Anyone here have any experience with St Croix "seconds" that have been returned to the factory and then wholesaled to a third party?

I was under the impression that St. croix did not sell seconds but destroyed them instead. Besides I would not want to build on a blank that had been returned for any reason. Just my .02

It has been my understanding that these are rods that my have been broken in two some how, i.e. stepped on or slammed etc. The factory will deface them by removing the decals, crating them up, and then sell the lot. If rod was returned for a broken guide they will repair under warranty and send back.

I would hate to waste my time building a rod on a defective blank, no matter what the source.

Your probably right but Im buying oil stock too so we shall see. There is always a price point at which something becomes attractive, the trick is figuring out what that price point is.

A cheap rod is a cheap rod. Cutting corners will come back to haunt you. If you are building for yourself then no harm done. IMO never build a rod for customer on a returned blank.
My $.02. MH

Jim, Thanks for letting the cat out of the bag. I'll never take you fishing.
Mike, You can't build on these blanks but you can repair them. Your buying components used on Legend, MoJo ,and every other series of rods they make in all styles of fly,boat,surf,for bass,musky,and trout. I don't understand why someone would look down on buying quality items in bulk for an affordable investment.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Didnt mean to kick the hornets nest, just asking a question to people who know far more than I do

I've bought a couple of the boxes of returns from St. Croix. There are no blanks in the boxes, just returned rods in need of repair, or completely beyond repair. As Dennis said, they are a great source of supplies to build from. I teach a rod building class at the middle school I work at and have been able to supply my students with some high quality components at a fraction of the retail, or even wholesale cost. I have used many of the parts on rods I've built for myself as well. In the last box I bought there were right around 90-95 rods with fishable guides or reel seats. Also, the tip sections make great ice fishing blanks for those of us up North... It works out to about $1.60 per broken rod inside the box, some of which only need a couple guides repaired or a new tip put on. Worst case scenario you get a set of guides for $1.60...

Jim, I was just ribbing you. I have bought a box and see a lot of potential in savings.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Dennis, I have nothing against recycling. That's great if you have the time and patience to break the rods down for parts. I would reuse guides but I wouldn't rebuild or repair a "seconds" rod then sell it... I would give it to my kids or I would use it. Take care, MH

Well I just pulled the trigger on a "second" so I will see what I get. If its even close to being as advertised then I am money ahead, if its not I am out about the cost of a cheap meal and a glass of house wine. The risk vs reward thingy seems favorable. By the way I am not a professional rod builder out to fleece some unsuspecting customer, I am so inexperienced I couldnt even be called a competant amateur, so the only person who may get hurt in this whole thing is me.

let me just throw this out for thought, it really depends on the value you put on your time, for someone in the business it might not be worth the time and effort to remove all salvageable components, for someone who just enjoys working with rods it can be a learning experience as well as a great way to get a large number of components at a good price.

Mike, I agree with you,after repairs their giveaways. I have guys on the job with kids who like to fish and once repaired these rods are very fishable. Also I have neighbors and relatives that are down on their luck without work and deserve a freebie now and than.
What can't be saved I strip down and the parts go to repair other rods.
Jim, After you finish what you intend to do with all those rods, you'll be a very experienced rod handy guy knowing how factory rods are put together and the short cuts they take.What fillers they use under their grips, how little glue is used, and how easy a rod comes apart with a little heat. So don't worry you'll do great. Enjoy yourself.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Google up Fish And Save Inexpensive rods reels all kinds of stuff Just be carefull of what up get Check them online first

Bill - willierods.com