My disgust with Shimano 2025

flechero reply :

Well, I am officially whipped and ticked off with Shimano. I recieved yet another reel that slipped past quality control. This is the 3rd (1 curado 100 and 2 50MG's) one that has not had IAR working. I have 4 other MG's with perfect IAR and now 2 in a row without... It's now 3 reels in a row with the same issue and 3 reels in a row that I have to pay return shipping on... and of course another shipping charge for the replacement reel.

I will never again buy a shimano product over the internet or any mail order. It is actually cheaper for me to pay full price plus tax and buy one locally where I can sort through a few of them to find one that I don't have to send back.

If Abu would only make a lighter version of the Revo... I'd swear off shimano for good. >

guest reply :

I know the posse is going to hop all over this but this reel is lighter than the Revo and Pflueger is not such a bad word in these parts you might want to give the Summit a try

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_85315_100001001_100000000_100001000_100-1-1

roadwarrior reply :

Man, that's ridiculous!

I'm surprised the retailer doesn't take care of the cost, but either way I would fire off an e-mail to Shimano. One "defective" is one too many, but three in a row? Hmm...

Siebert Outdoors reply :

Call up shimano and explain the situation. Ask for a call tag or a Return label. I'd bet they would send you one. Send the reel to them and let them fix it right or they might even send you a new one. They did that for a buddy of mine with a different issue.

Raul reply :

I have no idea where or from whom you are purchasing those reels, one with flaws, ok, two with flaws .... unlikely, 3 !, crap, possible but the chances are astronomical.

flechero reply :

It just chaps me... I don't buy reels for "stock" I buy a reel when I have a need so even if shimano makes good on a repair, I'm still out 2 weeks on a reel that was never used and was sold in a defective state. Man, my blood is boiling just talking about it. ...lol

Two were from cabelas and this latest one from bass pro shops.

I guess I'll call shimano before I call BPS about it...

ThaKing reply :

Yea i would call shimano up first because BPS will have u call them anyways.

But those werent refurbished right? I've never had a problem with any of my shimano reels, i would suggest you call them because they do a pretty good job replacing their items. Sucks that you dont live by them because it would of been free, im pretty sure their gonna charge you to replace it or fix it. Sucks to hear that especially for me that im a BIG SHIMANO FAN.

Raul reply :

Hell, I don 't know, maybe Flechero is jinxed or some sort of cosmical misalignmet or the the person shipping his reels is just having the time of his life making Flechero angry, who knows.

Replica. reply :

[quote It's now 3 reels in a row with the same issue and 3 reels in a row that I have to pay return shipping on... and of course another shipping charge for the replacement reel.

flechero reply :

Just hung up with Shimano customer service... They wouldn't reimburse on my shipping but did offer to repair the reel... but again, I would pay shipping. My only "free" option was to have them send out a new set of IAR parts, which I accepted. I figure if I screw it up I still have shipping charges, only this time they will be to Park City, KS.

He told me I should take up my shipping charges with the retailer who sold a defective reel and "they should reimburse you for those costs" but proceeded to tell me that he had no way to get my shipping costs reimbursed if I sent the to him for repair!! ...lol Call me crazy but how is that any better or any different??

Heck with it, despite high winds.... I'm gonna go to the lake.

scbassin reply :

I ordered some reel handles from BPS that did not fit. Their catalog said they would & when I called I was told to send them back using the return shipping label that was on my invoice & to put the receipt for my shipping cost in the package & they would refund my money. Which they did in a timely manner. Maybe BPS is the way to go with your problem.

RoLo reply :

NOW do you understand why I only buy South Bend reels?

Roger

guest reply :

Quote
I know the posse is going to hop all over this but this reel is lighter than the Revo and Pflueger is not such a bad word in these parts you might want to give the Summit a try
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_85315_100001001_100000000_100001000_100-1-1

this is one sweet reel. No doubt about it.

I gotta tell ya, the technology in reels has come a loooooooooooooooong way.

I was in Sears and they had some Mitchell 300's and 308's in blister packs with the handle exposed outside the package. It said "try me" or something.

