Shimano Rod Warranty?

[muskielaw]

Does anyone know when Shimano changed their lifetime warranty on their rods? Used to be "over the counter" with a receipt and now Cabela's is claiming I have to ship it back to shimano. I bought a Crucial two years ago and was talked into buying the rod because of the lifetime "over the counter" warranty w/ receipt. Don't get me wrong this is a great rod but the major selling point was the hassle free return if it broke. I was with a buddy before opener this year and the sales rep at Cabelas also talked him out of a St. Croix because Shimano's warranty was over the counter and you do not have to deal with shipping it back to manufacturer.

Now I broke my rod on 4th of July, stopped by Cabela's on way home and was told that w/ out a receipt I would have to ship it to Shimano but if I still had receipt I could exchange "over the counter." Well I went home and found the receipt and drove back up there two weeks later to be told that even with a receipt I have still ship it back to Shimano and they refused to honor the warranty that was sold to me two years ago. I was a little ticked to say the least because a customer service rep and manager told me two weeks earlier that if I had the receipt they would exchange it over the counter. Cableas isn't exactly in my back yard and was a 80 mile round trip for nothing. The more important issue however is how can a store/manufacturer change the warranty after you make the purchase. I can understand changing it on new sales but when I bought the rod two years ago a contract was formed w/ an "over the counter" warranty and now they changed it without any consideration to those who relied on the previous warranty in making their purchase. Furthermore, Cabelas represented to my buddy less then 3 months ago tha the warranty was still over the counter. So when did this all change?

Muskie

[ozzie]

I heard about a year ago that Cabela's wont take rods back unless they are the Cabelas brand now......

[Northlander]

Thats Cabelas being Cabelas. They think their size says they can change the rules. As far as I know Shimano didnt chnage the over the counter part of their rod warranty.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'd try to take it elsewhere. As far as I know, it should be an over-the-counter exchange.

[ole matty]

Try thorne bros? I exchanged my shimano Muskie rod there twice in last with no questions asked.

[bucketmouth64]

I heard that retail stores are making it more difficult to warranty rods with exhchange. I broke a prodigy rod, luckily I had the receipt. Without receipt they would have not done an exchange because rod was out of warranty period. If you look behind the counter (cabelas) they post rod warranty period they honor with receipt for most of their rods.

I would call stores before you start driving all over the place. I think Thorne might be your only choice. Down the road you can try Capras. Pretty sure GM and Joe's don't do any warranty exchanges. If you send it it is expensive because it is considered an oversize package being sent in a tube. I hope I don't break my Crucial because I don't have receipt anymore and will be in the same situation you're io.

[blakjack23]

I know G.Loomis just made some changes to their warranty/Expeditor program as of August 1st. Since Loomis is owned by Shimano now I wouldn't be surprised if some changes to Shimanos OTC policy went into place too.

But I agree, no company should change policy after you have purchased a rod. That warranty is something you are paying for when you make the initial purchase.

If you want a great warranty with fantastic customer service stick to St. Croix.

[buddha]

I had the same prob at C with my shimano. I did buy the extended warrenty for 10.00 this time and this rod broke, my fault. So I needed to ship it to Texas and I found out yesterday they will be sending me a check to cover the cost for a new rod. Not happy that the store didn't return the rod as it was under a year but I guess that's the way things work now.

[Fish Head]

I think that's Cabelas new polciy, more than Shimano changing their warranty. I've exchanged 2 Shimanos this year at the Cabelas in Owatonna. One was a crucial and the other a compre. Easy exchange, no receipt, no problems.

[Meat-Run]

If a rod manufacture makes and markets a rod with lifetime warranty and then change that later down the road, wouldn't that be kind of "breach of contract"??? I purchased the rod with "lifetime" stamped to it (not literally) and kept receipt for ever shouldn't that be honored for the "life" of the rod???

