Shimano lifetime warranty coming to an end.

Princeton_Man · June 19, 2014, 07:47:07 PM

Some of my friends in the business tell me that Shimano is ditching the lifetime warranty on rods. Has anyone else heard this?

Rods purchased before the magic date will still have lifetime warranty honored but, new purchases will only carry a one year warranty. I forgot to ask them what the magic date was supposed to be. -Jim

Down4ttown · June 19, 2014, 08:16:41 PM

Well there goes shimano's rod sales

SenkoGuru · June 20, 2014, 12:52:21 AM

They are really going from a life time warranty to a one year warranty? If this is true then they just lost a MASSIVE amount of rod sales.

coldfront · June 20, 2014, 06:48:37 AM

ahrd telling. if they hit it with a 'reasonable' fee for replacement, they won't be different than anyone else.

but yes, it will make me think.

what's interesting? I've been fishing Shimano rods for over 20 years now and the only rod I've ever had to return is a cumara dropshot (spinning) rod that I think just has too thin a tip. the tip continues to break off. Never an issue with any thing else.

but I do try to take care of them.

Princeton_Man · June 20, 2014, 07:01:47 AM

I sent a text to one of my friends at sporting goods store lastnight asking him what the magic date was. He said he was told the change was going to be subtle with a code change of some kind on the rods and in the literature/tags on the rods. He said he was also told to expect over the counter replacement to end as well.

I only own a few Shimano rods. They are good rods but, I bought the last two at different times because I had damaged another rod (like cutting one in half in a door and the other with a rod locker lid) and wanted to replace them right then. Because I was offered irresistible prices coupled with the lifetime warranty, I didn't figure I had much to loose. Had it not been for that I'd have probably ordered something from one of our sponsors.

I suspect that if they are tailoring back their warranty, it's at least in part due to retailers and distributors generously and liberally honoring it.

My Lew's rod had a lifetime warranty but, I damaged it. It had nothing to do with any kind of defect. -Jim

Princeton_Man · June 20, 2014, 07:06:49 AM

I read somewhere that G.Loomis is tied into Shimano. I wonder if it will apply to G.Loomis too?

SenkoGuru · June 20, 2014, 01:45:07 PM

I really liked the Kistler KLX Rod's and wanted to fish with those rods but when I found out it only had a one year warranty, I couldn't do it. I only owned one KLX and I then sold it. I do understand that most rods that are bad will break before the year is out but I just can't make myself use them and not worry about the warranty. I really enjoy knowing I have a 20 year warranty on my fishing rods and that was a major selling point once I found a fishing rod I really liked. Every one is different but I can't buy a one year warranty rod.

Drake691 · June 20, 2014, 01:48:40 PM

Any Gloomis rod warranty bought before Shicrapo took over it won't be honoured. I found out that hard way, another reason why Shicrapo sucks

SonofDitka · June 20, 2014, 01:55:36 PM

Given how many people I would see on the bass boards all but bragging about breaking a rod due to their own stupidity and sending it back for replacement I'm surprised the policy lasted as long as it did.

I've been fishing for three decades and broke one rod during that period (reel seat broke last year on a Shimano that they replaced as it was a few months old). I don't know what people are doing that they're constantly breaking rods.

Drake691 · June 20, 2014, 02:17:39 PM

Catching muskie on bass gear does it for me

Creel Limit Zero · June 20, 2014, 02:24:33 PM

IMO, if there is a defect in the rod, you will find out in the first year and get a replacement. If it breaks after a year old, it is most likely caused by something you did to the rod...

SonofDitka · June 20, 2014, 02:45:41 PM

Quote from: Creel Limit Zero on June 20, 2014, 02:24:33 PM
IMO, if there is a defect in the rod, you will find out in the first year and get a replacement. If it breaks after a year old, it is most likely caused by something you did to the rod...

I quite agree.

