I have a Legend spinning rod I bought a few years back used on ebay.The rod was then and still is in great original condition.A problem developed last year where the handle has come loose.I can hold the reel in one hand and twist the handle back and forth.The reel doesn't spin all the way around the rod,it just goes so far,enough to knock it off alinement with the guides.I'm thinking of sending it to their service-warranty department.From their website it looks like I have to pay to ship it to them and include a check for $20 to cover return shipping(Silver Plan).I'm not complaining I think it's quite reasonable.Have any members reading this used their services for warranty work?How did it go?Would I be better off finding someone local to repair this?I would have spent $40 in shipping alone and there may be a charge from St.Croix on top of that.I'm not sure of the age.I would quess 10 years old.I looked for the Sn but I couldn't find it.Not sure if it rubbed off or to small for these old eyes to see.

Thanks for your help.

I'm a totally satisfied St Croix customer while using their warranty program.

A-Jay

I have used their warranty service on rods I bought used/2nd hand....no problems. I sent them the broken rod (Avid) and the check for the return shipping. They called when the rod was inspected, and offered me a free replacement of the same rod, or for a small fee an upgrade to a higher end rod. I was happy with the Avid so I opted to just replace it with the same. A week later a new Avid was in my hand. They are one of the best as far as warranty issues go.

I'm fortunate in that I vacation in Northern Wisconsin not far from the St Croix factory. I've dropped off broken rods and had them hand me a new one on the spot. A friend brought his old Premier with a loose handle in and they repaired it while we waited, no charge. I've got one to go back right now. I can wait till May to get it replaced when I go back.

I've always received great CS from St Croix.

 

I can't recommend one way or the other on your problem, as I don't know what a local rod repair guy might charge.  But I can promise you if you do opt to send it in, you will be satisfied.  Why not give them a call and talk with them about it?  Everyone I've ever talked to there is very knowledgeable.

Loose handles and reel seats.  The most common problem with rods other than custom.  Skimping on epoxy.

 

I have no knowledge or expertise on St Croix warranty  and what makes sense with it, but I do know what can fix the rod.

 

Drill a couple holes in the area where the grip/handle/seat is loose, 1/16 inch or so.  Drill them only until you contact the blank, no farther.  Then inject a structural epoxy into the holes, pushing it well into the rod so you know you are getting a lot of it into the area between the components and the blank.  Don't skimp on it, get plenty in there.  Then when it has cured, fill the holes with an epoxy/cork dust mix.  Finally sand it off flush with the cork grip.

I would just pay the fee and not drill holes in your rod. Doing something like that is dangerous for your rod and probably voids the warranty.

2 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

I would just pay the fee and not drill holes in your rod. Doing something like that is dangerous for your rod and probably voids the warranty.

If I paid that much for a rod, I'd want the best people to handle any repairs. That means shipping it back to St. Croix and letting them do it. The fees are minuscule compared to what might happen if you take the 'cheap' route and end up having to replace it.

Of course if you can get a warranty fix, do it.  It sounded to me like it was an old rod that might cost a lot of money under warranty.  If that were to be true, then the method I proposed is cheap, low risk, and high probability of fixing the rod to a condition better than new.  The original construction failed, right?  This fix won't .

I've sent 2 back to them over the years and their CS was nothing short of excellent. Use their shipping label you can print off to save a bunch on shipping and pay to use their warranty program. I got both my new rods back in less than 2 weeks. 

I ordered a few ice fishing rods during ice fishing season from St Croix this year and the lady I spoke with was 

amazing.

 

Excellent customer service.

23 hours ago, ww2farmer said:

I have used their warranty service on rods I bought used/2nd hand....no problems. I sent them the broken rod (Avid) and the check for the return shipping. They called when the rod was inspected, and offered me a free replacement of the same rod, or for a small fee an upgrade to a higher end rod. I was happy with the Avid so I opted to just replace it with the same. A week later a new Avid was in my hand. They are one of the best as far as warranty issues 

 Exactly how their CS worked with me on a broken rod too.

I sent the rod back to St Croix.Total cost was $40($20 shipping and $20 Silver Plan).Two week turn around.They did a nice job cleaning as well.Good to know as I have two more St Croix rods that may need service in the future.No problems now but you never know.

I'm happy and will recommend.

Thanks for the responses.

Ive used CS a few times only once was I disappointed in their treatment. Had a rod tip replaced on a 2pc rod that I paid the $20 for got the new one delivered and not 30 minutes from out of the package to the lake and first fish on the replacement tip shattered at the joint. There is nothing at all on my end that I think was the fault for it to break like it did. They instead of sending me another rod tip free charged me $20 again to get the defective one replaced. 

I had a avid inshore that the reel seat became loose on. They exchanged it for a new one , with the $20 deal. No complaints here.