Rod Warranty

[LxVE Bassin]

I rarely pay over $200 for a rod. I have looked at some rods that I want to buy that are in the $100-$200 range but only have a 1 year warranty which worries me. For example, I wanted to buy 7'2" mh/mf Shimano Zodias rod, it cost $200 but the warranty is only 1 year which is keeping me from pulling the trigger. I take good care of my rods but if I am paying that much I expect there to atleast be a 5 year warranty or more. I'm not making this post to complain but I am curious as to knowing how some of you feel about warranty and if you take it into consideration when buying a rod.

[WRB]

Dobyns offers limited lifetime warranty, check it on his home page under warranty.

ALX offers limited lifetime warranty for custom rods and 10 year warranty on Zolos series rods ($220) 5 years on Ikos series ($150).

Tom

[LxVE Bassin]

6 minutes ago, WRB said:

Dobyns offers limited lifetime warranty, check it on his home page under warranty.

ALX offers limited lifetime warranty for custom rods and 10 year warranty on Zolos series rods ($220) 5 years on Ikos series ($150).

Tom

 

I will check em out. Thanks 

[RichF]

Even though Shimano only carries a 1 year warranty, they have a replacement program that isn't terrible.  If you break your rod (no matter the cause), you can get a brand new one at 50% off retail.  They'll even pay for shipping both ways.  St Croix has a pretty great warranty program as well.

[S Hovanec]

That's about all the longer a rod warranty should be, if even that long.  5 year, 15 year, lifetime....it's out of hand.  If a rod doesn't blow up in the first one or two outings, there's not gonna be any issues with it.  Beyond that, it is operator error.  Maybe you hit it with a lure, whacked it off the side of the boat or damaged it in some way that will show up on the next cast or next year.  People think a lifetime warranty means it's indestructible and when it breaks, regardless of circumstance, they are owed a new rod.  Seems the manufacturers are getting wide to this and shortening their warranties.

[Robert Riley]

Dobyn's and St Croix are the top names that come to mind. Fenwick was pretty good, but I've been having trouble with them recently.

[fishballer06]

Having a warranty is a good thing, but it's not the most important thing I consider whenever buying a rod. Generally once you get to the $200 price point, everything comes with some sort of warranty. I own everything from Dobyns and GLoomis (lifetime) to St. Croix (15 year), and a few Shimano Zodias and Expride (1 year). 

 

If you use a rod for a year and it doesn't break, then the manufacturer made a good rod. After that point, you did something to that rod that made it break (whether you realize you did it or not). Even still, like @RichFsaid, Shimano still has your back after a year if you were to break a rod inadvertently. 

[Chance_Taker4]

I rod brand I personally like that has a bad reputation and deservedly so to a point but has a great warranty is Carrot Stix. Limited Life Time you  do have to pay shipping, don't have to send the broken rod back and you can buy more rods at 50% off. When owned by E21 they were awful but since this new company took over their Customer Service has gotten better. I can't say anything about warranty service however since I have not broken a rod.

[buzzed bait]

agree that a 1 year warranty is plenty to cover what should be covered by a warranty.  i like to look for rods that also have decent replacement policies in case i do something dumb down the line....

[IndianaFinesse]

2 hours ago, buzzed bait said:

 i like to look for rods that also have decent replacement policies in case i do something dumb down the line....

For me, it is not an if it's a when will I do something dumb and break the rod.

[frosty]

19 hours ago, Robert Riley said:

Dobyn's and St Croix are the top names that come to mind. Fenwick was pretty good, but I've been having trouble with them recently.

Do you mind expanding on your issues with Fenwick? I've got two HMG's and I'm planning on picking up another this winter. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

besides a good warranty , you should very strongly consider a company with great customer service to back up the warranty , there are quite a few companies that offer good warranties but lack customer service . i am super picky when it comes to these things that's why i only deal with Phenix and St.Croix for rods , Lew's and Abu Garcia for reels . just had a fantastic experience with HawgTech !!! will definitely be buying more products from them !!

[Robert Riley]

20 hours ago, frosty said:

Do you mind expanding on your issues with Fenwick? I've got two HMG's and I'm planning on picking up another this winter. 

I bought an Aetos, and the cork foregrip has split and the reel seat doesn't tighten down all the way now. It's barely been fished this year. I called and they made me send an email in, in which they told me they'd see what they can do once I send it in. I asked if they could tell me what they've done in the past for these issues since I know this has been a problem with Aetos rods. No response, emailed again, and they said they'd offer me 40% off the next best rod, which in their eyes was an EliteTech.

 

If I buy a $200 rod, and it breaks because of subpar materials used or design flaws, I'm expecting either a replacement or at the very least a steep discount on the purchase of a new one.

 

I broke a dobyn's rod when I was trying to replace a guide, and they just sent me a new one. It was that simple. A few days ago, my first guide came off on a Savvy rod, I called them yesterday ask for a new one to be sent to me, and it was done. The phone call last about 1 minute, didn't even have to pay shipping. 

