Wjhen Is A 'Guarantee' applicable?

[Allan]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread so I thought to start this separate one. Get the popcorn and chips, or tortilla, salsa and dip ready, lol:

Okay, so you buy a rod with a guarantee and because of a 'manufacturing defect' something happens to said rod like the reel seat becomes loose or some wraps start unraveling, etc. You may even have a situation where the damage is questionable like the tip breaks while fighting a fish or the rod just shatters. Okay so the heavily weighted nymph slammed into the rod on the backcast, that's covered right! But to what extent should rods be covered? Guarantees against manufacturing defects are one thing. If you slam the car door and the rod happens to be in the way or you forget the rod was on the car top, drive off and the next car drives over it, or other negligent handling situations cause breakage, why shouldn't the guarantee be waved? I mean, the manufacturer upholds the guarantee to maintain customers but really. Isn't it a sign of the times when we(generalization) no longer accept responsibility for our own actions and just 'expect' someone (some company) to be responsible?

Allan

[sagefisher]

Allan,

I guess it all depends how the warranty or guarantee is worded. Unconditional or Manufacturers Defect. Liftetime Original owner. Nofault original owner. Two year or some such time limit. Lots of ways to clarify a warranty. I use Sage rods that I buy myself. As long as I own them, no matter why they break, Sage will replace them. They made the offer and I will accept it. TFO has a similar warranty. If that is how they want to do business then fine with me. I have a lifetime powertrain warranty on my Dodge pickup, for as long as I own it. They made the offer, I accepted it. If a manufacturer does not want to make that kind of a warranty claim, they don't have to. Maybe people will still buy their product, maybe they won't. The old Law of Supply and Demand of the Free Enterprise System is working just fine as far as I am concerned.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[maodiver]

What Larry said. If I am willing to pay extra for a rod with an unconditional warranty, then the rod has an unconditional warranty...even if I buy it on sale.

[oldfrat]

I think the phrase "let your conscience be your guide" applies here and I have no wish to judge anyone's conscience. I have returned waders that leaked way too early IMHO. I have not returned rods that broke as a result of my mistakes.

[fishbum]

As a bamboo rod maker I have a simple warranty. If it is my fault I will fix it but you are responsible for shipping both ways. If it is your fault I will still fix it but I will charge you for the fix. You are still responsible for shipping both ways. This applies to the original owner.

Jerry

[Marco]

Now THAT's common sense LOGIC.
Fishbum assures and sells his integrity. There is NO need to charge extra for that.
Jerry, I assure you that if I ever get nuts enough to spend bamboo rod money, YOU will be my first choice but don't hold your breath :>)

Mark

[Allan]

As a bamboo rod maker I have a simple warranty. If it is my fault I will fix it but you are responsible for shipping both ways. If it is your fault I will still fix it but I will charge you for the fix. You are still responsible for shipping both ways. This applies to the original owner.

Jerry

Don't quite agree with your warranty if it's your fault, but that's your business. I'd think you'd pick up the cost of shipping the repaired rod back to the customer. On the other hand, I completely agree with your position when it's the fault of the customer. That, responsibility, was the point of this post in the first place.

Allan

[NJTroutbum]

If it is an unconditional lifetime warrantly....then the cause does not matter. Either legally or ethically. The rod was built, marketed and purchased with and for the warranty. Which is all baked into the packaged cost the companies offer to bring you to their rods. You paid for it. the company recieved its due for the warranty already. In these cases you basically paid for a rod and insurance policy for the life of the rod....and paid more to get it up front when you paid $700 for a $500 rod. So not sure where the perceived issue lies?

Ralph

[Allan]

Just to be clear, I never used the term 'Unconditional'.

[WarrenP]

I will not state an opinion on this subject to save everyone from buying a lot of popcorn! Here is a picture of a fly rod and reel that I really enjoy using and they both fish great for my style and income and if either one fails, I will not notifiy the vendors even though I feel they both would want to do something because they are good people with small internet businesses. The reel is going on 3 years of use and cost me new $30 and the rod is new this year and cost me $100. If they fail I feel they served me well and I can always replace them by contacting the vendors. The rod and reel do not have any warranty and that is fine with me.