Kind of disappointed in Dobyns

[Fishin' Fool]

I bought a Dobyns Champion Extreme online during the Black Friday sales. I got it for about $85 less than MSRP, not a steal but a deal. Anyways I bought it without touching first, my mistake, and let me preface this I've never experienced Dobyns rods before this. For those that don't know they run on the lighter side of power. I bought a ML spinning rod which would probably equate to a L power in some lines. Anyway before the season started I decided it's too light for my needs. For $340 a rod should feel right (once again my fault I didn't touch first). I called Dobyns customer service and at first they were willing to switch me out for a rod of different size and power. So I paid to ship the rod back. Today I get an email that they want an additional $95 to cover the difference in what I paid and the rods cost. I don't know if I'm being tacky but I just can't do it. The rod I sent back was unused with the original tags still on it I don't understand why I couldn't trade it out for what I wanted. I don't know if I'm being unrealistic but I'm a little disappointed in my first experience with Dobyns.

[dignan2121]

Are they claiming it's not in new unused condition?  First off if it was my buisness I'd take care of you and switch it out.  But I could also understand if they felt that the rod was unsellable and since you waited quite awhile to return it to charge you the difference.  I would of also have told you this prior to you shipping it to me. Anyways best of luck. 

[Fishin' Fool]

7 minutes ago, dignan2121 said:

Are they claiming it's not in new unused condition?  First off if it was my buisness I'd take care of you and switch it out.  But I could also understand if they felt that the rod was unsellable and since you waited quite awhile to return it to charge you the difference.  I would of also have told you this prior to you shipping it to me. Anyways best of luck. 

Nope nothing to do with the rod condition. They would only credit what I paid. But I just wanted to switch for the same model. Yes the model has changed from last year to this year but I'm sure they could sell it for $50 less retail plus make a customer happy. I didn't think I was asking the impossible.

[dignan2121]

If it's an older model I can see why they would want to make you pay the difference.  Still should have told you up front.

[BrianinMD]

Did you go back to the shop you bought it from or straight to Dobyns? 

[Fishin' Fool]

7 minutes ago, BrianinMD said:

Did you go back to the shop you bought it from or straight to Dobyns? 

Both. American Legacy said they couldn't do it because the model had changed but Dobyns I don't get that. I even told them I'm in a 30 member bass club. You think for exposure alone it would be worth it to them. Dobyns is not big in Michigan. In fact my closest retail stores within 50 miles are in another country...Canada 

[HeavyTwenty]

Basically they wanted you to pay the difference between the sale price and MSRP + $10? Doesn't seem unreasonable to me since its not their problem in the first place... the retailer should have handled the return.

[BrianinMD]

Sounds like the dealer did a clearance sale so had the "All sales final" thing going on with the older model. Dobyns was a shot in the dark, worth a shot but with an old model not much chance it would work for a discount. 

[Fishin' Fool]

5 minutes ago, HeavyTwenty said:

Basically they wanted you to pay the difference between the sale price and MSRP + $10? Doesn't seem unreasonable to me since its not their problem in the first place... the retailer should have handled the return.

Maybe you're right. Maybe I should have pushed it more with American Legacy.

[flyfisher]

Seems fair to me.  If i go to Target and buy something and i bought it on sale and want to swap out the item for a similar but different model, i expect to pay the difference just like if i lost the receipt i would expect to only get a refund or credit of the lowest sale price going back a reasonable amount of time.

[fishindad]

FF, I'm from your neck of the woods (SE Mich) so I know what you speak of regarding no local Dobyns retailers. That said, I fish with Falcon Cara baitcasters and Dobyns Extreme spin rods. Have owned 6 or 7 DX at one point but am now down to three. I can tell you with no hesitation that Dobyns is as top-notch of a fishing rod company as any of the USA shops including St. Croix, Falcon, and Loomis - all of which I have dealt with - I still own and fish a couple high end rods (GLX, Legend Extreme). But being based on the West Coast, their rods are more popular with West Coast anglers and more retailers carrying their rods are out that way.

I've got to agree with the other posters that what you are wanting to do would not go over at most other retail companies. You probably know of people or have seen people trying to do just such thing - buy an item on sale and return it trying to get full MSRP in exchange. I know you are not trying to scam Dobyns but if you look at it from their point of view, they wouldn't be in business very long if they did what you're asking them to do. I say fish the rod for an entire season and then make up your mind to sell it or not. If it's the rod I have (DX702SF) it is an awesome dropshot rod and I've gone through many high end DS rods at that price point. Pair it with a Ci4 2500 and 7 lb. Sniper and it's the ultimate smallie weapon.

