My St. Croix Experience

[skeletor6]

Shimano and other 'over the counter' warranty replacements only do you any good if you live close enough to a dealer that the drive costs you less then shipping. For me if I had to drive to BPS or Cabelas it would cost me about $50 bucks in gas, plus tolls, and whatever else I couldn't resist purchasing while I'm there. If you have to ship your rod back to Shimano because you can't get to a dealer for replacement, guess what, you have to pay the shipping both ways. And Shimano's warranty is only a warranty - if you broke it out of sheer accident/stupidity its not covered. So with St. Croix or Dobyns you get a lifetime warranty and replacement plan no matter how it got broken. Even with the $20-30 in shipping I don't think anyone beats St. Croix or Dobyn's published warranty/service plans. Like others I've had great service with St. Croix. That being said sure it would be nice if all companies ate the shipping on true manufacturer defect warranty returns, but I've never dealt with a company in the fishing industry or any other industry that does. I certainly don't think St. Croix should be dinged because they operate like everyone else in this respect, but otherwise provide top notch service and stand 150% behind their product.

 

I am guessing you have not used their services. Feel free to speculate, but that simply is not true.

[J Francho]

I am guessing you have not used their services. Feel free to speculate, but that simply is not true.

 

I have, and the "over the counter" was not honored by the retailer.  I had to deal direct with Shimano anyway.  Rod broke on a hookset.  Store manager said, and I quote, "I don't care how you broke it, we do not accept over the counter returns for rods. Period."  So, as you can see, the mileage on the "over the counter" warranty does vary a bit.  Now, a 13 year old (and discontinued) rod with a busted reel seat? Ship it back to St. Croix for $10.  Two weeks later, rebuilt rod from the fore grip down.  Thanks.  I get the same rod I love back, and in the condition it was before it broke.  Way better than fighting with a egotistical department manager drone for a replacement.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/customer_service0/Rod_Warranty.html

 

 

"However, if they come to us appearing to be broken in a car door, look like they have been used excessively, or we were informed by the customer that it was broken in an accident, then Shimano will NOT warranty them."

"Retailer and wholesaler outlets are not required to perform warranty repairs or exchanges on behalf of Shimano or Shimano Canada Ltd. / LTÉE, nor are they authorized to modify this warranty in any way."
 

 

 

Cause its raining have nothing to do I googled Shims OTC warranty and found many instances of non-compliant retailers
So you buy a rod thinking you have a great OTC warranty to find out when you nead it your SOOL send it to shimano think this would sour people moreso.

I have a clarus and cumara would be ticked if the OTC wasnt honored.

 

My dealing with Criox was good. My avid was snagged and trying to free it the line snapped then the rod whipped into the roof I was under snapping the rod sent it in with note and week later rod in hand cost me $30 shipping&fee. For being my fault that acceptable.

[kschultz76]

I am guessing you have not used their services. Feel free to speculate, but that simply is not true.

As others have pointed out, I'm not speculating. I'm quoting what Shimano states clearly on their website about their warranty process for all to read. Not saying its good or bad, or judging their quality or service.

[Diggy]

Lots of good info in this thread with experiences. That's why I love Abu's customer service so much. Send an email or call, send required info with pics and they ship out a new rod. Nothing to ship back and 0-9.95 cost. BPS is also great with otc returns. 

[skeletor6]

As others have pointed out, I'm not speculating. I'm quoting what Shimano states clearly on their website about their warranty process for all to read. Not saying its good or bad, or judging their quality or service.

Ive personally heard of and experienced multiple instances of shimano taking care of folks who broke rods on their behalf. Dig a couple weeks you'll find a gentlemen who who received a brand new glx for his old bsr852. But your right. They dont do it.

Furthermore its policy they replace cumaras no longer in stock with the new red versions that are well above a retail price. Nontheless shimanos fall back plan of having to mail it in is at least equivalent to st croixs. That is if your b&m won't honor the exchange.

I still say having to mail it on your dime is shite compared to an otc exchange.

[J Francho]

 

Furthermore its policy they replace cumaras no longer in stock with the new red versions that are well above a retail price. Nontheless shimanos fall back plan of having to mail it in is at least equivalent to st croixs. That is if your b&m won't honor the exchange.

I still say having to mail it on your dime is shite compared to an otc exchange.

 

Except that it cost me about $30 to ship my rod back to Shimano, using the "fallback method."  St. Croix allows you to print a shipping label for $10.  You know this going in. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Or a dealer that even honors the warranty.  The Gander near me does not honor them.

 

That's how it works at my store. No returns on Shimano/Loomis or St. Croix. That directive comes from the manufacturer, not the store.

[MacP]

My local tackle store does over the counter warranties on Shimano and Okuma.