I have always had good luck returning things at LLBean. That being said, take a closer
look at the guarantee on their fly rods. I don't have a catalogue in front of me, but I
think the quote is "if you break the rod WHILE FISHING, they will replace or repair it"
I don't own a bean fly rod and again have never had a problem returning ANYTHING there.
But that guarantee bothers me. If you close it in the car door, were you fishing?