View Full Version : St. Croix "warranty"?
Poke-Eye
03-17-2002, 07:36 PM
Bought a St. Croix "Legend" med/lite fishin' pole about 5 years ago. Dynamite pole for wallys. Came with a lifetime guarantee against defects in material and workmanship. Was told at time of purchase by St. Croix dealer this means for any reason it would be repaired or replaced at St. Croixs' expense. The dealer even made the statement he has replaced poles broken by trunk lids. This definately helped in making my decision along with the "Legend" feeling lighter than the "Premier" which had a 2 year guarantee.
Low and behold this pole snapped about a foot from the end last fall while while boating a 1 1/2 pounder. Should have used a net, eh? Took it back to the dealer who then sent it into St. Criox for repair or replacement. Was informed they no longer make the "Legend Series". St. Croix said I had 2 options.
The first; send them $40.00 + $10.00 shipping to upgrade to the NEW and IMPROVED "Avid Series".
The second; for them to replace it with a "Premier Series" rod, even up. They would also include a lifetime guarantee with this rod.
Went down to the sporting goods shop and looked at the new "Avids", ($150.00 retail). For the life of me I can't see spending more money for it. Maybe I need to get out on the water more? In my opinion, this is like the old bait n' switch sales tactics you find at furniture and appliance stores. I feel St. Croix should either repair or replace this "Legend" at no cost to me, (except shipping if the dealer doesn't have one in stock), with an equivalent performance rod and also transfer the lifetime guarantee.
Has anyone else had this problem with St. Croix "Legends" or any other St. Croix series of rods. What says next year they won't discontinue the "Avid Series" and try and get a guy to upgrade for $60.00, or maybe more? If this is legal, where does it end??
I can't believe a quality top-notch company like St. Croix would lower themselves or jepordize their reputation by using this type of shady under handed business tactic. What do YOU think?
I might add I have bought eleven St. Croix rods over the years with no complaints but this "Legend" is really living up to it's name!
My opinion only, St. Croix has made you a reasonable offer.
Also FYI while they may have replaced rods in the past that were damaged due to neglect(car trunks or stepping on them) they will not replace them now. St Croix's are nice rods and I own several and will consider them in the future. Eric
MD Musky
03-17-2002, 08:00 PM
Hate to say it, but lifting a fish out of the water with the rod and having it break does not constitute a defect in materials or workmanship. Sounds like you would be better matched with a Shakespere uglystick.
Poke-Eye
03-17-2002, 08:05 PM
When I taled to St. Croix they said the revised guarantee on the "Premier" and the original guarantee on the "Avid" would be unconditional as was on the "Legend".
Poke-Eye
03-17-2002, 08:16 PM
To MD Musky,
Thank you so much for your help and your overwhelming concern. If I ever decide to take up Musky fishing I will try your suggestion. You apparently have used the Uglystick quite extensively since you recommend them. Could you give all of us your unbiased professional opinion of this product and how it relates to Musky fishing.
Thanks Again
Youngeye
03-17-2002, 09:35 PM
The legend series in the St. Croix line is no longer in production. They have the Premier(entry level), Avid (mid-range), Legend Elits(high end).
The legend that you broke was around a $110 rod. St. Croix will replace this with an Avid $150-$110(your original cost)=$40. This is the reason that St. Croix asks for the $40 + shipping.
They will also replace your rod with the Premier for even up which in that case you are getting the raw end of the deal.
If the Legend Series was still in production I am sure they would replace this rod for nothing, but since it's not you have only those two options.
If you have any questions I am very good friends with the rep and have tried to assist others with this situation.
My email is Youngeye@netins.net
RumbleFish
03-17-2002, 10:52 PM
Email me if your interested in getting into a great rod with a lifetime warranty.
sales@rumblefishrods.com
Shane
Pitts
03-18-2002, 02:18 AM
Youngeye I feel I may have gotten the raw end of the deal on a croix rod also. It is a done deal and since I had it for 20 years and they replaced it 2 times back when I only had it about 2 years and again at 5 years so I was not as dissapointed when they wanted an original purchase reciept or they would not cover it under warranty last year. I was told the warranty included accidental breakage for the life of the rod when it was purchased. I was also offered the 40$ deal + 10$ for shipping to get a premier 6'.
I had already replaced my 6' jig rod so I asked if I could get a 6.5 rod for the same price and he agreed even though it was 4$ more.
I had 15 good years out of that rod so the hurt aint so bad but it still is kinda cheap on there part.
I know that if you buy there high end rod thinking it will be replaced forever and can't find the reciept you can figure that in 10 years it will not be honored either.
Has anyone had to get a replacement for an old Loomis rod after 15 years and to what success did ya have?
