Shimano has always stood behind the quality of all our products and with that in mind we are adding two Rod Service programs to use in addition to the 1 Year Limited Warranty.

The two additional programs are simple and straight forward. They are:

• 30 Day Guarantee – Protection against initial failure
• Shimano Express Service Plan – A one-time safeguard against accidental breakage at a discounted price

30 Day Guarantee

• Consumers will be required to have a valid receipt as stated on the 1 Year Limited Warranty and with the 30 day Guarantee. It is important that we remind consumers to hold on to their receipt to ensure their warranty will be valid. (We will accept a variety of receipt options including photos from a smartphone)

Shimano Express

• The Shimano Express Service is a one-time opportunity for the consumer to replace a rod that was broken under non-warranty circumstances. This option will allow customers to receive a new rod at 50% off MSRP

• The Shimano Express Service will cover rods that were sold prior to the warranty change and had a limited lifetime warranty, including discontinued models. A list of rod models is on our website.

Overall

• There is no change to the Shimano 1 Year Limited Warranty. The two new programs are Rod Service options that Shimano is providing for consumers and dealers (should a dealer elect to handle this for their customer)
• Both service options provide express two day shipping and no hidden fees
• Dealers can elect to play a role in these Rod Service programs or instruct the consumer to contact Shimano directly
• The Rod Service programs will roll out officially February 11, 2015 on the Shimano web site and will be active immediately
• Both Rod Service options will require the dealer or the consumer to call Shimano directly for evaluation of the best option in getting you back on the water as cost effectively and quickly as possible

Interesting, thanks for the posting..

I like the accidental breakage discount. 

I don't really understand how they can have a product that says limited lifetime warranty on it and then when you go to their site the warranty has changed. They should be required to remove the warranty labeling on their rods or honor what it says on them. Doesn't seem like it would be too hard to tell retailers to remove the label or send reps around and do it. Anyways, not a huge deal just a little grumble, it was a minor annoyance when I noticed the policy change. 

 

Also, does anyone else not like the 30 day warranty deal? If you buy a rod now and can't use it for 2-3 months what good is that warranty?

 

The Express Service Plan sounds like a pretty nice deal at least.

I don't really understand the difference between the 30 day guarantee and the 1 year warrantee. What's covered in the first 30 days that isn't covered in the first year?

I'm not sure on the whole 30 day thing, in the past almost all retail outlets would handle a 30 day issue with a rod... Who knows, maybe that's changing, seems like everything else is too.

For the most part if their is a problem with rod it's going to happen soon after you first use it.  I've never had a rod break under normal fishing conditions, but a lifetime warranty makes me feel a lot better.  That tells me the company has faith in what they are selling.  Getting 50% off a new rod for a non warranty breakage isn't too bad, but if one of their rods broke why would I buy another. 

I have a few Shimano rods and I like them just fine, it's doubtful a new Shimano rod will be in my future when I can a rod without having to jump thru hoops if a problem arises.

I have 7 shimano volteus rods they had lifetime warrenties if i happen to break one how will they fit in?

I have 7 shimano volteus rods they had lifetime warrenties if i happen to break one how will they fit in?

They are still honoring lifetime warranties for previous purchases. 

They are still honoring lifetime warranties for previous purchases. 

Shimano will honor lifetime warranty if the rod has a lifetime warranty tag on it. 

I like shimano rods but I just don't like the new warranty. It did impact my decision as I bought all st croix last December. 

Shimano has always stood behind the quality of all our products and with that in mind we are adding two Rod Service programs to use in addition to the 1 Year Limited Warranty.

 

 

They are still honoring lifetime warranties for previous purchases. 

 

I don't own a Shimano and don't have one on a short list, so I'm just curious.....what is your relationship to the company?

They should've thought through their warranty better before they issued it. This is much better, but they lost the customers already