"Dan, danl, danny boy, Redbeard, actually Greybeard now"
wrote in message SNIP

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 had a Fenwick ultra-light when I first moved to the Rhinelander area.
At the time, I had a trout stream running through my front yard and fished
trout daily. I had a good trout on 4 lb. test line and the rod snapped
between the reel seat and the first guide.

The rod had a lifetime warranty, so I called Fenwick's warranty center.
After I explained the problem and the circumstances, the guy asked me
whether I slammed the rod in the trunk or the car door. I explained that
the rod was kept in a rack in the garage and never went in a vehicle. He
then said, "Oh, the screen door got it, huh?"

He told me to send the rod in, along with a check for $14.00 and MAYBE they
would replace it, but he didn't think so. At that point, I said, "Well, you
just lost a customer for life," and hung up. Between now and then, I've
probably bought and/or built for personal use, over 50 rods. Not one of
them has been a 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.

If it's something that I broke through my own stupidity or abuse (same
thing), I eat the replacement cost. If a product fails due to workmanship
or materials, and it's under warranty, I'll contact the company.

I'm good friends with the warranty claims guy for St. Croix. You wouldn't
believe the rods that get returned with the expectation of being replaced
for nothing. He showed me one that was crushed right in front of the fore
grip. It had an accompanying note explaining that it failed while playing a
big fish. I might have believed it if there hadn't been a visible boot
print on the blank!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com