Limited Lifetime

[Birdman2136]

I'm curious if anyone has a list of all companies who offer the limited lifetime warranties on their rods. I tried google searching it and i get differing results. I'm aware of Dobyn's and St Croix. What else is out there? 

 

Thanks in advance.

[Junger]

Daiwa for their higher end offerings. It's mostly to cover their butt in the case of abuse...I mean, if someone sends a rod that is broken into 10 pieces, that's clearly not a manufacturer defect and shouldn't have to replace it with a brand new rod.

 

Same with Cabela's, they have a lifetime guarantee against defects under normal wear and tear. I've used it with a broken rod tip, and they replaced with no questions asked.

[Choporoz]

Curious what you'll do with the list.  Because even if two companies have 'limited lifetime', the terms for execution could be very different.  And, without more details, limited lifetime might be a worse deal than, say, a five year warranty with 'less limitations'.  At any rate, Fenwick has limited lifetime on some and 5 year on others

 

Most every company will have their warranty info on their websites, so short of a list to give you, the info should be there with a bit of googling

[Birdman2136]

Just now, Choporoz said:

Curious what you'll do with the list.  Because even if two companies have 'limited lifetime', the terms for execution could be very different.  And, without more details, limited lifetime might be a worse deal than, say, a five year warranty with 'less limitations'.  At any rate, Fenwick has limited lifteime on some and 5 year on others

Well after I posted this I thought maybe I should word it as what companies have a lifetime "replacement" program. 

 

What will I do with the list well... I'm trying to do what I can consider proper research towards my rod investments since I've typically only bought cheaper rods. The top of my list are Dobyns, St Croix, and maybe Shimano.

[Choporoz]

http://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/INFO/ROD_SERVICES.html

http://dobynsrods.com/warranty/

https://stcroixrods.com/pages/service-warranty

 

[TOXIC]

Don't confuse Unlimited Lifetime Warranty with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.  Most all rod makers got out of the Unlimited because the replacement costs would be overpowering.  Also, read the print.  They are only warrantying Manufacturers Defects.  That doesn't include you closing the rod in your truck door or busting a tip trying to free a stuck lure.  Some of the old time warranties covered everything, that's not the case anymore.  Also in a lot of the warranties is language that give them the option to Repair or Replace.  Just saying, you have to read every one of them by themselves.  

[JustJames]

Also some of the company required shipping and fee for replacement like Phenix. Most of the rod these day carry only 1 year warranty except high price one.

Lucky I still have total of 4 Shimano Crucial which carry limited lifetime warranty(not over counter anymore). and also Shimano headquarter is in SoCal.

Most of the rod I have, headquarters are in SoCal and within 1-2 hours drive (Shimano, Daiwa, Phenix and Majorcraft) when I buy new rod I will consider these company first even I don't have history of rod abuse. I had used Shimano and Daiwa replacement program and they even ship the new rod back to me at no charge, kudos to them.

[FrankN209]

1 hour ago, Junger said:

..I mean, if someone sends a rod that is broken into 10 pieces, that's clearly not a manufacturer defect and shouldn't have to replace it with a brand new rod.

 

I had a guy at my local BPS tell me that their rods had a full replacement warranty. And if they came out with a newer version, to break mine and trade it in for the newer version lol. I was kinda shocked he would even mention that. 

[Junger]

Unfortunately, some people have ethics, and some people don't.

 

Gonna strike that, I can't profess to be an angel so I shouldn't make that statement.

Edited November 1, 2018 by Junger

[Jig Man]

Fenwick HMG Limited Lifetime.  I have a warranty claim in right now.

[iabass8]

3 hours ago, Birdman2136 said:

Well after I posted this I thought maybe I should word it as what companies have a lifetime "replacement" program. 

 

What will I do with the list well... I'm trying to do what I can consider proper research towards my rod investments since I've typically only bought cheaper rods. The top of my list are Dobyns, St Croix, and maybe Shimano.

A life time "replacement" program isn't a "free replacement". The warranty covers defects, guides, reel seat failures, and other small things. If your rod doesn't break within the first year, it's not defective. Fishing a few times a week, if your rod doesn't break within a couple months, it's not defective and a breakage is user error, neglect, etc. Most companies, i.e dobyns and st. croix, offer a replacement rod for a fraction of the cost. It's usually +/- 100$ for the high end rods and less for the lower tiered rods. There are times that companies will give you a free rod but that's an exception, not a rule. 

[fishwizzard]

As a sort of accessory question, has anyone here used their homeowners/renters insurance to make a claim on fishing gear?    

[Chance_Taker4]

I personally don't take warranty into consideration. A one year is all a manufacture should have to warranty. Any defect will show within the first couple outings. it a rod breaks on a cast 4 years from now its not a defect it is user negligence or error.

[WRB]

There was a time when bass rod blanks were all domestic mfr, some using off shore guides and handles. Life time warranty met if the rod was defective or failed when fishing you returned it to the dealer for over the counter replacement as long as you owned the rod. If you smashed in a car door or some user error you owned it.

About 6 years ago warranty changed, you no longer returned the rod to the dealer and sent it to the mfr for evaluation and you paid the shipping if it was determined your fault.

Coupons are now offered for no fault replacement, started I believe by Loomis with the NRX series rods at $100. You pay $500 for the rod and addition $100 for the coupon= $600 rod with 1 no fault/no questions replacement.

It was this coupon program that ended my doing business with most off the shelf rod makers. Just need to read the mfr warranty for coverage.

Tom

[volzfan59]

18 minutes ago, WRB said:

Coupons are now offered for no fault replacement, started I believe by Loomis with the NRX series rods at $100. You pay $500 for the rod and addition $100 for the coupon= $600 rod with 1 no fault/no questions replacement.

