Dec. last year I bought a Gander Mountain brand reel that had printed on the package, 100 % one year warranty. For years Gander would swap a defective Gander rod or reel no questions asked within the warranty period and sometimes a bit beyond.
When I got to the register I was told I now had to send the reel back for repair - but to where? The only paperwork in the bubble wrap was a part's list. The employee in fishing did me a favor and swapped reels but when I went to the front checkout, it took over twenty minutes for someone to figure out how to enter the swap - which is no longer done - into the register. I almost walked out with the defective reel but the same employee said he would figure how to put in into the computer.

Someone told me after that experience that Dick's now has the same policy for defective rods, reels or guns and the time period for a swap is only 30 days. Wonder if other retailers of fishing tackle have the same policy? Not happy if I have to pay for shipping for repairs under a warranty!