I checked out their website and reread the OP's original post. I'm wondering if St. Criox is treating this as a no fault warranty claim since the tip section model number is not available on their website for sale. It may be that ST. Croix for what ever reason limits the models on tip section available for sale and leaves all others to be handled as warranty claims. The problem here is not with the OP in my view, but with St. Croix customer service representative for doing a poor job of explaining St. Croix policy. "they can't" as an explanation to the OP's inquiry is not a satisfactory reply.