It was this coupon program that ended my doing business with most off the shelf rod makers.

Tom

I never understood this. You pay, let's say $300.00 for a rod and break it. You mail it back, with another $100.00 to get a replacement. Now you've got $400.00, in a $300.00 rod? Doesn't make sense to me. After Loomis/ Shimano changed to this warranty, we couldn't give their rods away at BPS.

 

One day a customer brought in a broken Loomis rod wanting an over the counter replacement. I thought to myself, "here we go" expecting an argument. I explained the warranty and told him that i couldn't help him. I did give him a rod tube to send it back in. Instead of arguing, he said "They told me you would say that." Turns out he bought it a a local mom and pop. When he broke the rod, he took it back and they refused him, telling him the warranty. He got mad, said he was going to BPS. They told him that we wouldn't take it back either.

[PatrickKnight]

One thing to keep in mind is if a rod offers a replacement program like that you are paying more for a rod than it should cost. Lets look at a $300 Megabass XX for example there is no replacement cost on that so the company isn't having to sell it for more to help offset the cost when you break it and only pay $100 for the replacement "fee". Then take a $300 rod with a replacement option in there like the Dobyns Extreme line, so you spend $300 on that rod break it then pay the fee to replace it. Odds are the rod with the replacement fee in there is only a $200 dollar rod because lets face it company's are not going to lose money or they would not stay in business.

 

If you aren't sure if this is true compare a XX to an Champion Extreme and even though they sell for the close to the same price its pretty clear which is the superior rod.

[Birdman2136]

16 hours ago, iabass8 said:

A life time "replacement" program isn't a "free replacement". The warranty covers defects, guides, reel seat failures, and other small things. If your rod doesn't break within the first year, it's not defective. Fishing a few times a week, if your rod doesn't break within a couple months, it's not defective and a breakage is user error, neglect, etc. Most companies, i.e dobyns and st. croix, offer a replacement rod for a fraction of the cost. It's usually +/- 100$ for the high end rods and less for the lower tiered rods. There are times that companies will give you a free rod but that's an exception, not a rule. 

This is what I’m interested in. A fair replacement program... not a free hand out. Thanks.

[Deleted account]

As a sporting goods retailer of graphite (carbon fiber) hard goods, and often on the other side of the counter, I'll stay out of this one. I think many folks are under the impression that a limited lifetime warranty means the item will be replaced no matter what for all eternity at no cost, and it's that expectation that causes the, let's just say "interesting interactions."...  

[Ksam1234]

20 hours ago, Birdman2136 said:

I'm curious if anyone has a list of all companies who offer the limited lifetime warranties on their rods. I tried google searching it and i get differing results. I'm aware of Dobyn's and St Croix. What else is out there? 

 

Thanks in advance.

Irod genesis rods have a lifetime limited warranty. But I think if it’s your fault it’s only 50$ to replace. Seeing as how the rods cost 150$ that’s a good deal for a new rod 

[Chance_Taker4]

30 minutes ago, reason said:

As a sporting goods retailer of graphite (carbon fiber) hard goods, and often on the other side of the counter, I'll stay out of this one. I think many folks are under the impression that a limited lifetime warranty means the item will be replaced no matter what for all eternity at no cost, and it's that expectation that causes the, let's just say "interesting interactions."...  

I agree with you on your thought. If a customer breaks their rod it is not the responsibility of the manufacture to replace for free or even discount. I don't believe that its "good customer service" to do this either. If the rod breaks due to defect it will happen within a couple months and every rod manufacture will stand behind that claim.

[TOXIC]

The last time I had a rod replaced "free" it was a GLoomis that I was given as a gift, custom built on their blank.  It broke on a hookset the first time I used it.  They had me break it into 4 pieces and return it to them.  They returned a new blank with my custom guides included but not attached.  

[JustJames]

3 hours ago, Birdman2136 said:

This is what I’m interested in. A fair replacement program... not a free hand out. Thanks.

Phenix offer a replacement program at pretty fair value, around 50% of MSRP of new rod. 

[NYWayfarer]

3 hours ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I agree with you on your thought. If a customer breaks their rod it is not the responsibility of the manufacture to replace for free or even discount. I don't believe that its "good customer service" to do this either. If the rod breaks due to defect it will happen within a couple months and every rod manufacture will stand behind that claim.

I also agree with this.

 

People that want this over the counter exchange for broken rods should look into no questions asked, extended store warranties, like Dick's Sporting Goods has. For a fee, when you purchase your rod or reel, you can exchange it for a brand new rod or reel if you break yours. 

[Birdman2136]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

I also agree with this.

 

People that want this over the counter exchange for broken rods should look into no questions asked, extended store warranties, like Dick's Sporting Goods has. For a fee, when you purchase your rod or reel, you can exchange it for a brand new rod or reel if you break yours. 

The last thing I expect is a free handout or for someone to just hand me a rod because of my dumb error. After fishing in a kayak for the last 3-4 years I've realized accidents happen. I really haven't invested into "higher" end rods yet, so my thought is to invest in one that if I do break it I can get a rod back for whatever that company charges to do so. Hopefully not have to go buy another one at full price.

[bigfruits]

17 hours ago, volzfan59 said:

I never understood this. You pay, let's say $300.00 for a rod and break it. You mail it back, with another $100.00 to get a replacement. Now you've got $400.00, in a $300.00 rod? Doesn't make sense to me. After Loomis/ Shimano changed to this warranty, we couldn't give their rods away at BPS.

 

youve got $400 in 2 $300 rods.

 

if you break a $300 rod and buy another $300 rod you have $600 in and one rod to show for it.

 

anyone know of any others who offer this kind of service other than loomis and st croix?