My new Kistler Z-Bone 2024
Deputy Dave reply :
The weather here in Indiana finally let us get out on the water one evening this week and I got to use my new Z-Bone rod. I bought a 7.6ft HF several weeks ago and actually got to catch a couple small fish on it. (under 3lbs.) I was absolutely blown away by the sensitivity of this rod!!! I own several Helium's and really thought they were probly at about the high end when it comes to sensitivity but this thing is amazing!
Unfortunately this is not a rod your going to be able to go in your favorite tackle shop and pickup and play with but do yourself a favor and visit the Kistler website and take a look at these new rods. I'm going to just have to have a couple more of these.
Dan: reply :
i would be on board 100% if the warranty didn't suck so bad. I'd rather just get the LTX 2. Top of the line rods should have top of the line warranties to go with their top of the line price...
Grey Wolf reply :
Quotei would be on board 100% if the warranty didn't suck so bad. I'd rather just get the LTX 2. Top of the line rods should have top of the line warranties to go with their top of the line price...
Well said !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Bait Fishing reply :
yeah , i don't care if god himself designed and turned these blanks , that warranty is worthless . here is the explanation of their 90 day warranty -
All Z bone rods carry our 90 Day limited warranty guarantee! After that, if you take care of your rod and don't treat it like a winch, a net or a snagged bait remover...you will experience a lifetime of performance from your custom Z bone rod
i think we all take care of are rods , i guess no one needs a warranty :
steezy reply :
That z-bone warranty is a joke considering that rod is made using Gary Loomis NorthFork Composites (NFC) blank which has a lifetime warranty.
Trey Kistler is dreaming if he thinks very many people are going to pay $275-$400+ for the rod with that pityful warranty.
That rod is a sore spot with me considering NFC sent all the initial production run of the 7' HM blanks to Trey Kistler and my rod builder is still waiting on my 7' HM blank from NFC.
bassinCPA reply :
Blanks by Gary Loomis. Reel seats and guides by Fuji.
What exactly is Kistler providing that any custom rod wrapper can't?
I see no added value to his new MARKETING campaign.
steezy reply :
QuoteBlanks by Gary Loomis. Reel seats and guides by Fuji.What exactly is Kistler providing that any custom rod wrapper can't?
I see no added value to his new MARKETING campaign.
Kistler is actually decreasing the value by not honoring/offering the full warranty passed onto him by Gary/NFC.
On a more positive note, Deputy Dave I am glad you like the new kistler zbone rod and hope it serves you well.
Deputy Dave reply :
I'm not justifying or supporting their warranty in any way, shape or forum, I too think they could do a much much better job in that area in support of their customers. However, I said all that to say that I've been fishing for about 37 years now and can remember breaking 2 rods in my life. Both were very much my fault and not in any way the fault of the rod or the manufacture. Let me add that I'm not a guy that has 3 or 4 outfits and fish 4 or 5 times a year. I've always had 15-20 rods at any given time my entire adult life. I own a Skeeter bass boat and fish tournaments weekly throughout the entire season. I currently have 21 rods that are kept in my bass boat and used for tournament fishing. Most of which are Kistlers. I do have 5 St Croix Avids, 2 Loomis IMX's, 2 Shimano Cumaras and a couple Crucial spinning rods. So, I do have a little money invested in rods. I guess I'm just different in that when I purchase a high end rod (Kistler Z-Bone) I don't get paranoid about what I'll do if this rod breaks. I instead concentrate on the deal that I'm getting, the quality of the rod, how buying this new rod will improve my fishing and last but not least I enjoy the excitement of buying another new rod. Maybe I've just been alot luckier than most guys and not had alot of rods break on me or had any manufacturing defects in rods over the last 3.5 decades of hard fishing.
I'm having a tough time trying to articulate what I'm trying to say here and I'm sure it won't read anything like I'm actually trying to explain it. When I was reading all the reviews and articles about the new Z-Bone rods that were about to hit the market I guess I just was trying to determine if I could financially justify another rod right then and if so which one I would buy and what technique it would be used for. I don't ever remember giving any thought about what would happen if I broke it 2 or 3 years from now. When my brother and I went out on the lake last Tuesday evening and I got to use my new rod for the first time all of my thoughts were about how much I liked it and how surprised I was about the sensitivity of my new rod. I didn't say to my brother " If I break this new rod I have to hurry up and do it in the first 90 days or I'm screwed" Actually, that thought hasn't even crossed my mind. I'm just enjoying my new rod!!!
