Best Rod Quality Vs. Customer Service/warranty 2024

Megastink reply :

There are pros and cons to buying any brand rod. Some companies give you a fair product quality and Free/Low cost replacment if broken (Abu Garcia Vertias comes to mind), while others give you a top notch quality product that costs you quite a bit to replace if broken (Powell, $69/rod).

So, in your experience, what brand has a great quality and good customer service/ warranty???

I hear Shimano will replace rods for free, but I've also heard horror stories about the newest gen Crucial breaking. What about Duckett? Rods are awesome, what about warranty?

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

People tend to use the word 'warranty' when in actuallity "replacement program" is the better term. Repalcement programs are just a form of insurance whether charged for seperately of built into the price of the item. Everyone pays, some collect. All products carry an implied warranty of merchantibility unless expressly denied. In other words, when companies sell stuff, it has to hold up to the intended use. No company would last a week if they don't stand behind their products. I'd like to see all these fluff, marketing replacement programs fall by the wayside and just pay fair prices for quality items. If a rod is truly defective it's going to break right off the bat not weeks, months or years down the line. High modulus rods need to be protected from scratches, dents and dings to ensure blank integrity. In addition, no rod should be flexed to the point where the tip passes beyond 90* to the butt. In other words, no high sticking.

QUAKEnSHAKE reply :

ST CROIX

derekxec reply :

get a quality rod and take care of it....every manufacturer has a warranty for defects so if you get a good quality rod you shouldnt need to worry about using a warranty unless its a defect

really the manufacturer didnt slam your tip in the tailgate or run it over with your truck lol so people should take some responsibility for their own neglect that way you will learn to treat your rods better

SirSnookalot reply :

I've yet to use customer service for a damaged, mine have never broken. I did buy a defective Falcon that BPS returned my $$.

I've had nothing but good experience with Pure Fishing and Quantum for reels. Quantum's reel warranty is 48 hours for fresh and 24 hours for saltwater reels turnaround time.

thehooligan reply :

I like shimano and dobyns warranties.

rockchalk06 reply :

I'd have to say Shimano followed by Loomis with a wild card.

Bring it in to the nearest dealer and swap out. No shipping, no hassle no money.

BassinLou reply :

I have dealt with St. Croix a couple of times, I have no complaints. Received replacement rods, no questions asked. Upgraded on one. Deal I couldn't refuse.

Mr_Scrogg reply :

I like the upgrade option at St Croix. Ive dealt with a GLoomis breakibg, got a replacement.

BrettD reply :

The one time I had to deal with falcon rods it was easy for me. I utilized the replacement plan.

skeletor6 reply :

I fancy highly with rod performance. I would much rather have a higher performing rod with an okay warranty than a lower performing rod with a great warranty. If I do not like how the rod performs then its warranty becomes negligible at that point, because that rod will be sold.

That being said, rod performance is subjective and I believe that there is a great misconception with some of the companies out there and how they handle their warranties. Shimano and GLoomis warranty programs are not as inferior to St. Croix as many would lead to believe. There are plenty of companies with excellent backing of their rods as prior accounts in this thread have mentioned.

dam0007 reply :

Shimano is over the counter, so u buy one at Joes bait and tackle in GA and break it on Lake Eerie in OH you could return it at Cabelas in CT.

Capt.Bob reply :

I might have thought different about this with 10 or 15 years experience, and with a few dozen companies under my belt, and an, I know what I'm talking about attitude, but adding another 30 or so years to that line of thinking, and having used most worthwhile brands out there, and dealing with those companies and others who have commercially, in all honesty I have to say St. Croix, year after year. As DVC stated it is more like a "replacement program," as warranty items cover you" If a rod is truly defective it's going to break right off the bat not weeks, months or years down the line,." I mean heck Wally World will do that with any rod they sell, at any price even a $15.00 dollar one!! But St. Croix goes one better with their premium lifetime rods and offer an upgrade or trade in for an old or abused rod,,, to the newest, finest, highest tech rod's they make, or anything in between!!!,,,,,,,,NO QUESTIONS ASKED!! That's why they would be my choice.

baluga reply :

Shimano and Daiwa no cost, no question asked. Plus their main offices are driving distance from my house.

