Warranty Issue

[bjf_ksu]

Sent a broken rod in to Falcon last week and got an e-mail back today from them saying that my broken rod falls out of warranty, and that I can replace it for $90 plus $10 for shipping. The rod is a cara, which has a limited liftetime warranty, and it broke when I set the hook on a fish! The e-mail said that due to the appearance of the break, it falls out of warranty. How is this? I broke it on a fish, that shouldn't have happened, they should be sending me a new rod...right? I sent them a very respectful e-mail back telling them that I did not understand how they deemed the rod out of warranty when it broke doing what it was meant to do, and that I was a loyal falcon customer. I also assured them that I was not trying to be deceptive or dishonest, and asked that they please re-evaluate the broken rod. What would you have done? What should I do if they e-mail me back singing the same song? I am trying to keep myself from getting too PISSED right now!

[MMesplay]

I totally understand where you are coming from. You also have to look at it from Falcon's perspective. If a rod had a defect in workmanship or materials, it would have more than likely beared it's ugly face by now (assuming that your rod has a few years on it). Knowing more about composites than I used to, a rod can suffer damage (being stepped on, shut in a rod locker, etc.) and not break, but delaminate (fibers separating from one another). Cosmetically and mechanically the rod will seem to be okay until you apply stress by setting the hook and WHAM! Critical failure. Not saying that any of the above happened, but the way that the manufacturer views things from their perspective. If I was Falcon, would I replace the rod? You bet! It goes by the old saying that a satified customer will tell 1 person whereas a dis-satisfied customer will tell 10. Plus, the cost for the manufacturer, manufacturing aside, resides in attracting customers. It would be cheaper to replace your rod and keep you satisfied from a business perspective. I am a loyal Falcon customer also, but I also see both sides of things. I do hope that they make things right for you. Kudos to your for handling it professionally. That will get you a lot further with them than the alternative Please keep us posted and let us all know how things shake out.

[PII Magnum]

sorry to hear that I have 2 rods right now at falcon getting looked at. I hope they take care of you I love my falcons and don't want to change brands. The thing that makes me mad is that if you send it in for a warrnety claim and its "not under warrirty" then they should send your rod back if you want it.

[bigfishingstud]

Just because it broke on a hook set doesn't mean the rod was defective.. the rod could of been hit on the side of the boat, a tree branch , banging around i the rod locker or someone stepping on it.. not saying that's what happened but it could have.. Hope they take care of you .. i got 17 Falcons in the stable and would hate for any of them to break.. Good Luck

[dukhntr]

I would ask for it back, and have a buddy send it in again. That is BS. Evaluate a break? You kidding me? I have broke 3 loomis rods. Once on a cast. (musta had a nick in the blank) and the other 2 were cause I was pissed and I broke them on the side of the boat...no questions asked...got new rods on all occasions...I have always heard great things about falcon....

[bigfishingstud]

i have broke several Loomis rods and had to pay at least 50 bucks to get replaced and still got one in the top of the Garage.. broke 2 Falcons and both were replaced , no questions asked

[War Eagle1]

i hope they treat you right, you might add that they may want to look at this website also

[Bigbassbo]

I fell on my one of my uncle's Johnny Morris rods, took it in and got a new one no questions ask. It was even a slight upgrade to a newer model.

[caseysmith14]

Wish ya were having better luck I busted a Cara T7 last year and emailed them asking what I should do. They had me send in the butt of the rod to identify the exact model I had and they shipped me a brand new rod on the house...

[PII Magnum]

I have a nothing but great service out of them I hope they take care of the 2 I sent them last wednesday. Guess I will call them.

[dukhntr]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bigfishingstud &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">i have broke several Loomis rods and had to pay at least 50 bucks to get replaced and still got one in the top of the Garage.. broke 2 Falcons and both were replaced , no questions asked </td></tr></table>

I think the $50 deal is the expiditor program. I sent mine in with a $20 check for return shipping and it was a done deal...

[BrandonD]

I have a rod i sent in last friday haven't heard back... was a honest break on a fish so i am expecting no problems but i will keep my fingers crossed... pretty sure they don't wanna start pissing customers off... Ill let you know the outcome. I also think its crappy to have to pay to send it to them and then pay them to send the rod back.

[bigfishingstud]

you told them they was going to ride the lighting if they didn't send you a new rod didn't you

[H2O_Fowl]

I think you did the right thing. I don't see that there is really much you can do if they say the same thing again other than have a buddy send the rod in again.

[R.D.]

Why not just go see Dave Chapman?? Last I remember he was a Facon dealer.....he should be able to exchange it for you.

[basspro05]

Hope this isnt the sign of the future, I have sent in several rods that broke on me, and my brother has two rods that have broke on him in the last year, better warranty them, I have nothing on my deck but Falcons, and neither does my brother.

[caseysmith14]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by R.D. &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Why not just go see Dave Chapman?? Last I remember he was a Facon dealer.....he should be able to exchange it for you.</td></tr></table>


Negative, Dave stopped carrying Falcon a couple years ago.

[R.D.]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by caseysmith14 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">


Negative, Dave stopped carrying Falcon a couple years ago.</td></tr></table>

that SUX

[chunter_ksu]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by R.D. &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

that SUX
</td></tr></table>

Yeah they had a pretty good relationship that turned to chit in a hurry. Dave was a "small fish" by their new standards and he had a hell of a time getting product or service from them if I remember right. I think that was about the time that John Beckwith's son joined up Falcon after coming out of the military and started making some changes. I still think Falcon is a great company and they experienced some big growing pains at that point. I don't know what is going on with them now though.

This coupled with a timely visit by a Loomis rep made the change pretty easy I think.

[R.D.]

man......I bought a Cara reation rod from him once.....I won a Gift cert from ABA and used it to help buy that rod


Kinda sad that the little guys arent getting service much anymore