Just purchased a Loomis rod blank, in which I paid full retail price,
from one of the sponsors on this site. When I opened the packaging I noticed at the very tip about a 1/4" down there was a pinch in the blank. Is this common, what can I do? Can I just trim the tip off and
if I do, would it void the warranty? Would this defect warrant some
kind of discount?

Thanks
Joe

Joe,

It has been my experience that most vendors will steer you directly to the manufacturer, citing the factory warranty and claiming it is the fastest, most efficient remedy. Probably is. Bottom line is that the time you are denied for getting your project is your loss, not the vendor's. Your money has been spent and now you get to spend more money to ship the blank back to the factory ( they will pay to ship it back) and wait, again, for the blank you bought. I don't mean to sound so negative, but the whole process of selling problems and sending you elsewhere to solve them has been one of my biggest disappointments in rodbuilding.
Anyway, contact the person you ordered the blank from and they'll gladly give you someone else's number to call so you can get a return authorization to ship the blank to the factory. In a few weeks, with luck, you can get back to what you wanted to do in the first place.

Hi Joe:

First call or contact the supplier you bought the blank from. If you are not fully satisfied for any reason with his option, contact G.Loomis direct and explain the situation. You can get their phone # from their website on the left. I'm sure you'll be taken care of in a prompt and fair manner. Good Luck!!

One simple point of fact except in a few rare cases dealers are not authorized by the manufacturers to accept returns, been like that for as long as I can remember, we may not like it but thats how it is done.
John

Alas, it is far too common with many manufacturers. It is a simple failure in quality control. The manufacturer lets a product out the door that should go to the "Blem" barrel and you have to spend the time to get a replacement. If you are not satisfied with a company's products don't buy them. There are quite a few blank maniufacturers who rarely send an unacceptable blank. Still it does happen.

Don't blame your supplier. Probably anyone who is listed to the left sells so many blanks there is no way they can inspect them before they go out. They did not cause the defect.

I don't think the companies with poor quality control realize how damaging it is to their reputations to send out defective products. Consider the buying experience. When I order an expensive blank I fist think I am buying the best for the money I am paying. I look forward togetting the blank and imagine what a nice rod I will build and how much my customer will like my work. You have a lot of positive expectations and feelings before the blank arrives. Then it comes and it has a major dog leg, hideous scratch, or other defect that makes it unsuitable for a custom rod. You also realize the quality product you were expecting is not a quality product and the manufacturer didn't really care what went out the door. It is a big dissapopintment that you placed faith in their reputation only to have it dashed on the rocks of defective product. Then you have a delay to the customer in getting another blank and the hassle of sending it back. Next time buy from a manufacturer who is paying attention to the product going out the door.

Joe
as far as I know GLoomis does not sell blems any more. Like the rest of the blank industry they all stopped selling blems do to the fact all of a sudden they are being sold on @#$%& at high prices.
As for your problem call GLoomis at (800)456-6647. I have never had a problem with returning a blank to G Loomis. damaged before I reciveing it.
Hint take baby powder and dust the rod any fine hair fractures well show up.
Bob

Back when I was building rods as a business and could order blanks directly from Gary Loomis I was never disappointed in his service. He always had time to listen. When he first came to a Houston Fishing Show he met with many rod builders and asked each one of us to let him know what type of product we wanted and most of us wanted popping rods. His products became popular because he took the time and effort to help the custom rod builder. St. Croix makes a great product also but we in the Gulf Coast area prefer the G Loomis out of habit and due to Gary's outgoing personality. I have never been disappointed with a Loomis blank and rods that I built 15 years ago are still going strong. However, I have my sights on the St. Croix SCIV. Gotta have one for myself; gotta try one out.

Its pretty dissappointing when you wait so long for a rod blank
and after all the waiting It gets to you defective. Especially coming from a company who suppose to be leader in the industry.
Part of this disappointment comes from the Loomis dealer
themselves. For example, they tell you they can have you blank
in two days and then don't get back too you for week and then
tell you that G.Loomis doesn't sell blanks anymore. Bad customer
Service.