[Fishin' Fool]

2 minutes ago, fishindad said:

FF, I'm from your neck of the woods (SE Mich) so I know what you speak of regarding no local Dobyns retailers. That said, I fish with Falcon Cara baitcasters and Dobyns Extreme spin rods. Have owned 6 or 7 DX at one point but am now down to three. I can tell you with no hesitation that Dobyns is as top-notch of a fishing rod company as any of the USA shops including St. Croix, Falcon, and Loomis - all of which I have dealt with - I still own and fish a couple high end rods (GLX, Legend Extreme). But being based on the West Coast, their rods are more popular with West Coast anglers and more retailers carrying their rods are out that way.

I've got to agree with the other posters that what you are wanting to do would not go over at most other retail companies. You probably know of people or have seen people trying to do just such thing - buy an item on sale and return it trying to get full MSRP in exchange. I know you are not trying to scam Dobyns but if you look at it from their point of view, they wouldn't be in business very long if they did what you're asking them to do. I say fish the rod for an entire season and then make up your mind to sell it or not. If it's the rod I have (DX702SF) it is an awesome dropshot rod and I've gone through many high end DS rods at that price point. Pair it with a Ci4 2500 and 7 lb. Sniper and it's the ultimate smallie weapon.

Thanks for the advice. Gonna give the rod a shot and hope it doesn't sit on the rod rack this summer. The DX was the most expensive rod I had bought until snagging a NRX during the Classic weekend at about 40% off. 

[new2BC4bass]

I'm sorry, but no way is Dobyns going to lose money by swapping your rod for a current model.  This isn't China where a 5 cent part costs the native consumer $50 by the time 50 people (plus the Chinese government) make a profit on it while on its way from the factory to his door.

Falcon sent me a $200 rod for $80 when I broke an Expert.  Told them it was my fault as I fell face first into a pile of rocks.  Now it is very possible they lost money on that particular rod, but they gained a customer.  Falcons are my second largest group behind Fenwick.  Missed the third eye from the end of a Fenwick while stringing a new-2-me rod.  15 minutes of casting wore a groove in the finish (and maybe into the blank) even though I was using mono.  Fenwick offered me any replacement rod I desired at 45% off MSRP.

I seriously doubt $85 off on a $340 rod would wind up causing Dobyns to lose money.

[Fishin' Fool]

8 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I'm sorry, but no way is Dobyns going to lose money by swapping your rod for a current model.  This isn't China where a 5 cent part costs the native consumer $50 by the time 50 people (plus the Chinese government) make a profit on it while on its way from the factory to his door.

Falcon sent me a $200 rod for $80 when I broke an Expert.  Told them it was my fault as I fell face first into a pile of rocks.  Now it is very possible they lost money on that particular rod, but they gained a customer.  Falcons are my second largest group behind Fenwick.  Missed the third eye from the end of a Fenwick while stringing a new-2-me rod.  15 minutes of casting wore a groove in the finish (and maybe into the blank) even though I was using mono.  Fenwick offered me any replacement rod I desired at 45% off MSRP.

I seriously doubt $85 off on a $340 rod would wind up causing Dobyns to lose money.

I'll be honest it makes me want to stick with Loomis. 

[iabass8]

Your issue is with the retailer, not Dobyns. Your're essentially asking Dobyns to give you more money than what the rod was bought for. Imagine the problem they could run into if everybody bought the old DX on closeout, send it back to Dobyns, and then wanted the receive the new DX HP for no additional charge.  This really falls along the lines of common sense. 

[Kevin22]

Sounds like you should just sell it and get your money back. I definitely wouldn't spend another $95 to get a rod you MIGHT like. Tell them they didn't tell you the added cost up front and you want them to ship your rod back to you, and that you will just sell the rod on BassResource.com with the story added and buy another gloomis. I bet you the $95 cost goes away. 

[MIbassyaker]

4 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I bought a Dobyns Champion Extreme online during the Black Friday sales. I got it for about $85 less than MSRP, not a steal but a deal. Anyways I bought it without touching first, my mistake, and let me preface this I've never experienced Dobyns rods before this. For those that don't know they run on the lighter side of power. I bought a ML spinning rod which would probably equate to a L power in some lines. Anyway before the season started I decided it's too light for my needs. For $340 a rod should feel right (once again my fault I didn't touch first). I called Dobyns customer service and at first they were willing to switch me out for a rod of different size and power. So I paid to ship the rod back. Today I get an email that they want an additional $95 to cover the difference in what I paid and the rods cost. I don't know if I'm being tacky but I just can't do it. The rod I sent back was unused with the original tags still on it I don't understand why I couldn't trade it out for what I wanted. I don't know if I'm being unrealistic but I'm a little disappointed in my first experience with Dobyns.

The moral of the story.

[dignan2121]

48 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I'm sorry, but no way is Dobyns going to lose money by swapping your rod for a current model.  This isn't China where a 5 cent part costs the native consumer $50 by the time 50 people (plus the Chinese government) make a profit on it while on its way from the factory to his door.