Like I said earlier, I guess I'm just different than most and I don't get all hung up what I'm gonna do if something bad happens. I just enjoy my stuff and use it. We're all different (if we were all the same just think about how long the lines would be!) so to each is own. One of the 2 rods that I've broken in my life was in fact a Kistler. It was last season and as mentioned earlier was my fault. It cost me $50 they sent me an upgraded model (the one I broke is no longer in production) that was 7 years newer. I can live with that!
In the mean time I'll just keep on throwing my be-loved Kistlers with their very weak warranty and enjoying the crap out of the time that I'm on the water and able to fish!
Deputy Dave reply :
QuoteBlanks by Gary Loomis. Reel seats and guides by Fuji.What exactly is Kistler providing that any custom rod wrapper can't?
I see no added value to his new MARKETING campaign.
With the exception of a VERY VERY few (St Croix maybe ???) who else makes their own blanks, reel seats, guides etc...????
I'm pretty sure that most just assemble other manufactures parts and then put a sticker with their name on the rod and call themselves a rod company...
Big Bait Fishing reply :
QuoteQuoteBlanks by Gary Loomis. Reel seats and guides by Fuji.What exactly is Kistler providing that any custom rod wrapper can't?
I see no added value to his new MARKETING campaign.
With the exception of a VERY VERY few (St Croix maybe ???) who else makes their own blanks, reel seats, guides etc...????
I'm pretty sure that most just assemble other manufactures parts and then put a sticker with their name on the rod and call themselves a rod company...
most rod companies have some one else build their rods to their specs , they don't just pick a random blank and slap a sticker on it : :
anyhow , enjoy the rod , ya bought it cause you like it , don't let our dislikes of kistler for making that ridiculous warranty stop you from having a good time
LAO162 reply :
Dave, congratulations on an awesome rod!
Regarding the warranty, I feel it's a business decision on Kistler's part. Instead of pricing in the additional "insurance" cost of a strong warranty, they [probably] believe that they will have better sales and margins by keeping the MSRP lower. Apparently, they believe lower price (and Gary Loomis reputation) are greater sales drivers than a lifetime warranty.
I personally like the features of Kistler rods, but I'm not completely comfortable with the business model that at times lacked transparency about the product design and their policies. I also think the constantly changing "vintages" of rods make it difficult to develop specific expectations for a particular model. On the other hand, constantly changing model years means that closeouts are constantly available at extreme discounts.
Because I found discounts great enough to offset my skepticism, I purchased 3 rods. So far, I'm very impressed with two and have yet to pass judgement on the third.
At this point, I am not ready pay full price for a Z-Bone with a 90 day warranty. (and I can't afford $400 either ) I'd either need to see a discount approaching 50% or an improvement in the warranty to incent me to purchase an expensive product without a track record demonstrating reliability.
If my income level was a couple tax brackets higher, I would probably have a couple "custom" Z-Bones already
Leon
jmyer_77 reply :
I emailed Kistler rods on the warrenty issues, and here is the response:
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 7:01 PM
To: trey@kistlerrods.com
Subject: RE: Kistler Custom Fishing Rods Customer Service
Trey,
I really love the idea of building your own rod. This is a great concept and I can now get exactly what I want. Also, I have been a huge G Loomis fans for the past 10 years or so, and fish their rods exclusively. I was very excited to learn that you are using the new Loomis blanks. I have found your website very helpful and easy to navagate, and I do not have any questions regarding it. My only question is concerning the rod warrenty. If I remember correctly, there was a 90-day limited warrenty. As you are aware, with my Loomis rods I can get them replaced no matter what happens for $50. Is this the case with the new zbones? The warrenty is the only thing holding me up at this point.
Thanks,
Jason
If you know of another custom rod builder that will offer you a better warranty on this quality of rod, then let me know so I can ask him how he does it. Be careful not to compare a Loomis stock rod with a Custom Kistler Z bone built on a Gary Loomis/North Fork Composite blank. Not even close. Once you try one, you'll know why you don't need a warranty and why others are selling all their other rods and buying more Z bones. Did you know that other high end rods such as those made in Japan do not have one day warranty and folks still buy them because the rods are awesome? You have to make the decision whether to buy a warranty or buy a tool that will increase your success rate. It's your decision now that you know the facts. Thanks for checking us out.
