We follow suite with the Japanese Chris, counting from the tip down to the grip. We stock the tip and second section for all of our current rods and yes we count the tip as #1, second as #2 and so on. I have parted out a couple rods as well to replace other sections as needed...so far that has only been for folks that have stepped on the rod breaking individual sections. Lesson to be learned folks? Please DON'T set your rod on the ground! Sure fire way to break it and or fill it with gunk, grit, sand that will chew it up.
I like to if possible have customers send their rods back to us for replacement/repair as I really like to be able to look the rod over for any other damage that may not be evident without a thorough check up. And like Chris we don't sell "spare" parts.
Paul