I agree entirely with you. Part of this issue is the "the customer is always right" syndrome. When I snap a rod tip in the mud, should that be the manufacturer's problem? Heck no, but the system has changed (as opposed to evolved) to a 'no fault' program, instead of the customer being responsible for their own actions. I can't think of any other industry, or business relationship, where the customer has absolutely no fault, responsibility, or consequence for their actions. Well, I guess that's why we buy insurance, but that is in effect what we're doing with the higher rod cost for those with the unconditional warranties.
It's interesting that folks make comments like "hey, I can buy 3 to 5 of these lower cost, import rods, that function adequately, with no warranty, for the same price as those unconditional warranty premium rods." However, it's also interesting to note how many people that make those comments then do NOT buy the lower cost rods, but instead covet and somehow end up purchasing the higher end rod. There has to be a shakeup (shakedown?) at some point among the product manufacturers. And, I don't know how the industry moves back, if it ever can, to a responsibility-based warranty program. But, to be viably competitive, the remaining companies will need to. I'm off the stump now. :-) And, no, I'm not in the fly fishing biz, or related to a shop. It's just that I love this industry, I love the quality and variety of products that are currently offered, and I believe that in a few years the fly fishing industry will likely have some major shakeups that may ultimately have ramifications affecting consumer options. Bummer. Richard ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Snedeker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 10:19 AM Subject: Re: Gear warranty follow-up (No Free Lunch) > 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 > >