It's bad enough that the fishing industry is suffering but when you start to p@ssing off the rest of the fishing community your only hurting yourself...sorry for the rant but that's my .02.

mr

[sticknstring]

Had the same thing happen to me with my Crucial this past week. Went to Cabela's and they politely told me to take a hike. Emailed Shimano this morning and this was there response:

The Crucial rods are covered by our lifetime warranty. Please send the rod to us for warranty replacement.

Shimano

Attn Rod Warranty

1 Holland

Irvine, CA 92618

Dan Thorburn

Product Support Specialist

While waiting for that reply, I called Thorne Bros. and they will exchange it out as well. From now on I'll make the longer drive and give them some additional business.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I have read the fine print and it says that stores dont have to participate in the over the counter warranty which IMO is bogus and should have a big asteric by the warranty info. Shimano makes a great rod and the "over the counter warranty" makes it that much more attractive to buyers. If you have a receipt I cant see why any store wouldnt exchange it. Without receipt If stores have to cover the cost of sending the rod back I can see why they dont want to honor every rod that comes through the doors. If Shimano reinburses them then thats just bad customer service and them not wanting to give out inventory.

[muskielaw]

If a rod manufacture makes and markets a rod with lifetime warranty and then change that later down the road, wouldn't that be kind of "breach of contract"??? I purchased the rod with "lifetime" stamped to it (not literally) and kept receipt for ever shouldn't that be honored for the "life" of the rod???

Yes this is a breach of contract and why this bothered me more then it otherwise would. They told me when I bought the rod it was over the counter and they should stand by that. If I buy a new rod today I can understand that I have to ship it back. I am still waiting for a reply from Cabelas and will let you know their response.

[Ed Carlson]

Most every rod made now has to be a warranty claim direct to the manufacturer, if it is not a "House Brand" by the retailer. St. Croix, Fenwick, G Loomis, Shimano...ect...ect....all need to be sent in after 30 day or for some, even the same day. Retailers honor the 30 day on most everything (with the receipt) even if they eventually will get burned from the vendor on the cost.

And that is the real deal here, the shift in policy in the industry, the Vendor/Manufacturer is Mandating the send in warranty, not the retailer.

2 rules to keep your warranty in tact is..Always keep your receipt and the UPC off the product..(retailers will want it to do 30 day exchanges for sure and it is mandatory on warranty to the vendor) And rest assured, someplace in the fine print on most any warranty they will say "Terms are subject to change without notification", so...be sure to start a file, and use it.

I ask for a second copy of the receipt and staple it to the product upc and in the file it go's. If you add an extended warranty, add that to a file too. I buy the "Summit Plan" or an extended warranty on all rods and most reels now, it will pay off, and has for me twice this season alone. The plan costs less than the shipping cost on average, and I know I will get my new rod or a check for the full amount of the rod on the day I bought it, if it breaks on me during the extended warranty period. No matter what, I know I'm covered.

As for Cabela's and your Lifetime Warranty Rod Deal...I would push them to send it in, have them pay the shipping cost. They would likely cave in on that as a compromise.

[fishinjosh98]

i live in duluth and i go to fishermans corner i dont think i even need the receipt

[Deitz Dittrich]

If a rod manufacture makes and markets a rod with lifetime warranty and then change that later down the road, wouldn't that be kind of "breach of contract"??? I purchased the rod with "lifetime" stamped to it (not literally) and kept receipt for ever shouldn't that be honored for the "life" of the rod???

It's bad enough that the fishing industry is suffering but when you start to p@ssing off the rest of the fishing community your only hurting yourself...sorry for the rant but that's my .02.

mr

MR- Please do not bad mouth Shimano on this.. They changed nothing. This is *C* store policy change. Shimano does everything they can to replace the rods that a store gets back. HOwever they do have to wait for it to ship ect..and then are out that product on the store floor. and in these hard times, that can be tough for the stores. Again, Shimano changed nothing.. If the store you are at will not replace it... Try and find a different one. I have worked with Thornes, and they have been nothing short of PERFECT for customer satisfaction.

