old. It has been used for camping, boating, partying, etc. Only once did I have a problem and it was caused by me. I tried to force the lid down when I had overstuffed the cooler and one of the hinges popped off (acutally, it was only one of the screws that holds the hinge to the cooler). The hinge didn't suffer any damage. Since the thread was stripped, I put some 3M 5200 in the hole, screwed it back on and it's working like new. This was easily eight or ten years ago. I don't know what other people do with their Igloo coolers, but if you don't abuse them you shouldn't have any problems.
Teak Oil	posted 06-29-2012 07:36 PM ET (US) If actually using the latches and hinges on a cooler is considered abuse, then I guess I am guilty. It is pretty irritating to unclasp a latch to get a rope out and have the thing fall off in your hand...
fno	posted 06-29-2012 10:41 PM ET (US) You are just a lucky guy, Poker.
PeteB88	posted 06-30-2012 09:19 AM ET (US) No perfect cooler - they're great to sit on.
Powergroove803	posted 06-30-2012 10:22 AM ET (US) I bought a Marine 30 this year, and it is a great little cooler. Holds plenty, stays cold, and fits perfectlyn under my RPS. We will see how long it lasts, but im pretty happy with it so far.