I have a spinning rig that I use for knocking around ponds and local CA's. It's a Shimano Sidestab paired up with a BPS Graphite series rod. In total the rig cost $60. Nothing special, but it is perfect for tossing in the truck and renting a john boat at the local Conservation Area and catching some bass. It's perfect for my 13 year old son as well.

The bail broke right where it connects to the bail arm by the line roller. So I call and describe my issue and they are sending out a new bail assembly free of charge. Now I wouldnt be suprised if they did this for a high dollar reel, but this is a $30 reel. This is the first issue I have had with the reel, and I am pretty sure I know how it broke (my fault)

I have a really old CX model that I got a loooong time ago, that while never a luxurious reel it works great and is reliable. Its a rear drag reel and the knob busted, they did the same for me when I called them for that issue.

I have a couple of symetre's and lower/mid level shimano rods, with that type of service I know where I will be spending my dollars as work to upgrade my equipment or something needs to be replaced.

It seems like good customer service can be hard to come by these days, and I thought I would let y'all hear about some good stuff for a change.

Great post!

Isn't it nice when things work the way they are supposed to?

8-)

Thats shimano for ya!

Had a similar experience with Cabalas. I broke the bail on a Prodigy reel the 2nd year I owned it. I emailed Cabalas and asked how much the replacement parts would cost. I received a series of emails 1st telling me that the 1 year warranty had expired, but that they have a 100% customer service guarantee. They offered to replace the reel for free, or to apply the full purchase price towards any other reel I wanted. They even refunded my shipping charges with a check a few weeks later.  Now that's 1st class customer service.