Bottom line - you got hosed. Having said that, you are lucky you did not pay full retail for that rod.

I agree that they should have replaced the rod. I also agree that you need to document the warranty policy by copying the policy from thier web site OR via an email from them. Once you have that, you can sue them in small claims court and/or you can write the FTC and document the false advertising. If you do not get the problem resolved, I would file a complaint.