Conference wahoo::fishing

    Slightly unethical but.......
    
    Take it to Kmart.  If they sell the same item, they'll exchange
    it withhout a hassle.  You don't need a receipt, simply tell
    them your wife/mother/brother-in-law/dog bought for you for
    your birthday a month ago and it broke.  Kmart will send it
    back to Shakespear and won't lose a dime.  You'll see something you
    want while you're standing in the fishing department and Kmart
    will make a few cents for their efforts.
    
    /brett

    
    I broke my 9 foot Fly rod,fishing in New York for Salmon.. I wrote
    to Shakespeare and sent the rod with the letter.. In two weeks I
    had a new rod.. The address is:
    
    Shakespeare Service center
    3801 Westmore Drive
    Columbia,S.C.29204
    
    They always ask for a proof of purchace..I didn't have one and they
    still gave me a new rod.. Matter of fact,UPS broke the first rod
    they returned to me and they replaced it with another new one..
     
    I'll always buy a ugly stick now.. I even told the salesman at the
    fishing show what they did and thank him.. They do it every day,so
    he says..
    
    I hope I helped !!
    
    Arnie

    RE: -1
    
    Thanks Arnie.  I brought the rod to a local store and they sent it out
    a few weeks back.  They said that it'd take 3 weeks.  I'd heard that 
    Shakespear was pretty good about honoring their warranties.  Glad to
    hear your experience was a good one.
    
    One thing - I seem to recall that when I bought the rod (4+ years ago)
    it carried a lifetime warranty.  Did I dream this or what?  The new
    Ugly Sticks carry a five year warranty against breakage.
    
    Ken

    I snapped an UGLY STICK in half fishing in the Florida Keys.  I
    returned half the rod with the end broke off to SPAGS.  Since I
    had already bought another rod in Key West they gave me a credit.
    I did not have to provide proof I bought the rod there.  They did
    ask where the other half of the pole was and I told them under a
    bridge in Marathon Key.  I don't think the UGLY STICK is a superior
    rod.  The price is inflated becuse the manufacturer knows it will
    have to replace a certain percentage.  It is like buying a muffler
    that has a lifetime warrenty, the product is not much different. 
    You pay for the replacement cost of the product several times over.

    I have a problem with my Lightning Rod I was hoping someone in this
    file could help me with.
    
     The rod is a 5'6" Medium Action Baitcasting rod made by Berkley. The
    rod features a thru the handle blank, the Graphite reel seat spins
    around on the blank. Is there away to refasten this with out cutting
    off the foam handle? I was thinking about drilling a smal hole in the
    reel seat and then filling it with glue, think this would work, or do
    you think I would crack the seat when drilling?
    
    
    Brian

     You need a chemical cure, flexible epoxy, but there's no good way
    without takin' the handle apart. Send it back to Berkley - the reel
    seat should never have broken in the first place !
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    Bandit, Do you think Berkley will replace the rod it is about 5-6 years
    old? You wouldn't happen to know Berkleys address would ya ? Maybe even
    just a city and state and I can call them direct.
    
    Thanks for the input. 
    
    Mr. Mod. is it possible to add Rod Repair to the keywords as I did look
    prior to entering my original note. Others may find it helpful.
    
    Thanks Again,
    Brian
    
    

 I have added the keyword REPAIR to the basenote. This will allow us to
use the same keyword for repair of reels, lures and other things in addition
to rods.

 The Doctah

     I know that Berkley HQ is in Spirit Lake, Iowa, but I don't have their
    number handy. Send it back - it's worth a shot. Besides, if worse comes
    to worse you've already got your money's worth out of the rod. Best
    case, they fix it for free, or at a nominal charge, or replace it.
    
     I still think this type of thing should never happen, and if they
    don't treat you right, don't buy any more Berkleys.
    
    --Bandito

    re.-1, I agree, send it back, if you don't think they treat you
    fairly, don't buy any more Berkley rods.
    
    donmac - who will not be buying anymore Shimano rods 8^) and hopes that
             Normark will replace the 3 year old digital scale that was 
             returned this week!

    I did a fix just like this for Tim Lucia. The bandit has it
    right on the material, you need to use a flexible two part epoxy.
    The brand I use when building rods is Flex-Coat. I was able to
    push the reel seat back into the grip enough to squeeze the
    epoxy down inside the reel seat. If berkley does not help
    you out this is worth a try before tossing the rod in the trash.
    
    Capt. Codfish

I didn't mention this because I felt like I'd be volunteering Bruce to fix the
rod for you.  It worked, however and the rod is as good as new!

Tim

    I just got off the phone with Berkley (1 Berkley Dr. Spirit Lake Iowa
    51360)and they said that judging by the age it is under lifetime
    warranty and to send it back and they will repair or replace it. The
    bad news for any new Lightning Rod owners is that they now only come
    with a one year warranty.