Loomis warranty and pricing- the truth

[flechero]

With some regularity, people bash Loomis and the cost of the warranty vs the cost of the rods...

Let's take an honest look at G.Loomis's pricing and warranty situation:

I know this has become a popular thought (that Loomis jacked up prices to cover the "Expiditer" warranty) but it's just not true. The cost of Loomis rods has been more stable than the cost of living index and inflation. The prices of the high end rods are within a few dollars of what they were almost 15 years ago, long before the Expiditer warranty was introduced.

It's cheaper to buy Loomis rods now that ever before.... I bought a few IMX rods in May 1994 (I remember the date because I bought a boat that month) I paid:

MBR784 $225

MBR785 $240

MBR844 $245

When you do the math, they have actually gotten much cheaper over time with inflation and cost of living. An IMX back then was about the equivalent of twice that price today.

Now some will probably argue that they have been overpriced for all these years, but what they also don't know (or remember) is that 15 years ago, it was very hard to buy these rods because no dealer could keep them in stock. Demand was way ahead of production. Compared to the crap that we had back then, I was glad to pay the asking price... as they were light years ahead of most rods back then.

If you don't want to buy or use Loomis, that's perfectly fine but lets not mix up fact and opinions.

rant over. (this wasn't directed at any one person... the topic comes up quite often)

[Chris W]

Hard to believe that is all the price has changed in 15 years.

[roadwarrior]

G. Loomis is a great value for a rod you will spend a lifetime fishing.

8-)

[Jig Man]

I have no problem with them their warranty or price.  I just wish I had 10 more of them to replace other brands I bought before I got my hands on a Loomis.

[steezy]

Anybody ever amortize the investment in a loomis over 20 or 30 years.  Its gotta look good.

[Bantam1]

There is a difference between the warranty and the Xpeditor service. The XPeditor is $50 no questions asked. You ship your rod back in the provided tube with the provided shipping label within 30 days. If you do not ship it back within 30 days they will charge you full MSRP for the rod. This is the best option if the rod broke say shutting it in the car door or in your tail gate.

You can also send the rod in for warranty repair. Typically this is free with the only cost to you being shipping to WA. They can deem that the rod broke by non fishing related conditions and possibly charge you. From what I understand they rarely charge for warranty repair or replacement.

GLoomis has done extensive testing on rod blanks to understadn how and why they break. They can tell which way the rod was bent when it broke, how it broke and if it was a legitimate failure or not.

[tyrius.]

Anybody ever amortize the investment in a loomis over 20 or 30 years. Its gotta look good.

Sounds like a money loser to me!!  Buy something for retail price and 20-30 years later you have something worth maybe half of what you paide for it.

Doesn't sound like an investment that I want to make!!!    

[J Francho]

I don't exclusively bash G. Loomis...in fact, I rarely use their name. I don't consider it bashing. Fact is, I don't actually like their rods for several reasons.  I'm more likely to actually bash them for their antiquated grips, ugly blanks, and poor fit and finish.

I would be more likely to attribute the prices to modern, more efficient manufacturing through well managed methodologies (i.e. ISO, Lean Six Sigma, TTM, CMM, etc.).

St. Croix has the same type of service. They in fact take it to another level, and offer an upgrade plan that G. Loomis does not offer.

And, yes, I'm a hypocrite - I own several St. Croix, plan to purchase more, and even owned a G. Loomis IMX, though it was a trout rod.

I just don't see how they cannot have the cost of such a service built in, without it being passed to the retail consumer.

[flechero]

I just don't see how they cannot have the cost of such a service built in, without it being passed to the retail consumer.

I think what they have done is operate on a much thinner profit margin and made it up (and then some) on volume.  Used to only be able to get IMX at a select few shops... now you can get them everywhere.

You can also send the rod in for warranty repair. Typically this is free with the only cost to you being shipping to WA. They can deem that the rod broke by non fishing related conditions and possibly charge you. From what I understand they rarely charge for warranty repair or replacement.

Very true, but that's not what I was trying to address...  the complaints usually stem from the Expediter service.  

Sometimes they charge you for the return shipping as well which ends up being more than the Expediter service since you have to insure the shipment for full value. (depending on the rod and your location)

I'm more likely to actually bash them for their antiquated grips, ugly blanks, and poor fit and finish.

valid points, but not warranty related.  (although I like raw blanks when you can't choose the colors!)  

[MarauderYak]

Flechero, G Loomis rods have gotten cheaper (relatively speaking) over the years, but you may be overestimating how much.  $225 in 1994 should be worth $327 today (strictly due to inflation), and that rod actually sells for $270.  It's hard to compare that to what has happened with other company's fishing equipment because there's not many of the exact same items being made today that were made in 1994.  The real question is, will that continue to be the case as Loomis is completely incorporated into the Shimano company next year?  While they've been owned by Shimano for a while, they've still had their own management, and operated as a seperate entity.

J Francho, until this year (actually started last year) Loomis hadn't made any signifcant changes to their rod production procedures since the day they started.  But they've grown so much that their procedures were actually creating HUGE problems for them.  They've now finished re-training all their rod builders & incorporated new procedures that should be a huge cost savings for them.

[Pantera61]

Simply remarkable.

[basspro96]

Most people are afraid to get a G.Loomis in the fact that the bait monkey might make them addicted to the terrible drug....Nothing like selling all your rods and then buying new ones and 200 dollars + a pop...

[The Yankee Fist]

Over a lifetime Loomis rods are a great value. If you don't think so, buy a crap combo every 1-2 years at Wal Mart and see how it adds up.

I really think anyone who rants about the price is just whining because OF the price alone. Go to Wal Mart, get the rod you can afford and leave us the hell alone.