So I picked up a 308 and I can't beleive how smooth it was. I was really surprised. I used a Mitchell 300 "back in the day" I can't believe this is the same reel. cost was I think 39.00

acar555 reply :

Just take it back to Cabela's and exchange it over the counter for a brand new one. They do it all the time.

guest reply :

flechero,

Quote
Well, I am officially whipped and ticked off with Shimano. I recieved yet another reel that slipped past quality control.

How do you know it slipped past QC. This is your anger talking. Take a deep breath...

Quote
Two were from cabelas and this latest one from bass pro shops.

Sounds like they are re-stocking reels that were returned by another angler/s that could have caused the problem in the first place. Instead of sending it/them straight back to the manufacturer for credit/replacement. Retailers should send all reel returns back to the manufacturers, so that the manufacturer has a failure history to go by.

Quote
Just hung up with Shimano customer service... They wouldn't reimburse on my shipping but did offer to repair the reel... but again, I would pay shipping.

I would box all three reels up pay the shipping to Shimano, they will turn them around in 48 hours or less, and ship them back to you no cost. I would also let them know who they were purchased from. That way they know what if any problems the reels might have had from manufacturing, or what practices the retailer is using to sell their reels.

Quote
He told me I should take up my shipping charges with the retailer who sold a defective reel and "they should reimburse you for those costs" but proceeded to tell me that he had no way to get my shipping costs reimbursed if I sent the to him for repair!! ...lol Call me crazy but how is that any better or any different??

That is the way the factory works. You send the reel (your shipping cost) they fix or replace it and send it back no charge in 48 hrs or less.

flechero,

There are other options.

Return the reels to the retailer you bought them from.

Take the reels to your local warranty service centers there are 4 of them in your state:

Fishing Tackle Unlimited

Satellite Service Center

12800 Gulf Freeway

Houston, TX 77034

(281) 481-6838

www.fishingtackleunlimited.com

doug@fishingtackleunlimited.com

Fishing Tackle Unlimited

Satellite Service Center

8933 Katy Freeway

Houston, TX 77024

(713) 827-7762

www.fishingtackleunlimited.com

doug@fishingtackleunlimited.com

Roy's Bait & Tackle

Satellite Service Center

7613 South Padre Island Drive

Corpus Christi, TX 78412

(361) 992-2960

www.roysbait-tackle.com

rocky@roysbait-tackle.com

Southwestern Parts & Service

Satellite Service Center

605 W. Mockingbird Lane

Dallas, TX 75247

(214) 630-8161

www.fishingreelrepair.com

smoore@southwesternparts.com

The point is that you purchased from a catalog retailer, Shimano did not sell you the reel. They have no way of knowing that bad reels are being sold if the retailer doesn't return to them, any returns they get.

It's just my .02¢ but it sure sounds like the catalog retailers are trying to screw the anglers with false hype and re-stocking bad products.

Call me paranoid about catalog retailers, but I have had my share of bad experiences with all of them.

If I can help give me a call....

Tight Lines!!!

Bass Pro reply :

I read somewhere that the cause of this isn't a defective reel. It was due to too much grease being in the IAR bearing. Once the excess grease is cleaned out and lubed properly, then the reel works fine.

Catt reply :

I totally agree with ReelMech, at Academy I've had other managers look at returned reels, play with them for a few minutes and say put them back in stock. All of the associates in my hunting/fishing department simply move them to the back of the stock where the sit for ever.

cart7t reply :

Quote
Two were from cabelas and this latest one from bass pro shops. Sounds like they are re-stocking reels that were returned by another angler/s that could have caused the problem in the first place. Instead of sending it/them straight back to the manufacturer for credit/replacement. Retailers should send all reel returns back to the manufacturers, so that the manufacturer has a failure history to go by.

Do we know this is happening and how could it be proved? Just wondering. Most retailers will take a return on something like a fishing reel, have it checked out, then sell it as a new, open box item. Not put it back in with normal stock. If Cabela's and BPS aren't doing that I'd say there's a bone to pick with both retailers. Then again, BPS has their outlet store right next to World HQ and their reel repair center, I'd assume any returned reel that checked out would wind up there.

Even if these were restocks on returned items, the fact is they were defective new. If Flech is getting these in just 3 orders how many more of these are being returned defective for the same problem? That, or this is one incredible coincidence.

guest reply :

Quote
Even if these were restocks on returned items, the fact is they were defective new.

Not necessarily so. I believe the QA process for Shimano® and Daiwa® is tighter than that...

