I have a rod at a 160 dollar price point that I bought in April..

 

The rod has an initial one year warranty that is free.. considering manufacture defect. 

 

 

 

What do I need to do, during the 1st year, if I have a damaged rod?
To have a damaged rod repaired or replaced during the first year contact our warranty service center at xxxxxxxx for a return authorization code. The service center will advise you as to whether your damaged rod should be returned to the service center or to an authorized dealer in your area. If there is no authorized dealer in your area, the service center will advise you of the return shipping charges. No shipping charges will be assessed if replacement is done by an authorized dealer. If you are returning your damaged rod to our service center, send the rod along with your authorization code, proof of purchase and a check to cover return shipping to:

 

 

That is what the warranty states.. if a guide broke on the rod, while bringing in a fish.. would you consider that under warranty..

 

I called the service number and was told that I could have it repaired locally. and they would send me a guide. or ship it in and pay to have it shipped there and 15 dollars to have it shipped back.. I have been told by friends that my local bait and tackle who carries the rods will usually just give you a brand new one.. but the service rep on the phone does not seem to think this is policy.. 

 

What do you guys think?

Where did you purchase the rod at?  Sometimes they will be nice and replace it for you.

I am thinking they will.. I am actually going by there today or tomorrow to buy a brand new rod from them.. just wondering mostly if this interaction would turn you off to a company as a rod buyer.

 the 15$ shipping charge is completely standard.  them sending you the guide and having a local bait and tackle shop repair it will most likely be cheaper than shipping the rod anyway. it may run you 10$ depending on if they have to re-wrap it or not. i don't understand what you are turned off about. you aren't paying for the repair of the rod if you send it back to the company. you are paying for the shipping of the rod, which is fair. the warranty even states this. i'm not saying the broken guide is your fault but from the companies standpoint, you could have either babied your rod or abuse the heck out of it causing the broken guide.it's complete hearsay.  a standard shipping fee is really the companies best option to combat people who are careless. i've been to a companies shipping and receiving area and you would be amazed the amount of broken or damaged rods that come and go. a company would be hurting if they paid the shipping under their warranty.  if where you got it is a authorized dealer, they will probably repair it for free or give you a new rod.

No, it would not turn me off to the company. After months of use, the likelihood of a manufacturing defect is slim. Still, the company has agreed to do exactly what they told you you they would do when you bought the rod. Seems fair to me.

A guide is no big deal, I'd just get it replaced for less than 10 bucks, I doubt I'd bother with getting a guide from the manufacture.

 the 15$ shipping charge is completely standard.  them sending you the guide and having a local bait and tackle shop repair it will most likely be cheaper than shipping the rod anyway. it may run you 10$ depending on if they have to re-wrap it or not. i don't understand what you are turned off about. you aren't paying for the repair of the rod if you send it back to the company. you are paying for the shipping of the rod, which is fair. the warranty even states this. i'm not saying the broken guide is your fault but from the companies standpoint, you could have either babied your rod or abuse the heck out of it causing the broken guide.it's complete hearsay.  a standard shipping fee is really the companies best option to combat people who are careless. i've been to a companies shipping and receiving area and you would be amazed the amount of broken or damaged rods that come and go. a company would be hurting if they paid the shipping under their warranty.  if where you got it is a authorized dealer, they will probably repair it for free or give you a new rod.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. It costs me at least $25 on the rods I have shipped, add return shipping then you are paying $40 for a guide. Have them send you a new guide and find someone to put it on for you. The labor should not be too expensive at all.

 

Good Post I.A.