I am so sick of getting judged by what I own or have bought. I busted I disagree saving to afford those Loomis rods I have. It was a childhood aspiration to own them, I love how they fish and you know what? I'm catching more fish than ever in an area known to be a ***** to catch bass of sizeable nature on a regular basis in terrible conditions this year. It ain't me, I still cast and retrieve the same way I did as a kid 30 years ago, it's the gear.

[Pantera61]

Over a lifetime Loomis rods are a great value. If you don't think so, buy a crap combo every 1-2 years at Wal Mart and see how it adds up.

I really think anyone who rants about the price is just whining because OF the price alone. Go to Wal Mart, get the rod you can afford and leave us the hell alone.

I am so sick of getting judged by what I own or have bought. I busted I disagree saving to afford those Loomis rods I have. It was a childhood aspiration to own them, I love how they fish and you know what? I'm catching more fish than ever in an area known to be a pregnant dog to catch bass of sizeable nature on a regular basis in terrible conditions this year. It ain't me, I still cast and retrieve the same way I did as a kid 30 years ago, it's the gear.

Try a Megabass or Evergreen. Then you will REALLY know what a fishing rod is.

[J Francho]

I am so sick of getting judged by what I own or have bought.

Why would you assume that because one doesn't share the same opinion as you that they are judging you?  I don't use G.Loomis, and I don't use Wal Mart crap.  

[tyrius.]

I am so sick of getting judged by what I own or have bought.

It's equally annoying to hear this refrain all the time.  People who don't buy a Loomis and don't like them as much aren't necessarily judging anyone.  They're simply expressing their opinion the same as you are.

[Bantam1]

The real question is, will that continue to be the case as Loomis is completely incorporated into the Shimano company next year? While they've been owned by Shimano for a while, they've still had their own management, and operated as a seperate entity.

J Francho, until this year (actually started last year) Loomis hadn't made any signifcant changes to their rod production procedures since the day they started. But they've grown so much that their procedures were actually creating HUGE problems for them. They've now finished re-training all their rod builders & incorporated new procedures that should be a huge cost savings for them.

We have owned the company since 1997 and no changes have been made to the way they do business, build rods or design rods. There are some changes starting at the end of this year. The one affecting you most will be customer service. Shimano will start handling customer service related issues starting soon. I do not have an official date because one has not been set yet. As of right now lets say December 1, 2009, maybe earlier. Nothing will change as far as the Xpeditor Service program or warranty programs. Everything will remain the same as far as warranty processes are concerned.

There have been some rumors flying around that we will be taking GLoomis overseas for production. This is not true at all. We have no intentions of changing what Loomis does or taking production to our factories. GLoomis will continue to build high tech rods at the factory in Woodland, WA. They want to focus on being a manufacturer and develop rods as they have done since 1985. GLoomis is a rod factory focused on building high performance rods. This will be the only factory to produce GLoomis rods for both the US and internationally.

With Shimano taking over all aspects of sales, marketing and customer service this allows for some growth and has allowed time for improved qualtiy training at the factory. With our assistance in these areas GLoomis has been able to update the manufacturing process and develop more efficient production processes. This means that they will be able to increase production with an even higher level of quality than before.

[roadwarrior]

I for one applaud your efforts. G. Loomis are my favorite rods

and, SURPRISE!, Shimano makes my favorite reels. Keep

up the great tradition.

[flechero]

I for one applaud your efforts. G. Loomis are my favorite rods

and, SURPRISE!, Shimano makes my favorite reels. Keep

up the great tradition.

Can you imagine if Shimano bought Yo-Zuri?   ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Bantam1]

I will be helping out with all Loomis related topics from now on. The same is also true for Power Pro.

Pretty soon my work shirt is going to look like a professional bass anglers shirt. With all the companies I work with now it will look like I'm sponsored  ;D

[flechero]

I will be helping out with all Loomis related topics from now on.  

It will be nice to have someone of "authority" to call BS on the BS.  

[Bronzefly]

Loomis out of Woodland, WA has always provided top notch customer service to me. Shimano USA out of Irvine, CA has always provided equally impressive customer service. I expect that once the Loomis customer service is all "in house" at Shimano USA that the service will remain as excellent as it has always been. I'm also glad that B1 will be available as a resource for Loomis questions as well. Keep up the great work guys and thank you for providing top notch products and customer service!

[MarauderYak]

Bantam1, when I said we'll see what changes I was primarily addressing pricing.  And I was speaking of 2011 and beyond.  I already know about all the re-training, and the management changes there, and think they'll have positive results for both the consumer & for Shimano.  But with Shimano now completely taking charge, there is no way that the next 15 years will be as static (pricing and product developement) as the last 15 at Loomis.  I know Shimano understands the importance of maintaining the consistancy of GL product, but I'm willing to bet that over the next 3 years you'll see a larger change to the GL line than you've seen over the last 15.

I'm not insinuating it will be bad for us consumers, I'm just predicting change.

[flechero]

there is no way that the next 15 years will be as static (pricing and product developement) as the last 15 at Loomis.

Did Captain Obvious steal your password?     ;D

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

I consider creating technique specific rod series an innovative

marketing concept. I don't know that G. Loomis came up with

the idea, but they have perfected it!

Introducing a "better rod" series (GLX) when the IMX was already

considered "the best" is interesting, too. Squeezing out a

25-30% pricing mark-up for 5% "improvement" seems like

another clever business decision.

I guess I don't share the view that G. Loomis has been "static"

for fifteen years. New product designations have tweaked rod

design to make them oh-so-slightly specific for designated tasks.

I assure you, you do not need a SMR to fish for smallmouth.

On the otherhand, I mostly fish a PR844S which I suspect is

not even a consideration for most smallmouth fishermen!

8-)