First and foremost, I want to make it clear that I only fish with TFO rods. This really happened accidentally. My first setup was a TFO NXT combo. Since I learned to fish on TFO, I naturally chose one of their higher end rods when I upgraded. I now have 6 of them. Now I know there has been a lot of discussion about this forum being a living advertisement for TFO. I am not trying to add to fuel any conspiracy theories, but I have to point out that for as many posts as there are questioning the allegiance of this forums members to TFO, there are only a handful of posts that would make me consider using anything else. Im not necessarily looking for replies that agree or disagree with my opinion of TFO. That isnt likely to change. My question is this. Who else in the industry offers the same quality customer service that TFO does?

For example, when I walked into TFO office in Dallas last week, I was overwhelmed with their CS. I brought with me a TiCrX rod segment that had a damaged ferule. Im quite sure that I am the one that damaged it when I fell while fishing a few weeks ago, but I wasn't even asked how it happened. Larry replaced it, gave me a tour of the facility, talked to me about fly fishing, tossed me a hat and then offered to inspect any other rods I might have with me. I brought in a couple more and he inspected them thoroughly. I pet the dogs, shook hands with the staff, and left the happiest guy in Dallas.

Now, I am realistic in thinking there must be others out there who do the same. I just haven't heard of any. Please tell me who else in this industry offers this kind of customer service. Since all of my experience is with TFO, for all I know maybe they are all like this!

While I do like TFO's Customer Service, the other major manufactures have similar service, you just can't walk into their buildings, unless you are in Vermont, Bainbridge, Washington or Three Bridges, Montana... (Orvis, Sage or Winston) [not to slight the ones left out - Cabala's replaces a lot of broken rods while in warranty, also]. I've returned 2 Orvis rods to Manchester, Vt for repair and return. No questions asked and no problems. Just great service. I had a similar experience with Sage and my broken 6wt Flight. No questions, just a repaired rod (section replace, probably, as I didn't find out). Lamson Waterworks is just as good on their warranty repairs of Konic reels as TFO [and others] are. Just not as close to most of us and we haven't spent a lot of time with their people like we have with Rick Pope, Jim Schulin and the rest of the gang in Dallas.

Rio replaced one of my broken lines no questions asked.
TFO has replaced many broken rods no questions asked.
Ross reels have repaired all my reels no questions asked. However they are not the easiest people to talk to over the phone about their products.

I have sent broken rods back to Sage, Winston, and St. croix and been well- treated each time.

It pays to Catholic, when you live next to the Vatican.


I think all the higher end companies do a good job. You just don't get to pet the dog and a hat.

+1

I know a lot of places have very good customer service. My question is how quick is the turn around. While TFO has great customer service what really gets me is how quick they get my rods back to me. The longest times from my door to them back to my door has been 4 business days.

I think the big question is how do we get the rest of the industries we deal with to have this same level of customer service?

I sucked up a tapered leader in my vacume rolling brush took the end of my four wt, tfo with it i told them what happened and they laughed and replaced it they have my vote.

It is the dogs, they're the secret to TFO's success...


Not really, but the they are fun to play with while you're there.

We had a guy buy a 7wt Professional and take it to the Texas Coast. He called and said he was fishing the Aransas Jetty at night, when something BIG hit. Before he knew it, the top 3 sections of the rod AND all the fly line had disappeared...he never saw them again.

TFO replaced those sections. No questions... Definitely NOT workmanship or faulty materials...but owner ouchie...

This is why we can sell a lot of TFO rods to people that otherwise might not be up for spending at least $110+ for a fly rod...

Just sayin...

TFO ROCKS!!!

and, yes, I do have 3 TFO rods.

+1000

Did your vision go slow motion while you dived through the air and screamed, "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"?

Thanks for the input. Im not sure if I will ever purchase a non-TFO rod. But it's good to know that there are other companies out there going above and beyond for the customer! I wish there were more industries out there with that kind of service.