Hi,

Every day is a new learning curve of knowledge. I have been doing this for quite a few years so I guess I should have known the answer before I had to ask. Along with many components I stock blanks to have on hand for my customers. I am now rethinking that policy and will make adjustments.

I took a blank out of stock today, removed it from the sleeve and started to inspect the blank by flexing it. Of course I have done this many times. All of a sudden it felt like a soft area and the blank crumbled at that point. Okay, It happens and I would rather it happen in my hands instead of a customers.

Here is what I learned. The blank carries a limited warranty. Today is past the time of the limited warrantee as the limited warranty starts the day I purchase the blank. Oh, oh! Fortunately I called the company first and did not ship the blank back with the included check. A lesson learned.

So now I have an order full of blanks that have not been used but now have no warranty! Too bad as they are very nice blanks. Now I understand the companies "Limited Warranty" policy and I will not make that mistake again. Live and learn. Yes I do take a quick look at blanks when they arrive.

Maybe when I have time I will build on the blanks and sell them cheap with no warranty or probably I will build on the blanks if they pass my inspection and just give them away. They do fight fish nicely.

The purpose of this thread is to help others in this matter and we will all ask the companies "WHEN DOES THE WARRANTY START".

I have posted this in hopes of helping some one else not to make the same mistake I made.

Capt Neil Faulkner

Curious. You say you had flexed that blank many times before.....right? If so, why do you think it failed now and not before? Did you notice something you didn't before? Do you feel the blank got weaker from age???

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Hi Russ,

To clarify, I have flexed many blanks many times over the years. This particular new blank broke the second time I flexed It. As I was flexing it I felt a sudden softness just before it came apart. My feeling is that this blank would have broken if I did the same flex the day the blank arrived.

I am out a blank but that is not an issue. My issue is to hopefully preventing some one from having the same warranty issue. Buyer beware! Ask the companies for exact info about there warranties. WHEN DOES THE TIME CLOCK START!

Finger check, sorry.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/20/2012 03:41PM by Capt Neil Faulkner.

Most blank companies I deal with are not that rigid with their warantees. Neil, if I buy the blank from you that means my warantee begins the day I cough tthe blank right?

Hi Billy,

It all depends upon the manufacturer. This company started the clock the day they sold me the blanks. If I sold you these blanks in question I would have to tell you that the limited warranty has expired.

This happening has woken me up. Before I purchase new blanks they will be life time warranties OR I will have spoken with the company and I totally understand their warranty, and can live with it.

I have purchased blanks before purposely with no warranties. I warrantied the blanks myself. I assumed the risk and it worked to my advantage.

Sometimes a company discontinues a blank model that I really like so I will purchase some of what is left in the companies inventory. These blanks could have been produced several years in the past. However the companies lifetime warranty still applies. They usually replace a broken discontinued blank with the newer comparable blank.

Billy, I am guilty as I assumed something that I did not check out first. Very interesting business we are in. Woke me up, ha, ha!

I hope all is well in your neighborhood.

Your friend,
Neil

Capt Neil Faulkner

Is the brand name info you feel uncomfortable sharing in an open forum? Sounds like a mistake the rest of us could easily make.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Capt.
If you have sold rods in the past and warrantied them. You could do the same with these. At least that way you could sell them for full price and if one comes back, still have more profit then if you sold them cheaply.

Hi Russ,

The problem is ME! I did not do my home work and research the warranty. I have absolutely NO problem with the company. I will continue to do business with them as they are a credit to the industry.

I ordered the blanks for an idea I had. The idea did not pan out. Time goes by fast and I am now building on the blanks. They are great blanks for my needs and I will order them again, as needed.

Hi Steve,

Your comment is well taken. Being busy all day I did not continue thinking about my issue.

Neil