Real world Sage warranty results

[jsrieck]

If I buy a Sage XP on ebay that doesn't have a warranty card and the rod breaks, what is it likely that Sage will do?

I know they say the warranty is only for original owners, but does anyone have any real world experience with broken "ebay rods"?

[Ray]

I can't speak for Sage, but I have broken rods from G. Loomis and St. Croix. In 3 of 3 cases I have never been asked for warranty information.

[Smcdermott]

I know G Loomis doesn't use warranty cards as their rods do not have a serial number. Unlike Sage my understanding is that they take an insurance policy each year to cover breakage and replace rather than fix broken rods. As far as Sage goes the only rod I had fixed had a warranty card I sent in with the repair.

Sean

[Tarpon41]

If I buy a Sage XP on ebay that doesn't have a warranty card and the rod breaks, what is it likely that Sage will do?

I know they say the warranty is only for original owners, but does anyone have any real world experience with broken "ebay rods"?

IMHO: Sage "ain't no mo a northwest country store makin fly rods"...so the bean counters rule...you pay for it that is with all warranties ever notice the hustle when you are at the checkout counter for price competitive retailers..from lowes to best buys to even walmartsams.. someone does pay for it...if you buy a ebay sage xp wo card for 200 and sage says pack sand then you out 200 but i have never in 40 years busted a saltwater sage 8 and above..now if you can find an on sale retail xp with card at 275-300-325--etc what is the risk you are willing to take...i believe sage says original purchaser...so they can fix or f...it...it's there discretion...IMHO i would look for demos and sales in retail stores for the xp then you got the card...

[Kuskus68]

If I buy a Sage XP on ebay that doesn't have a warranty card and the rod breaks, what is it likely that Sage will do?

I know they say the warranty is only for original owners, but does anyone have any real world experience with broken "ebay rods"?
Sage will fix it but it will cost you some cash,I bought a demo xp from North cove outfitters with a warranty card from Sage.I saved big bucks I also broke the rod they sent it back for me free and all I had to pay was the return shipping.
I think it cost me $15.00

[Bob Parsons]

I have a sage with no card, current cost to have it fixed is $40

[BobG]

Can you believe I've yet to break a fly rod?(#$119)

[Kuskus68]

Can you believe I've yet to break a fly rod?(#$119)You need to fish more;)

[Hoss]

Just had this discussion on another forum. People said that they had second hand sages repaired for the traditional S&H fee which is $40.

[lemaymiami]

That $40 was the going price the last time that one of my Sages made the trip back to the factory. When you consider what it must cost them to maintain that service, it's quite reasonable. Some of my rods have been repaired more than once in the same year.... It's gradually gone up a bit in price over the years but I've been very pleased with their service. That lifetime warranty is the reason I've quit building my own fly rods, and rely almost totally on Sage for my customer's rods. Funny thing, less than a third of all of my broken rods with customers were while fighting a fish (and the letter that accompanies each rod tells them how the rod died....) You just can't imagine how destructive a single medium sized tarpon that gets loose in your skiff can be. And we won't discuss angler mistakes....

Disclaimer, I'm lucky enough to be on Sage's guide program.

[MichaelDS]

In my experience:
Sage's current repair fee for original rod owners is $40 to cover S&H for both Sage and the dealer (if a dealer is used). Costs will be higher for those not the original owner. If the original owner did not register the rod with Sage, the first person to send it in for repair will be the "original owner" as Sage will not have any other records to go by and the $40 fee will apply. I am not aware that they have ever refused a warranty repair because the registration card was not sent in. If the problem is a missing section (say you lost the tip), this is not a repair and the cost will be higher. If the rod was originally a Sage demo and is marked "DEMO" on the rod, no warranty. If the rod is a custom build on a Sage blank, warranty covers the blank replacement, only, and the owner will have to take care of the rebuild.

Hope this helps. Mike

[JGH]

Yup, $40. They tend to fix, rather than replace, broken rods. There is a string on this forum started by me this past spring on this topic. It took about a month for them to fix my Xi2. I had hoped for better/faster service, but maybe my expectations were too high.

[NMB]

in july i sent my 9wt xi2 in for repair. i sent no warranty card as i couldn't find it. 2 of the pieces were stuck together and i could not separate them-neither could sage. they sent me a brand new rod-no questions asked. $40 shipping and handling fee.

[MatthewP]

I bought my 9wt. Xi2 from Scott at the Bear's Den. I brought the broken rod to him and he sent it in. Same as everyone else; cost me $40. Since then, I've given up stepping on it.

[BN2FSH]

I broke a Sage I bought on ebay this summer and I had not problem getting it replaced. They only asked for my cc info so they could charge $40. It is a great deal.

[sue m]

I Broke a sage 10 wt XP and sent it to them in mid Sept with a request to please repair or fix it asap. To date (Oct 23) no word and they charged me $115. Loomis on the other hand has an expediter service with a 2 day turnaround for $50 which I have used several times and am very happy with. I am disappointed in Sage service although the rod is good.