It happened again.

When I took my dad fishing a few weeks back we had a major failure of an old ABU cardinal reel. This reel was about 15 years old and just came apart as we were putting some new line on it. The old graphite frame had developed a crack somehow. Anyway, I sent it off to Pure-Fishing (aka ABU, Fenwick, Berkley) with a 10 word note and $15.00 requesting repair or replacement of the reel. They received it on the 9th of this month, gotta love that internet tracking feature, and today I get a BRAND NEW REEL.

I have bought reels missing handles for a buck or less at garage sales and sent them in to have a new handled fitted, only to receive a brand new or reconditioned reel. I believe this makes reel #5 that has been handled this way. I didn't ask for a new reel, just repair or replace with a like rebuild.

I have also sent in three Fenwick ultra-light rods with broken tips or other issues and have received brand new gear back, no questions asked.

I sent back a 50 lb electronic scale that had the battery die prematurely on it, got a replacement, no questions asked.

I have a 6500 C3 that I can't seem to tune, and the push button sticks after a cast, so I will send that one in as well. I'll let you know how this one turns out.

I hope that other fishing gear companies follow this example. So the next time you look at the 8 rods in my boat and see them wearing ABU reels, you'll know why.

Andy

So, is Pure-Fishing Abu Garcia's regional authorized repair dealer or what? Definitely sounds like a great warranty service.

That sounds good to me! could you give more details about where you sent the stuff, address, website ,etc. Thanks!!

When I wear out something as inexpensive as a fishing reel, I gladly purchase another. How long will ABU be in business if everyone abuses there warranty. It's a different story if I buy a new one and something is wrong within a couple months, then I expect it to be repaired or replaced. !5 years? Sorry I couldn't sleep at night. I'll keep buying the 5500 C3's and try to keep them in business so both of us can enjoy their excellent products.
Bill

I've similar experiences with both Fenwick and ABU reels.
JMS

Dalmer, how is sending in money for a repair such as Dogfish did, abusing the warranty. I think that it is great for a company to respect their customers this way. Why do you think they have such a good following, its not always only because of the quality of their products. They probably sway more of us to purchase their products when we can be assured of this kind of customer satisfaction. Ever think of the money these companies spend in advertising to pursuade us to buy "theirs", I would bet this kind of service pulls in many return customers.

Just my 2 cents!

Ng

You can expect this kind of service from Pure Fishing. This is the parent company which owns Berkley, Abu Garcia, Fenwick, Johnson, Mitchell, Spider (of Spiderwire fame) and Red Wolf.

This is not some holding company or part of a conglomerate. It's a company owned basically by one man, Tom Bedell. His father, Berkley Bedell, started the company as a fly tying business when he was in high school, and that same work ethic rules the company today.

Berkley bought the other companies in various deals. Abu is just one part of it.

As far as reel repairs go, I visited the Abu shop in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and talked to the supervisor of the shop. They have the parts to repair just about any reel that Abu has ever made. In fact, when I mentioned that I really liked the old 5000D, the guy built me one from spare parts.

There are several websites for the various brands, but if you go to purefishing.com, you can link to any one of them.

They are a great company to work with, and they have the dedication to provide the kind of customer service we'd all like to have.

"5000D"! now that brings back memories. Just curious, I would love to hear more feedback on the newer products that they have out now such as the Morrum reels. Are the Japanese versions of the Morrum available thru Pure fish? And how are these reels compared to Shimano? I have also had good experience with Pure Fish when I once ordered a power hanble for a 6500 C4. I wish that they would go back to using the old style frame and shell because it looked better. I don't like the way the print and paint fades from the guide panel but you have to admit for the price they are hard to beat.

I have purchased 3 new Abu reels this year, a 6600 C5 Mag-X, 5600 C4, and a MX 130R spinning reel, so I am definitely doing my part to keep them in business.

I always send shipping ($15) when it is a situation when something just needs to be repaired. When it is an item that is an absolute failure within the warranty period I send the item.

I am also doing my part by keeping my message positive about the company and letting folks know that they are doing the right thing. They have guaranteed my future business and I will sing their praises from the highest mountain top.

There have been a lot of topics where someone was upset with customer service, and I thought it was time for someone to post something good.

Dalmar, you usually post very positive posts, and I am sure now that you know the whole story, you understand. Take care, and if we ever fish together, bring your ABU's.

Andy

Dogfish
I have a broken (and yes it was broke on a fish and not in the car door, I'm sure some inquiring minds want to know) Fenwick HMG spinning rod I need to get replaced (these had a lifetime warranty) could you e-mail me the address of the company you mentioned in your post. My current e-mail address is different than my profile, e-mail me at dave_finet@oppco.org. Thanks

Even better, here is their website for everybody.

Purefishing

If your thumb button is sticking on a 6500 c3 then it just needs cleaned not sent back to abu for a new reel. how all that dirt and water gets in their is a mystery but it sure gums up the release button.

John Lee-- To answer your question, the Japanese Morrums and Ambassadeurs are not currently available in the states. Two years ago, they were offered in a special deal-- Abu was marketing their 10 best selling reels in the world in the US. From that I got a little left-handed 2500C and a Morrum of the same size.

HOWEVER, Pure Fishing is setting up a global marketing program where any product they make anywhere in the world will be available. That means anything from Japanese baits to European rods-- they've got some 11-foot Morrum baitcasting rods that are truly awesome-- to the fly stuff they market overseas. I don't know when that system will be in place or even if it's still a plan given the current economy.

As far as the quality of the Morrum reels-- well, I've had no problems with mine, and I like them a lot. I can't say that I've fished them as hard as others on the board would, but the C3s and C4s keep working so well that I would be hard pressed to justify buying one-- or any other reel for that matter.

As a balance, if you're looking for a new reel, you might check out the new Pfleuger Trion round baitcasters. I've used a couple this year and have been very pleased, but it is early days yet.

The reel is clean, the issue is with the tuning of that little spring. I can get it to work for about 10 casts, but then it fails again. I have also replaced the bearings, but it is still sloppy. Since this reel was a wedding present from the wife, all I want is service.