Orvis Experience

[tclprin]

I recently ordered a Clearwater outfit from gift certificates given to me. Obviously the "low-end" Orvis product, but knew what I was getting into.

Anyway, received notice of backorder. No big deal. Then received the rod within 48 hours. Reel/line backordered to July 3. Again, no big deal.

Checked on order status Monday....reel/line unavailable until July 27. Then Tuesday, receive reel/line with right-hand retrieve option as ordered!

Customer service apparently contacted retail outlets to find reel/line and had it sent to me! THey called to tell me to look for it in 7 days!

I think that is pretty cool service. Unsure why Orvis gets bad-mouthed sometimes on posts, but I am impressed.

[msiler]

I have never had anything but excellent service from Orvis.

[tightline]

I have NEVER had a bad experience with Orvis service. My first saltwater rod was an Orvis Saltrodder that served me well for 10 years. I ended up breaking it twice, and both times when I took it to their Houston store to get sent off for repairs, I had a new rod in my hands within 1 week. I have since become a fan of Sage rods, but I still buy everything else at Orvis.

[albacized]

I too never had issues with their service. However, starting about 10 years ago, I find that some of their fishing products (especially their fly reels) have taken a nose dive in quality. Some of their older line of reels that have since been put out of production (DXR, Odyssey) are much better than the reels they have on the market today.

In my view, the best type of service is the type where you don't have to use it-i.e. you're stuff never breaks. Of course that's unrealistic...but you should have a certain level of expectations that you won't have to repeatedly take advantage of their service, no matter how good that service may be.

If I lost a 40# striper or a double digit (in weight) albie due to an equipement failure, I'm not going to think 'Oh Well, Orvis will fix it'...

On the flip side, I have no problems with their rods, which to me, their higher end rods are as functional and reliable as any on the market.