FYI: Loomis Warranty

[RoLo]

Many seem to be under the false impression that G.Loomis offers a no questions asked

replacement warranty. While that may have been the case when Loomis was autonomous,

it certainly isn't the case today.

About two weeks ago, I was cranking in a hooked bass, and because it was just a runt,

I admit to ripping it briskly over the pads. Much to my surprise, the rod suddenly

snapped in two, but not at the slender tip, but closer to the butt.

I wound up hand-lining the little tyke to the boat.

We shipped the rod to Loomis and I finally got a call today from "Shimano America".

I was informed that the rod would not be replaced because they found a hit mark

about 14 above the butt section. Ironically, I inspected the break before shipping the rod,

and seen no evidence of impact under a 5x toolmaker's eye-loop.

I asked to speak with the inspector, but to no avail.

After getting nowhere fast, I informed the caller that the loss was really not mine,

because that will be the last Loomis rod I shall ever purchase.

Right before I hung up, my wife asked for the phone.

She asked kindly if Loomis would at least reimburse us for shipping coststhe answer was NO.

Roger

[Paul Roberts]

Ouch, Roger.

[bigfruits]

the no questions asked warranty is 50 dollars i believe. they actually ship the rod to you first and you return the broken rod in the tube provided.

were you looking for a free replacement or did they deny you this service?

http://www.gloomis.com/publish/content/gloomis/en/g__loomis_homepage/customerservice/warrantyinformation/xpeditorinformation.html

[Grey Wolf]

There's people on here that just probably fainted after reading your horror story.

[backpain...]

Give Kistler a try. I was given an 08' LTA flipping stick for my birthday in Oct, and never registered because it was my first Kistler. On my third outing with the rod I tried to pop a hung jig off of a limb and the tip literally fell of as if it had been cut.

My frst response from Kistler was not to my likeing but when I pressed the issue a little they honored their warranty. I paid $50 for the replacement (a 2010 LTA) shipping included. I recently got an email from them expressing their sorrow that I had a problem with one of their products with an offer for 50% an 2010 LTA of my choice for my troubles. Not at all a bad experience.

Just remember to register the rod once you buy it on their website, that is why I initially had the response I wasn't too fond of.

[Bucket]

Wow, that is surprising. There was a time that all I ever built was Loomis rods and sent several back and they were all replaced without question. I haven't had to send one back lately though.

[JigMe]

G-loomis would charge a fee if it is due to neglect, accident or wear and tear.

[RoLo]

G-loomis would charge a fee if it is due to neglect, accident or wear and tear.

However, rod failure was not due to neglect, wear or tear, and was not an accident.

Incidentally, you don't speak with Loomis anymore, the caller ID was "Shimano America".

Roger

[Skunked in DR]

I find this slightly ironic given Shimano's well publicized "over the counter" replacement policy.

[JigMe]

G-loomis would charge a fee if it is due to neglect, accident or wear and tear.

However, rod failure was not due to neglect, wear or tear, and was not an accident.

Incidentally, you don't speak with Loomis anymore, the caller ID was "Shimano America".

Roger

Yeah, ouchie...loomis's rod is not cheap, I would probably fainted if I was you...

[Paul Roberts]

Give Kistler a try. I was given an 08' LTA flipping stick for my birthday in Oct, and never registered because it was my first Kistler. On my third outing with the rod I tried to pop a hung jig off of a limb and the tip literally fell of as if it had been cut.

My frst response from Kistler was not to my likeing but when I pressed the issue a little they honored their warranty. I paid $50 for the replacement (a 2010 LTA) shipping included. I recently got an email from them expressing their sorrow that I had a problem with one of their products with an offer for 50% an 2010 LTA of my choice for my troubles. Not at all a bad experience.

Just remember to register the rod once you buy it on their website, that is why I initially had the response I wasn't too fond of.

Wow. Darn-it, so far I can't break my LTA! ;D

[Alpster]

Roger,

They still advertise their "expediter" warranty service on their website. You have to send them $50 to cover the cost of shipping both ways. I have done this several times without trouble. If it's worth the 1/2 C-note, I think it will work. Good luck.

Ronnie

[Bronzefly]

I haven't tried to use either the "limited lifetime warranty" or the "xpeditor service" both offered on Loomis rods since the transition of the customer service from Woodland to Irvine.  I have used both services over the years prior to the transition and I have been extremely happy with the outcomes each time. 

Even if they denied your "warranty" claim for whatever reason, your rod would still be subject to their $50 replacement "xpeditior service."  It seems like you would have been offered that as an option since they didn't cover it under the "warranty."

[Lucky Craft Man]

I am sorry to hear about your encounter, which seem to be all the more common today (in all aspects of business).  These companies seem to think that there is no money in customer service (even when many business models show that this isn't true).  I was afraid encounters like this would become more common when Shimano bought the company.  I have nothing against Shimano, but they are a huge company and sometimes that "personal feel" can be lost.  Fortunately, I have never broken a G Loomis rod yet, but if I do, I would just use the Xpeditor service (even if I think it was manufacturer defect), because I, like you, would get very upset if I was accused of misuse (I treat these rods like they are my kids).  I just hope the Xpeditor service in not discontinued.

