yea lol made my 4pc.a 6pc. had no trouble when i got it replaced but was definatly scared on the wat there that is one of my dumber moves ever.

Screw that then, I like the dogs, and like the hat (broken guide, section replaced no questions asked, even got to pick out the color of the hat!). Im sticking with TFO.

J.

I haven't had the pleasure of TFOs customer service yet but I have worked with Sage and Orvis on a few occasions and they are exceptionally helpful. I didn't get a free hat and through the mail there were no dogs to pet except my lab but they were both great companies to work with and hassle free.

I had my Redington Crosswater crack on me for no reason. I used it, put it up, didn't think about it again. Pulled up at the lake. Pulled the rod out, strung it with line...went down to the lake. I noticed it was wobbling a little funny when I was almost to the shore. Looked at it closer, and shook it a second to look at it...and the thing cracked down even more. I had the rod for just a few months. I bought it on a loyalty card, and I had the receipt. I shipped the rod off, and then got a notice that they could find no record of me buying the rod. Supposedly the loyalty card showed no record of me buying it. I bought it IN the store, and used my card. I paid about twenty dollars to ship it to have it fixed, so you know I was not happy to hear this. Unless I provided proof of my buying it, I was up the proverbial creek. It took me a lot of searching, and several negative words, before I came back across it. I gave them some numbers off of the receipt, then they were happy. To me this was a very negative experience. I have two Albright rods, and luckily no problems, so I cannot tell you about my experience with them.

OK, scratch Reddington off my future buy list!

pm sent

I will say St. Croix has been a pleasure to work with. I broke one rod, and used the credit to upgrade. Broke the new one, and they were very understanding that I have a trip coming up so put a rush on it.

Haven't broke my tfo yet, so haven't gotten to meet the doggies.

I wont buy any fly rods or fly reels from anyone BUT TFO now because of their commitment to their customers.

I had a used reel I bought, used. The drag detent spring was a little weak, the guy pulled a similar reel out of a box and cannibalized a brand new reel and handed me the spring and a new detent! They dont build these reels so now they have to procure another detent from the mfg to sell that reel.

This in my mind is over and above customer service. I recommend them to everyone that I talk to about my tackle. Complete strangers even.

Yeah the dogs are good at customer service too they will bring that slimey old tennis ball as soon as you walk in the warehouse. Even the older one sleeping under the table got up to greet me!

My first "quality' fly rod was a Reddington I picked up clearanced when Sportsman's Warehouse went out. Broke tip once, got it replaced for shipping cost. Got ferrules stuck and crushed the rod trying to separate them, got the entire rod replaced for cost of shipping (and they left the old tip with it). So, I've been pretty happy with Reddington.

However, when I wanted a new 3 wt, I bought a TFO specifically because of my recent experiences breaking rods. I knew that I needed a company with a good warranty. I haven't needed to use it, but the stories like the OP's were enough to convince me that they were good.

I have sent rods back to Orvis on three occasions (Ah, the joys of raising a son.) All three times, Orvis gave me good CS.

Years ago, I purchased a Browning Boron rod... It was a heavy disaster... but I was too "new" to understand & loved the rod! Over time, this (and every other Browning boron)rod failed... they just collapsed while casting. Anyway, Browning replaced this rod twice before sending me their top of the line graphite model to replace the last collapsed Boron. I ended up with 2 "extra" aluminum tubes in this total deal! Then I lost the tip of that graphite rod (i.e, a small boat story). So, I called Browning and told them that "I" had lost the tip, and Browning also replaced that rod at no charge! The bottom line is that Browning also gives EXCELLENT CS!

While I have not had the occasion to send any of my TFO's back to Rick Pope, everything that I've ever heard about doing so has been very positive.

Bowfin47

PS

The last Orvis return was the result of my then 17 year old encountering 50+ lb. red while in a solo canoe in a storm, while casting an Orvis Silver Label - 6 wt. The rod did fine while the red "towed" the boy and his canoe for about 45 minutes (i.e. a Cajun Sled Ride!), until the lighting got to be intense and my son attempted to "horse" the fish...