Shimano service :) - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Amish Ed · 08-11-2014, 02:44 PM

Got off the water today to the great news that my reels were finished being serviced. Hit Shimano on the way home and got a nice surprise. Only $50 for 3 reels. For what ever reason they didn't charge me for the one that needed the most work. The counter guy (wish I could remember his name) wasn't sure why, but he assured me it wasn't a mistake. Just another reason to always buy Shimano reels. BTW, they all came back buttery smooth, TVelasquez (the repair tech) rocks.

momo fish · 08-11-2014, 02:49 PM

Good to hear and love that we have local companies nearby. I just had same experience with Avet at there factory in Los Angeles. With Seeker being in Oxnard and a Calstar in OC you cant go wrong.

Amish Ed · 08-11-2014, 08:12 PM

Yep, the whole local thing helps too.

Fishin' Magician · 08-13-2014, 05:58 AM

I've always had an amazing experience with Shimano's servce department. I've gone in there on a couple of different occasions with reels that I've bought a fishing swap meets that needed servicing and after looking them over, they just took them in the back and walked back with brand new reels and just handed them to me! That hasn't happened every time, but it has happened. I guess that the reels were shown to be defective or discontinued. They really stand by their products! The last time I took a reel in, they said it would be ready in 2 weeks. I happened to be nearby a week or so later and stopped in just to see if it might have been done early. it was and when I got it back, it had brand new drags and washers and brand new side plates!!! The thing looked almost new with little boat rash showing. Shimano rocks!

bwana · 08-14-2014, 07:21 AM

I agree they do a good job cleaning/repairing/replacing their products with ONE EXCEPTION...

They don't service their older Shimano reels. I have a dead TLD and Baitrunner they won't even look at.

I can understand some parts become obsolete, but not to even take a look at an older model you manufactured to see what is wrong with it doesn't sit well with me.

I was willing to pay for their time to find out what is wrong, even if they could not fix it.

cabojohn · 08-21-2014, 02:58 PM

rant~

I wish Shimano made crappy reels so I could jump ship and go with someone else!
Great reels...TERRIBLE FACTORY SERVICE!

TWICE I have had reels come back worse than they went in? WTF
I don't which tech did the repairs...but if I knew I would kick him in the nuts. One of my reels was even missing parts after the factory service. Fawk me running.

This:
Its not a fun drive but waaaay worth it if your reels are repaired right!!

SAV-ON TACKLE
9917 Orr & Day Rd
Santa Fe Springs, CA
(562) 864-2911

Master Reel Mechanic "Masao Iguchi" is the reel deal.

Even if you have oboslete reels...they have a lot of parts still and can probably still fix yer junk.

boxturtle · 08-21-2014, 03:21 PM

never had a problem with their service lol back in the days when I was poor. I would buy beat up trinidads like salt corroded ones and send them in for repairs....they always charge me only for the service and the inside would come back brand new

I now own nice and shiny ones. Thanks for taking care of me when I was poor you will always have my business when it comes to reels and service

fishingfiend · 08-21-2014, 06:21 PM

Not sure what happened to you CaboJohn, but you should give them another chance. I've been going there for a long, long time and have had nothing but outstanding service. As others have noted, I also have countless examples when they came through for me. If SavOn is closer, support your local tackle shop. Otherwise, Shimano is another valid option if you're closer to Irvine.

The same can be said for some of our other local companies, Daiwa/Accurate/Avet/CalStar/Seeker.

Amish Ed · 08-21-2014, 10:05 PM

Wow John! I'd take them back and demand that they fix them right.

08-11-2014, 02:44 PM	#1
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	Shimano service :) Got off the water today to the great news that my reels were finished being serviced. Hit Shimano on the way home and got a nice surprise. Only $50 for 3 reels. For what ever reason they didn't charge me for the one that needed the most work. The counter guy (wish I could remember his name) wasn't sure why, but he assured me it wasn't a mistake. Just another reason to always buy Shimano reels. BTW, they all came back buttery smooth, TVelasquez (the repair tech) rocks. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

08-11-2014, 02:49 PM	#2
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	Shimano service :) Good to hear and love that we have local companies nearby. I just had same experience with Avet at there factory in Los Angeles. With Seeker being in Oxnard and a Calstar in OC you cant go wrong. Last edited by momo fish; 08-11-2014 at 10:06 PM.

08-11-2014, 08:12 PM	#3
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	Yep, the whole local thing helps too. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

08-13-2014, 05:58 AM	#4
Fishin' Magician Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 219	I've always had an amazing experience with Shimano's servce department. I've gone in there on a couple of different occasions with reels that I've bought a fishing swap meets that needed servicing and after looking them over, they just took them in the back and walked back with brand new reels and just handed them to me! That hasn't happened every time, but it has happened. I guess that the reels were shown to be defective or discontinued. They really stand by their products! The last time I took a reel in, they said it would be ready in 2 weeks. I happened to be nearby a week or so later and stopped in just to see if it might have been done early. it was and when I got it back, it had brand new drags and washers and brand new side plates!!! The thing looked almost new with little boat rash showing. Shimano rocks! __________________ Here fishy, fishy, fishy.....

08-21-2014, 02:58 PM	#6
cabojohn PROBATION Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 656	rant~ I wish Shimano made crappy reels so I could jump ship and go with someone else! Great reels...TERRIBLE FACTORY SERVICE! TWICE I have had reels come back worse than they went in? WTF I don't which tech did the repairs...but if I knew I would kick him in the nuts. One of my reels was even missing parts after the factory service. Fawk me running. This: Its not a fun drive but waaaay worth it if your reels are repaired right!! SAV-ON TACKLE 9917 Orr & Day Rd Santa Fe Springs, CA (562) 864-2911 Master Reel Mechanic "Masao Iguchi" is the reel deal. Even if you have oboslete reels...they have a lot of parts still and can probably still fix yer junk. Last edited by cabojohn; 08-22-2014 at 09:35 AM.

08-14-2014, 07:21 AM	#5
bwana Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: El Toro, CA Posts: 244	I agree they do a good job cleaning/repairing/replacing their products with ONE EXCEPTION... They don't service their older Shimano reels. I have a dead TLD and Baitrunner they won't even look at. I can understand some parts become obsolete, but not to even take a look at an older model you manufactured to see what is wrong with it doesn't sit well with me. I was willing to pay for their time to find out what is wrong, even if they could not fix it.

08-21-2014, 03:21 PM	#7
boxturtle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 291	never had a problem with their service lol back in the days when I was poor. I would buy beat up trinidads like salt corroded ones and send them in for repairs....they always charge me only for the service and the inside would come back brand new I now own nice and shiny ones. Thanks for taking care of me when I was poor you will always have my business when it comes to reels and service

08-21-2014, 06:21 PM	#8
fishingfiend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 196	Not sure what happened to you CaboJohn, but you should give them another chance. I've been going there for a long, long time and have had nothing but outstanding service. As others have noted, I also have countless examples when they came through for me. If SavOn is closer, support your local tackle shop. Otherwise, Shimano is another valid option if you're closer to Irvine. The same can be said for some of our other local companies, Daiwa/Accurate/Avet/CalStar/Seeker.

08-21-2014, 10:05 PM	#9
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	Wow John! I'd take them back and demand that they fix them right. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!