On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 01:01:42 GMT, Dan Krueger
sent into the ether:

Fenwick will sell you a new rod for 55% off if YOU damage it. Not a bad deal
and probably a break even for them.

Otherwise, they have a 5 year or lifetime guarantee depending on the particular
model.

I don't think they are honoring the previous lifetime guarantees. I
had the tip break off of a Fenwick blank I built and the people I
talked to at Fenwick were very understanding. They understood they
were not going to stand behind it and there was nothing more to
discuss. Needless to say, I never bought another fenwick.

I do not return goods damaged by me unless it is for repair that I pay
for. The only thing I have ever had replaced when I damaged it was my
Swiss Army Handy (leatherman style) tool. I called to see about
getting it repaired and was told there is a lifetime warrenty no
matter what happened. They asked if it had sentimental value, if it
did they would replace the broken part. If not they would just send
me a new tool, no questions asked!!! They sent me a new tool.


I have only returned one. It was a two piece and I sent only the top section
that lost a guide insert. I didn't have my receipt but I honestly explained
that it was less than one year old. They sent me a whole new rod with an
explanation that two piece rods are paired at the factory for fit. There was a
bill for (I think) $7.00 or so for return shipping that I promptly paid. That
was about ten years ago and I haven't broken a rod since - freshwater or sal****er.

Dan


Bob La Londe wrote:

I was going through all my rods and could not believe the number of rods I
broke in the last year. I decided to box them and send them back to the
various manufacturers.

Some legitimately should be replaced under warranty for things like bad
guide wrapping or eyelet inserts popping out. Others were broken due to my
carelessness and a few I just don't know why the broke. With each one I
included an honest description of how they got broken and what was wrong
with them. I also included a check for $10 for return shipping with each
package except for Lamiglass which specifies 14.50 on their website.

Here is what I have so far.

Silstar/Pinnacle. One Rod Sent. The fastest return was from them. I sent
them a rod I gave my son for his birthday. I set a tool box down on it when
fishing and broke it. Out of warranty, and definitely not the fault of the
rod. They sent back a better quality rod than the broken one because the
broken one was no longer in production. No problems, no questions.

St Croix one rod was definitely defective with an insert that had popped
out, and I "found" the tip broken off the other. I think atleast one of
them was less than a year old, but I could not find the receipts. The
arrived the day after the Silstar rod with a note about things I should do
to take better care of my rods.

Quantum. Two rods. Both probably broken from carelessness. No problem.
One was no longer in production so they upgrade to slightly more expensive
rod. I had no receipts included with these rods. These arrived back the
same day as the St Croix rods.

Bass Pro Shops. Returned two identical Bionic Blade IM-8 rods. Both were
defective. One had bad eyelet wrap glue and the eyes were coming off the
other broke mid section when it was picked up with very little use or abuse
(I don't care for these all that much because they are heavy.) I received
one brand new replacement today, with reason why they only sent one.

Fenwick. Sent two almost new Eagle GT rods along with a receipt for 5 rods.
(I like these for light spinner baits and crank baits.) One was definitely
defective, and one was stepped on. I haven't yet heard from them. They
received my package on t he 17th.

Lamiglas. Sent one 3 wt rod with receipt, and a check for 14.50.
definitely under warranty damage was questionable. The tip of the rod broke
off in transit to the ABA classic in November. The rod had seen very little
use, and I don't think I did anything to damage it. When I took it out of
the rod cover the tip was hanging from the line. I haven't heard from them
yet. The did cash my check. It hit my account on the 24th. The package
was delivered to them on the 17th.

Pflueger. Sent two rods with no receipt. Both damaged by abuse. No
response.

I would say that Silstar and St Croix both went beyond what they were
obligated to do. I am concerned about Lamiglass and Fenwick. I haven't a
clue what to think about Bass Pro Shops given their normally more than
generous return policy.

Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com




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