Princeton_Man · June 20, 2014, 03:00:36 PM

Quote from: Creel Limit Zero on June 20, 2014, 02:24:33 PM
IMO, if there is a defect in the rod, you will find out in the first year and get a replacement. If it breaks after a year old, it is most likely caused by something you did to the rod...

I agree mostly but, I have had guide inserts come out and a reel seat break loose long after one year of use on a rod as well. Not a big deal if it's a $79 rod but I'd be real upset if it was a $250 rod. I also don't have the gall to try to pawn off my clumsy mistakes as defect in the merchandise, no matter what it is.

What about the guy who buys extra rods, reels, and other things to have just in case. They may sit on a shelf or in a corner for quite some time before they get put into service. I've had rods that I bought, used once or twice, then didn't touch again for a year. -Jim

Creel Limit Zero · June 20, 2014, 03:29:44 PM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on June 20, 2014, 03:00:36 PM
I agree mostly but, I have had guide inserts come out and a reel seat break loose long after one year of use on a rod as well. Not a big deal if it's a $79 rod but I'd be real upset if it was a $250 rod. I also don't have the gall to try to pawn off my clumsy mistakes as defect in the merchandise, no matter what it is.

What about the guy who buys extra rods, reels, and other things to have just in case. They may sit on a shelf or in a corner for quite some time before they get put into service. I've had rods that I bought, used once or twice, then didn't touch again for a year. -Jim

Couple of good points. But I will say a guide insert coming out can be due to wear and tear. Maybe you are real careful with your equipment, but I see folks stepping on their rods on the deck of their boats, bending back guides that have been bent, etc... Clipping those guides on the side of their truck or boat when moving them, etc... These are items that one can not prove are from user error or a defect, so after a year I would not be expecting a rod replacement for this. I'd send it to someone that is qualified to replace that guide at my expense. The reel seat breaking lose, I can't say anything about this, never happened to me.

Now, as for the guy that buys his rod and stores it for a year before using it. Certainly would suck if the first hook set it broke. I guess this is the same reason why cars have a year warranty as well as a mileage, whichever comes first. If they only had a mileage warranty, a guy could come in with a low mileage over 10 year old truck to get fixed...

Honestly, there are a few situations that rod users that will be affected by breakage after a year that is to no fault of their own. It is exactly what SonofDitka said, I would bet over 90% of the warranty claims for rods over a year old are from neglect from the rod user instead of rod manufacturer. Heck, I know guys that have busted their rod over the trolling motor after a missed fish, and have a brand new rod that replaced it at the next tournament, only paying freight charges. That's what this is preventing. Unfortunate the honest folks get hurt by that...

Down4ttown · June 20, 2014, 04:34:07 PM

I don't know who breaks the rods and who doesn't but shimano's warranty is how they stayed competitive in the rod market. There are TONS of rods that are better at almost every price point.

SonofDitka · June 20, 2014, 06:18:34 PM

Quote from: Creel Limit Zero on June 20, 2014, 03:29:44 PM
The reel seat breaking lose, I can't say anything about this, never happened to me.

It was the damnedest thing. I had only used the rod a few times when during a tournament I made a cast and was quite puzzled to feel the reel fly out from under my thumb and out in front of me. After retrieving the reel I looked at the reel seat and saw that the front holder had separated from the rod. In thirty years I had never seen that before.

It's entirely possible that I tightened the rear holder too much and it popped the front holder off the rod but as I said, I've never seen that sort of thing happen before and I felt it justified that three months after buying a rod it broke through normal use to act on the warranty. To Shimano's credit they replaced the rod quickly.

Creel Limit Zero · June 20, 2014, 08:42:59 PM

Yeah, that sounds like a defect of some kind... Weird

HoosierBass07 · June 24, 2014, 03:14:17 PM

I asked a question (I think on another site) about how people broke their rods. I got a lot of replies and to my surprise hardly anyone said their rod broke while casting or fighting a fish. I would say 96% of the people said their rods broke when they stepped on them, slammed a car door or boat locker door on them, or something like that. Then around 1% or 2% said their rods broke while trying to land the a big bass (pulling the bass on the boat with the rod) or setting the hook very hard on a limb and not a fish and that broke them. Then 1% said their rod tip broke while casting a lure. I think only one or two people said their rods broke while actually fighting a fish.

