St. Croix repair

[almostthere!]

Lost an eyelet from one of the guides on my St. Croix Avid rod last fall while fighting a king salmon. Checked the other eyelets and noticed that two other eyelets are very loose. Finally sent it in for repair last week thinking I should use the lifetime warranty.

Today, I received a letter from St. Croix Rod stating that loose/missing eyelets are not covered by the warranty because they are not material defects. Well, none of my other "cheap" rods have ever had any loose/missing eyelets. This is not something one would expect from a $165 fishing rod.

St. Croix Rod wants $15 for the repair within 30 days or else they "will dispose of your old rod." Wow, talk about standing behind one's product. This is going to set me back $45 ($6 for shipping tubes, $16.50 for shipping cost, $10 for return shipping, $15 for three guides replaced). Had I known that, I would have spent that $45 on another "cheap" rod which will not have loose eyelets.

The next time I spend $100+ on a rod, it will not be a St. Croix. One customer lost.

[upnorth]

Next time you spend major $ on a rod consider going with a custom rodbuilder. Because their reputation is at stake, I am sure that they would replace the guides for little or no charge. It sounds more like it was workmanship than defective material but they still should have stood behind their product.

[Maximum12]

Almostthere, I have heard nothing but wonderful things about St. Croix customer service ~ right up until the point that I broke one of my eyelets, & received the same response.

I don't know if they're changing their policies or if there's just one or two grumpy reps who are bouncing people's warranty claims, but either way, I'm with you. I do love my two St. Croix rods, but likely won't be buying another. Too bad.

[rangr]

almost go to midwestrodandreel.com talk to Bill he will fix you eye on the St. Croix for $12 they are in Prior Lake if your close to there you could drop it off and save on shipping.

[Northlander]

If the people you are talking to at St.Croix arent helping you out I would send a E-mail to Bill and Al at Midwest Rods and reel. They can do it cheaper than what you are looking at now and probably better. Check them out at www.midwestrodandreel.com

[LOW Lover]

I have about 25 St Croix from the Premier to the Elite models. Only one time has a guide loosen up. For guide repair, I brought my rod up to Thorne Bros in Fridley. Lots of great help and friendly advice! Plus it gives me an excuse to talk Muskies and Bass with all the boys up there.

LOW

[Mike Walerak]

I have not had to have any guides replaced. I have sent in broken rods and they were replaced no quesions asked and on my door step within a week.

I agree, that a simple guide replacment can be taken care of for only few dollars at a custom rod shop. I fix my own, but I also have all the equipment to do it.

mw

[Surface Tension]

Having 3 guides come loose isn't normal.

If I were the rod manufacturer I'd be looking at a few things. First it be on my end whether it be the color preseveitive that somehow inhibited the bond of epoxy or somewhere the mix of resin and hardener got goofed or loose wraps. You can't discount out user error either. I don't have to get into any details on the amount of abuse rods take. Having said that, how can you hold the rod manufactor liable for shipping and packaging costs? 15 bucks to replace 3 guides is nothing. Thats 5 bucks per guide. Your into StCroix for 15 bucks and the cost of a package and your cost for shipping is NA.

[Guest]

Just had MIdwestrodandreel fix the handle end on my ST>Croix rod that was broke in two including the shaft in the handle.They were fast and the rod looks like brand new.I live close enough to drive to them,so the repair was very inexpensive to have done.Im getting to think they are the only rrrod shop i need to go to for summer or hardice fishing. Bill and AL, once again a big THANK_YOU for everything you do for me..

[hitthebricks]

This is good to know. I was about to buy another one, but I do have a few that need guide repair and figured it was a done deal ( send it in / repair / no charge )with a Lifetime Warrenty! I guess I do need to rethink this purchase.

[fishin]

I may be able to help you out. Send me an email and we can go from there.

fishingdm@aol.com