Shimano platimum service de-railed?

[Mr. Sandman]

For the last several years (at least the last 3 or 4) I have been getting free service on my shimnao reels that qualify for their platimum service. Several have even been replaced with a new reel at no charge. This year however, I was bummin when I got a bill for labor and parts...and the bill was hard to figure out. Some bearings had no charge and some had a charge. I think I need to make a and find out what is up. Something changed as of this summer because right before the derby I sent in a couple reels for a tune up and like in years past there was no charge.

Hmmm, figures now that I have a family of stellas I may have to move to saltigas.

Anybody hear anything?

[mikecc]

I have always had good luck with shimano service . Hope you get this straightened out .

[Pete_G]

It might be because you're out of the one year warranty. In a weird coincidence I saw a bill today for Platinum service for $40 as well. I'm interested to hear how you make out with this.

[Mr. Sandman]

I sent in 5 reels, 2 were new this June the others were between 2 and 4 years old but have been maintained (or replaced) under the platimum service since new. I got 4 bills today, one for $40.05, one for $55.15 two for 19.50 and as I said the bills looked odd to me. A 12.95 platimum labor charge fee on a few and a platimum labor fee of 25.00 on another. And as I said some had parts 0.00 and some had parts for a fee. Also, looking at the invoice you can't tell what invoice is for what reel...This is very untypical for them. I hope they were just having a bad day with a new employee or something.

I have not gotten the reels back yet (which is also odd because normally I get the reels first then an invoice for zero) and in the past I get a note in each box as to what was wrong or what was replaced, I hope there is some explanation inside. Once I get the reels back I will give them a call and find out what is up. I don't mind paying the $ for the service (well maybe I do a little) but it seems to be a change from the way it used to work.

Not a big deal but a negitive surprise of sorts.

Will post a follow up when this gets resolved. Might be a week or so.

[JoeP]

Here's an update as well.

I just received back a few of my reels for service.

I sent in 2 Stella's & 1 Stradic to Shimano. None were having problems, I just wanted a factory cleaning. Shimano charged me $0 for the 2 Stella's (they serviced them and changed a few bearings), but it was their first factory cleaning even though I've had them 2 years. They charged me $20 + $5 shipping to service the Stradic (they again serviced it and changed a few bearings) even though it was a little over a year old. However, the Stella's were sent back within 48 hours with the Platinum Service; the Stradic took a few weeks.

I sent in 1 Saltiga and 1 Capricorn to Daiwa. The Saltiga was not having any problems, I again just wanted a factory cleaning - the Capricorn's gears were a little rough from getting dunked. Daiwa charged me $0 to clean and service BOTH the Saltiga and the Capricorn. Both reels are 2 years old. Both reels came back in a few weeks.

Overall I am happy with both Shimano & Daiwa.

[Swimmer]

Mr. Sandman,
The reels are probably in that post office in Califonia with all the yellow tape around the building.