jonnyblazex Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 Hi guys, have really been wanting to pick up a g loomis rod, and have seem several on line ads stating Rep sample rods, and the price is much lower than new. The difference is over $100 dollars in most cases. They state that they were used for demonstration purposes only and are like new condition. I have seen numerous ones on eBay, and tackle warehouse has some too, but you don't really know what you are getting in that deal from what I understand. Anyways, are these ligit, and how could it possibly come with a lifetime warranty if it is a sample rod? Should I just drop 425 on a new rod, or would a 325 dollar rep sample be a good buy? I just don't want to get caught up in a Chinese knockoff deal or a lying salesman selling you a beat up rod with nothing. Where is the best place to buy new G Loomis anyways? Thanks guys! Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted February 5, 2014 Super User Posted February 5, 2014 Rep samples are great deals. TW, ALFC, TT, and THUT, all have rep samples from time to time. I would tend to stay away from Ebay, unless it's a reputable seller. I have bought several rep samples and most times they're dang near brand new. Have had a couple that still had the plastic on the handle and all the tags. I'd buy 100 rep samples before I spent the extra for a new one. Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted February 5, 2014 Super User Posted February 5, 2014 The rep samples are rods used for shows and display. They are as new as a used rod gets. Most major vendors you buy from will give you the wildcard replacement for the rod but make sure you get it just in case. Quote
curtis9 Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I bought a rep sample at the end of last year. They ended up shipping a new rod from the Shimano distribution center in Charleston instead of sending the demo rod. I would recommend taking the discount. Quote
jonnyblazex Posted February 5, 2014 Author Posted February 5, 2014 So if the seller has 100 % feedback on eBay, and has other similar rods on sale, but no pic of the actual rod, is that a red light? They have sold thousands of items. It's good to hear other people have bought rep sample rods, keep the sugestions coming! Quote
curtis9 Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 Do a search on their ebay name. If it comes up with a reputable store, it's probably safe to buy from them. You may actually find a better deal going directly through the dealer website instead of ebay. Quote
jonnyblazex Posted February 5, 2014 Author Posted February 5, 2014 What is the dealer website, gloomis.com? Quote
Grantman83 Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 If I were ever to pick up an nrx, it would be off one of these deals. As far as I know they are covered by the warranty as well. I have bought dealer demos and refurbished reels off eBay without problem as long as the seller had a high feedback Quote
Lucky Craft Man Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I have purchased two demo NRX rods from reputable sellers (actual on-line stores). One arrived brand new. Sticker on the handle, cork pristine, and still in the plastic sleeve. The other was obviously used. The cork was stained and the there was about a centimeter crack in the blank that went through the graphite wall. I didn't mind the staining of the cork as I expected it to be used, but that crack in the graphite rendered the rod unusable (well, I could have used it, but first hook set would have broke it in half). For the good news, since the place I purchased the damaged rep. demo from is a reputable seller, they allowed me to return the rod and are working on procuring me a replacement. The assurance that the company you get your rep. demo rod from will stand behind their product is why I would probably avoid third party sellers or sellers on e-Bay who do not have a full scale store behind them. Other than that caveat, I think rep. demos are a very economic way to get a high end rod. All rep. demos are backed by the manufacturers lifetime warranty and as far as that WildCard goes, I sent in the receipt for the undamaged rep. demo with the NRX Registration form, so I will see if I receive a WildCard for it or not. 1 Quote
Preytorien Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I bought a rep sample Shimano Clarus spinning rod on eBay and it was in excellent shape. The plastic was still on the handle. I would've done it again on the Crucial I just bought except TW had a sale that made them the same price, so I went with brand new. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Quote
BenB54 Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 So if the seller has 100 % feedback on eBay, and has other similar rods on sale, but no pic of the actual rod, is that a red light? They have sold thousands of items. It's good to hear other people have bought rep sample rods, keep the sugestions coming! You are referencing THUT. They have an ebay store as well as retail store. I would not hesitate to buy from either of them. Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted February 5, 2014 Super User Posted February 5, 2014 I have purchased two demo NRX rods from reputable sellers (actual on-line stores). One arrived brand new. Sticker on the handle, cork pristine, and still in the plastic sleeve. The other was obviously used. The cork was stained and the there was about a centimeter crack in the blank that went through the graphite wall. I didn't mind the staining of the cork as I expected it to be used, but that crack in the graphite rendered the rod unusable (well, I could have used it, but first hook set would have broke it in half). For the good news, since the place I purchased the damaged rep. demo from is a reputable seller, they allowed me to return the rod and are working on procuring me a replacement. The assurance that the company you get your rep. demo rod from will stand behind their product is why I would probably avoid third party sellers or sellers on e-Bay who do not have a full scale store behind them. Other than that caveat, I think rep. demos are a very economic way to get a high end rod. All rep. demos are backed by the manufacturers lifetime warranty and as far as that WildCard goes, I sent in the receipt for the undamaged rep. demo with the NRX Registration form, so I will see if I receive a WildCard for it or not. X2 I picked up a nrx rep sample rod and it arrived as a new rod in a wrapper. I had no problem getting the wild card either. Just buy them from a reputable seller. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 5, 2014 Super User Posted February 5, 2014 X2 I picked up a nrx rep sample rod and it arrived as a new rod in a wrapper. I had no problem getting the wild card either. Just buy them from a reputable seller. Same with me. I bought an NRX from THUT - it came in looking absolutely new. Got the wild card - no problem. A coincidence - just today I received another rep sample rod from Tackle Trap. Has the Loomis label on the cork, and the cork looks like it might have been handled just a tiny bit. The blank looks perfect. So far, so good... Quote
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