When buying a new casting rod, what do you look for in your line guides? (type, material, mounting, ect)

Thanks

I don't give any consideration to the line guides. Today's modern gear is excellent. Whether it is a Falcon rod, St. Croix, or similar, I have never had any issues with the line guides.

DMFO,
as Cpt Craig said most of the modern rods that are built now use good quality materials in their manufacture unless your are hunting in the barrels at the end of the Walmart isle
it really depends on your personal taste and how much you want to spend, if you buy a cheaper rod be prepared for the guides, reel seat and grips to be of lesser quality.
i build my own rods so i know what materials i have in it...
if i were going to buy a rod i would stick with a rod using some sort of ceramic guide inserts (SIC, Alconite or something comparable), this type of guide will hold up a lot longer and be smoother than any type of metal insert guides.
have fun picking out your weapon!

I find the statement that most expensive rods are built with quality materials to be a bit dubious. Not saying they are built with junk, just that I've seen some expensive rods with lower dollar components on them. Just cause it costs more doesn't always mean the parts all cost more.

A couple weeks ago, I had a rod rep of a fairly new manufacturer let out a little secret. He said they sell their rods to the dealers for around $125. The dealer then marks them up to the MSRP of $560. I asked this guy if they can sell them to the dealers that cheap about what is the manufacturer's cost to build them---He said, "around $25!!!" Not sure if I believe the dealer makes that much on them or that the plant can build them that cheap but I can get them from him at that cost!!

I have started to run 30 lb braid on my two inexpensive "stainless steel guided" rods. One of my rods the guides are fine, however the other rod's guides are not smooth and I have found that they are fraying my braided line. Like I said they are inexpensive rods and I am wanting to move on to a better quality rod. I don't have much experience in buying rods and I am hoping to learn more about rods, guides, seats, and such so I have a better idea of what I am looking at when I go to upgrade my rods instead of blindly buying a prominent brand and hoping for the best.

Sense I like running braided line would guides with ceramic inserts be better than just stainless guides? would a different metal guide be a better choice? or worth the cost? For a guy that uses two rods to fish around 12 hrs a week would rods with light single foot guides be fine or would a double foot guide be more durable and be safer with the volume of fishing I do?

Sorry for the large volume of questions, however, like I stated I don't have much knowledge with rods and I would like to be a little more educated before buying my next set of rods and having to rely on their marketing claims of "lighter, stronger, and more sensitive".

Thanks for any and all input

DMFO, if you are fishing braid i would go to ceramic guides as they will last a lot longer against braid. for the question about the single foot vs. double foot that really depends on how much drag, how heavy of line and the stiffness of the rod you are going to use. i have caught redfish up to 12lbs on a pole with single foot guides with no problem but i wasn't putting 30lbs of drag on them.... go by a store and look at a couple different brands of poles that are rated for the line and lure size you will be using and see how they are set up... this should give you an idea of what you are looking for...

Yes, ceramic guides are much better than SS.