L.L. Bean has just added a third shift at its factory in Brunswick, Maine, in an attempt to keep up with demand for its iconic boot. <\/p>\n
Orders have quadrupled in the past few years as the boots have become more popular among a younger, more urban crowd. <\/p>\n
The company says it saw the trend coming and tried to prepare, but orders outpaced projections. They expect to sell 450,000 pairs of boots in 2014. <\/p>\n
People hoping to have the boots in time for Christmas are likely going to be disappointed. The bootsare back ordered through February and even March. <\/p>\n
\"I've been told it's a good problem to have but I\"m disappointed that customers not getting what they want as quickly as they want,\" said Senior Manufacturing Manager Royce Haines. <\/p>\n
Customers like, Mary Clifford, tried to order boots on line, but they were back ordered until January. <\/p>\n
\"I was very surprised this is what they are known for and at Christmas time you can't get them when you need them,\" said Clifford. <\/p>\n
People who do have boots are trying to capitalize on the shortage and are selling them on Ebay at a much higher cost. <\/p>\n
L.L. Bean says it has hired dozens of new boot makers, but it takes up to six months to train someone to make a boot. <\/p>\n
The company has also spent a million dollars on new equipment to try and keep pace with demand. <\/p>\n
Some customers are having luck at the retail stores. They have a separate inventory, and while sizes are limited, those stores have boots on the shelves. <\/p>\n
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