Trey Kistler
Kistler Rods
Dan: reply :
That doesn't ease my mind whatsoever. I understand they are probably great sticks, I just don't want to risk a pile of cash that size on a freak accident that may or may not happen as a result of my own actions. With a purchase that size, I want to have some assurances that if someone closes the door on my car and snaps a rod tip, I'm not going to have to murder them...
Dockhead reply :
He is quite the salesman. Good luck to him.
I guess if you can afford one z-bone (I can't), you can probably afford a second one. With that warranty (or lack thereof), you'd better be ready.
Although I would bet not many will buy a second one if the first breaks.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
i would just buy a NFC 766-1 blank ( 7'6" heavy , moderate fast action flipping rod blank ) and have it custom wrapped and have the FULL warranty .....
SDoolittle reply :
QuoteWith a purchase that size, I want to have some assurances that if someone closes the door on my car and snaps a rod tip, I'm not going to have to murder them...
I don't understand this mind set at all. How in the world is Kistler responsible for replacing a rod that is broken by a negligent act like closing it in a car door? I have a warranty on my truck, but if I crash it, Ford doesn't have to replace it. Trey has a very good point. You can purchase a rod or purchase a warranty. I imagine I'll have a couple of Z-Bones in the near future!
Dan: reply :
QuoteQuoteWith a purchase that size, I want to have some assurances that if someone closes the door on my car and snaps a rod tip, I'm not going to have to murder them...I don't understand this mind set at all. How in the world is Kistler responsible for replacing a rod that is broken by a negligent act like closing it in a car door? I have a warranty on my truck, but if I crash it, Ford doesn't have to replace it. Trey has a very good point. You can purchase a rod or purchase a warranty. I imagine I'll have a couple of Z-Bones in the near future!
what's not to understand? Other companies offer some sort of warranty that saves my butt if either myself or a friend is to blame for a freak accident. Even Kistler has been known to take back rods with no questions (although some reports conflict)...Until they can offer a similar warranty on a high end rod, I'm not going to risk the money...
besides that, I'm not going to bet that much cash that I'll never have a problem with a rod...who knows what types of defects might show up after 90 days?
If I break my Shimano, my St Croix, a Loomis, or even a different model of Kistler, I have some sort of recourse. Why is it too much to expect the same from a $250-350 Z-Bone?
Stasher1 reply :
With some of the other companies offering better warranties on comparable rods, I really don't see a Z-Bone in my future.
St. Croix warranty:
QuoteGOLD STAR SERVICE PLANAhh..but what if you're not registered as the original owner of the rod. Or your buddy stepped on your rod, or slammed it in a car door, or worse yet, used it to free a snag. No worries. St. Croix's Gold Star Plan eliminates the uncertainty of a dubious warranty claim. Here's what to do.
1. Return your damaged rod to St. Croix. Use our Discount Shipping Program to save money.
2. Include a note requesting our Gold Star Service, along with a check for $50 to cover the repair or replacement of your rod. Our Technician will determine whether to repair or replace your rod keeping in mind we'll only repair it if we can make it perform like new.
3. That's all there is to it. And there's no additional s&h charge for customers in the USA. Canadian customers must pay an additional $20 for s&h, and all other International customers must pay an additional $30 for s&h.
Acceptable methods of payment include personal check (drawn on a USA bank account) and credit card (VISA, MC, American Express, Discover).
Big Bait Fishing reply :
QuoteWith some of the other companies offering better warranties on comparable rods, I really don't see a Z-Bone in my future.St. Croix warranty:
QuoteGOLD STAR SERVICE PLANAhh..but what if you're not registered as the original owner of the rod. Or your buddy stepped on your rod, or slammed it in a car door, or worse yet, used it to free a snag. No worries. St. Croix's Gold Star Plan eliminates the uncertainty of a dubious warranty claim. Here's what to do.
1. Return your damaged rod to St. Croix. Use our Discount Shipping Program to save money.
2. Include a note requesting our Gold Star Service, along with a check for $50 to cover the repair or replacement of your rod. Our Technician will determine whether to repair or replace your rod keeping in mind we'll only repair it if we can make it perform like new.
3. That's all there is to it. And there's no additional s&h charge for customers in the USA. Canadian customers must pay an additional $20 for s&h, and all other International customers must pay an additional $30 for s&h.
