Megabass warranty after 3 years?

[mcfishing620]

Anyone know what their policy is after 3 years, if they have one at all? Really concerned about buying an Orochi XX, and having an issue out of warranty. 

 

I have all St Croix higher end rods, so right now I have no worries, but the Leviathan looks to fit my needs better than what St Croix can offer. 

[IndianaFinesse]

If a rod fails after three years, it is not the manufacturer's fault.  If it doesn't break after the first couple decent bass, then there are no defects.  Anything that happens after that means that it was damaged at some point, with or without you realizing it. 

[mcfishing620]

True, but I guess what I'm getting at is the fact St Croix will cover you no questions asked. If it's your fault, you pay a fee, but the end cost to replace is still far cheaper than full price. If it's a defective rod, it's free. I speak from experience on both counts. That's very hard to beat and these aren't Eagle Claw rods we are talking about, so warranty and customer service matter. 

[fishballer06]

If you're that concerned about breaking a rod outside of a manufacturer's warranty period, you should call them up and talk to them about what would happen should that issue arise. It's always best to get your information straight from the horses mouth rather than asking for the opinion of people who have no affiliation with a business.

 

Megabass USA: 650-637-1617

[mcfishing620]

Already did, good call.  Their rep was friendly and seemed nice to deal with, but after a year they will start asking questions and most likely not replace for free even though the warranty is 3 years.  Nice rods, but just seems too sketchy for me.  St Croix will win you over with their warranty and customer service if you let them.

[Chance_Taker4]

I am constantly changing my gear I only hold onto rods and reels for 3-4 years. So If the rod lasts three years before it breaks I consider it money well spent. But I also agree somewhat with IndianaFinesse if a rod breaks after three years it is user error or neglect whether intentional or not. I do believe that it can take some time for a defect to arise but not three years.

2 minutes ago, mcfishing620 said:

Already did, good call.  Their rep was friendly and seemed nice to deal with, but after a year they will start asking questions and most likely not replace for free even though the warranty is 3 years.  Nice rods, but just seems too sketchy for me.  St Croix will win you over with their warranty and customer service if you let them.

I would lean in favor of Megabass. After a year all defects would show their face. Why should a company lose money on a product because of user error. I understand St. Croix does it but it is just bad business. I believe a company should stand behind their product and if there is an issue from the manufacture then they should replace but they shouldn't replace if, for example, you snapped the tip setting the hook on a stump or break a guide when putting the rod away.

[J Francho]

You are confusing a replacement program with a warranty.  The cost of the replacement program is baked into the retail price of the rod.  While I am a fan of Saint Croix (I have more than 20), this does come into price consideration when comparing rods.  If a rod doesn't break in the first couple months, any breakage after that is user error.

[mcfishing620]

I understand the point of user error. Megabass offers nothing after 3 years period. How can that compete with St Croix, when they will even do a replacement program outside the warranty is what I'm getting at. 

 

If they offer a replacement for user error that saves possibly hundreds of dollars in replacement cost, that's not bad business, that's good business bc it keeps people like me coming back. I have gladly paid 85 for a fee in the past to replace a rod that costs 270 and I hadn't even registered it. They just didn't make a huge deal about it bc they knew it was theirs anyways. How can that be beat? 

 

Do you feel more comfortable with 3 years, or up to lifetime plus a replacement plan when you pay hundreds for a rod? 

[Yudo1]

The 3 year warranty doesn't scare me away. I own several megabass rods and some were bought used which don't come with any warranty. The xx line offers some of the most versatile and well made rods. I figure if it doesn't break within the first couple years, then it should be fine.

[rippin-lips]

3 hours ago, Yudo1 said:

The 3 year warranty doesn't scare me away. I own several megabass rods and some were bought used which don't come with any warranty. The xx line offers some of the most versatile and well made rods. I figure if it doesn't break within the first couple years, then it should be fine.

@mcfishing620

It's 1yr free of charge replacement and then 60% off msrp the next 2yrs with no questions asked. After 3yrs you have no warranty at all. It's also only good to the original buyer and has to be purchased from an authorized MB dealer. 

 

 I'm right there with you @Yudo1 One of their best series available. More crisp than the xxx and a very versatile lineup. I currently have 6 and have sold off 4 others. All were used except one. 

[mcfishing620]

Sorry just not impressed at all 

[Tim Kelly]

Just think how much less expensive St Croix rods could be if they didn't have to warrantee clumsy entitled people. 

[Raul]

1 hour ago, mcfishing620 said:

Sorry just not impressed at all 

Simple, don't buy any.

[Master Bait'r]

3 hours ago, mcfishing620 said:

Sorry just not impressed at all 

 

Meh.  You should want to be impressed by the rod itself imo.  

 

Should have named this thread "I want to pay more now and then just a little more again later to feel like I got a deal on the rod I got after the rod I got". ?

 

All joking aside though- if youre considering an Orochi XX, you won't be disappointed.  They are incredible rods- better than many offerings costing significantly more IMHO.  

[kadas]

1 hour ago, Raul said:

Simple, don't buy any.

Agree--if the 3 year warranty is a concern stay with St Croix and use their replacement program if you are happy with it.  No worries

[Logan S]

3 hours ago, mcfishing620 said:

Sorry just not impressed at all 

You don't catch fish with the warranty/replacement/insurance program.....But if the insurance policy is that important to you, go with St Croix.  It's not like either choice is a dud.

 

Personally?  I'd take the XX over any St Croix rod series.  It's a better rod than LTB in its price point and it's very close to the Legend Elite/Extreme but $100ish less in cost. 

[Bent]

17 hours ago, mcfishing620 said:

How can that compete with St Croix, when they will even do a replacement program outside the warranty is what I'm getting at. 

From what I've gathered, the general consensus is that the XX series is more rod for the money just about any other option at that price point.

 

--WARNING: MATH AHEAD--

 

Please don't take affront to this but I think you're dramatically overestimating the value of St. Croix's replacement program (or any replacement program/warranty for that matter).  You replaced a $270 rod for $85, and it feels like you saved yourself almost $200 in doing so, but that is far from the truth.

 

Let's assume the markup on the rod due to the replacement program is $70 - obviously I don't know for sure, but bear with me.  The reality is, you purchased a $200 rod and a $70 insurance policy.  When you pay $85 for a replacement rod, you've replaced a $200 rod for a grand total of $155.

 

Now just for kicks, what if that insurance policy you purchased was actually $90?  You're replacing a $180 rod for $175.  This is probably closer to the truth - St. Croix really doesn't mind sending you a replacement because you've basically paid for it in full, but you feel like you fleeced them.  Everyone is happy!

[rippin-lips]

^^^ that guy gets it. 

[Bent]

1 hour ago, rippin-lips said:

^^^ that guy gets it. 

These trade-offs are ubiquitous in life - if a retailer/financial services company/your weird brother-in-law with a once in a lifetime investment opportunity is waving around cash in their right hand, assume their left hand is reaching for your wallet.

 

Also, for the record I didn't mean that post to be disparaging of St. Croix or any other company with a replacement program, Megabass is getting theirs too.  Nobody is making rods as a charitable endeavor.  Buy whatever rods you like to fish with, and know that if they break you're on the hook for it in one way or another.  It's really that simple.

[Bluebasser86]

We're done here,

 

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