Issue with Darkmatter rod and J&H

[Bigfootgrey]

I bought a Dark Matter Skinner fluke rod from J&H. After a couple of times out the Winn grip was loose on the blank. They sent out a new rod after a few conversations. I did have to send pictures of the old rod after they requested I destroy it. 

[HarryHood711]

That's crummy, I am surprised to see this outcome. I buy a lot from that shop, might rethink and look elsewhere if this is how they are going to stand by their own products. 

[shark lobster]

On 5/22/2023 at 8:30 AM, saltyb92 said:

I've had only good experiences with J&H, and specifically emailing back/forth with Josh. Ordered a Black Hole rod online, which had some minor damage to 1 guide. Josh shipped out a replacement immediately and gave me free return label for original rod. Ended up returning because it wasn't what I needed. No issues in the process working with Josh. Your experience sounds totally different.

Ive had great experiences with them to ! But not this time the only replacement is a upgrade for a rod i dont want for another 150$ no store credit no refund thats the final decision so i will eat it i guess glad it was cheap!

[Callmefish]

On 5/22/2023 at 9:47 AM, Bigfootgrey said:

I bought a Dark Matter Skinner fluke rod from J&H. After a couple of times out the Winn grip was loose on the blank. They sent out a new rod after a few conversations. I did have to send pictures of the old rod after they requested I destroy it. 

I have dark matter open beach rod that had the same issue, reel seat de-laminated and came loose. They replaced the lower section, and the replacement had the same thing happen but not as severe. I just fish it as is, i honestly like the rod. I just don’t like the assembly. 

[FallenKell]

Its hard to say in this situation. Looking at the warranty, replacements still cost you $100 (and the replacement rod has no warranty). I agree that possibly some changes can be made in this situation like allowing you to have some credit towards a different other than the Skinner that you are not interested in. Other than that, I don't know much else that will help. If you are really pissed about it, you can always contact the Consumer Affairs division of either your AG, or New York State where J&H is located, or check with your credit card company as in many cases they also provide some warranty coverage protection.

[JM13]

They stink. I’ve had my fair share of problems with them as well. My favorite is when they hadn’t ship a vs I pre ordered because it “wasn’t in yet” and then they had it two days later at one of the fishing shows. I stopped shopping there years ago. 

Edited May 22 by JM13

[Joe Paranee]

Josh is a decent guy 

 

did you speak to him directly ?

 

if not I would reach out and ask to speak to him 

 

btw the DM Skinner rod is a decent rod and this might piss off some……. fishes as well as the Lamy version 

 

some don't like the guide layout 

[shark lobster]

On 5/22/2023 at 4:46 PM, Joe Paranee said:

Josh is a decent guy 

 

did you speak to him directly ?

 

if not I would reach out and ask to speak to him 

 

btw the DM Skinner rod is a decent rod and this might piss off some……. fishes as well as the Lamy version 

 

some don't like the guide layout 

All my back and forth has been only with josh

[Joe Paranee]

On 5/22/2023 at 5:12 PM, shark lobster said:

All my back and forth has been only with josh

Understood 

 

 

[shark lobster]

The problem i have is they built a **** rod they knew it discontinued it then cant honor the 1 year warranty because they cant replace the rod ! I dont want a rod that costs more by 150$ i want what i bought or give me my money back . 

[Haycreekrambler]

I've dealt with Josh directly several times and don't have anything bad to say about the experiences at all.

 

Edited May 22 by Haycreekrambler

[shark lobster]

Im not downing Josh or his shop just sucks to buy a rod use it 3 times have it break then there is no direct replacement for it ! I dont want the skinner rod it does not have the rating i want and its 150$ more . 

[LI_Angler]

On 5/21/2023 at 11:53 AM, shark lobster said:

So in november i bought a fishaholic 9’ darkmattersurf rod cheap rod for lighter back bays and stuff ! So started using the rod late april early May 3 outings rod broke on hookset top 18” rod has 1 year warranty so i reached out to J&H they said rod is disconnected but you can upgrade to a 9’ Skinner rod for another 150$ ! So how is this a warrenty cover i dont like the specs on the Skinner rod no refund available on the rod so pretty much no warrenty . Anyone else have this issue?

I have had my own disappointing interactions with J&H that I won't detail here.  I ended up getting satisfaction and was made whole by a very understanding, customer-oriented rod manufacturer, but in your case, you don't have an alternative like that with a 'house' brand.  All too often vendors of all kinds offer resolutions that they think are fair.  They seem to think fair is defined by whatever is easiest for them and best serves their profit margin.

[JerseyJeb]

On 5/21/2023 at 2:25 PM, Sherpah said:

dark matter stuff is get what you pay for type stuff all made in China etc. Their rods are OK but it’s basically a J and H house brand that they likely make gigantic margins on.  I own one and it’s OK but I try to stay away from them.  I’d never pay full price for one.  J and H will give you 15% off of you just ask nicely.  Again because of huge margins Ty eh must make on them

Wow, Dark Matter doesn't list any company info but I looked it up and it is owned by the same people at J&H...They have a $75 flat fee replacement policy on the inshore rods as part of their warranty. Why on earth they just don't offer a a similar rod they have in stock for $75 is beyond me...really scummy behavior.  And the policy is 1 replacement rod within year of purchase, no questions asked.

[JerseyJeb]

On 5/23/2023 at 6:27 AM, shark lobster said:

Im not downing Josh or his shop just sucks to buy a rod use it 3 times have it break then there is no direct replacement for it ! I dont want the skinner rod it does not have the rating i want and its 150$ more . 

You are not required by law to offer a warranty. They chose to offer a one year warranty. The fact that they are out of product or replacement parts is not your problem. When this happens to other companies they eat the loss and give you a free upgrade.