New rod broke!

[M1dwestF1sh]

I don't get why everybody is getting on this guy about him buying a cheap rod. Some of us might never think to buy a $20 rod but it doesn't matter the price a rod shouldn't break that soon. Who cares that he bought a cheap rod. I don't think going on here about it is a good idea either but what do I know.

[Sportland_Bait]

I guess I look at it from the retailers point of view. $10 replacement is more than fair. Shipping a rod will cost between $15 and $25 depending on distance, length of the rod, and packing materials. On a $20 rod the retailer made about $7.00. Even if the manufacturer reimburses the store for the rod, the store still loses at least $8.00 by replacing it for you. Too many customers like that will force you out of business.

Jason Erlandson

[FshBloodRiverMud]

Eventually, if you fish enough, you'll learn that $20 rods are just...cheap dump.

[M1dwestF1sh]

I agree completely that $20 is too cheap but sometimes you do what you have to. It still shouldn't break on him like that right away. I stick with $100 or up on rods but sometimes you can't spend that much.

[th64]

Lol and ouch-I actually have some pretty nice equipment sorry I even mentioned the cost of that rod-just want to inform people of some consumer protection that is available to them threw their credit card. Do we have industry people chiming in? Have you sent back a 8 buck burger because it is burnt or raw? If you sit there and eat it fine just don't laugh at me.

[Northlander]

I have broken all types of rods. Cheap to customs. They always broke in the 1st few months if they were flawed. Now cheap rods, less than $50, I have had several break in my hands while flexing them in the store. Rods are one thing you get what you pay for.

[B-man715]

Man, I must be pure white trash here.

I just picked up a couple Diawa Wilderness trolling rods for $15 each (new)........... They will serve their purpose nicely.

[Finns]

Lol and ouch-I actually have some pretty nice equipment sorry I even mentioned the cost of that rod-just want to inform people of some consumer protection that is available to them threw their credit card. Do we have industry people chiming in? Have you sent back a 8 buck burger because it is burnt or raw? If you sit there and eat it fine just don't laugh at me.

X2

[CaptainMusky]

Lol and ouch-I actually have some pretty nice equipment sorry I even mentioned the cost of that rod-just want to inform people of some consumer protection that is available to them threw their credit card. Do we have industry people chiming in? Have you sent back a 8 buck burger because it is burnt or raw? If you sit there and eat it fine just don't laugh at me.

consumer protection for a $20 rod if it breaks? I call that lessoned learned and buy a better rod.

Not to be a jerk but guys like you are what drives the cost up for everyone like me.

[CaptainMusky]

Man, I must be pure white trash here.

I just picked up a couple Diawa Wilderness trolling rods for $15 each (new)........... They will serve their purpose nicely.

but will you threaten the company with credit card influence if one breaks?

[PurpleFloyd]

I am cheap too but this year I went to the Berkley outlet in Spirit Lake and bought a bunch of the rebuilt/factory second ugly sticks. I think they were 15 bucks each. I also bought a few of the rebuilt baitcasters.

[Northlander]

Man, I must be pure white trash here.

I just picked up a couple Diawa Wilderness trolling rods for $15 each (new)........... They will serve their purpose nicely.

The wilderness rods are a trolling rod made out of fiberglass to take abuse. They do just that. Some of the new thin walled cheaper jigging and rigging rods will not last to much abuse. I found that the $70 range and up on sale are usually pretty reliable. I have rods that I got for about $50 on clearance that I have had for years. You just cant expect a $8 to $30 rod to last long.

[delcecchi]

Lol and ouch-I actually have some pretty nice equipment sorry I even mentioned the cost of that rod-just want to inform people of some consumer protection that is available to them threw their credit card. Do we have industry people chiming in? Have you sent back a 8 buck burger because it is burnt or raw? If you sit there and eat it fine just don't laugh at me.

I have taken back fries at mickey D's cuz they were cold.

