A Shimano Observation

[gopherbass]

I'll start off by saying I'm a big fan of Shimano reels.  However, more than any other reel I've ever bought, I've run in to the most problems out-of-the-box with Shimano.  Of the 6 Shimano reels I've bought this year, I encountered problems with 2 of them before I ever used them.  In the case of 2 other reels I had to ask for a different reel than the one I was initially given because something was clearly wrong.

For the record, I'm not talking about the reels being a little short on oil.  I mean bent handles, messed up gears, etc.  This experience is not limited to my personal purchases either.  When I worked at a sporting goods store during college, Shimano was hands down the most returned reel without use.  The argument can certainly be made that Shimano reels were sold more than any other but the amount returned due to defects was not proportional (in my observation).

That said, I've found when Shimano reels start right, they stay right.  Just a thought...

[ABC123]

Ooooo, that's not going to go over well here at Shimanoresource.com ;D ;D ;D

[fish-fighting-illini]

Ooooo, that's not going to go over well here at Shimanoresource.com ;D ;D ;D

A big LOL

[shimanogloomis man]

iv been buying shimano ever since iv been fishing about 15 yrs now never knock on wood had any issues with any of my reels. ;D

[gopherbass]

Posted on: Today at 12:13pm

Ooooo, that's not going to go over well here at Shimanoresource.com  

My thoughts exactly.  I feel like Galileo.

[Jake.]

iv been buying shimano ever since iv been fishing about 15 yrs now never knock on wood had any issues with any of my reels. ;D

Hence the screename.  

[flechero]

I doubt anyone will say anything... observations are just that and since you experienced this personally, no on can really dispute it.

I've also been there, though.  I bought 2 Shimano reels earlier this year with out of the box problem (a 50MG and a CU100DSV) in both cases it was the IAR.  I returned one and kept the other (and got a replacement IAR bearing sent to me)

I wish they would have caught the problem at the factory, it would have saved me some time and money but it worked out in the end and I won't avoid shimano because of it.

[acar555]

Not only with Shimano, but with any reel manufacturer, they wouldn't let a reel with a bent handle leave. It had to have happend in shipping to the store. Why didn't you try the reel out at the store. I can't think of a retailer that wouldn't let you do that, especially on a purchase of a more expensive model. Unless you ordered them online. If you got them all from the same place then find somewhere else to shop. The equipment is made well by all and the quality controls are in place, the problems is in the transportation to the store or you.

[Alpster]

I just counted and I have 10 Shimano reels. One is brand new, one is over 30 years old and the rest are in between. All work flawlessly. I guess we don't all have the same experience. Yep I am in the posse.  

Ronnie

[FishTank]

I have 6 Shimano reels and have had zero issues but they can't make them perfect everytime, nobody can.

Which reels did you have issues with?  I talked to guy at BPS back in Feburary when I had an issue with a Quantum Tournament Edition Pt baitcasting reel and he explained that some of the reels they get in new seem like they have been returned and reboxed.  He had no explanation why but it opened my eyes to the fact that it is a good idea to look over a reel before you buy.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Not only with Shimano, but with any reel manufacturer, they wouldn't let a reel with a bent handle leave. It had to have happend in shipping to the store. Why didn't you try the reel out at the store. I can't think of a retailer that wouldn't let you do that, especially on a purchase of a more expensive model. Unless you ordered them online. If you got them all from the same place then find somewhere else to shop. The equipment is made well by all and the quality controls are in place, the problems is in the transportation to the store or you.

Yup they dont send out reels messed up already .its UPS,FEDEX  etc who do this

[twors]

I've bought 4 Citicas 201's, 1 curado 201, 1 calcutta 101 and 1 stradic 1000...all within the last year with zero problems.

[.dsaavedra.]

i wuv my citica. im glad it didnt have any problems with it

[gopherbass]

If damage happened during shipping, I would expect to see damage to the box.  Metal does not bend against cardboard.  The reels were a Calcutta TE 401, Calcutta TE 101, and Chronarch 51 mg.  Typically I try reels out but sometimes I'll have line put on and when the reel is handed to me I don't want to untie the line.  I'll make a more concerted effort to try before I buy going forward.  Even so, identifying lemons before buying them does not change my original observation that I have noticed a considerable number of flawed Shimano reels that have not been used.

[scbassin]

I have been buying Shimano reels since 1975 or 76. I have over 40 of there reels & have never have had a problem.  

[roadwarrior]

Well, if there is a problem of any kind with any Shimano reel, the company stands behind their products and will make you whole. I have never had a defective reel or any other issue fishing Shimano.

[skillet]

 Them's fightin' words BROTHER !!!  ;DJoking ;D. Have 2 bought last year Symetre and Citica and real glad there were no problems with them...

                            As Ever,

                             skillet

[smb]

I am new here and don't wish to stir up anything.  I guess you might say that I am a member of the "posse".  The Shimano Posse that is.  I can't divulge the number of Shimanos that I have.  To do so would probably lead towards the divorce court.  Better to insure domestic tranquility.  I have never had a problem with any of them that was not my fault.  In fact, they have stood up well in the face of my rough treatment of them. Some of the problems encountered seem to be in the shipment and handling.  The fact that one person has several or many problems in a cluster type ocurence suggests that some other factor, be it shipping, distributor, dealer or other thing could be the cause of the problem and not Shimano per se.  I think the concept of zero defects is just that a concept.  There is nothing perfect.

[Ghetto_Basser]

Ooooo, that's not going to go over well here at Shimanoresource.com ;D ;D ;D

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D That is funny right there. I've had probably 20 Shimanos and have had problems with two Calistos and a Sonora

[Catt]

I've been with for Academy Sports & Outdoors far 9 months, I will open all boxes for the customer to examine the product far any form of damage; I also teach all new associates do the same. Part of my job is to inspect all returned products and evaluate whether it was customer caused or product defect.

In this time frame I have to return 2 Shimano reels to the factory because of defects, one was a CURADO which had problems with the worm/paw and the other was a CRESTFIRE that simply would not engage. The most returned reels by far are the Pinnacle and Pflueger but mostly their low end reels.