[Bantam1]

The people at GLoomis still inspect the rods sent in for warranty claims. They determine if the rod failure was due to warranty or not. A list is sent to us with all of the warranty claims that have been denied. We then call the customers to let them know.

The people up there have been building and inspecting rods for a long time. They made the decision that the rod failed from prior damage to the blank. Unfortunately we have no say in this matter as trained personnel inspect the rods for damage.

The Shimano warranty is different from the Loomis warranty. This may change in the future but for right now they are different. We can deny warranties on rods and have done so. It all depends on what happened.

The Xpeditor service is not a warranty. It is a service where the rod is replaced for a $50 fee no matter how the rod was broken. Unfortunately it is not offered when a rod is denied warranty replacement/repair. Unfortunately there is nothing I can really do to help you out because this is the policy. You might want to call us at 877-577-0600 and explain the situation and ask for the Xpeditor program. You might be allowed to take advantage of it but I cannot guarantee it. 

[Lucky Craft Man]

The Xpeditor service is not a warranty. It is a service where the rod is replaced for a $50 fee no matter how the rod was broken. Unfortunately it is not offered when a rod is denied warranty replacement/repair.

Bantam1,

You have always been very helpful and I hope I don't offend you with this comment, but that may be the dumbest policy ever. I guess the "ask no questions" in the Xpeditor Service is literal and once you ask a question, you can no longer use the service.

[dodgeguy]

sounds like they are sick of replacing rods all the time.most rods that break are because of the user.in these hard financial times companies can ill afford to pay for things that really aren't their fault.they should lower their prices if they are going to get rid of the xpiditor service.

[Skunked in DR]

The Xpeditor service is not a warranty. It is a service where the rod is replaced for a $50 fee no matter how the rod was broken. Unfortunately it is not offered when a rod is denied warranty replacement/repair.

Bantam1,

You have always been very helpful and I hope I don't offend you with this comment, but that may be the dumbest policy ever. I guess the "ask no questions" in the Xpeditor Service is literal and once you ask a question, you can no longer use the service.

This strongly suggests that everyone should use the xpeditor service.  So why not just say Loomis will replace any broken or defective rod for $50 and get rid of the warranty.

[SWMIBASSER]

.they should lower their prices if they are going to get rid of the xpiditor service.

+1 billion...But it doesn't sound like they have.

[SWMIBASSER]

.they should lower their prices if they are going to get rid of the xpiditor service.

+1 billion...But it doesn't sound like they have.

[jamarkwe]

The Xpeditor service is not a warranty. It is a service where the rod is replaced for a $50 fee no matter how the rod was broken. Unfortunately it is not offered when a rod is denied warranty replacement/repair.

Bantam1,

You have always been very helpful and I hope I don't offend you with this comment, but that may be the dumbest policy ever. I guess the "ask no questions" in the Xpeditor Service is literal and once you ask a question, you can no longer use the service.

It does not speak of this in the warranty?

If this is the case, I will not buy any shimano or loomis rods as I was planning too.

[Bronzefly]

The Xpeditor service is not a warranty. It is a service where the rod is replaced for a $50 fee no matter how the rod was broken. Unfortunately it is not offered when a rod is denied warranty replacement/repair.

If this is the case, I will not buy any shimano or loomis rods as I was planning too.

First off, this has nothing to do with Shimano rods.  All of the models from the Clarus on up to the Cumaras already have a no questions asked replacement warranty.  Why would this have any impact on whether you bought a Shimano rod or not?

I was unaware of the policy regarding the denial of xpeditior if a warranty claim was also denied.  This seems pretty strange, but they didn't ask my opinion on the matter.  All I know is that I've been honest with Loomis and they've been honest with me.  I've had a few break due to a "defect" and some due to a bonehead move on my part.  Each time they handled the situation properly.

Good luck with this one and I hope it turns out well for you.

[steezy]

I've broken 2 GLX's, 1 was my fault and 1 was probably a defect, it snapped near the top grip.

Both times I just paid the $50 for a no questions asked replacement.

FYI, if you break a steez, you can take it to any BPS and get it replaced over the counter, FREE.

[jamarkwe]

The Xpeditor service is not a warranty. It is a service where the rod is replaced for a $50 fee no matter how the rod was broken. Unfortunately it is not offered when a rod is denied warranty replacement/repair.

If this is the case, I will not buy any shimano or loomis rods as I was planning too.

First off, this has nothing to do with Shimano rods. All of the models from the Clarus on up to the Cumaras already have a no questions asked replacement warranty. Why would this have any impact on whether you bought a Shimano rod or not?

It doesn't take much to drive me away from a company...

I would not want to put myself in this type of situation...

There are alot of Great rod company's to choose from...

[senile1]

As one of the members of this forum whose posts command a great deal of trust from me, I find your situation very intriguing, Roger.  Are you still trying to work with them, or are you at the end of your proverbial rope?