I have been told buy retailer associates here in my town to purchase a reel "try it" and if I didn't like it to return it. Now with that said, what do you think could happen when I run a reel throw its paces, not much because I know how to use a reel properly.

Not so with the general angling public....

The angler could have miss-used the reel for about 3 weeks (most big box retailers have a certain number of days return policy) screwed the reel up, and returned it saying he didn't like the reel etc., and not being truthful about the reels failure.

The big box retailer places the reel back into stock for sale because even they were not being told the truth....

flechero reply :

First off, I these 3 reels were not all recieved at the same time, this started at Christmas and has been about 1 every other month.

I would loved to exchange them at cabelas', BPS or a warranty center... the reason I ordered them in the first place is because the nearest one of those is a few hours drive from me....

A friend of mine who works for Academy in the next city said they just got some MG 50's in and he would exchange it for me and send mine back if I bring it over there. He said no problem, they will get credit and a new reel for it.

Quote
All of the associates in my hunting/fishing department simply move them to the back of the stock where the sit for ever.

Or until another associate sells them. Why don't you do send them back? Seems like this may be the problem all over the place. If nothing else, this thread suggests that maybe they don't sit on the shelf forever.

I'm just dissappointed in the retailers and shimano......... I used to work retail and dealt with manufacturers on returned/defective items, so I do know that when a retailer screws up a mfr. should step in to remedy it so they protect their own reputation and make it right for the consumer, who after all is the one responsible for the profits of BOTH the mfr and retailer.

ReelMech, thanks for the offer, I may call. -keith

Catt reply :

While I can not speak for Bass Pro Shops or Cabala's I can speak for Academy since I work for them. When an item is returned it is returned to Customer Service who is told by the customer the reason for the return, if the customer does not state the item is defective the associate will place the item in that departments return box. The item is then picked up along with all returned items by that departments associate and placed back into stock.

If the customer tells Customer Service the item is defective the Customer Service associate will tag the item as defective and the item is not returned to stock. Defective items are not checked by anybody; they are simply marked defective and sent to shipping/receiving.

You can bet Bass Pro Shops or Cabala's policies on returned items are handled in the same manner.

guest reply :

flechero,

Hey bud I still don't understand why you think that Shimano® should step up and make the shipping right. You didn't purchase the reel from Shimano®, you purchased the reel from a retailer that purchased the reel from a wholesale distributor, even the smallest mom/pop retailer doesn't buy directly from Shimano®, but from a wholesale distributor, you know that.

Even the small mom/pop tackle retailers that are associates of BPS don't buy from BPS directly but their wholesale distributor "American Rod & Gun"..

The reason I keep on this is that I have been with Shimano® and Daiwa® for over 25 years now, and have heard some bad raps placed on their gear, all because of the shady practices of the big box retailers that carry their products.

dodgeguy reply :

Quote
I know the posse is going to hop all over this but this reel is lighter than the Revo and Pflueger is not such a bad word in these parts you might want to give the Summit a try
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_85315_100001001_100000000_100001000_100-1-1

i second the motion!!!shimano has started to have issues and they are not resolving them.they never resolved the binding issue in their spinning reels that many at nybass have had.i know many shimano spinning reel loyalists who are now switching to diawa and pflueger.reel mech,i usually agrre with you but this time i don't.ultimate responsibility is with shimano for building the bad reels.they have an obligation to make things right.one reel is an exception.multiple reels are a serious issue.take care of this customer and he doesn't post on a national forum.the intelligent thing to do is take care of it.

flechero reply :

Quote
flechero,
Hey bud I still don't understand why you think that Shimano® should step up and make the shipping right. You didn't purchase the reel from Shimano®, you purchased the reel from a retailer that purchased the reel from a wholesale distributor, even the smallest mom/pop retailer doesn't buy directly from Shimano®, but from a wholesale distributor, you know that.

Even the small mom/pop tackle retailers that are associates of BPS don't buy from BPS directly but their wholesale distributor "American Rod & Gun"..

The reason I keep on this is that I have been with Shimano® and Daiwa® for over 25 years now, and have heard some bad raps placed on their gear, all because of the shady practices of the big box retailers that carry their products.

