Well, after reading all the great reviews for Dobyns rods and loving my Powells (also designed by Gary). I went ahead and ordered my very own SS735.

Anyway, long story short, I ordered from Tackle Warehouse, I got it, looked great, but then I noticed a big problem. The bottom guide is off center from all the rest! It doesn't appear to be damaged and the rod tube was not damaged either. The epoxy and wrap is solid and won't budge. It simply looks like it was installed that way.

Anyone else experience this with Dobyns rods and/or rods purchased from Tackle Warehouse in general? I've ordered numerous rods from TW and never seen this before. Definite downer. Nothing to do but return it.

They all screw up sometimes , you were just the unlucky person that got one.

I fixed a Loomis steelhead rod for a guy that had the stripper guide wrapped about 45* off the rest.  I can understand a small amount of misalignment, but Ray Charles could have seen this.

Contact Dobyns, some days you can talk to Gary directly, I'm sure they'll set you straight.

Contact Dobyns, some days you can talk to Gary directly, I'm sure they'll set you straight.

Yeah, I might do that.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally turned off Dobyns because of this - in fact, I still have a 705CB Glass on the way.  Hoping to have better luck with that. 

But, this was just such an obvious flaw.  Pretty hard to miss. 

yea just give them a call.  Richard Dobyns is a great guy as well as everyone that works there.  I broke my dobyns champion 733C rod and I called Richard and he told me to go and pay the $60 to get a new replacement rod.  Great service.

In your case, I'm sure TW or Dobyns will say ship it back and you'll only pay shipping at most. My guess is they will return ship for free. The only bummer is having to pay the shipping to return, that just goes with mail order though....

Thanks for the input guys.  TW agreed to send me shipping labels for return shipping.  Haven't contacted Dobyns as of yet. 

I think I'm going to wait until I get my 705CB Glass on Monday before I make a decision on whether to try to get another Savvy. 

I know another member who had the same problem with a Dobyns that he ordered.

Hmmm...I'd never heard of such a thing until it happened to me. What are the odds of the exact same thing happening twice?  Has to make you wonder some. 

But like I said, I'll wait to try out my 705CB Glass before I pass judgment on Dobyns.

There are way too many guys on here that say they're great rods to not give it a second chance.

In your case, I'm sure TW or Dobyns will say ship it back and you'll only pay shipping at most. My guess is they will return ship for free. The only bummer is having to pay the shipping to return, that just goes with mail order though....

if that was the case they could keep the rod and i would be looking for a full refund. unless a blind man packages and ships the rod they should know the rod is not saleable with a guide off center.

thats just me though.

In your case, I'm sure TW or Dobyns will say ship it back and you'll only pay shipping at most. My guess is they will return ship for free. The only bummer is having to pay the shipping to return, that just goes with mail order though....

if that was the case they could keep the rod and i would be looking for a full refund. unless a blind man packages and ships the rod they should know the rod is not saleable with a guide off center.

thats just me though.

LOL!! Yeah, I was kind of the same opinion. So, I mentioned that to TW - asking them if they inspect the rods when they receive from the manufacturer and before they ship to customers. They didn't have a really great answer for me.

But, they're sending me shipping labels to return it to them. Draw your own conclusion I guess.

In your case, I'm sure TW or Dobyns will say ship it back and you'll only pay shipping at most. My guess is they will return ship for free. The only bummer is having to pay the shipping to return, that just goes with mail order though....

if that was the case they could keep the rod and i would be looking for a full refund. unless a blind man packages and ships the rod they should know the rod is not saleable with a guide off center.

thats just me though.

LOL!! Yeah, I was kind of the same opinion. So, I mentioned that to TW - asking them if they inspect the rods when they receive from the manufacturer and before they ship to customers. They didn't have a really great answer for me.

But, they're sending me shipping labels to return it to them. Draw your own conclusion I guess.

Do you guys think that it would be feasible for TW to visually inspect the items they sell? Shipping/receiving is fast paced and workers are relatively low paid.

Ultimately this is a manufacturer's issue, and they (Dobyns in this particular case) need to get their ducks in a row

In your case, I'm sure TW or Dobyns will say ship it back and you'll only pay shipping at most. My guess is they will return ship for free. The only bummer is having to pay the shipping to return, that just goes with mail order though....

if that was the case they could keep the rod and i would be looking for a full refund. unless a blind man packages and ships the rod they should know the rod is not saleable with a guide off center.

thats just me though.

LOL!! Yeah, I was kind of the same opinion. So, I mentioned that to TW - asking them if they inspect the rods when they receive from the manufacturer and before they ship to customers. They didn't have a really great answer for me.

But, they're sending me shipping labels to return it to them. Draw your own conclusion I guess.

Do you guys think that it would be feasible for TW to visually inspect the items they sell? Shipping/receiving is fast paced and workers are relatively low paid.

Ultimately this is a manufacturer's issue, and they (Dobyns in this particular case) need to get their ducks in a row

sounds like an excuse. IMO TW does hold some responsibility in making sure the gear they sell is ready to go.

Are they supposed to check reels for manufacturers defects too? Check eyelets on baits? Sharpen hooks? Where does it end?  It was a manufacturing flaw; they're making it right. I know it might sound CRAZY, but mistakes do happen (never by me though  ). Don't make them more than they are.  TW has always shown caring competent service to everyone who I've known to have contact with them.  Let them make it right and then thank them for their good service.

Are they supposed to check reels for manufacturers defects too? Check eyelets on baits? Sharpen hooks? Where does it end? It was a manufacturing flaw; they're making it right. I know it might sound CRAZY, but mistakes do happen (never by me though ). Don't make them more than they are. TW has always shown caring competent service to everyone who I've known to have contact with them. Let them make it right and then thank them for their good service.

i think you might be reading too much into my statement.

It's tough for any company or manufacturer to check every single rod that goes out. That really sucks about your guide. Please give Rich and Gary a call and just let them know, even if you're getting a replacement from TW.

   I have near 20 without any coming like that, but I have had one guide repaired after having it get caught in my rod locker.

I agree that its tough for any manufacturer, or for any retailer to inspect every product they ship out to consumers. 

Unfortunately, in this case, I was the unlucky recipient.  Happens to everyone once in awhile I guess. 

I'm still looking forward to getting my 705CB glass tomorrow.  Once I get it, and get a chance to look it over, I'll make sure to give Dobyns a call and just let them know my mistake experience with the 735 Savvy I received.  Thanks all!!