Falcon sent me a $200 rod for $80 when I broke an Expert.  Told them it was my fault as I fell face first into a pile of rocks.  Now it is very possible they lost money on that particular rod, but they gained a customer.  Falcons are my second largest group behind Fenwick.  Missed the third eye from the end of a Fenwick while stringing a new-2-me rod.  15 minutes of casting wore a groove in the finish (and maybe into the blank) even though I was using mono.  Fenwick offered me any replacement rod I desired at 45% off MSRP.

I seriously doubt $85 off on a $340 rod would wind up causing Dobyns to lose money.

They cant do anything with the old model rod. None of their vendors are going to want it and they would be eating the cost of the new rod. I'd also feel a bit more sorry for someone who tripped and fell and broke their rod than someone who didn't try out the rod and waited 4 months to return it. That being said I'd still most likely trade it out hoping to gain a customer or at least explain the exchange before he shipped me the rod.

[redbirdsfan44]

I can sympathize with with both sides on this. Being that I work for a fairly reputable retailer ( not for dobyns ) Our store policy is a 30 day return or exchange policy except for any items discounted >30% which is 3 days. Being that the rod is new we would have exchanged it but you would still pay the difference on a newer model because it was a close out. The manufacturer won't credit the retailer on anything that is discontinued. Being that dobyns has the trade up program you should fish the rod for the season and see how you like it. If you aren't satisfied at the end of the season trade up to what you want. 

[Tim Kelly]

I find it slightly odd that you are blaming Dobyns for your shopping choice. You bought a rod at a discount price, which often means the line is ending and a new model is being introduced, and when it arrived it wasn't what you thought it might be. Now you want someone to pay for your mistake by swapping a previous model rod for a new model rod for no cost? You wouldn't be able to buy a new model rod at the price you paid for your old model one, but you're moaning about being asked to make up the difference?

 

It looks like an extremely generous offer by Dobyns to me. If someone had threatened me with an insinuation that the 30 man bass club would follow my lead on a rod company if I didn't do as they wanted, the offer would have been withdrawn straight away.

 

If you chase bargains rather than making a considered purchase, you're going to lose out sometimes. You have to take that on the chin.

[tbone1993]

Been there done that. Bought 2 quantum crankbait rods at a steal of a price and the only reason I kept them is because I gave them a shot.  First day out fishing I caught a 7lber on the rod. I think I just kept it around for sentimental value ( 2nd rod was broken by a buddy). Every time I toss that thing I  just want to let it fly out of my hands, the only thing holding me back is the reel attached to it.  We both suffer from a case of buyers remorse. That being said when I contact Dobyn's about a rod I want to purchase I just ask which model fit my style of fishing. Almost always do they reply with the rod I already had in mind. The only time it gets weird is when considering buying a glass vs. traditional crankbait rod.  Just remember if you bust a tip or something they fix it for no charge and it comes back better than new. They'll also send you the parts no charge.

[Fishin' Fool]

Thanks for the responses guys, it also helps me see where they are coming from.  Anybody know the average mark up on a rod?

[smalljaw67]

It has nothing to do with the new rods, well not entirely anyway. The way it works, and this is with all manufactures, is that when you buy a rod from an authorized dealer and you buy it on a sale price, it is assumed you either take the model that is on sale or don't buy it. If Dobyns was going to switch out your rod it would be devastating to them because every time they would improve the line anglers would buy up the discontinued rods at cheap prices no matter what the length, power and action and then trade them in for the newest rod in the power and action they want. The idea is that you got that rod at a sale price because it was an old model in a power and action you wanted to try, it felt light and Dobyns was willing to replace, but they didn't know you bought the rod on a deep discount, they assumed it was a full price purchase, had you told them you got it on sale and when you got it, they would have told you that you would have to pay an additional fee. So remember, when you buy a rod on sale, you are buying that length, power, and action and if you hope to swap it out with the manufacturer be prepared to pay the difference. Now, if you were sending the rod in on a warranty replacement, whatever fee Dobyns charges would have been what you pay but you'd also be getting the same length, power and action back so it wouldn't help anyway.

[NJSalt]

If I were them, I would be hesitant to set a precedent. Anyone could just buy any rod they could find in a close out sale and exchange it for whatever model they really wanted. You may not think that they "lose money" but it all adds up. 

 

[Fishin' Fool]

2 minutes ago, NJSalt said:

If I were them, I would be hesitant to set a precedent. Anyone could just buy any rod they could find in a close out sale and exchange it for whatever model they really wanted. You may not think that they "lose money" but it all adds up. 

 

I get it. I honestly didn't realize when I bought the rod it was due to model close out. I don't think there was anything advertised about that but maybe I'm wrong. All I know is if I bought a pair of pants from Macy's and they were on sale and I never put them on in 3 months and I lost/gained weight and all I wanted to do was exchange for another size they aren't making me pay the price difference. I guess I had unrealistic expectations.