I checked number 3 in Dave's poll because the breakage was not due to a rod defect. He didn't say anything about the price initially paid for the rod or what kind of warranty came, or didn't come, with it. So I assumed it was one of my spinning or casting rods that I typically pay 30 to $60 for that comes with no warranty or maybe some kind of limited one year warranty for manufacturing defects. I like the comfort of my cheap rods, knowing that if and when they eventually break, I won't be out any more than I can easily afford.

There was a time in the 1980s when premium rod makes began jacking up their prices into the stratosphere as part of the marketing hype as to their quality and performance capabilities. In order to get many customers to buy in, the rod makers began offering lifetime, unconditional, no fault warranties. The concept was a marketing success, but it began taking a toll, since the higher grade graphite and layup method makes a more brittle rod that breaks easier. Warranty replacements were cutting into profitability, and all the manufacturers modified their warranties, requiring $45 to $90 for replacement sections, depending on brand, specific policy, and so forth.

Most of my single hand fly rods are fairly inexpensive because I bought blanks and then built up the rods myself. They have no warranties. I do have some more expensive Spey rods that I paid more for than I like, but I couldn't get the performance features anywhere else at a better price. Those rods do have warranties, but they aren't unlimited, and they aren't lifetime. I fell and dropped a Spey rod a few weeks back, and the tip section broke. The rod is 3 or 4 years old, so a warranty replacement tip section would have been $65 plus $20 shipping, and I would have had to send the entire rod in for inspection and "fitting" the new tip section. Or, I could and did opt for a non-warranty replacement section at $90 with shipping fee waived, and they just sent it to me without me having to send my rod back to them. Cost me $5 more for that option. Just one of the ways a rod maker and distributor can take care of their customers and themselves.

However, my most expensive rods are made of bamboo. They came with no warranties. And I have absolutely no regrets for the price I paid for them, or for the fact that I bear full responsibility for their condition. They are works of art that I can and do fish with, and that's good enough for me.

Sg