I've bought two high end rods at full retail - a 490-4 Sage Z-Axis and a 7110-4 Save VXP. I bought two Loop rods on sale/closeout. All other high end Winston and Sage rods I've purchased have either been on sale/closeout or used. I'll get a Sage One when they discontinue those or second hand. I just can't justify the cost. If it breaks and I have to pay to get it fixed I'm fine with that, I still will probably have less in it than if I paid full retail. I'm still sick that I paid $740 after taxes for my 490-4 Z. Don't get me wrong, I love the stick, but I would have been fine buying one second hand.

Cheers,
Mike.