Acceptable methods of payment include personal check (drawn on a USA bank account) and credit card (VISA, MC, American Express, Discover).
you gotta love St.Croix !!! , a few rods i have planned to get built are gonna be built on their blanks
SDoolittle reply :
Dan, breaking a rod in a car door is not a freak accident. It is a result of negligence any way you look at it. Some things happen that are simply our own faults. We cannot ask a manufacturer to take responsibility for damage caused by our own haphazardness. If a company puts a liftime warranty on their products, you can bet that they are charging you for the warranty.
Now let's talk about Kistler's 90 day warranty. Let's just assume that anyone who spends that kind of money probably goes fishing more than a little bit. In a 90 day period I'm fishing at least 10-15 times. In ten days of hard fishing any real factory defects should be detected. After that it is on you to take care of your gear.
LAO162 reply :
Somewhere between the contractual pricing and agreements with NFC it may have been infeasible to add the [lifetime] warranty insurance at a reasonable price. Thus, Kistler may have felt the product was more appealing to sell at a lower price point, than to embed the lifetime warranty insurance prices into the new product price. Thus, it is possible that a $400 rod might have cost as much as $500 to include the insurance.
That said, I'm pretty conservative and insure almost everything. I would prefer to spend more for a product with a better warranty. I cannot get personally upset with Kistler because they are launching a new product with a different pricing (no embedded insurance). I just won't buy it if I'm uncomfortable with the breakage risks relative to the product's value as a tool. On the other hand, I would be quite upset if there was a significant decrease in the lifetime warranty coverage of products that have already been sold.
Admittedly, I would like to see a more precise description of the warranty coverage and obligations from Kistler. They are rather vague by MY standards.
On the other hand, I've been able to purchase Kistlers at prices low enough to offset my discomfort with the constant changes in their business model. Wow, these rods are great!! (two Argons, one Helium 2, and another Helium 2 due to arrive this week). I guess I am no longer unbiased
Dan: reply :
QuoteDan, breaking a rod in a car door is not a freak accident. It is a result of negligence any way you look at it.
what about the time that I broke a St Croix Avid that was in my trunk. During my drive, the rod had somehow rolled on the reel and elevated the tip so it got stuck in the arm that opens the trunk. (It was a 2-piece). When I got out and opened the trunk to retrieve the rod, it snapped in the trunk hinge. Is that something that someone could have reasonably expected to happen? Absolutely not. It was a freak accident and was not my fault. It's not St Croix's fault either, but as a company, they took care of it and I ended up with a Legend Tournament and a love for St Croix at the end of the day...
QuoteSome things happen that are simply our own faults. We cannot ask a manufacturer to take responsibility for damage caused by our own haphazardness. If a company puts a liftime warranty on their products, you can bet that they are charging you for the warranty.
EXACTLY!!! The price of a Z-Bone is so high! higher than other rods that DO have lifetime warranties! For me, part of buying an expensive rod is having the reassurance that the company will help me out if something happens to it. I'm more than willing to pay a little more if I know I can replace the rod cheap if something happens. It's like paying for insurance.
Normally, I would not ask the company to take care of an accident, I get that point. It's not their fault but when so many others in the fishing rod industry are offering some form of recourse for broken rods for A LIFETIME then I'm not going to spend my money on a rod with no such assurances. It's just part of the purchase decision for me. I'd love to have a Z-Bone but I don't want to spend a lot of money without any reassurances when there are other companies out there with warranties that are way, way better.
QuoteNow let's talk about Kistler's 90 day warranty. Let's just assume that anyone who spends that kind of money probably goes fishing more than a little bit. In a 90 day period I'm fishing at least 10-15 times. In ten days of hard fishing any real factory defects should be detected. After that it is on you to take care of your gear.
That is assuming that rods do not develop issues over time. Can you say for sure that a $250-$500 rod will absolutely, 100%, NEVER, EVER have a problem 90 days after you buy it?
OIFBasser reply :
QuoteQuoteWith some of the other companies offering better warranties on comparable rods, I really don't see a Z-Bone in my future.St. Croix warranty:
QuoteGOLD STAR SERVICE PLANAhh..but what if you're not registered as the original owner of the rod. Or your buddy stepped on your rod, or slammed it in a car door, or worse yet, used it to free a snag. No worries. St. Croix's Gold Star Plan eliminates the uncertainty of a dubious warranty claim. Here's what to do.
