rod shipping

[willyfish]

Was going to buy a new rod online and have it shipped to the house. Anyone have any horror stories dealing with certain companies where the rod arrives broken? I've heard Amazon is terrible about it. I'm looking at a Dobyns rod. 

[Dutch]

I had one shipped USPS.  The package was shaped like a banana but the rod was not broken.  

[tjm]

USPS employee  recommended PVC pipe as shipping tube. Several vintage rods shipped or received in PVC with no problem.  The few packed in paper or cardboard were crushed. As far as online stores, I have no idea, but one would think that if they are in the business that they would know how to pack them.

I thought Amazon had free returns and full refunds on everything? I know I've sent back a few things. Printed their label and paid no postage.

[Nick Adams]

I've had good luck with FishUSA. 3 or 4 rods w/ no trouble.

[fshndoug]

Ups crushed a couple of rods shipped from  St.Croix a couple of years ago

 

[abkeenan]

Most any online retailer will have the rod replaced or refunded if it shows up destroyed. That said I've heard of a lot of bad experiences of people purchasing rods through Amazon. Those employees could give a rats posterior and just throw it an any box that the rod will fit in. I've ordered from Tackle Warehouse, Tackle Trap and other reputable dealers and never an issue with them being damaged.

What model rod you looking at with Dobyns?

If you are in the Springfield area Bait Wrx is a nice shop. They carry some of the mid to higher end rods.

[Noodle]

I have purchased 3 rods from Amazon and had no issues. One was a Dobyns heavy. 

[willyfish]

24 minutes ago, abkeenan said:

What model rod you looking at with Dobyns?

A 7 ft Fury med light spinning rod, 702SF good price point

[Quillback]

It is always a bit of gamble no matter who ships it.  If it is packed in a PVC tube or a heavy duty cardboard tube you should be OK.  I once got a St. Croix from a retailer, they packed it in a flimsy triangular cross section "tube".  Looked like it had been thrown into the zoo lions den for the lions to play with.  All tore up.  Amazingly the rod was in perfect shape.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I’ve bought several from st croix.  Same with bass pro. The tube they shipped it in was as tough as wood.  I kept one for a while just because it wouldn’t fit in the trash can.  Finally cut it up with a saw.   I sold some vintage fly rods shipped usps that were in aluminum rod tubes but still put them in heavy cardboard formed and taped around them.   Last one went to Alaska no problem.