Rated 2 out of 5 by javaqen Mallet heads broke almost immediately
I'm not sure if this model is made the same as the ones that we bought 2 years ago. We purchased a set for our daughter and and a set for step-son. The daughter's set didn't last long. 2 of the heads broke when hitting the ball after just a couple of games. she took it back and exchanged it towards a tent at LLBean. they used her very well so as far as LLBean's service--excellent. rating on the set--not so great. How's the step son's working out? I asked him and he said he's never used them. guess that was the wrong gift choice. hahaha
July 27, 2012
Rated 3 out of 5 by
EmilyC Croquet set
I purchased the Croquet Set for my husband for Father's Day. He has an old one we bought over 15 years ago which has held up amazingly well with much use each summer. The old set came with a sturdy L.L. Bean bag that is still in pretty good condition for it's age & the amount of use its gotten. The bag that came with the new set however, ripped after trying to put in the first ball. It is less than half the size of the old bag and requires taking the heads off the mallets to fit into the bag each time you pack it up. Customer service was wonderful and is sending us a new bag but we don't know if it will be used...
June 19, 2012
Rated 1 out of 5 by 34Mainiac Disapointed in quality!
Received as a birthday present and returned. Wickets, balls and stakes are OK. Two mallet heads stripped after two days of light use. Case is too small to store mallets without removing heads, so stripping of heads is very likely if you plan to store mallets in bag. Mallets also have a lot of putty covering knots. Not a good value.
May 31, 2012
Rated 1 out of 5 by MainiacMe Croquet
I bought a set a few years ago and still use frequently with great satisfaction, based on quality, finish, durability and American maple wood. I recently ordered a set for my daughter and her family. It is no where near the same quality, obviously imported wood and just not well made for this price. One of the heads had a knot filled with putty. I returned it and will look for American made quality.
April 4, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Coalie Granddaughter's Birthday Present
I gave the LLBean croquet set to my Granddaughter for her 11th birthday last Sunday. The entire family enjoyed playing several games together - what a great way to get outside on a beautiful Indiana fall day and away from the computers! Too bad, I ordered in the Fall - there were no stands available - but, I'll be back in the Spring with my stand order. Signed, Grandma Nancy
November 1, 2011
Rated 1 out of 5 by AdirondackLakeLover Not a hit
My complaint is the croquet stand. It is very poor quality. The wheels fell off several times until I went to hardware to get replacement bolts. The handle stripped. Then, it literally fell apart (into pieces) the other day when I took it out for the spring. I've been shopping at LL Bean for nearly 30 years, and this is the only item I can recall wanting to return (that said, I didn't actually return it because I couldn't track down a box to throw all the pieces into).
The croquet set is decent. I do agree the croquet balls nick easily, although my younger kids use them, and are not the most gentle. We've gotten plenty of enjoyment out of the set itself.
May 8, 2011
Rated 1 out of 5 by EnergeticGrandma Do not waste your money.
This item is a very poor value. I was very disappointed. After all my work of assembling it I didn't want to send it back so I am keeping it. Too much hassel to take apart to send it back. Wood seems sturdy but has ugly yellow stain splotches on it. There were pieces missing which were sent to me after I called. Holes in bottom for stakes to fit in are too small. One wheel nut did not fit right and the wheel fell off the first time we tried to use it. Definitely does not meet LLBean standards that I expect. Way overpriced for this kind of quality.
Also the balls from the original croquet set are a soft plastic that nicks like nothing else I have seen.
July 16, 2010
Rated 1 out of 5 croquet set
bought this croquet set and played 3 times 2 mallets spilt in 2 very unhappy with set. paid alot of money . we had a set that was under $35.00 lasted 6 years. recommend not to buy!!!
July 9, 2010
Rated 5 out of 5 by grandmomfromIN Quality Set
I bought this set last summer, but didn't get around to playing with it until just last week. It seems to be great quality. The mallots screwed together well. NO
problems there. But I don't want to take it apart to store it for fear of stripping out the holes, which is a good possiblity just because that is the nature of any thing made of wood no matter the quality. So I am going to buy the stand, but I do wish there was a canvas case or something to protect it with when not in use. Other than that issue it is a top notch set.
April 12, 2010
Rated 1 out of 5 by Virginia1 Dissatisfied
My nine year old daughter was the first to try it. Her first wack broke the mallet. I thought it was a fluke but will never know; the remaining mallets were impossible to assembe because the threads stripped. We never did play even part of a game. I returned the entire set with no hasssle. I love LLBean customer service.
December 22, 2009