1. Return your damaged rod to St. Croix. Use our Discount Shipping Program to save money.
2. Include a note requesting our Gold Star Service, along with a check for $50 to cover the repair or replacement of your rod. Our Technician will determine whether to repair or replace your rod keeping in mind we'll only repair it if we can make it perform like new.
3. That's all there is to it. And there's no additional s&h charge for customers in the USA. Canadian customers must pay an additional $20 for s&h, and all other International customers must pay an additional $30 for s&h.
Acceptable methods of payment include personal check (drawn on a USA bank account) and credit card (VISA, MC, American Express, Discover).
you gotta love St.Croix !!! , a few rods i have planned to get built are gonna be built on their blanks
Do you need the receipt? I broke my 6'8" MXF on a Steelhead while fishing in a river for Smallies.
Primus reply :
I tend to agree with the views of Deputy Dave & Bird Dog on this matter but I can definetely understand why some would be reluctant to buy this rod because of the limited warranty when there are other fine sticks on the market with a more genorous warranty. That said I love the idea of being able to customize the rod which has me intriqued enough where I might consider getting a Kistler which I've never purchased up to this point. Also, with most rod companies going to split grip handles which I personally dislike I can now order any length etc. with a real handle. The cool thing is if you like a split grip you can do that too.
Generally if there is a defect in a rod I would likly discover it within the 1st 90 days and any issues that may develop would probably be minor stuff like a guide insert falling out, things of that nature which are inexpensive to repair. If the rod breaks it's because I probably done something careless with it.
I don't plan on getting a rod anytime soon, I already have about 40 rods with about 20 currently being used. That said I usually buy a couple every winter in an attempt to upgrade and I keep the old ones in case I lose a guide insert etc. which gives me something to use while the main one is getting fixed. Maybe some day I'll have a garage sale and get rid of a few.
Gone_Phishin reply :
This again brings attention to the cold weather fishermen. What if I purchase a Z-Bone in November, and can not use it until our WI state opener in May?
I've had others say, 'if you knew how great this rod is, you will find a way to fish with it in the first 90 days...' Give me a break. That's almost as bad a 'if you knew what these rods went through in our factory, you can be assures you'll never have a problem with the rod.'
GIVE ME A BREAK!
dan1942 reply :
I see peoples point with the warranty issue but I might just grab one to try to pair up with a 51 core but then again I can get a shimano cumuls rod for the same price with an over the counter warranty. maybe its worth the wait to see what the new G.loomis line will look like on Aug. 13th
Dockhead reply :
Don't people have rods custom built all the time? And don't those rods, when they cost in upwards of $300, usually have a stout warranty?
I know everyone wants to see what the deal is with these blanks, but they are available to other builders, aren't they?
Which brings up another point; are the blanks really that great? Loomis put his name on the Temple Fork product that is out now, and from what I have heard they are lacking. Not to say these blanks are similar, but who knows. You have to wonder when this seems like such a stretch warranty wise.
If you want one and can afford it, more power to you.
It will probably turn out to be a masterful marketing strategy in the end.
Skeet22 reply :
Ive recently picked up a few kistler rods and love them. As far as the warranty its not as bad people think. The warranty claims are handled on a case by case bases. You can have an un registered Kistler rod that you slam a car door on and chances are you will get a brand new updated rod at a very good price even though the damage is of no fault from Kistler. The chances of a rod breaking from a factory defect are slim to none so why should Kistler or any rod company be responsible for our own actions? This is what is wrong with the world today, people expect to be bailed out of problems that are self inflicted and are always looking for handouts. Trey Kistler is smart enough to realize that if he offeres an unlimited lifetime warranty he will be taken advantage of by a million irresponsible people and more than liklley lose money in the process. I actually admire what he stands for and will continue to support Kistler. I personally will not be purchasing any $400 rods anytime soon but if I did and broke it some how that was my own fault I would be pi##ed but in no way would expect Kistler to eat it on my account. Im just not a big fan of handouts to the lazy, unwilling, and irresponsible. Sory for the rant
Dan: reply :
I'm not saying that they SHOULD take care of rods that break as a result of negligence or accidents. I'm just saying that other companies DO, and it seems like a poor choice as a consumer with limited funds to go with the company that does not offer an "insurance" policy.
