I live in Lawrenceville, GA, work in Cumming and that's about 5 minutes from the Polar Bear Company office. Yesterday, I called the office to ask if I could stop buy and buy a 48 pk cooler. Mind you, they are not a retail outlet. All their products are sold on-line. I spoke with Leslie Woodie. Very nice. "Sure," she said, I've got about 10,000 of them back in the warehouse. Take your pick.

So, Off I go this afternoon to pick one up. What a great woman and a great place. Little front office with an Embroidery shop (yep, you can have a custom made cooler), with a cavernous warehouse in the back stacked to the roof with boxes of Polar Bear products.

Leslie opens a box containing maybe 15 coolers, gives me a silver 48'er, I pull out cash and give it to her. Transaction complete. Saved a bundle including shipping costs. Got some cozies and some stickers and I told her I'd make a post inviting TTOL'ers in the neighborhood to stop buy.

This is the classic, successful small business that you love to support. I did ask her if she would like to be a sponsor and if so, I could put her in touch. She said the owner does no marketing. Sells strictly by word-of-mouth. He obviously has a good product.

Worth the trip! ..... of a about 30 min. from my house.

Thanks for that
Too many times, the only time we hear about a product
or service is when something goes south.
We use our Polar Bear Cooler all the time and love it.
Cooler people are cooler people
Beat you to it, Beerman

Mike

Dang Mike (IWIWSE)! Yes, very good product, we have 4/48's. I think we bought our first one 10+ years ago, it had been to the islands many times and used a lot at home! Somehow I put a hole in it, so I don't put ice in it anymore but it's still great to put frozen food in for our cabin in the mountains. Yes, I know West Virginia has grocery stores, but I like what I like!

Cooler People are simply Cooler People <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Now Beerman, I'm disappointed here! I thought I could count on you to lead a boycott of Polar, until they become a TTOL sponsor!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

I was grateful when it was announced on TTOL they were having a 50% off discount. I picked up a 24 and 48 can size polar coolers. Depending on how much frozen meats we bring down we are prepared. Plus once on the boat it's better than our boat cooler to keep beer and wine cold.

Every year around Christmas I get the buy one-get one free email and just can't help myself. The combination of sweet coolers and a smoking hot deal is irresistible.

I've spoken with Leslie as well. Bought a 24 pack last year and it's awesome. Posted on TTOL about them as Beerman was the 1st one to let us all know. Hope she gave you the current e-mail discount.

I have two 48's, don't leave home without them!!!

We have one in each size. I love the products. We have checked the 48 can many times. The 48 and 24 cans get the most use in our family. We use the 48 can as overflow storage at our cabin.

When Beerman let TTOL know about the BOGO last year. We purchased 8 of them. I got my son & step son and son in law the backpack version. After they came in I thought I had screwed up. They just looked bulky and hard to carry. They LOVE them. We use our 48 every weekend on our boat. Can't wait for their BOGO this year. I tell everyone about Polar Bear ice chest.

Last year when they had their BOGO, I bought two 48's (we already have 2 other PC) for Xmas presents for my sons and their wives. I draped two beach towels in each and filled with their favorite beer/wine with Koozies. And also some ice sheets from Polar too. They were a huge hit.

I have a 48 and love it. Used a friend's backpack on the last trip in May, it was perfect for spending the afternoon at the bubbly pool, very comfortable to carry and held a lot. Thinking of getting one for myself and had no idea they were so close to where I live! Might have to arrange a visit before Cat Fight

Felix

Those babies are the real deal! 4pork tenderloins, full beef tenderloin, 5lbs chicken, andouille, breakfast sausage, 5lbs raw gulf shrimp. All still completely Frozen by the time we got to the boat even going via STT. I was against taking any food but that thing makes it a no brainer!

In my provision planning for our upcoming BVI trip, I was going to buy all my meats locally. The problem was that while poultry and standard cuts of beef are reasonably priced and I'm glad to support the local economy, some pork cuts (tenderloin) and things like beef flank steak are about 40% more expensive than stateside. I understand the higher prices. While typical beef products/cuts are coming from PR and are reasonably priced, most everything else is imported from afar so, it's gonna cost.

