-----Original Message----- From: Richard Embry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >You mean a system like the "old" days, before the unconditional warranties, >eh? A pricing system where folks are responsible for the actions? I don't >think consumers would go for that now; too spoiled with this no-fault >unconditional warranty stuff.
I don't think the manufacturers are making money on the consumers who are using the guarantee system as a way to upgrade their rods or who are abnormally careless. I think pursuing market share in the last few year's expanding market, following the "deep pockets" competition and similar factors have pulled the high-end manufacturers into a guarantee environment that will ultimately bankrupt some. Kinda like the "tiger by the tail" problem. The only way to make it work for them presently is to charge more at the front end. Consequently, the high prices shut out many potential consumers, and make the specialty manufacturers (especially the ones manufacturing in the US) vulnerable to foreign based low end mass producers. When the market stops growing I think the chickens will come home to roost and we will see fall out among the US manufacturers, movement offshore, etc. Since technical innovation, design and craftsmanship at an affordable but premium price has been mostly the contribution of US based rod craftsmen/manufacturers, I think the US flyfisher will be the looser, when the system implodes. Outfits gingerly starting to charge for some of the cost of "warranty" service now may be the survivors tomorrow. IMHO Consequently, I would prefer lower front end prices with a limited warrantee, coupled with a real cost-based, high quality, repair system. Dave
