> Before folks start assuming the high prices for premium rods is because > they're 'buying two rods', those folks need to walk through a premium rod > manufacturing facility and see how much work and time goes in to making a > premium rod. The entire process, from rolling the blank to packaging, takes > about 10 days. And, it's entirely hand-construction all the way through the > process. I went through the Sage factory, and it really opened up my eyes > as to how much time goes in to one of their rods. > > When I broke my XP last year, and Sage charged me $20 for a new tip, I'm > sure $20 didsn't nearly cover the cost of that whole transaction. Heck, the > UPS cost was close to $10 by itself. And, Sage has employees on the > receiving end logging the repair in, someone packaging it up and logging it > out, etc. I imagine those employees aren't working their gratis. And, what > about the materials and assemblage cost of the tip? To the extent their > rods are hand made, not all tips are the same. That means someone goes > through the tips, by trial and error someone found one for my rod. Then, > the normal complete rod 'assemblage' process was interrupted to fit in my > rod tip for guide placement, wrapping, finishing, etc. And, they also do a > stress check on the tip to make sure it's not faulty. I understand about > 5-7% break. So, that's lost costs for lost time and materials, to ensure I > received a quality tip. > > How much would a car cost to assemble, versus a production model, if you > bought all the components separately from the dealer? And, there are some > manufacturing and quality reasons why it costs a lot more to purchase and > service a premium automobile as opposed to a less expensive, standard > production model. In some ways the rod issue is a similar, but obviously > simpler, concept. > > There are rods out there that don't offer the knucklehead, er, unconditional > lifetime warranty, and they are priced lower than the premium (those > generally considered premium) rods that offer the lifetime warranties. So, > I guess if someone did want to buy 3 rods for the same price in lieu of > buying one premium rod, those options are available. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kent Lufkin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 11:19 AM > Subject: Re: Gear warranty follow-up > > > > I usually agree with the concept of there being no free lunch. > > Earlier in this thread though, several others pointed out that at > > today's premium rod prices, one is essentially buying two rods, the > > second of which comes in the form of a 'free lunch' warranty repair. > > > > If more rod makers charge for their warranty service, then don't we > > end up buying three rods instead? > > > > Kent Lufkin > > > > >-----Original Message----- > > >From: Kent Lufkin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >>How many other rod makers require a fee for warranty repairs? > > > > > > > > >Not enough. IMHO . . . there is no free lunch. > > >:-) > > >Dave > > > > >
