I right there with you FourBizz...I calculated the retail value of all the G Loomis and Shimano equipment I own and I was amazed how much money I spent. I was planning on buying at least 5 NRX's, but I guess I will have to support my fishing equipment purchasing addiction with another company. As I said before, it is such a shame, because I really do think they make quality products. I just wish the "overall service" I thought I was buying into was still there.
Bottom Line, Shimano doesn't have a monopoly on fishing gear. I too have about 3K worth of it with glx rods & shimano reels. But I also have other brands of gear. The NRX rods were going to be an automatic upgrade for me, but this new policy is going to be a deal breaker for me. >