This is a long story so i'll try to para-phrase. Bought a G Loomis IMX rod about 11 years ago - usual "original purchasers unconditional replacement warranty, etc." - about 2 years ago the tip section broke (boat partner suddenly recasting to a rising fish while I was casting - but he's a mate so, hay-ho) - Peter Cockwill no longer imports Loomis Rods so I went directly to Loomis in the States - approx. 3 months of one way e-mail and phone attemps resulted in not one reply - frustrated but resigned I got on with my life.
Last year I was at the GAC and while speaking with one of the guys the conversation turned to rod manufacturers, so I told him my Loomis woes. He told me to send him the rod and he'd see what he could do although it could take a while. 3 Months later he phoned me and said that he had a replacement for me with the option to upgrade to a #6 GLX for an extra £100, so it's very hard for me to critisize them.
If for some reason anyone from G Loomis reads this then this is for you - "shove your warranty up yer a***!" AND I much prefer my 9' 5/6 Greys MII to your overpriced £600 GLX AND 2 piece rods are an old concept!! but I'm not bitter
Ref. the mail order thing - I buy 99.9% of my fishing kit off of the Internet, using FMTC, Sportfish, GAC and Fliesonline regularly, and I must admit that I'm getting very miffed with the time it takes to get kit from FMTC and GAC. I remember the days when I used to phone Sportfish before 3 pm and my kit was with me the following day. The last order from FMTC took exactly 14 days to arrive and GAC took 12 Days (for kit that was in stock - I always phone to verify). I think that in future I'm going to drive instead. down