I just got back from cabelas where I redeemed some Christmas gift cards for a shimano symetre. When i got it home ( an hour and 15 minutes away), I pulled it out of the package...and it makes a grinding sound when you crank the handle.  :'(. Oh the letdown. I know Cabelas will make it right, but that is a long drive. Plus, I wanted to take it for a test spin. thanks for listening.

Sorry to hear of the problem.

I guess we all need to take the reels out of the boxes and give them a look over and a few turns to make sure they are in good condition before we leave the store.

Your bad adventure may save all of us a lot of time and aggravation.

Hey Sam. Thanks for the input. You are right. Just a reminder to everyone that they should inspect what they buy before they leave.

Thanks again for putting a positive spin on things.

Not to rub it in... but ALWAYS try the reel you're thinking about buying out  before buying it! When I bought my Calcutta's, I looked them over for at least 5 minutes checking everything out. Now that you know... I bet you'll never do that again! When you take it back... ask them what they think the problem is, I'm curious.

This may be a long shot but try putting a couple of drops of oil in the maintance port.  It could have some lot rot.

I bought it new, but I spent some time checking out the reels they have at Cabelas to "test spin". Anyway, the clerk hands me the box and I take it up front , pay, and leave. Now I am 75 miles and 10.00 worth of gas away. Chalk this one up to a Life Lesson. I will try the oil in the maintenance port. No go. It sounds like something is catching. When you turn the crank, the noise gets worse the harder you crank. the one at cabelas was silent when cranking.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. The same thing happend to me, but it was a Stradic, and it was a bail issue. Cabela's is just shy of 100 miles for me, I think. I forget the exact miles, but it's more than an hour and a half drive. 95% interstate too.

That stinks. The same thing recently happened to me. I bought a new Revo SX at bass pro shops on the way back from Atlanta, the day after Christmas. I didn't open it up until we were an hour away from bass pro. The reel oil that came with it had spilled all over the reel, and it's not as smooth as it should be. I'm going back to exchange it on the 24th. I learned my lesson.  :-/

Hey, who would have ever guessed a Shimano (thats japanese for "reel with a Halo") would come out of the box grinding?  Bummer :-/, but it does happen I guess.

I read on another website that the first batch of new Stellas that have been delivered are being recalled due to faulty gearing which is causing grinding.  Wonder if this isn't a more widespread problem.