[frosty]

1 hour ago, Robert Riley said:

I bought an Aetos, and the cork foregrip has split and the reel seat doesn't tighten down all the way now. It's barely been fished this year. I called and they made me send an email in, in which they told me they'd see what they can do once I send it in. I asked if they could tell me what they've done in the past for these issues since I know this has been a problem with Aetos rods. No response, emailed again, and they said they'd offer me 40% off the next best rod, which in their eyes was an EliteTech.

 

If I buy a $200 rod, and it breaks because of subpar materials used or design flaws, I'm expecting either a replacement or at the very least a steep discount on the purchase of a new one.

 

I broke a dobyn's rod when I was trying to replace a guide, and they just sent me a new one. It was that simple. A few days ago, my first guide came off on a Savvy rod, I called them yesterday ask for a new one to be sent to me, and it was done. The phone call last about 1 minute, didn't even have to pay shipping. 

Well that does seem pretty ridiculous! That's kind of concerning, seems like they would at least repair the issues for you. 

[Robert Riley]

4 hours ago, frosty said:

Well that does seem pretty ridiculous! That's kind of concerning, seems like they would at least repair the issues for you. 

Yeah, they're overhauling their warranty stuff, so it might just need some time to smooth over. I'm just bitter about it. 

[Drunkentigerrr]

LOOMISSSSSSSSSSSS

[J Francho]

Warranty or Replacement Program?  Two different animals there.  If any rod hasn't broken in 10 or so decent fish, there's nothing wrong with the rod.

[Choporoz]

19 hours ago, Robert Riley said:

I bought an Aetos, and the cork foregrip has split and the reel seat doesn't tighten down all the way now. It's barely been fished this year. I called and they made me send an email in, in which they told me they'd see what they can do once I send it in. I asked if they could tell me what they've done in the past for these issues since I know this has been a problem with Aetos rods. No response, emailed again, and they said they'd offer me 40% off the next best rod, which in their eyes was an EliteTech.

 

If I buy a $200 rod, and it breaks because of subpar materials used or design flaws, I'm expecting either a replacement or at the very least a steep discount on the purchase of a new one.

 

this might be the right place to offer my experience...in the interest of balance..

 

A couple months ago, I snapped a relatively new Aetos - the old model from FFO.  No question, the stick was high and it wouldn't have broke at that instant if I wasn't doing what I was doing.  But, the light wire hook and 8# test led me to inquire about the warranty.  It took a while and some of the comms were a little confusing....but I fully disclosed what I was doing when it broke -- Fenwick is sending a new Aetos (2.0?) at no cost to me, except for the 10 bucks or so that it cost me to send the busted one back.  So, I'm satisfied with my warranty experience.

[S Hovanec]

44 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Warranty or Replacement Program?  Two different animals there.  If any rod hasn't broken in 10 or so decent fish, there's nothing wrong with the rod.

 

 

I was just going to make this post.  Seems people are looking for a good replacement program, not a warranty.

[J Francho]

It's like those satisfaction guarantees.  Everyone is satisfied, until they're not, lol.

[Blacktail 8541]

I stick to G Loomis and Dobyns rods due to their great reputation on taking care of their customers.

I have never had to use a warranty program, but it is nice to know it is there if needed. 

If a rod has problems,it should become apparent in the first year if fished at all. After that I have no problem paying a fee in a warranty program. If I am clumsy enough to break a rod through my own fault I do not expect the manufacture to eat it. I am grateful for any help that they will offer.

[Bluebasser86]

I like the St. Croix replacement program because I like to break rods. Having the option to upgrade down the line is great too. Okuma has excellent customer service as well. 

[Bun!t]

I hope this isn't too off topic, but does anyone have any expirence with daiwa's replacement/CS for their rods? I have delt with Dobyn's rod replacement and was more than impressed. I broke the tip off one of my Fury rods (my fault), sent them $50 and got a brand new one in about a week. 

[LxVE Bassin]

1 hour ago, Bun!t said:

I hope this isn't too off topic, but does anyone have any expirence with daiwa's replacement/CS for their rods? I have delt with Dobyn's rod replacement and was more than impressed. I broke the tip off one of my Fury rods (my fault), sent them $50 and got a brand new one in about a week. 

 

You're not off topic, the rod I mentioned in the original post is a Daiwa. We are looking for the same thing.

[Robert Riley]

On 8/9/2017 at 11:42 AM, Choporoz said:

this might be the right place to offer my experience...in the interest of balance..

 

A couple months ago, I snapped a relatively new Aetos - the old model from FFO.  No question, the stick was high and it wouldn't have broke at that instant if I wasn't doing what I was doing.  But, the light wire hook and 8# test led me to inquire about the warranty.  It took a while and some of the comms were a little confusing....but I fully disclosed what I was doing when it broke -- Fenwick is sending a new Aetos (2.0?) at no cost to me, except for the 10 bucks or so that it cost me to send the busted one back.  So, I'm satisfied with my warranty experience.

I'm glad to hear that, a few of my customers say I'm having a lemon of an experience, and I'm sure I am.