Got1Fishing reply :

On 6/8/2013 at 9:59 AM, Capt.Bob said:
I might have thought different about this with 10 or 15 years experience, and with a few dozen companies under my belt, and an, I know what I'm talking about attitude, but adding another 30 or so years to that line of thinking, and having used most worthwhile brands out there, and dealing with those companies and others who have commercially, in all honesty I have to say St. Croix, year after year. As DVC stated it is more like a "replacement program," as warranty items cover you" If a rod is truly defective it's going to break right off the bat not weeks, months or years down the line,." I mean heck Wally World will do that with any rod they sell, at any price even a $15.00 dollar one!! But St. Croix goes one better with their premium lifetime rods and offer an upgrade or trade in for an old or abused rod,,, to the newest, finest, highest tech rod's they make, or anything in between!!!,,,,,,,,NO QUESTIONS ASKED!! That's why they would be my choice.

SirSnookalot reply :

On 6/8/2013 at 10:08 AM, baluga said:
Shimano and Daiwa no cost, no question asked. Plus their main offices are driving distance from my house.

That's an attractive situation. There is a definite difference between warranty and an upgrade program. Luckily I've yet to have a rod break under normal fishing usage although I've had a few break by my own abuse. I would agree that a new rod that performs well without any kind of breakage during the first few weeks is a rod that should last, defects show up quickly and the retail outlet will almost always make it right. Buying a rod on line is something I've never been too fond of, I've done it with both positive and negative results, the negatives are a hassle. I'm more than content with the performance and durability of the brands I mainly use, rating a warranty is something I can't do as I haven't had to deal with it.

One of my neighbors recently broke 2 of his St Croix 2 piece rods that were previously used for stripers when he lived in Conn., they broke while bass fishing. He was very pleased with their replacement program.

ww2farmer reply :

I have had to use a few different services from a few different mfgs. IMHO

#1............St Croix. Yes it cost's money to ship it back to them, but for either $50 (if it's your fault it broke) or for FREE, they replace it. No questions asked.

#2 .....Bass Pro Shops/ Gander Mtn, any time I have ever broke a BPS or GM branded rod, I take it to the store (as long as I had the receipt) and walk out with a new one. Not bad.

Unranked............Fenwick, they replaced one for me a while ago, but it was kind of a P.I.T.A. even getting in touch with them, and getting any info out of them on how to proceed. But this was 10-12 years ago, they might be better now.

The worst..............Kistler. Not only did every rod I bought from them fall apart or break, but they gave me the run-around via phone and e-mail on how to proceed with a claim. So much so that I gave up.

I just bought some Abu, and Shimano rods, so we shall see on those. I do like the thought of Shimano's over the counter lifetime warranty, lets hope I never have to use it.

MichBassMan reply :

I've only used rod return service from two companies. I used other rods but haven't broken any that I wanted to replace.

I would say # 1 Gander Mtn . Over the counter exchange no problem and this is even on Rods selling for under $80. And I might add that at that price point I don't know of another rod than can compete for sensitivity and balance.

#2 I'd say St.Croix. They are currently NOT running the upgrade option at St Croix. Also the better rods are $75 not $50. ( I sent them an Avid & a Premier yesterday) They are however always friendly and always American.

Capt.Bob reply :

On 6/9/2013 at 5:20 AM, MichBassMan said:
#2 I'd say St.Croix. They are currently NOT running the upgrade option at St Croix. Also the better rods are $75 not $50. ( I sent them an Avid & a Premier yesterday) They are however always friendly and always American.

The only rods they won't upgrade on there plan right now are rods that are not broken and simply want to trade up, I tried to upgrade an old Avid at the same time I upgraded a broken Legend Elite, both about 14 years old, the broken rod was upgraded under there warranty program, but since there was nothing wrong with the Avid it could not be upgraded for a couple months till they reduce some of the current trade ins as they have been swamped under the trade in upgrade program,,,,,not warranty upgrade program!! It is confusing as nobody offers the choices to back their consumers that St. Croix customer service offers!!!! NOBODY!!!

QUAKEnSHAKE reply :

On 6/9/2013 at 5:20 AM, MichBassMan said:

I've only used rod return service from two companies. I used other rods but haven't broken any that I wanted to replace.

