Loomis Warranty Update

[RoLo]

As most know, one of my Loomis rods snapped in two while I was cranking in a middling bass.

Blank failure was not provoked by poor handling, a careless step, a car door, a car window, etc.

For this reason, I actually pursued the rod warranty, which is something I've never done before

in 50 years of fishing. Long story short, I didn't pay for Xpeditor service and refused their offer.

I wasn't about to shell out an additional $50 for a rod that I already paid for in full.

I was merely asking Loomis to make good on a defective blank.

I was told to ship the handle-end of the blank for inspection. Before shipping the rod

I inspected the blank under a toolmaker's eye-loop, and found no impacted fibers.

Several days later notwithstanding, I received a call from Loomis informing me that they found

a "hit mark", and that Loomis will not replace my rod. For the record, Shimano was not party

to this decision. Adding insult to injury, Loomis also refused to reimburse me for shipping costs.

The rod has long since been replaced by a Damiki Dark Angel, but Friday of last week,

I get a call from Loomis. The Rep said that they'll send me a new rod for $25.

I thought to myself, isn't it amazing what a contraction in discretionary spending can do.

My answer to Loomis: "I will not accept a new rod from Loomis unless you reimburse me

for shipping costs on the broken rod, and send me the new rod "free".

Naturally, that's not what Loomis wanted to hear. The Rep then asked me if I wanted them to ship me the broken blank.

This I found to be highly suspect, because Loomis had already returned the broken blank

many weeks ago (months ago). I wasn't in the mood to offer any explanation to some stranger,

so I tersely answered "No". In retrospect, that was probably a mistake. Someone at Loomis

did an amateurish job of adding a "hit mark" to the blank they returned to me

(probably the inspector who rejected it...LOL). An eyeloop would not be needed to see the blatant bruise on the blank.

I should've have answered, Yes, just to see what Loomis was about to send me next.

Loomis had a good run, and for a long time, but I'm afraid their day has come.

Every business has a shelf life, only GE and GM are charter members of original Dow Industrial 30,

the other 28 have all been replaced. From all appearances, the high-end rod market has reached maturity.

Owing to that theory is the founder himself, who's now shaking the money tree at the lower end.

If I hear anything more from Loomis, I'll let ya'll know ;-)

Roger

[roadwarrior]

After filing for bankruptcy, GM was removed in June, 2009.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aKJur2r3zEnc

________________

I think the opinions being expressed on this thread are

representative of G. Loomis loyal supporters. Seems to

me like a very serious situation for the company. Time

will tell.

[J Francho]

Wait a minute....there is no Xpediter service if you submit under their warranty program, yet a rep is willing to offer the Xpediter service now, for half off?  I'd refuse, too.  Clearly they know they did wrong, or they wouldn't be willing to offer a deal.

[RoLo]

After filing for bankruptcy, GM was removed in June, 2009.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aKJur2r3zEnc

That leaves General Electric and Loomis, but GE is a candidate for delisting

[flechero]

I agree with John... none of this ever sounded right.

Not to re-hash this because I vaguely remember it was a long thread but did you ever make a call to someone "above" the person initially that denied the claim and explain the fact that you inspected it with a loop and the hit mark wasn't there? I guess it could have happened in transit to them also.

I'd invest a few minutes into a call or two to recoup the rod.

I should've have answered, Yes, just to see what Loomis was about to send me next.

Maybe he was probably trying to make it good for you. You might have refused the new replacement.

[RoLo]

I agree with John... none of this ever sounded right.

Not to re-hash this because I vaguely remember it was a long thread but did you ever make a call to someone "above" the person initially that denied the claim and explain the fact that you inspected it with a loop and the hit mark wasn't there? I guess it could have happened in transit to them also.

I'd invest a few minutes into a call or two to recoup the rod.

I should've have answered, Yes, just to see what Loomis was about to send me next.

Maybe he was probably trying to make it good for you. You might have refused the new replacement.

You made some points Flechero that I also thought about.

I'm easy to insult, so I really didn't pursue the matter beyond Bantam1,

who I believe is a Shimano rep and not a Loomis rep.

I've probably purchased 6 to 8 rods in the past 12 months (garage full of cardboard tubes).

I'd probably pursue the matter more aggressively if I truly cared, but as crazy as it might sound,

I honestly am not interested in owning anymore Loomis rods. 

Roger

[Gone_Phishin]

RoLo, by chance is your new stick the Damikii 7'6" M cranking model?

[RoLo]

RoLo, by chance is your new stick the Damikii 7'6" M cranking model?

The Loomis was a spinning rod, which I replaced with a Damiki spinning rod.

To be exact: Damiki Dark Angel - 6' 6, Med Hvy, Extra-Fast, 1/4 to 1 oz, 12 to 20 lb, Fuji Alconite, EVA Foam, ~$170

In its price range, it's become my favorite spinning rod.

Roger

[Gone_Phishin]

RoLo, by chance is your new stick the Damikii 7'6" M cranking model?

The Loomis was a spinning rod, which I replaced with a Damiki spinning rod.