So the lesson - most rods break because of accidents blamed on the person using them.

coldfront · June 24, 2014, 04:34:51 PM

Quote from: HoosierBass07 on June 24, 2014, 03:14:17 PM
I asked a question (I think on another site) about how people broke their rods. I got a lot of replies and to my surprise hardly anyone said their rod broke while casting or fighting a fish. I would say 96% of the people said their rods broke when they stepped on them, slammed a car door or boat locker door on them, or something like that. Then around 1% or 2% said their rods broke while trying to land the a big bass (pulling the bass on the boat with the rod) or setting the hook very hard on a limb and not a fish and that broke them. Then 1% said their rod tip broke while casting a lure. I think only one or two people said their rods broke while actually fighting a fish.

So the lesson - most rods break because of accidents blamed on the person using them.

know lots of folks who 'boat flip' fish. not sure that qualifies, should the rod break, as product defect?

just asking...

Princeton_Man · June 24, 2014, 08:22:10 PM

Quote from: coldfront on June 24, 2014, 04:34:51 PM

know lots of folks who 'boat flip' fish. not sure that qualifies, should the rod break, as product defect?

just asking...

Probably not a defect but their liberal and generous over the counter replacement policy has replaced such rods up until now.

lousyfisher · June 25, 2014, 04:59:17 PM

I guess that's one reason I have a hard time leaving st croix, avids series on up, even if its my fault, 50$ and i get it fixed or replaced.

Down4ttown · June 25, 2014, 06:23:39 PM

Quote from: lousyfisher on June 25, 2014, 04:59:17 PM
I guess that's one reason I have a hard time leaving st croix, avids series on up, even if its my fault, 50$ and i get it fixed or replaced.

Exactly!

The Bassmeister · June 25, 2014, 09:46:15 PM

Quote from: Down4ttown on June 25, 2014, 06:23:39 PM
Exactly!

I concur!

Pferox · June 26, 2014, 07:22:54 AM

This is a trend in the industry, heck, even Ugly Stiks are now sold with only a one year warranty, I remember when they were life time replacement.

coldfront · June 26, 2014, 09:00:30 AM

Quote from: Pferox on June 26, 2014, 07:22:54 AM
This is a trend in the industry, heck, even Ugly Stiks are now sold with only a one year warranty, I remember when they were life time replacement.

will be interesting to see if Shimano goes with a flat time-limited replacement warranty OR if they follow suit like other rod companies and ...for a 'slight' fee...allow replacement. Have to figure the cost of shipping alone is a big deal.

but I will share this:
I've been using shimano rods since the early 90's. Started out with compres and have enjoyed them ever since. Did I slobber over and dream of the day I could afford a G.loomis when they came out? oh heck yes...just never could pull the trigger on a $250 rod...

never had issue one with my shimano casting rods...and have now been using crucial spinning rods for a couple years...

so, since 1993, I can say 'this': I've only had one Shimano rod i've ever had issues with and it is a Cumara 7'2" drop shot rod. Looking at it, I think they tried to make the tip too thin...it's just a fairly fragile design. I'll be sending it back for the second time (replaced two years ago, broke last spring) and asking if I can have them replace it with a crucial model. Hopefully, they'll be able to help with a 'step down'...otherwise, when it comes back, folks will see it on ebay.

all this said, I've never had a bad customer service experience with Shimano...the few times I've called and talked to a person.

then again, every time I call them, I ask for their help and if they have any suggestions on options. I've never started in by talking about how poor the product is... frankly, I think they're great. Best Ever? that gets into a chevy v ford v dodge discussion... and can't happen without some pricepoint guidelines as well.

What is being discussed here is not the end of the world, they're just 'matching' the competition.

and I am not at all suggesting they are better or worse than your favorite rod... but in my world, for performance at price point, they are an excellent rod.