I guess they are catching up with the times. Back when the $50 xpeditor started the highest end rod they had was $345..now with the NRX line you are in the $500 range. I have never had an issue with G-Loomis or Shimano's customer service, they are quick and painless and you can always talk to a real human.

I love my G loomis rods been using them for years now and never had any problems.

I don't think anyone needs to blame Shimano for ruining Loomis. They have owned them a good long while now(over 5 years I think) and I think its just more due to economic times than anything.

The only rod (s) I have had a problem with over the last 5+ years have been Loomis. Will not buy another one....don't care if it was offered at a huge discount.

Bought a Dobyn's from the great folks at Lake Fork Trophy Lures, by far the best rod I have ever fished with.

Temple Fork Outfitters in Gary Loomis' new company, fyi.

Gary designed the handles, guide spacing concept and actions for TFO. North Fork Composites is the company he owns and where he designs blanks and chooses materials.

Shimano has actually owned GLoomis since 1999, and they've held off increasing expeditor for several years now. How much do you think a new rod, handling, and shipping costs GLoomis? Answer, way more than $50, and while any increase would be unfavorable to many the alternative was discontinuing expeditor all together. That's not something anyone wanted to do.

Furthermore, nothing has changed with either the GLoomis,or Shimano rod warranties. Expeditor service is totally seperate from the warranty. It is a no questions asked program. Let me ask you this...how many other highend rod companies even offer a program like this? $100 to replace a $3-$400 rod is still a deal, and if it is a mfg defect you can still send it in under the normal warranty for no charge. Paying for expeditor is not mandatory!

Dan

For me, it was one of the reasons I was willing to pony up the extra money to fish a Loomis. That $50 Expediter is/was an amazing deal. With it being gone, I can't justify overlooking a myriad of other more affordable rods. Especially the Shimano line. As long as they have their no questions asked over the counter exchange, you can't beat it. It really seems Shimano is trying to draw Loomis customers to their product. Yes I know Shimano owns Loomis yada yada, but I think the exact relationship is more complicated. BTW, don't bother calling for replacement tips anymore. They no longer supply eyes like they used to.

Don"t like the policy just pass, that policy has been in place for some time- everything in life will change , bet on it snd plan for it because the rules of today will not be the rules next month in life, not just rods

I had one I needed replaced using the expeditor service, this was 3 months ago. Was told they could not do it at this time, I would have to talk to a customer service representative to see why they couldnt offer this to me. Last week I recieved the rod in the mail with no notice from Shimano that one was even coming and it was 100 bucks..I guess they were restructuring this policy back then and thats why I couldnt get my rod..The website still said 50 bucks when I sent the expeditor request...

Really this topic is more about the blank sales.. I think they will take a big hit for this, custom rod users and builders won't go back to buying over the counter gloomis and shimano rods just because they no longer sell blanks. We will just use different blanks, Simple really.. St Croix still sells blanks, and MHX makes a heii of a blank directly replicating that of gloomis, i use them and the price is alot better.. So its their decision, really wreckless of them to just throw away 1/4 to half of their sales.. JMHO

DerekG, thanks for highlighting my point.

They will loose this portion of the business because they won�t force me into buying their rod instead of the blank. I guess that�s what they�re trying to accomplish but it won�t work and they will loose revenue from those sales.

Their new policies will also force me to start looking at another rod company that stands behind their warranty which starts with honoring my lifetime on the blank they won�t replace. I believe they�re just starting the erosion of their customer service and policy which leaves me to wonder what�s next.

I understand that things change but it's a 2 way street. I can change my choices just as easily.

Thirsty, Hendrix is still hanging out at Fun & Sun in Hurst but you can use DerekG as well. He is much more dependable and does awesome work and can find you a comporable blank.

Thanks for the suggestions for alternate blanks. I will buy one of theirs instead.

Rmax

There are some other quality companies making high blanks that are as good or better than the Loomis blanks. And, there are some custom rod builders out there. As mentioned Mike Hendrix has a great rod.

Rmax

Someone out there has that blank. I would search the www before looking into something you haven't tried.

Derek G.
I just purchased a DSR822S in perfect condition. Got the whole rig for basically the cost of the blank. I hate the G Loomis reel seat and handle (eye spacing could be better). Send me a PM and let me know what you can do to split the grip and replace the reel seat.

Include me as one of the guys who will no longer buy loomis rods. The XPeditor program was what attacted me to the Loomis brand but not so much now.

I know that the news has been out for a while so this doesn't surpise me. Anybody know what the blank they are gona use is???