[Deitz Dittrich]

[Deitz Dittrich]

I just got off the phone with Shimano. There have been no changes.. Shimano stands behind their product. as stated above.. I give most of my buis to Thornes recently because they have treated me so nice on any issue..

If you mail it to Shimano, they will replace it.. Period.. Not sure why anyone has changed how they do buis.... I know of one other metro store that will not honor Shimano warranty, but will not soil their name online.

[Northlander]

Thanks Dietz I knew you would get to the bottom of this for us. I know the 2 places I buy rods in Duluth take back the Shimanos no questions asked.

[muskielaw]

Thanks Dietz I didn't think it was shimano as I read their warranty info that cabelas is relying on and it specifically says you can return it to the store w/ receipt. I have spent a lot of money at the C stores and gone out of my way to as there are plenty of hunting/fishing stores that I drive by everyday. I know they will continue to make their money but I will be making my purchases else where from here on out.

[Deitz Dittrich]

OK... yer boy Deitz(yes I just spoke of myself in the 3rd person) just got off the phone with someone at the offender Cabelas and have the inside scoop... If you bought it at Cabelas, and have the receipt within 60 days of purchase.. yer good to go.. they will do the over the counter replacement.. If a rod has a flaw, its going to go within those 60 days.. I dont think cabelas is being rude on this. If it breaks past those 60 days.. it will cost you shipping to Shimano. Which is still far less than any other rod company warranty. And you still have Thorne Bros as an option as well..

To the original poster, if your rod was less than 60 days old. you did not talk to a fishing dept manager.. as I just got off the phone with one. Inside 60 days.. replacement.. But outside 60 days, they would like you to contact Shimano them selves for the warranty.

[skolfoppa]

Live and learn. Most of my rods have/had been purchased from Joes. In April I brought in a Shimano rod for warranty, thinking April would give them enough time to get a replacement back to me for fishing season. They did not charge me for shipping, $20 as they have done in the past, but my rod just showed up this week. This was funny too. The dude that did the paperwork said they waited for 20-30 rods to be bundled for warranty before they sent them out for warranty. $20x 30= what shipping company charges that for a bunch of graphite? The rods aren't going to Japan anymore!

The warranty states 8-10 weeks for delivery. I actually had to call Shimano cs to find out where my specific rod was. Joes wanted to give me store credit on a lower price than the purchase receipt. Wth? That seemed a tad shady as they were sticking with a policy that made NO sense.

Thorne Bros. will be my next stop when buying fishing rods and reels.Just a small rant. Skol.

[Northlander]

Thanks Dietz I didn't think it was shimano as I read their warranty info that cabelas is relying on and it specifically says you can return it to the store w/ receipt. I have spent a lot of money at the C stores and gone out of my way to as there are plenty of hunting/fishing stores that I drive by everyday. I know they will continue to make their money but I will be making my purchases else where from here on out.

Just one more reason why most of my money goes to my local shops!

[harvey lee]

I have never had any issues with a return of any type at Cabelas.

Yes, they are big and they did not get where they are today by messing with people.

I am sure every so often they have an unhappy customer but who that large can keep all happy?

What other store has the inventory that they do for the outdoorsman or women?

In regards to Thorne Bros, they are a very nice store but I had an ice fishing pole that was not cheap and it broke. No warranty for me.

I am surely not slamming TB in any way but there is not a store that does not have issues with warranty from time to time. No store or warranty is perfect.

[Meat-Run]

Deitz, my statements were intended to be generalized for all manufactures/dealers in the fishing business. I apologize to any that I may have offended but if Cabela's will not take the product back after 60 days does the consumer know that? Not sure? But thank you for sticking up for the manufacture but I do most of my business with a family outfitter in Walker that has been taking care of there customers for many years.

In this business it DOES boil down to customer service because in the end we all go back to who will "take care" of us after the sale not within the first 60 days after you purchased your product. I have heard nothing but GREAT service with Shimano when you had to send something back but the language with the dealer and manufacture should be a little clearer maybe? I might be out of line but I like that we can discuss this in a open manner...my .02.

mr