Dan: reply :
QuoteDon't people have rods custom built all the time? And don't those rods, when they cost in upwards of $300, usually have a stout warranty?
No, not generally.
SDoolittle reply :
QuoteIt will probably turn out to be a masterful marketing strategy in the end.
I don't know. It seems like the majority of people here are more interested in the warranty than quality of the product.
Dan: reply :
QuoteQuoteIt will probably turn out to be a masterful marketing strategy in the end.
I don't know. It seems like the majority of people here are more interested in the warranty than quality of the product.
I think some of us just don't think it's a smart buy. The blank MIGHT be better, but at that level, how much better than a GLX or Steez can it be? Marginally. Combine that with no insurance like that offered by other companies...no thanks....but I'd be glad to buy a LTX or LTA!
Stasher1 reply :
QuoteQuoteDon't people have rods custom built all the time? And don't those rods, when they cost in upwards of $300, usually have a stout warranty?No, not generally.
In some cases the blank is warranteed against manufacturing defects by the manufacturer, but it's up to the builder whether he wants to warranty the parts/labor that went into building it. Which means, you may receive a new blank but you're still out of pocket for the cost to rebuild the rod.
Dan: reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteDon't people have rods custom built all the time? And don't those rods, when they cost in upwards of $300, usually have a stout warranty?No, not generally.
In some cases the blank is warranteed against manufacturing defects by the manufacturer, but it's up to the builder whether he wants to warranty the parts/labor that went into building it. Which means, you may receive a new blank but you're still out of pocket for the cost to rebuild the rod.
precisely. Plus, it's up to the manufacturer to determine if the failure was their fault or not. Also, this in no way includes accidental damages like St Croix, Loomis, etc...
Gone_Phishin reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteIt will probably turn out to be a masterful marketing strategy in the end.
I don't know. It seems like the majority of people here are more interested in the warranty than quality of the product.
I think some of us just don't think it's a smart buy. The blank MIGHT be better, but at that level, how much better than a GLX or Steez can it be? Marginally. Combine that with no insurance like that offered by other companies...no thanks....but I'd be glad to buy a LTX or LTA!
Yup, well said Dan. I love my LTA's, and if I can continue to find them at sale prices, I will continue to buy them and fish the heck outta them.
Warranty issues are the sole reason why I do not own a JDM stick. I'd love to, but as a non-boater there's no way: I transport my rods up stairs, into a vehicle, into a boat, and then in the reverse order at day's end. This fosters too many opportunities for a busted rod.
I'll continue to buy JDM reels, as I feel much safer protecting a reel from a mishap than a rod.
muskiebassfisher reply :
what if it breaks casting a lure or setting a hook. then your out of luck. that's bullsh-t for a $400 rod. i hope this a$$hole doesn't start a trend. considering the guides and the cork are the cheapest part of a rod and that the whole rod can be melted down and recycled into a new one, kistler is out of his mind. this is just greed. why bother hiring new employees, pay salaries, shipping costs and all the other headaches when he can just pocket your money and not back up his product.
SDoolittle reply :
Quotewhat if it breaks casting a lure or setting a hook. then your out of luck. that's bullsh-t for a $400 rod. i hope this jerk doesn't start a trend. considering the guides and the cork are the cheapest part of a rod and that the whole rod can be melted down and recycled into a new one, kistler is out of his mind. this is just greed. why bother hiring new employees, pay salaries, shipping costs and all the other headaches when he can just pocket your money and not back up his product.
Muskiebassfisher, we've kept this debate civil so far. Let's try to keep it that way. How many rods have you broken on a hookset or while casting? I have been fishing for thirty plus years and have broken exactly one rod. That was an el cheapo flipping stick and I was throwing a swimbait that was quite a bit heavier than what the rod was rated for. I have noone to blame but myself and I would be absolutely embarrassed to ask a rod manufacturer to replace that rod. I shop for quality first and look at the warranty as a bonus...definately not the deciding factor on whether or not I'll purchase something.
