I believe I have mentioned before in this space that I am fiercely loyal to a certain make and model of shoe: the Land's End All-Weather Moc. I have owned two pairs now over the past four-plus years, and wear them all the time. The shoes are so versatile, I can wear them with a T-shirt and jeans, or with a sportcoat and tie.

So when my most recent pair started showing signs of wear, in the form of holes in the sides, I returned once again to landsend.com to buy a new pair. But much to my dismay, there was only one color available: light gray. I've always had a chocolate brown color, which I like because it goes with a larger range of other clothes. So when an online sales agent instant-messaged me to ask if I needed help, I asked her about the color selection.

She told me that there was only the one color available, and that there wouldn't be any other colors available in the foreseeable future. She broke the news to me that Land's End is discontinuing the line of the best shoes in the world! I begged and pleaded with her, to no avail. I even promised that if they didn't discontinue this shoe, I would buy a pair every time the old pair wore out for the rest of my mortal life. Of course, being a low-level sales representative/chatter, she was powerless to help me.

I slunk off, unsure how I would remain shod. For the next several weeks I searched for a solution. I thought of ransacking all the Sears stores (which sell Land's End merchandise) in the greater DC area to see if any were left on the shelves. I thought of a petition campaign. I thought of eBay.

But then one day I just Googled "Land's End All-Weather Moc" to see if any secondary sellers had any available. And there, off to the right in the Google ads, was a spot for L.L. Bean's Comfot Mocs.

I clicked. I rejoiced!

It seems L.L. Bean offers the exact same product as Land's End (for the exact same price, even), but is not discontinuing their shoes. I couldn't believe my good fortune. Still I felt a little sad, since Land's End has been so good to me over the years, but if I need to put something on my feet, it's got to be the best. So I bought a pair from L.L. Bean, and I wear them at least five days a week - sometimes seven.
Now I just need to decide whether to stock up and buy a lifetime supply from L.L. Bean now, before they come to the same decision as their unfortunate competitor.