I have a HSR981 with the top 4" broken off through sheer stupidity. What options do I have? I suppose I could put a new tip on the remaining 7'8",but that would probably make it more like a 982 as far as sensivity. Does Loomis cover stupidity? Any help is much appreciated.
Don

Take it to Auburn Sports and Marine and they will give you a new rod on the spot, no questions asked. This is the new policy on broken rods.

Jigman: Is that the policy of Auburn Sports, or is it the policy of Loomis to take back all busted rods? I'm just curious because Loomis is notorious for givving guys a hassle when they need to return a rod. That would be great if it were Loomis who was taking back all broken rods, no questions asked.

I'm not sure if it's a Loomis policy or not though I think it's an Auburn sports deal.

When you break a Loomis, you have two options.

The first option is send the rod back and hope that they dont charge you. They charge when they shouldnt and dont charge when they should...there is really no rhyme or reason to it. If you take the gamble of not being charged you could very well be waiting a while to get your rod back.

If you need a rod immediately or dont mind being charged $65 or so dollars, particapte in the GLXpidator (sp?) program. You call them up and give them a credit card numer and in return they send you a brand new rod. You then send the broken rod back in the tube that the ned rod came in and you are charged $65. If you dont send them the broken rod they charge you for a new rod. It is a great program because you will only be out a rod for 3 days.

donsalmon, breaks up to one and a half inches can be attributed to stupidity; beyond that sheer stupidity gets the credit. Once a decade, you're allowed to use material defect as an excuse. Once in a lifetime, you can cite an "act of God" as the cause. I've broken rods from tips to handles. A UPS clerk told me their company stayed in business by shipping broken graphite rods and their replacements to and from the factories(I was shipping a broken rod at the time). During the mid-seventies, Fenwick and I teamed up to produce the FS81C, a rod particularly suited for jigging herring, or fishing flounders. Hope you can put your custom rod to similar good use. Ryan and Jigman have given you some good suggestions. Might I suggest pole beans, climbing roses, or an ivy topiary
Seriously, good luck getting your rod replaced. Gotta be heartbreakin' to break a GLoomis

[ 06-08-2001: Message edited by: CedarR ]

ZoZo, Loomis is awesome as far as their warranty policy goes. Maybe you are thinking of Lamicrap

I bought a used Loomis fly rod about 8 yrs ago and it was far from new when I got it. Last spring I took it out and it busted about 2/3 of the way up. I called Loomis and explained the situation to them. They gave me the choice between sending it back for them to evaluate or paying $40 for an equal replacement pole. I went with the $40 and within 3 days had a brand new GL3 5 wt. They even send a prepaid mailing label back to send in your broken rod.

I call that customer service.

[ 06-08-2001: Message edited by: jberry ]

[ 06-08-2001: Message edited by: jberry ]

Just sent two broken Loomies down to the factory through the expeditor program. It's currently $50 a rod and they send it UPS 2 day if you live in Washington. The return shipping is included with the new rods.

Good luck on your decision. Peace

Thanks to all who have responded. I think I'll try Jigman's advice first as I'm only 30 minutes from Auburn. If that doesn't work the $50 swap is a good price for a lesson learned.
Thanks Again
Don

I gotta tell you-I have broken my 9'IMX three times and only once was it may fault. I am going to have to agree with ZoZo and say that Loomis has given me some sh** every time! I live in Hillsboro and I drove it all the way up there to explain it to them last time-they said sure we'll look @ it--call back in about two weeks and we'll let you kjnow what we find. I did not drive up there to leave without a new rod, so I ponied up again! Last time!! I love my rod as far as sensitivity but the damn thing is so friggin fragile! I have never broke any of my other Loomis's but my IMX--man!! If Aburn Sports is that way-then I say, take it to them. I will drive up there and buy my next rod from them!

I agree with crayfin , I have broken 2 IMX's
and both times I had to dish money out ..Why am I paying $345 if they won't replace it .. Hell , if you look at a IMX the wrong way it'll crack ..

The brittleness (is that a word) is something that you must sacrifice for the lightness and sensitivity that the IMX features.

I have had a 1025 IMX (my favorite rod) for 2 1/2 years now and I love it. I have fished it hard and its still going strong. I am just careful though when I am snagged up and instead of reafing on it for 5 minutes, I accept defeat and break off.

Well, I have broken about 25 loomis's in the years of fishing some on accident but most on fish or snags. Anyhow they do have a great warranty policy and they will give you a loaner rod is you are in desperate need of one. I live here close to the factory so I can just drive them up there. As far as taking it to your local retailer they usually will take the rod and send it in for you and you will just be waiting for loomis to call you or they will send you a rod back. Of all the rods I have broken I only had to pay for one because it was broken off right at the cork. They looked at me sort of funny and I explained that my fat ass buddy had sat down on it so it wasn't really there fault. One thing that they do pay attention to is if it is fairly clean. I always clean the rods up before I take them in, by using a toothbrush and cleaning all the egg smack off of the whole rod.
keith