Review on 🥶 Ultimate Protection: ENGEL HD30 Waterproof Soft-Sided Cooler Tote Bag for Adventures by Evan Sharma

I bought this cooler in June 2018 to upgrade an existing inexpensive igloo cooler that we have had for many years use (camping). I've tried to find a more powerful cooler, but I'm not paying a high price for the Yeti. Engel HD30 seemed to be a good interim solution. In hindsight, I'd recommend going in a Yeti (our friends have two Yetis, which don't include Engels' shortcomings). I have two main issues that made me want to return. First, the seams started to delaminate after only 3-4 uses (see photo). How will the stitches look a year from now, right? Second, vacuum valve technology is useless at best. Process the creature, load the cooler, close it, connect the vacuum and suck out the air. It all works well, but the next time you "unzip the cooler" the air quickly seeps back into the "space" between the brightly colored inner lining and the robust insulation. While zipping back lost the value of the vacuum seal. I tried to send back directly to Engel (I correctly registered the item there). They acknowledged the merits of returning and issued an RMA number, BUT. stated that I would be responsible for shipping the cooler to them. All of this was acceptable until I went to the post office where I found out it cost $48 to ship (Upstate NY). I forwarded this review to Engel and said the shipping cost was unacceptable (I asked them to provide money for the return). They did nothing for me and only replied with their guarantee statement.