Hence, the Polar Bear 48 purchase. Glad to hear about the amazing amount of stuff you got in yours Andy.

Andy,
Andouille sausage, Gulf Shrimp.... Sounds like my BVI pack list. What part of Louisiana are you from? Or should I say: how's your Mom and dem and what's she cooking for dinner Sunday?

Tony

Is the 48 small enough for a carry on or does it have to be checked?

The 48 is large, as in two cases of beer. I don't even like to carry that sucker. The 24 is what we use for carryon. We keep a 24 and a 48 on de boat. The 48 is the third tier ice box, but will see less use since Capt. Jay put out new fridge compressor in - pre-chill!

Cheers, RickG

can ask one question is there anywhere else other then BVI that you bring food on your vacation? We travel all over the world and have never packed a rib eye, what an I missing, $3.00 a pound? I can't wait for the responses.

Read my post.......

Don't know about anywhere else, but you can definitely bring any kind of meats, foods, etc., to St. Maarten.

...... you can keep waiting as I doubt anyone cares about whether you approve of bringing your own food to the BVI or not. Its a personal choice and you have every right to travel as you prefer.

This is a thread about a great product, a great company and great people that run it. Besides, the topic of bringing or not bring food from home has been beaten to death here.

That was very well stated...

You missed the sarcasm.

One mans steak is another mans bathmat! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I don't bring food, but I also try not to cook on the boat either! TETO...

But I do love the two Polar coolers I bought last year thanks to the info here! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I hope another bogo is coming down the pipe

Anyone wanting to do a one way with a nice cooler we could use a new one here at CRC..happy to $$ for it..just take the food out first as we buy local..wine and beer can stay!

Mal, if no one volunteers. We will be back in Oct. and would be happy to bring you a cooler.

Anita & Tab

Terrific..maybe we can cook up some Gumbo here at CRC!!

So don't forget to back the andouille and shrimp in that cooler <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

We normally bring crawfish for fettuccine. And sometimes a whole beef filet.

My last trip I took a whole side of beef. Look at all the $$ I saved.

BTW, We bought 2 Polar Coolers as well. My question still is, if you vacation anywhere else other then BVI, do you pack food? I follow the SXM board as well and never heard about people packing copious amounts of beef.

I'll be packing my Polar Bear 48 cooler tonight with frozen stuff for a long holiday weekend in the mountains! Baby back ribs with a dry rub! My neighbor just drove away with a dang cooler full of frozen meat for their week in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, doesn't he realize that North Carolinas Piggly Wigglys have great meat departments?? Whatever <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Some people do take food to SXM, yes, including us. Not copious amounts, but some.

But, when all is said and done, what difference does it make to you if someone brings food or not? Does it affect YOUR vacation at all? No..

I don't think he ever said it affects his vacation. Seems like he was pondering if and why this phenomena is contained to only the BVI's.

BTW, you didn't mention...do you like your 2 Polar Bear coolers?

Kirk, thanks, you are correct. Rick, yes, I love the coolers they keep our "drinks" cold, they don't sweat, and last longer then plastic coolers. Carol, I could understand bringing a favorite food product not available in SXM, but chicken? People are spending thousands of dollars on a weeks trip and will pack a cooler of meat to save $20 <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Saving money is your assumption. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/hungry.gif" alt="" />

I take food and frozen meat when we head to Florida for a week in a condo. I HATE to grocery shop and especially on vaca! I try to prep meals a few weeks in advance and freeze. So no meal planning and limited shopping on my vacation. And we still eat out at restaurants often. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
In Tortola we will have Riteway deliver to the villa the day we arrive with dry goods and beverages. We pick up other stuff at Harbor Market. So it's limited shopping. If we take crawfish & filet we invite the villa owner and friends over for dinner.

Just do like I did and click the "Ignore this user" link.