Hey I can vent TOO:)
Pitts
bountyhunter
03-18-2002, 06:53 AM
BUSTED a croix rod yrs ago sent back they sent new no trouble .jim
Lundman1701
03-18-2002, 08:15 AM
Hi guys,
I too am an "Avid" St. Croix fan. I too had a Legend series rod. It was my very favorite rod. I was highly upset when when it snapped in half. I also contacted them, sent the rod, inquiring what, if anything they could do for me. They also offered me the same deal. Only, it would cost me 50, plus the 10 for shipping, for the Avid. My thought was, wow, that's pretty cool. I use a rod that I paid a hundred bucks for, for five or more years. That comes to about 20 bucks a year. And when it breaks, no matter what the cause, I send it in, and for 60 bucks, I get a 160 dollar rod back. And the chances are, if I'm carefull enough with this rod to make it last another five years, say, and then it breaks, and I have to send in another 50 or 60 bucks, and get a brand new rod again......well, you get the picture. I now have two Avids and I absolutely love them.
I can't figure out what the ##### you guys are complaining about!!
Set the Hook!!
Lundman
Lundman1701
03-18-2002, 08:23 AM
I guess if it were me, and actually, it was, I had the same expererience, if I had a rod break, and it was my fault, I'd be gratefull they offered me that deal, which they did, and I gladly accepted. I've had several St. Croix rods, and still do, and I have yet to have one break on account of a defect in workmanship, or materials. Why should St. Croix be fully financially responsible for something that wasn't their fault? Take the lump, admit it was your fault, and send them the money and get the Avid, it's a great rod.
Set the Hook!!
Lundman
The current Premier is very, very similar to the older Legend. The older Legend you have is a SC42 graphite (42,000,000 modulus). The current Premier is SCII graphite which St. Crois lists as a "mid-modulus" graphite. I have several of the older Legend rods and a number of the new Premiers, Avids and Legend Elites. Rod for rod the newer Premier stacks up best in terms of feel against the older Legend in my opinion. The one feature I really liked about the older Legend was the cork reel seat with the threaded fron cork section. It was perfect for cold days. Unfortunately, this feature has been dropped by St. Croix. In my opinion I'd go for the offer of the Premier at no charge.
Best Regards,
FJH
SUPERTROLLER
03-18-2002, 09:53 AM
That was my thoughts exactly! The Premiers are great rods. If he can get a new replacement and still maintain the Lifetime warranty, he should jump at the chance. The Premiers are about the same price he paid for the Legend and probably a better rod than he had before. Seems like the best they can do. If he wants the upgrade to Avid Series, that's his decision.
Sunshine
03-18-2002, 10:09 AM
He can have my old Legend, it's still in one piece. I'll trade up for $40.00 to the Avid and I'll have the better deal IMHO. Rod technology has changed enough since I bought that rod that I'll jump on the Avid Deal. Hey St. Croix, Do I have to break my rod to get this deal or will you take a trade in???????
I understand the lifetime concern. When people bought the Legend they(we) thought that they(we) would continue to get free updated technology for the rest of our lives. But as indicated in an earlier post. Avid is $40.00 better than your current rod and Premier is closest to what you have. Live with it.
Hey SUPERTROLLER, I think the one "mistake" St. Croix made when they re-designed the Premier line was in retaining the "Premier" name. The new Premier is much different from the older Premier. Just as the current Legend Elite is nothing like a Legend, the current Premier is nothing like the older Premier.
Best Regards,
FJH
Peanut
03-18-2002, 01:22 PM
I just bought a new Premier, and I agree. To me they felt better than a comparably priced Fenwick, or the new entry level Loomis. Thye are a great value.
As to the original question - it seems that the Company is being pretty fair, given their current product line - my 2 cents, anyway.
derrek.
CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!
SUPERTROLLER
03-18-2002, 01:58 PM
Yep. That's what I'm saying. He seems to be getting caught up in the name and not realizing the quality/technology upgrade since his initial purchase.
Weyes1
03-18-2002, 10:19 PM
I am a St. Croix user. I also have a Legend. I paid around $120.00 for it 4 years ago. The following year they came out with the Avid series. Technically the Avid is more advanced than the old Legend series. I would gladly pay for the Avid for a replacement if this happened to me. I also comes with a lifetime warrantee. I look at it this way. I could have bought either a G Loomis or a St. Croix. St.Croix always stands behind their product and most of the time it won't cost you a penny. G Loomis does too but it will cost you $40.00 for them to replace or repair their rods even with a lifetime warrantee more if they determine that it was your fault (an accident). You do the math. If you don't want to pay the $40.00 take the premier. It is now, what the Legend was when you bought it. I also have two Legend Elites which sell for $290.00 a pop. I break one of those I will probably have a heart atack, but it won't be too bad because I know that St. Croix will replace them No Questions Asked.
It's your choice, either way either rod they send you will have a lifetime warrantee. The Avid is a nicer rod. Especially if you pick the 6'3" Med. Xtra Fast action.
--
Weyes1
Kevin Clark
weyes1@wamego.net
Chevy4sur
03-19-2002, 04:19 AM
Pokeye...St. Croix has made you a very reasonable offer. Jack.