ReelMech,

I completely understand where you stand and I don't think it's actually Shimano's responsibility to reimburse a retailer's or cusomer's shipping to another place... but since they knew i had several problems I would have hoped at least for a free ship for warranty repair since their name is associated with these (defective or re-sold in need of repair) reels. I'm not worried, it will get fixed but it's just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Here is why I expected a little more from shimano:

I once had an issue with an Abu reel, and the good folks at Southwestern, shipped a new reel across town to save me the 20 minutes hassle of returning it to them.... I had Barlow's ship back a Loomis and a Berkley rod, to save me the trouble of packing and shipping. Loomis paid the freight both ways on a different rod with a defective reel seat, and replaced the rod. Lowrance sent a UPS call tag for a graph in need or warranty service. I've had 2 differnt boat dealers drive to my town (from another) to pick up my boat when I had problems, to save me the time and gas. (once with service and once with warranty of trolling motor) Berkley sent me new spools of line to replace some that was purchased past it's prime and never asked me to return the bad line, or how much was left on the spools. Those are just a few examples of good service by both retailers and mfr's, working together to take care of the customer, regardless of who actually caused the trouble.

And because of those reasons, I have purchased over 20 Abu reels, 15 Loomis rods/blanks and countless berkley rods, and hundreds of spools of Trilene XT, in my lifetime... and will continue to support those companies because the "get it".

It is in everyone's best interest to take care of repeat customers.

twors reply :

While not related to fishing...I had a Ipod bad on me awhile back. Sent Apple a e-mail stating my problem on a sunday afternoon. On tuesday of that week a received on my doorstep a return box from DHL. I dropped that box off that afternoon. Wednesday, I received a e-mail stating that they received my broken Ipod (KS to CA I might add). Thursday, another e-mail stating that a replacement had been shipped. On friday of that same week, I received a new replacement Ipod. 5 days from KS to CA and back again, didn't cost me a single cent. Thats customer service!

guest reply :

Quote
Shimano Reel Warranty
Shimano warrants to the original purchaser that this product will be free from non-conformities in material or workmanship for the period of one year from the date of purchase.

To request repairs (or non-warranty service) send your reel, postage pre-paid, to the Shimano Authorized Warranty Center nearest you. Retailers and wholesale outlets are not required or authorized to perform warranty repairs or exchanges on behalf of Shimano. If sending your reel to Shimano directly, please call for verification on due date as some seasons experience high volume.

All warranty requests must be accompanied by a dated sales receipt, your name, address, telephone number (daytime), email address (optional), and a brief description of the issues related to your warranty request.

The following items will not be covered under warranty:

Non- ARB Ball Bearings, Roller Bearings

G3 Fan reply :

Flechero,

I agree with you about supporting companies that make things right, and I also think that Shimano might have some quality control issues. My brother in law bought a Stradic/Bionic Blade combo from BPS. He is new to fishing and after awhile he started complaining that he didn't think the reel was very smooth and he was going to updgrade on his next reel. I fished with it and told him I thought it just needed cleaning. When I took the sideplate off the whole inside of the reel was packed with grease. His next purchase was a Stradic/Extreme combo and the Stradic was bone dry, the bag the reel was in had plenty of oil in it though along with the exterior of the reel. The plug on the lube port was held on by a few threads. None of these issues were as extreme as yours nor were the reels as expensive but you would think somewhere along the lines these things would get inspected before shipping.

flechero reply :

ReelMech,

With all due respect, a written warranty inplies that a working product was first delivered, and in my case it was not.

I honestly do see your point. But, my only expectation was to purchase a reel that worked out of the box... and I'm 0 for 3 with my last 3 shimano reels- that is beyond bad luck, IMO. And it's different than having a warranty issue come up within year one. The difference is that I have not used to reel yet, so in my mind, either the retailer or shimano failed to hold up their end of the agreement. (my $250 for a working reel)

I bet if your last 3 shipments of rod blanks were cracked or had paint runs, and you had to pay return shipping to get them replaced, you'd be tired of it by the 3rd consecutive time.

Remember, I never complained or even said a word about the first 2 "bad" reels... but the shipping charges add up. I'm at almost $30 in pack/ship/insurance charges because either retailers or shimano failed to take 5 seconds to see if a reel worked before sending it out. That is poor Q.C. by one of them and disregarding me after the fact is poor customer service by both of them.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this. My point in this whole post was that a $10 gesture by shimano would have been repaid tenfold (at least) in future profits off my business, I have bought 5 MG's in the past 8 months alone and was planning to add a few more to that. But now I'm re-thinking that plan and will be trying out a couple other reels... Case and point to shimano.