LAO162 reply :
Maybe there's a business opportunity here. Offering insurance on rods that carry only a 90 day or 1 to 5 year warranty. Any actuaries here? LOL ;D
Speaking objectively, I'd love to fish with a Z-Bone. But, I can't afford spend $400 on a rod without the insurance policy. I guess I also can't spend $500 for a rod with a lifetime breakage insurance policy either
However, I'd like to hear more discussion about the attributes of the rod Knowing how well the LTX performs, I can only imagine how nice the Z-Bone LE would be. For Kistler Fans I think the real discussions will be comparing the LTA, Z-Bone ST, LTX and Z-Bone LE. With the higher modulus blank and and embedded insurance policy, I suspect many Kistler fans will still favor the LTX over the Z-Bone ST.
Skeet22 reply :
Its seems that most people are expecting an "insurance policy" on their rods vs a "warranty"which is two totally different things. A 90 day warranty on a fishing rod seems reasonable to me as any factory defects should be identified by then. Anything outside of 90 days should be treated as an insurance claim. If I were in the rod buisness i would offer a insurance policy with a set fee at purchase depending on the price of the rod and a deductible to be applied at the time of the incident. There is no way i would offer a lifetime unlimited warranty on a fishing rod and be taking advantage of by hundreds or thousands of people who do not take care of there equipt. This would be benificial for people who spend $400/$500 on a fishing rod. For those that spend $100/$150 bucks on a rod it would probally make more sense to opt out of the insurance policy and make sure we take care of our equipt.
Deputy Dave reply :
WOW!!!
In my original post I just mentioned how much that I liked my new Z-Bone rod now that I had had the opportunity to get out on the water and use it. Now there's 4 pages of flame throwing at Kistler Rods because they don't have the same "warranty" policies as some of the other rod companies.
I'm not going to even comment on all the post bad mouthing Kistler because they don't offer the same warranty as brand "X". It's real simple, if it doesn't agree with you then just buy brand "X" I on the other hand am just a guy that doesn't get all hung up or stressed out (or very obviously MAD about it while typing rants on this forum) and really enjoy fishing with Kistler rods. Their rods are the most sensitive rods that I've fished thus far in my life. I'm not going to stop buying/using them because I might slam one in the door of my truck and break it 91 days after I buy it just because Kistler won't send me a new rod after I send them the broken rod with a note that says "this rod broke on a hook-set" like everybody does.
This has already been stated here but when I'm not paying attention and stick my rod in a ceiling fan and break it getting that rod replaced by the manufacture has nothing to do with a "manufactures warranty" gentlemen. The manufacture may call it a "life time/over the counter warranty" but it's actually "insurance policy" that the cost of is figured into the price when we buy the rod new. When your not paying attention and rear end somebody that's sitting at a stop light in your brand new Ford F150 pick-up truck exactly who do you call? Have any of you called the dealership that just sold you your new truck a few days ago and tell them that you need a new front end. Go ahead and ask if that covered under the "manufacturers warranty". It sounds like several here expect Kistler, and any other rod company that doesn't offer a no questions asked, over the counter warranty(insurance policy) to be the Ford dealership that I listed in my example. We all know that in the example that I used we would all call our insurance company when we crash our vehicles, not the vehicle manufacture in an attempt to have it fixed as a warranty issue. Are tackle companies any different? I'm not saying that some companies don't offer this type of warranty (Shimano) Again, if you just can't bring yourself to spend your money on a rod that doesn't offer a replacement insurance policy regardless of how great the rod is then just buy one that does, but don't get "obviously" mad at the companies that don't. Needless to say they don't want/need your business.
In the mean time.....I fished another local bass tournament tonight and caught 6 bass on my new Z-Bone rod. I don't remember the thought of there only being around 40 days left on my 90 day "limited warranty" ever crossing my mind while I was fighting any of these 6 fish. I'm just really enjoying my new rod! I still think that it's awesome and is the most sensitive rod that I've ever owned. I guess I should be concentrating more on how bad Kistler screwed me when they sold me this rod that I can't even get a new one for when I slam it in my rod locker door and break it a couple years from now. I have just under 20 Kistler rods. With all the stress that I should probably be under with the crappy warranty I should probably not even leave the house with any of them.
Come on guys!!!! Do you really get this stressed out and angry about the Kistler Rod Company not offering you a better warranty? If so, while your busy with that I'm gonna be on the lake fishing my Kistler rods and have a great time fishing tournaments this season!!!
SDoolittle reply :
Spot on!
Glenn reply :
This thread has teetered on the edge for awhile now, and then somebody somehow made a thread about a rod into something political. What an incredible stretch! *facepalm*
Posts have been deleted, and now this thread is closed. Congrats.
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