Never fished a Sage rod, myself. I'm not into names, nor acronyms for models that anybody with a plastic card can also own.
I fish with Bamboo rods. Each one unique, no body has one like any of them.
I'm not a "bargain hunter" either. But I am a sly shopper.
When I find something I want, I buy it and enjoy it.
But I never look for steak at a fast-food price.
Perhaps the brand conscience are missing the real reason for fly fishing, and are merely collectors of the same gear the next fat wallet can duplicate.