In the grand scheme of things, if I only have this to complain about then life is good... thank you, God!

flechero reply :

Catt,

Thanks for the clarification.

aggiebassin reply :

i'm sorry to hear that. i have only had one problem with one shimano ever. it was a 50 mg, but i bought it at academy and just exchanged it.

the odds can't be too great that you would get 3 reels that are messed up...you must be a lucky guy.....lol

sorry again....

guest reply :

flechero,

I hear ya bud.. Good luck with your next purchase's...

Tight Lines !!!

fish-fighting-illini reply :

One reel I could see Reel mech's point but 2 and 3 in a row then it is time for Shimano or for Shimano to designatte its chain of command to step up. If they don't then Flech's business is going elsewhere that's the bottom line.

Flech,

I'd send a letter to Shimano of exactly what you'd expect. Include a picture of all your rods and reels together side by side ( sounds like a bunch). Circle all the ones that are or could be Shimano's and tell them all of those will be Diawas and whatevers in 3 weeks. If they don't take the hint then they don't get it and it is their loss..

Give it a shot.

RiskKid. reply :

I think 3 bad reels is really frustrating and a bummer. Flechero, I don't blame you for being upset, I know I would be. I don't know about the debate over the shipping but I sure would be questioning future purchases of the same reel. I sure hope you get this resolved as I know its really frustrating when you have to expend negative time and energy to make things right when they were not your fault.

On a lighter note LBH is starting this Daiwa Posse and there are always the Phlueger Mooks :

cart7t reply :

Quote

originally posted by reelmech

The big box retailer places the reel back into stock for sale because even they were not being told the truth....

Hmmm..

I work in electronics repair. Companies regularily get returns back due to liberal exchange policies most big box retailers have these days in order to compete. You're right, lot's of times customers think they have to make up an excuse in order to return something even though said return policy doesn't indicate that. Regardless of whether the unit has a listed problem or not, unless the customer didn't even open the box, the unit is sent to service, we check it out and find no problem and send it back but at that point the retailer is obligated to sell such item as 'open stock'. It comes with a full warranty but there's no mistaking the unit was previously owned, whether used or not. If the box was never opened, it's OK at that point to return it to stock, commonly happens during the Christmas returns season. I'm not aware of a law on any books that makes that a requirement but it would seem as though sticking something back in stock as new that was previously used isn't kosher.

cart7t reply :

Quote
While I can not speak for Bass Pro Shops or Cabala's I can speak for Academy since I work for them. When an item is returned it is returned to Customer Service who is told by the customer the reason for the return, if the customer does not state the item is defective the associate will place the item in that departments return box. The item is then picked up along with all returned items by that departments associate and placed back into stock.
If the customer tells Customer Service the item is defective the Customer Service associate will tag the item as defective and the item is not returned to stock. Defective items are not checked by anybody; they are simply marked defective and sent to shipping/receiving.

You can bet Bass Pro Shops or Cabala's policies on returned items are handled in the same manner.

Whether the reel is defective or not, Academy is representing something as New in the box when it isn't.

If I'm buying something at a NEW price, I expect the only hands to have been on it before mine to be the assembly line workers and a QC person at the end of said line. Anything else is mis-representing the reel as NIB.

rebar reply :

I don't know if it pertains to this problem or not but I have received reels where the IAR bearing were not assembled right. The plastic housing was not snapped into place. But mine worked they just reeled rough. A NEW reel should be fixed/replaced postage paid by the seller. New poster here, looking forward to checking the site out.

Culprit reply :

The new line revo stx's will weigh only 6.3oz

Vyron reply :

Quote
The new line revo stx's will weigh only 6.3oz

I am a shimano man , but come on!!! after reading this :

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewabugarciapreview08.html

baitmonkey is calling big time

lubina reply :

Just don't buy Shimanos. I don't have any personal experience with their reel support but I know a bit about rods CS response on Crucial rods.....and I rather buy a rod with Megabass warranty, Shimano is just an step lower. Deplorable.

3181

My disgust with Shimano 2025

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic