Lamiglass, Graphite USA, Seeker, St. Croix SCIII and up all have lifetime warranties, Correct? Does GLoomis have a lifetime warranty on all there blanks or just the GL3, IMX. Does the warranty start with you at the time you puchase it or can you transfer it to the customer. How would you do it? Thanks Jim

You have to understand what lifetime warranty means. It does not mean you get a free blank if your blank breaks. It means that if the break was due to a defect they will replace it. As I think we've all learned most broken blanks are not defective.

To my knowledge all the Loomis blanks have a lifetime warranty against defects. At some point I have seen or heard Loomis say that they understand that most of their blanks are bought by a custom builder and then transferred to the customer who will be using the rod and that the warranty is transferred to that first 'user'. I have certainly never been turned down on a warranty claim from Loomis. Sometimes I have had to cough up a few dollars to have a blank replaced that was damaged by the customer but never had one totally rejected or asked if this was the original owner.

William - in many cases that is EXACTLY what the warranty means. Sage & others offer an original purchaser unconditional lifetime warranty for replacement or repair of a damaged or broken blank or rod, albeit shipping costs both ways are paid for by the rod owner.

I believe the unconditional warranties offered by many rod manufacturers is on their finishes rods only, and not on the blanks they offer. In fact, I am not aware of any unconditional lifetime warranties offered on rod blanks themselves.

Best bet is to read the manufacturers own written warranty. If you don't have their literature, most will have it on their website somewhere.

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Tom,

I think Sage, at least, offers the same warranty on blanks as they do on their finished rods. You send them (insured post) the entire rod and a cheque for $20.00 and they send you back a new piece along with the broken bit so you can salvage the parts. I've replaced broken bits for a number of customers and Sage has always been prompt with the return with no questions asked.

Andy Snedden
Custom Rodbuilders Supplies

Jim and others,

Here is verbatum what the Warranty and Service Policy that is stated from St. Croix:

"St. Croix fishing rod blanks are carefully crafted and individually inspected to assure that the highest quality standards are met. However, should failure occur due to defects in materials or workmanship, the rod blank will be repaired or replaced (at St. Croix's option) for no charge, during the warranty period.

SCV, SCIV, and SCIII blanks feature our limited lifetime warranty. SCII, SCIIW, SCI, and E-Glass blanks carry a two-year warranty.

All warranty claims must be made directly to the factory by the consumer. St. Croix dealers are not authorized to perform warranty service on behalf of the factory. Also, rod blanks repaired elsewhere will void this warranty. Blanks should be properly packaged and insured. A copy of the store receipt showing date of purchase and $10.00 for return shipping must accompany all claims..."

This is current with the 2002 St. Croix rod builders Catalog.

As a longer term dealer with St. Croix, I can vouch for their very good service and customer satisfaction. We also distirubte Shikari blanks that state a similar warranty policy. The fair approach works well for both dealer and consumer.

thanks,
Rich
Richard's Rod & Reel