I would say # 1 Gander Mtn . Over the counter exchange no problem and this is even on Rods selling for under $80. And I might add that at that price point I don't know of another rod than can compete for sensitivity and balance.

#2 I'd say St.Croix. They are currently NOT running the upgrade option at St Croix. Also the better rods are $75 not $50. ( I sent them an Avid & a Premier yesterday) They are however always friendly and always American.

That price $75 is for self caused issues like you stepped on it or shut a door on it. If its manufacture error then it will cost only $20.

HomersTomaco reply :

Broken an Abu, BPS, Carrot, Fenwick... All replaced from the companies and they were all great to deal with. Shimano has a great warranty over the counter but I don't think I have known a single person that has owned a rod without it snapping.... Most have many many times. .. They need that warranty to keep the customers happy.

Kistler was by far the worst experience ever. Always got the run around and they wouldn't help out at all. I would never buy another energy of their rods ever.

OK Bass Hunter reply :

I like Shimano's over the counter replacement program. I've only had to use it once but it was hassle free and painless.

Darren. reply :

I have both Shimano and St. Croix rods. On paper, Shimano's is better in that you only have to pay the gas to go to the store and exchange it.

St. Croix has the advantage in upgrades.

There's an argument to be made that manufacturers price in warranty replacement on rods. I.e., maybe a Compre, in reality, could retail at $65, but Shimano sells it at $99. $34 warranty built-in for that (maybe) one time you bring it in for a replacement.

My 6'3" Avid broke the other day. 6" off the tip. I couldn't believe it, felt crushed. Called 'Croix, they said $75 bucks to replace OR exchange for an equally-priced rod. Or the difference for a more expensive rod. I could even exchange it for a casting model even tho the broken one is a spinning rod.

I have no idea how the tip broke, so by rule, it's my fault. Shimano has the best OTC warranty out there, but St. Croix's allowance of upgrades, cross-grades, etc., is also second to none.

baluga reply :

Phenix rods also has the upgrade option. They also have the replacement warranty for $50.

PondBoss reply :

H2O Xpress Ethos, anywhere there is an Academy store you can replace a broken rod no questions asked. Heck doesn't even need to be broken, just got it and don't like it take it back, no questions asked. I broke 2 of their rods, totally my fault, set the hook high and hard right into a branch. SNAP! Then fell on the other one. They took them back, Plus it's one helluva rod for $60-$80.

FishinChris reply :

I do not see anything on Shimano's website about an over-the-counter warranty. It says you have to ship it to them. Where do you guys see this at?

Thanks!

SenkoGuru reply :

Duckett makes fine rods and that 20 year warranty is a major plus.

Banned-99884 reply :

Dobyns rods has the best costumer service. I have a 683C champion and I traded it for a 701SF all I had to do was pay the 40$ ffor.shiping! Great company

webertime reply :

Lamiglas is also pretty sweet. Some models are one year (lower end) and others are lifetime. If you break it it's a $20 fee to cover the shipping, etc. If it breaks for a "duh" reason you do the "Fast Track" and it's $50 and they send you another rod. I broke an early production run Excel 734 and got an Excel II 735 as a replacement, they let me choose the model I wanted in the line up.

I broke a 1st generation Phenix Recon and got to talking to the warranty guy there about it, ended up talking about life, our jobs, etc... They were very honest about their rods which was very refreshing and almost "fun" to deal with (the warranty guy had to call me and when I picked the phone up he pranked me pretty good about stuff related to my line of work). It was $50 and I got a Recon2 back asap.

I'll take an awesome rod with a 1 year warranty over a lifetime warrantied average rod every day of the week.

Jon G reply :

Duckett has a very nice warranty I had one break a few years ago and the replaced it no questions asked. I ordered a *** around Christmas and upon further inspection i noticed the guides were in horrendous condition (they looked as if they got in a fight with a hammer) at first they said they dont replace rods due to guides but after explaining that I have never even used the rods they were willing to replace it. They just called me today and told me they saw got my rod (its a 7'1 MH) and said they would replace it because there was no way those guides could be fixed. They told me they didnt have any 7'1 MH at the moment and asked if i would be ok with a 7'3 MH instead and i said I was (I originally wanted the 7'3 MH) so i am very pleased with their customer service and warranty.

4507

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