Orvis Silver Label Rod

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

I’m sure someone other than me purchased an Orvis Silver Label rod. I can’t remember what they cost new.

Here’s why I need to know. I broke mine, and Orvis has now said they can’t fix it, and since they don’t make them any longer, they want to replace it with another rod.

What ****** me off is that they offered to replace it with a Clearwater Rod. Not what I consider fair, but I can’t remember what I paid for it new. I bought it at a Bass Pro Shops about eight years ago and thought I paid about $250, but I just can’t remember.

If someone else purchased such a rod and remembers the cost, please post it so I can tell Orvis what I will take as a replacement for the broken one. This may change my opinion of Orvis.

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by J Castwell (edited 11 February 2006).]

2

I would scream at them. Silver label was the middle of the line with TL being top and clearwater being lower. When they did make them, the price was up there. I would demand a Power Matrix (being the middle line now) No way is a clearwater equal, although a good rod with full warranty. I did learn from working for the company, make a little noise and they will come through “the customer is first and always right”.
I could tell things people returned and they okayed, that I would have said you got to be kidding.

3

Let me get this straight.
They are going to give you a free new rod to replace an 8 year old rod that you broke though no fault of their’s?
And you don’t consider this fair?
You ARE a lawyer

I never lost a little fish-
yes, i’m free to say
It always was the biggest fish
I caught that got away
…Eugene Field

4

You bet it is fair. The warranty is unconditional and 25 years. I am sure that it is reflected in the price. But I would ask for the replacement value and don’t settle for what they try to pass off. If I break my TL (not the TLS), I expect to be replaces with a T3—equal price at time.

5

Call Orvis, explain the situiation and tell them what you paid for the rod.

Ask them to replace the rod with a TLS series rod. These rods are about equivilant to the price you paid for your broken rod.

Orvis is usually pretty good about making customers happy.

Rob

6

My Orvis Silver label 7’11" 6.0 flex was
$240 ( on-sale ) in 2001. I think that the regular list price was in the $275 range.

You may want to ask them to trade-up
(if you kick in some dough )

7

I may be way off here, but maybe the blank technology of todays Clearwaters is equal to the Silver Labels of 8 years ago.
I know this has been the case with other rod brands.

8

i would wont 1 up from clear water myself.

Not to hijack the thread. What i see happens at my shop is people by the old rods that are no longer produced like the winston ibis and use it for a bit, than either high stick the rod to break it or break it intentionally. In that case i think they should take what they get you bought an old rod for a good price you get a comprably priced rod.

9

nickodanger is right about people abusing warranties, that is why Orvis changed theirs from free to any rod marked 2003 with a $30.00 repair. As far as the new clearwaters being better, I haven’t seen that other than the coating on them now. You say the rod was $275. new which was a lot then and I do fee the TLS Power Matrix is an equal replacement. You have what was a middle class rod(for it’s time) why settle for the entry class (clearwater)?

10

Hey there BC,
I broke my Silver Label about 2 years ago( got it as a gift so I don’t know price) and Orvis replaced it with a Trident TLS of same length and wgt. I have NO idea if that was a “fair” replacement. At the time I was glad to get the new rod and didn’t question the deal. Does anyone know if this was “fair”.I am however happy with the Trident TLS.

Mark
PS: Didn’t mean to hijack your thread BC

11

Thanks for all the replies, or at least most of them. I do intend to try to talk to them about kicking in some cash (not much) and replacing my rod with a superfine. I just could not remember what the rods sold for because I bought that rod with a battenkill reel, line, etc.

The Orvis warranty was one of the reasons that I bought the rod, so I do consider it fair, even though it was my fault that it broke. Being a lawyer has nothing to do with it, I’m a fly fisherman.

I own a couple of Orvis rods and reels, and like them, so I would like to feel confident doing business with them in the future.

I paid even more for a Thomas and Thomas rod, but they guarantee their rods for life. If I break that one, I’ll send it back too. I can’t imagine ever breaking a rod on purpose just to get a replacement (that really doesn’t make sense), but if I do accidentally break one that has a replacement warranty, I hope the company stands behind their warranty. Most of my rods don’t have any warranty at all, so I really appreciate the ones that do.

Tight lines to all, and thanks again.

12

No offense big guy, I’m just not a fan of the no-fault warranty.
Orvis started the whole thing years ago and in my opinion it did nothing but drive the price of a good rod up.
As far as I’m concerned people should take some responsiblities for their own actions and if they bust a rod… fix it or buy a new one.
Nothing aginst you,
sorry for the lawyer crack.

I never lost a little fish
yes, I’m free to say
It always was the biggest fish
I caught that got away
…Eugene Field

13

Seems to me if he payed a fair price for the rod and they offered a 25 year no fault they should replace it with a comparable valued rod not an entry level rod .

The more time I spend around people the more I like my dog.

Mike

14

I broke Mr.'s 5 wt. Silver Label a couple of years ago. The Silver Label was already out of production and Orvis replaced it with a TLS.

15

I also broke a Silver Label on a stream about three years ago. Strike putty caught in the tip and it snapped. It was replaced with a TLS. I would speak to a representative from Orvis to explain why this rod is to be replaced with a cheaper model? I am sure Orvis will make it right for you. The 25 year warranty is one reason I bought an Orvis rod.

16

My Silver Label 8.5’ 5wt was $245 brand new when I bought it in 1998 and that was full price.

17

Just my two cents worth, but I don’t think that the Clearwater is a fair replacement for a Silver Label. The Silver Label was definitely a step above the Clear Creek and should be treated as such even under a warantee replacement. Others are free to disagree. 8T

You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.

18

Hi BigCasino. I would go with FlyGoddess in that I really think Orvis will try hard to make you a satisfied customer. Try the customer service manager or higher. Just last Sept I inquired about a SL 7wgt “All Rounder”, hoping that maybe there would be a stray one or two left. They were long out of production. Orvis had the blanks in stock, and for $20.00 more than the 1999 price they custom made me the rod, and I had it in under 2 weeks! I thought that was pretty good - I never imagined they would custom make a rod. If Cust Svc really checked, it might be possible they could have the blanks and you could “insist” that they build you a new one. I was very satified with how my deal went. It looked to be as well made as my other SL, a 3 wgt. Stir the pot! I think they’ll do something for you.

19

The reelseat on my SL 6wt fell apart a couple of months ago and they replaced it w/ the TLS Power Matrix.
That IS the replacement for the Silver Label series!!

20

But just out of pure curiosity does anyone know what was the retail on a Trident TLS 2pc 4wgt. I don’t see them in the catalog anymore either.
Also, what if you break the replacement rod? Does the balance of the guarantee still apply?? I’m sure it does, but…

Mark

Trout must be Gods favorite fish cause He put them into His most beautiful waters.
(plagiarized qoute)