Shimano Warranty Problems

[garbs]

Having trouble with a Shimano Taipan 661 6-10kg Spin Rod.
I bought it in Feb 08 from BCF at Lawnton for $80. Used it for the first time the next weekend when I went barra fishing at Lake Monduran. First time it bent was when I hooked a snag at very low speed. Pulled back on it and it snapped straight away just above half way.
Took it back on Monday to BCF. They said that they would have get the Shimano rep to have a look at it. 2 weeks later they said that the rod wouldn't be covered under warranty because when it broke it didn't break clean it shattered a bit.
Wasn't happy with this so I sent it to Dunphy Sports (the Shimano agents for Australia). They sent it back with a letter saying that they feel the damage was done other than fishing.
If they won't warranty this, I don't know what the warranty would cover.
I have never broken a rod before, not even a tip - I am still using the first rod I bought for $20 - 15 year ago.
This was the first and last Shimano item that I have bought.

Anyone have any ideas or similar problems?

Don't buy Shimano

[squizzytaylor]

In Shimanos defence I have a nexave 2-4 kg rod which I snapped by accident while spooling a new reel and it was replaced without question, I do happen to believe though that a little help from where the gear is purchased helps influence the decision made by the reps and this is where the likes of the BIG retailers fall short. Buy from a shop who cares about the customer NOT who care about knock off time. This may not be the case for the shop you have mentioned but it is a general observation I have made over time.

Geoff

[Rodman]

Mate get a rod builder to certify that in his opinion it was broken due to normal wear and tear. Nothing against BCF but some of the staff do not know a great deal about rods and reels.
One would think that they would conduct training to bring them up to speed.

Is he rod a carbon fibre if so they are noterious for being damaged/fractured when stored or being carried and will break on the first strength test placed upon it.


Ken

[Champilly]

Have to agree with Geoff. If you do buy from the big boys the care factor of the staff is hit and miss.

The reps do not know if it is a genuine claim and without a sales person who will go into bat for you your chances of a successful claim is minimal.

Eg - Purchased a Shimano raider for my son from my local where I buy my majority of tackle. First session it snapped. Took it back the next week and the sales guy I deal with replaced it off the shelf. No questions asked. I assume Mr Dunphy is reimbursing them....

[Heath]

Could understand if the rod was months old. But realistically I don't know why they don't just flick you a new one. It probably cost them about $10.00 a rod to make.
I had a Taipan snap as well. The Qld agency - Neville Dark didn't want to know about it. Got on to Dunphys & had a new one in a few days.

[Noelm]

not too sure, but to me "pulling back on a snag" is NOT normal Fishing, but maybe it is?

[garbs]

not too sure, but to me "pulling back on a snag" is NOT normal Fishing, but maybe it is?

I didn't know it was a snag as soon the rod bent over, I was fishing for 80+cm barra.

[garbs]

Mate get a rod builder to certify that in his opinion it was broken due to normal wear and tear. Nothing against BCF but some of the staff do not know a great deal about rods and reels.
One would think that they would conduct training to bring them up to speed.

Is he rod a carbon fibre if so they are noterious for being damaged/fractured when stored or being carried and will break on the first strength test placed upon it.


Ken

Ken, the Taipan is a fibreglass rod - so are supposed to be durable & strong.

[reidy]

Good day,
I have made a couple of claims with shimano over the years and have found the service to be top class.Had a cheap shimano rod (do not remember the model to many years and a few to many beers later) break and shimano had a replacement to me in very little time.They even sent me a couple of boat stickers with the replacement.Only good stories here.
Maybe Noelm is on the right track,you can put a lot of pressure on a rod by attempting to pull snags,people tend to high stick the rod to apply pressure.worth a thought.
Cheers
Reidy

[garbs]

Good day,
I have made a couple of claims with shimano over the years and have found the service to be top class.Had a cheap shimano rod (do not remember the model to many years and a few to many beers later) break and shimano had a replacement to me in very little time.They even sent me a couple of boat stickers with the replacement.Only good stories here.
Maybe Noelm is on the right track,you can put a lot of pressure on a rod by attempting to pull snags,people tend to high stick the rod to apply pressure.worth a thought.
Cheers
Reidy

There wasn't much pressure on the rod as I had the drag too loose and it pulled line as soon as I hit the snag, then I pulled back to make sure it wasn't a fish and then the rod snapped.

[reidy]

Must have been a faulty blank then one would think.
Might pay to have another crack at the salesman who sold you the rod.As stated in a previous post i is hard to claim if the salesperson is not supportive of your cause.
No harm in going in again
Cheers
Reidy

[darryl13]

shimano are tops no problems here but then i dont go fishing for snags

[banshee]

Any warranty only covers manufacturers defects, with your rod there would have to be a history of this happening to that particular model or it would need to have an inconsistant wall thickness or unweted cloth at the failure for it to be a simple replacement,if any of these things are not present claims are generaly knocked back by the company.Exceptions would occur if the retailer had a good working relationship with the rep (ie..moving a good amount of that reps product) and in turn you were a good customer.

[garbs]

I agree with this, but I am no rod specialist and it is too easy to say it is not a defect. All I know is I had for 1 week and used it for 1/2 hour, so for something that Dunphy's import for probably under $20, you would think customer satifaction is worth more than that. I could understand if I had it for months.

[Poseidon]

Nothing worse than when you know the item is faulty and you get a run around.
I would be back to BCF in the busiest time of the day, ask to speak to Mr BCF, not the kid behind the counter, the manager of the store. Put it to him in plain terms that in your opinion the equipment is faulty and politely request a replacement. If that doesn't work elevate your request and in terms loud enough to get some interest from on-lookers (gestures and body language assist with this) and that you firmly believe the item should be replaced and that BCF need to resolve the matter direct with their supplier after providing you with a replacement, accept no compromise. Stand your ground and don't budge till you get it resolved. I had a similar problem with a another brand of rod at the same store name and with a little encouragement the manager could understand my concern and I parted with a brand new rod and thanked him for his service.

On a more positive note, my son was given an Xbox 360 last year for birthday and that decided to go on the blink a few weeks ago. I rang the 1800----number on the Sunday and was patched through to one of the most courteous and efficient services in the USA to handle my concern. All I needed to do was quote the serial number from the machine and she quickly acknowledged the claim, emailed me with the details of where to send, free post in Australia, a reference number to track the repair and within the stated 10 day turnaround had the Xbox back here with some freebies and a letter of thanks for my patience. No questions, no arguments nothing but excellent customer service from both overseas and within Australia. Nothing but praise and good words to say about the way this repair was handled.

Hope that you can get a result from BCF.