ROD & REEL WARRANTIES

Tip: Read the warranty thoroughly.

Warranties used to be known as guarantees. Times have changed. I guess the former sounds more businesslike then the latter. The fact is that both terms are really synonymous. Both are only worth the paper they are written on if the people who make the product are serious about customer relations.

Many times you will find that even without the original warranty, a reputable company will make it right for you under certain circumstances. They don't have to though. The choice is theirs. If they feel that a customer is trying to pull the wool over their eyes, they normally, but politely refuse to honor the pledge.

Some companies refuse to honor a guarantee unless it comes from the original purchaser and it was bought at one of their "approved" retail outlets. But, for the most part, company relationships are vital to business and they often overlook their own policies and procedures when asked to fix a fly reel or fly rod. Good for them.

Please remember to read the entire contract, especially the fine print. Ask yourself several questions. Is the company standing behind its product 100%? Do they warrant it for a lifetime? What lifetime are they talking about, the product or yours? Was that lifetime made clear? How about car doors breaking the rod into pieces because of carelessness (some companies even honor silly accidents). Below are some typical contracts.

Please read through them and then contact us if you have any questions. If you are really interested in a particular reel or rod and are not sure about the reputation of the company, please drop us a line through our contact us form and we will be glad to research it for you. One caveat to remember is that just because a rod or reel has a shorter time period on its contract than its competitor, it does not mean that the product is inferior. But often it means exactly that. Perform your due diligence and RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH.

Now for some examples of THE WARRANTY, which is also known as its assurance, certificate, contract, covenant, guarantee, guarantee, pledge, security, surety, written promise and so forth and so on.

I HAVE REMOVED ANY REFERENCE TO THE COMPANY NAME SO AS NOT TO EMBARRASS ANYONE OR ANY ENTITY.

Our Limited Lifetime Guarantee

ABC Company warrants against any defects in material or workmanship for the lifetime of the original purchaser (OK if you're young, but for an octogenarian not very useful) when the reel is purchased from an authorized ABC dealer. This warranty is limited to repair or replacement of the reel at our option and does not cover consequential or incidental damages.

No Fault

Our No-Fault Warranty (Are we talking about a fly reel or an automobile?) is for the life of the original registered owner. Send your registration card with each purchase to activate your warranty. Simply return a damaged rod with $25 for shipping & handling, and we will repair or replace your rod. Blanks sections (as appropriate) will be replaced and returned with related hardware and finishings from broken sections. This warranty is limited to our blank, on custom rods.

Limited Lifetime

All Reels are covered by our unique AFTER SALES SERVICE 1-800-xxx-xxxx. We will, at our option, repair or replace any reel which is found to be defective in workmanship or materials as long as the original purchaser owns the reel. Damaged reels not covered under this warranty will be repaired or replaced for a reasonable fee should failure occur due to misuse, neglect or normal wear. This warranty is not valid unless the original purchaser sends the warranty information card. Do not return damaged reel to your dealer. Should any problem arise with one of our products, simply return it for immediate repair or replacements. For repair or replacement, please return the entire reel in a cardboard box (will a Dunkin' Donuts or Crispy Creme box do?) . Be sure to include a note with your name, address and phone number. Also include $15 for return postage.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

At XYZ, superlative customer service and 100% customer satisfaction are our primary core business goals. XYZ rods and reels have a lifetime warranty against manufacturing or workmanship defects. Our no-nonsense guarantee is simple, if the rod gets broken, we replace the broken section(s) for $30 each plus shipping. If the reel has a problem, repairs/rebuilds are handled on a case by case basis, but will not exceed $50. So fish hard, you're covered. At least you don't have to be an original owner with this one.

Original Owner Lifetime

SPQR Fly Reels carry a lifetime warranty covering all parts and workmanship under normal use and condition. (But who determines "normal use"?) This warranty provides that the SPQR Reels will be repaired or replaced at no charge to the original owner (Again, the original owner). Warranty is effective only if purchased from an Authorized SPQRDealer. SPQR reserves the right to determine whether to repair or replace any SPQR reel or spool covered by this warranty and the right to replace any discontinued models or parts with current models or parts when necessary. Colors may vary between original and replacement parts. To return a reel or spool for repair, please ship the reel in a protected box (This company provides the box; no donut carton necessary) prepaid and insured. Include a note explaining the problem, your return address and a daytime phone number along with proof of purchase from an Authorized SPQR Dealer. This company's products must be good. Count how many time it used its corporate name.

Lifetime Satisfaction Guaranteed

Every reel is individually numbered and registered in the original owner’s name. I guess you'll need to file the number down in order to fool them, right? Reels are warranted against defects in materials and construction. DEF will replace or repair any components that are defective under this warranty. This provision is void in obvious instance of negligence, abuse, or uses other than intended. In addition, your complete satisfaction is guaranteed. We are entirely confident that after receiving and using this product, you will be delightfully satisfied. However, for whatever reason(s), should this product not meet your expectations, return it for a full refund.

Our Limited Lifetime

All MNOP series reels carry a limited lifetime warranty (How so?) for the original owner covering any defect in materials and workmanship. This warranty provides that defective MNOP fly reels will be repaired or replaced at our option, at no charge for parts and labor, and does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, improper maintenance or modification.

Warranty

QRST Reels are unconditionally guaranteed against manufacturer's defects in materials and workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the reel. If your reel should need attention, please return it to:

QRST Reels will promptly attend to your reel and return ship no more than two days after receiving it. QRST Reels Guarantees It! Now this is different -- a guarantee with you warranty. If you need to contact QRST Reels prior to shipping, please call (555) 555-5555 or email QRST Reels. Please refer to the On-Line Product Help section of QRST Reels web site for answers to questions you may have about QRST products. QRST Global products are warranted against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. The warranty is not transferable. To qualify for warranty service, the product must be returned to QRST Reels' facility in This Town, America with a copy of the original purchase receipt. Products returned without a copy of the original purchase receipt, and products that are no longer covered under warranty, will be serviced for the following fees: $15.00, $20.00, $25.00, $30.00, $35.00. For return shipments within the U.S., include a check or a Visa, Master Card or American Express credit card number with the name that appears on the card and the expiration date. The fee for each product will cover the cost of service, parts, handling and ground shipment back to the customer. International customers must pay by credit card and will be charged actual shipping and insurance costs. International customers will also be responsible for all related customs and duty charges. Please return all warranty items to: QRST Reels Global, One Reel Ct., Anytown, America. Include a note with your name, shipping address, phone number, e-mail address and a brief explanation of the nature of the problem. We will attend to your product and return ship no more than one week after receiving it. QRST Reels guarantee it!

Even though names were omitted, to be certain we've taken some pot shots and had some good-natured fun describing warranties from some of the best manufacturers in the world. To those dedicated men and women who are continually working and improving products for the fly fisher, we salute you.