I was referring to pulling a rod off a display in a retail store, nothing
custom wrapped.


"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
.. .
Pat Goff pmgoffjr wrote:
Here's the bottom line.
The only real difference between a nice $80 rod and a $250 rod is the
warranty. Period.

"Glen" wrote in message
obal.net...

Since I was the one that started all this broohaha I'm gonna jump in
with another of my 2 cents worth.

I haven't seen anything by All Star and/or Shakespeare that makes me
change my mind about not buying any of their products. For me to spend
upwards of a hundred bucks, maybe more, for a rod, then only get a
"limited lifetime warranty", have to spend $30 or so (shipping, both
ways) in the event it fails and I can PROVE it was a defect, and THEN
have to go thru the hassle of shipping, etc. won't cut it with me. Life
is too short and there are too many fish to catch to go thru all that.

I think I'll take the advice of one of the sports writers here in
Houston. Writing a few days back, he said that there are a lot of good
(not necessarily great, but good) rods on the market that sell for
around $40, even less on sale. Further, he said that unless you can
REALLY, HONESTLY tell the difference between one of these and a high $$
rod, you might as well stick with the $40 one. Then, if it fails, or
you do something dumb, all you're out is a net $10 and a trip to the
sporting goods store where you probably needed something else anyway.

No hassle - go fish!

Glen





In article 1112218876.5ab6e6a500acc224172f505bf72ff4d5@teran ews,
says...

"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
t...

Bob La Londe wrote:

I asked Shakespeare myself and got the following strict response.



Dear Mr. La Londe,

Thank you for writing. We appreciate any and all feedback from our
consumers. To address your concerns, The All Star warranty has not

changed.

The limited Life Time warranty card states that to receive warranty

service,

submit your rod along with the owner's portion of the warranty card

and

$15.00 for return postage. The only thing that has changed is the

location.

I think the difference the public may feel is that we are now

adhering

to

our policy, whereas the staff in Houston did not. The policy of

replacing

rods, at minimal or no cost, oft times with no questions asked is

the

reason the All Star company got into the red and was made a takeover

target.

Our service center in Columbia, SC has no problem honoring a

warranty

provided that the consumer can produce all the required

documentation.

Our

warranty is made clear on all of our products and we will continue

to

process all claims as the policy states. The Shakespeare Fishing

Tackle

Co.and Pflueger has been in business for over 100 years. Our

products

are

popular and are loved by many consumers worldwide. We will continue

to

make

quality products and provide quality service for many years to come.

For

more information on our products, service and warranties, please

visit

our

websites:

www.allstarrods.com www.pfluegerfishing.com

www.shakespeare-fishing.com.



Regards,

Patricia Walker

Consumer Services & Warranty

"just me" wrote in me



Pat ,

I don't totally disagree with you except for the fact of a custom built
rod compared to a store bought rod. There is a huge difference between
a $250 custom built rod, and a off the rack $80 rod. First you are
almost guaranteed that it will be spined correctly (depending on the
builder). Not only that you can get it internally counter balanced
which makes holding it all day a hell of a lot easier. I have had 3 off
the rack rods counter balanced internally, and the difference in just
that is amazing. I also have a buddy that builds custom float rods for
steelhead, and the difference of me holding my $100 13' Raven float rod,
compared to his 13' Loomis IMX is night and day. He had the option of
SIC Titanium guides, single foot that feel lighter than paper. Put 13
of those on a rod and they actually add considerable up front weight.
Then add counter balancing and a really good reel seat, and the
castability and fishability of the rod just makes my $100 rod seem like
a piece of garbage. I used to believe there wasn't much difference
between higher end rods, and that i was just buying a name. I know now,
within the last 5 years of float fishing that they are worlds apart,
plus those Loomis rods, have a great warranty like you said.

I do agree, that if you buy a $250 rod off the rack and an $80 rod off
the rack (compare a 7' Premier M Spinning rod to a Loomis 7' M spinning
rod) you would be hard pressed to find significant differences in
weight and action.

Just my opinions

Chris