Some of you may know that I’m a massive messenger bag nerd. I’d been obsessed with Crumpler for a good while and imported a few bags from the mainland for my laptops and cameras over the past few years. But when I was planning my last Macbook Pro purchase, I decided to treat myself for my birthday and import a Timbuk2 bag from San Francisco. The bag, a customized alternate-gray woolen laptop messenger, arrived in a matter of days. I shifted my old Crumpler bags into the back of the cupboard and hoaked out the Fontfont badges I’d been saving “for a special occasion”, everything was working out fine.

But a few days in, I apparently hulked-out opening the bag and the stitching on one of the velco patches came loose. A few days later and it was almost half off. Obviously, it was time to contact Customer Service at Timbuk2.

I bought my bag not too long ago, and from the first rip of the velcro, one patch has started coming loose. Is it possible to have the bag sent back & repaired / replaced? (I’ve attached a dodgy iPhone photo - it’s now about half off despite being very gentle!)

In an ideal world, it would be good if you could - given the international circumstances - dispatch an identical bag immediately while this one is being shipped - billing me for the other if you suspect “funny business” or whatever. Let me know!

So then just a moment ago, I got this.

Since the international circumstances are what they are, and since I’m not all about weighing down a plane with broken product that we will simply look at and say “Yep, it’s broken”, and since I’m all about people passing on good intentions, this is what has happened, and what you need to do:

I sent you a credit to replace the bag. No need to send it to us, your dodgy picture is proof enough (for me; this isn’t exactly “by the book”, so don’t expect all the customer service people to do this, k?). Order yourself a new bag.

But!

Bring your Velcro-impaired bag to a place that takes donations, whether that place be your broke best friend or a Goodwill or homeless dude down the street. Don’t throw the bag away! Give it away to someone who needs a bag, regardless of that bag’s Velcro status.

No funny business, ya’ hear?

That I was not expecting. A swift, generous reply beyond understand my predicament of being across the pond and unable to quickly return the bag for repair. A free replacement, no questions asked. These guys now have not only a customer for life, but a UK rep.

So I have a practically brand new Timbuk2 bag going, for free. It’s in perfect condition - apart from the ripped velcro - made to fit a 15″ laptop, with plenty of space for an SLR, notebooks, magazines and any number of other bits and pieces - at least thats what I’ve been using it for. And it’s yours - but with a catch. You need to post in the comments with how you’ll continue the good karma passed on from Timbuk2 to me to the wider world through a random act of generosity. The best suggestion - and subsequent execution - gets the bag. If you’re nearby I’ll deliver - otherwise I’ll personally cover shipping. So, lets hear ‘em! (digg this!)