I am clumsy. I've broken more than my fair share of rods. But if I have spent the money on a $450 rod and it includes an unconditional warranty, should I take advantage of it?
I think the very best way to deal with this is affordable repairs. I think the companies which will replace a tip section for $50-$75 are doing the right thing. This hopefully covers their costs, helps prompt me to be less of a klutz (not much hope there), let's me continue using a rod I love, and keeps me as a happy customer. I'm more than happy to pay a reasonable amount for a repair. I just shutter at the thought of throwing a rod away when I break it. There are way too many throw-away products in our society as it is. Just my 2 cents. Bruce -----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