The problem with the credit card thing is it rips the store and does nothing to the manufacturer. Some stores would take it back, but the grifters and cheats have ruined the return policy at many stores. Buy the rod in the spring, fish all summer, break it in half in the fall, return for refund. Buy clothing, wear to event, sweat it down, return for refund. Ask Menard's what happens when your new washing machine breaks.

[MWard4400]

A $20.00 rod? your not buying much, thers a reason it was 20 bucks and I think that what most guys on this post are saying is cheap is cheap, buy a better more expensive rod and the chances are greater that a problem like this won't occur as often.

Mark

[10,000 Casts]

maybe the lesson here is to buy rods from local brick and mortar shops that will take care of the customer. I still think that $10 is reasonable because they have to ship the new rod to you.

I too wouldn't expect much from a $20 rod but the fact is that stores / rod mfg are sick of people abusing their return policies/warranties and that's why rods cost as much as they do now. A $100 would prolly cost $50 if the companies hadn't gotten so carried away with replacement warranties years ago.

[th64]

Remember I am not scamming anyone I used the rod 3 times-If a little extra quality control costs a little more money thats ok-how are they going to know (or care) about poor workmanship if people don't say something? Quality just does not improve on its own. Every day when I go to work I want to improve the quality of the work I do, sometimes that costs more money sometimes it does not.

Yes, sometimes quality can improve for free. Do you want to live in a place where the rod is 5 bucks cheaper but it is broken and they will do nothing for you? Also trust your costumers re-read my 'Zippo' post! And yep return those cold fries-even if its a small, even if you used a coupon to buy them.

BTW my new rod came in the mail today, hope riccen is not in the package

[Ufatz]

Glad you received your new rod.

That should bring to a close this painful exercise.

[th64]

I'm done (pretty sure)

[Down Deep]

I own a retail store and we also do quite a bit of internet selling. Our checkout page has a 73 word return policy that is written so a 1st grader could understand it and in large red print. Buyers check off that they have read the policy. We have a 2% return rate and I would estimate that 75% of those customers will complain about the policy and want us to meet their demands. Most of the time they don't want a replacement, but demand a full refund. Some don't even want to send in the product. This rate of complaint is also true in our brick and mortar store.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Wow.....Can't believe people act like a $20 rod shouldn't hold up. I've own stuff from has cheap has $10 to has much has $200. If I bought a rod and had barely used it, I would expect a company to replace it. If they didn't I wouldn't buy from them again.

It always amazes me just how snobbish we are when it comes to gear in thinking higher prices mean better quality. Heck I've seen some $20 rods that are better then some of the more expensive rods. My Okuma classic pro 8' 6" Trolling rod was $15. A Diawa 7' wilderness trolling rod is $10. a Shimano FXC is $9. My ugly sticks were $39. the wright and mcgill was $100. caught fish on all of them and they all have hold up well.

There is plenty of good dependable equipment to be had for a reasonable cost. I don't know why anyone would berate or jump on the poster for expecting to be compensated for a $20 rod if the thing truly broke and was defective. While I understand that $20 isn't a lot of money and many would just say screw it we all need to keep in mind any amount of money is a lot if you don't have it or can't afford it.

Heck, after taking my 4-5 year old and 7-8 year old to meet the teachers at school and put the school supplies away I was absolutely shocked that about 3/4 of the supplies we bought went into a community pool because many kids parents can't afford to buy it. I guess a $0.50 bottle of glue $0.50 box of crayons $1 scissors, a pack of pencils for $1, and a few other misc supplies are to expensive. The whole deal costing maybe $5-7. Yep it's sad kids parents can't afford $5-$7 in grade school supplies........(Thinking B.S. on this one)........Yet they can stop at McDonalds and be in the bar uptown. I truly wish I was born in a generation where people had enough pride to work for things instead of taking handouts.

[th64]

(thanks for the support and nice mini rant, this is all in parenthesis because I am done with this topic, I used the new rod yesterday, it worked fine)