To be exact: Damiki Dark Angel - 6' 6, Med Hvy, Extra-Fast, 1/4 to 1 oz, 12 to 20 lb, Fuji Alconite, EVA Foam, ~$170

In its price range, it's become my favorite spinning rod.

Roger

That's encouraging to hear.  I can't get the crankin' stick out of my mind.  ;D

[Bassn Blvd]

That sucks you're out a rod.  Perhaps you should have accepted the offer but what's done is done.

I purchased most of my Loomis' under retail, saving anywhere from 25-100 per rod, by purchasing them on sale or dickering with the tackle shop owner.  If the rod breaks, I have no problem paying for the expediter service, even if it's manufacturers defect.  The money I saved buying it on sale pays for the service.

But then again, the warranty is not why I by Loomis.  I have yet to break one on a fish in over 22 yrs of using there product.  I'm not saying it doesn't happen because you're proof that it does.  I just use them because I like them so I buy'em. 

[Dockhead]

So, Shimano owns Loomis, but they are entirely different entities?    :-?

Roger-What lures do you throw on that Damiki? What reel do you have it paired with?

[RoLo]

Roger-What lures do you throw on that Damiki? What reel do you have it paired with?

The Damiki has remarkable latitude and I use for just about everything (1/8 to 1 oz).

It's paired with a Shimano Stradic 2500 FI (a bit tip-heavy with the Stradic C14)

Roger

[NorcalBassin]

Any chance I can give you $25.01 and pay your shipping costs for that replacement rod???

;D ;D ;D

[steezy]

RoLo,

If it's a GLX rod, I'll send you 75 bucks and a prepaid shipping label if you will accept their offer to repace the rod and send the new rod to me.

[Dockhead]

The Damiki has remarkable latitude...

I was hoping you'd say something like that. I'm looking for a rod with those specs, was leaning towrads getting one of the brands I already have.

But in the end, I just love variety -and that eva handle. 

[RoLo]

I just love variety -and that eva handle.

You're wise.

Species cork is by far the most popular grip material, but the blood & slime

of saltwater fishing is where I learned the benefits of EVA foam & Hypalon.

RoLo,

If it's a GLX rod, I'll send you 75 bucks and a prepaid shipping label if you will accept their offer to repace the rod and send the new rod to me.

I heard that Steez ;-)

Nah, it was just a GL3...nothing exciting.

Roger

[BassThumb]

I think your best bet would be to swallow your pride, take the $25 rod, and sell it in the Flea Market at market value to recoup some of your money. You maybe even be able to time the sale so that Loomis will ship the rod to the interested buyer after they pay you for it.

[tkite16]

Snapped my glx jig rod in my box door the other day. They sent me a new one for $50.  I got nothing but love for gloomis.

[jeb2]

Snapped my glx jig rod in my box door the other day. They sent me a new one for $50.

It'd cost you double that if you did it today. It went up to $100 on 8/1/10, and you can only use it once per rod for life.

[Grey Wolf]

Snapped my glx jig rod in my box door the other day. They sent me a new one for $50. I got nothing but love for gloomis.

I think you missed something along the way here.

[tkite16]

Snapped my glx jig rod in my box door the other day. They sent me a new one for $50.

It'd cost you double that if you did it today. It went up to $100 on 8/1/10, and you can only use it once per rod for life.

Wow  hadn't heard that. Guess I got lucky and got it in in time.  Well that nrx doesn't look as good as it did a few minutes ago.   > >

Guess I'll take a serious look at st croix for my next rod. I'm pretty hardcore gloomis  fan  but it'll be tough to shell out 500  without expiditor service. 

[Grey Wolf]

Snapped my glx jig rod in my box door the other day. They sent me a new one for $50.

It'd cost you double that if you did it today. It went up to $100 on 8/1/10, and you can only use it once per rod for life.

Wow hadn't heard that. Guess I got lucky and got it in in time. Well that nrx doesn't look as good as it did a few minutes ago. > >

Guess I'll take a serious look at st croix for my next rod. I'm pretty hardcore gloomis fan but it'll be tough to shell out 500 without expiditor service.

You can use the expiditor service one time only , they didn't discontinue it.

[tkite16]

I know you can still use it once . But in the back of my mind as I've shelled out 250-400 for 14 imx and glx rods in the past I could tell myself I have this rod for life.  So I'll at least look at other companys stuff in the future. This will definitely make me look at custom rod builders stuff too.  I think this will hurt them. Hell I almost got their fishbone logo tattooed on my arm once before chickening out. If it makes me think of other companies I'm sure others will too.

[Grey Wolf]

I know you can still use it once . But in the back of my mind as I've shelled out 250-400 for 14 imx and glx rods in the past I could tell myself I have this rod for life. So I'll at least look at other companys stuff in the future. This will definitely make me look at custom rod builders stuff too. I think this will hurt them. Hell I almost got their fishbone logo tattooed on my arm once before chickening out. If it makes me think of other companies I'm sure others will too.

When you're paying that kind of money , custom builders are the way to go. JMHO