Customer Spotlight: Scott Burns
By Scott Burns |
Wed, 21 Jun 2006
From time to time customers share their kistler fishing rod stories and experience with us. We use our customer spotlight to pass along some of these stories. Today's spotlight is on Scott Burns of reelProtect-R in East Texas.
Impressed with Kistler Custom Fishing Rods' Quality and Integrity
I have been fishing my entire life, and bass fishing exclusively for
more than the past 25 years. During that period of time, I have
accumulated quite an arsenal of tackle and equipment. Some of that
equipment includes well over 50 different rod/reel combinations.
Approx. 25 of those rods are All Star's, although I have several
Quantum PT Tour Series rods, at least 7 different gLoomis rods, and
custom made rods from a local rod maker.
First
of all, I will NEVER buy an All Star rod again. In fact, I despise what
All Star rods have become after Shakespear took them over so much that
I practically hate even putting them in my boat anymore.
I use
to take quite a bit of pride in my All Star rods. Recently (about two
years ago), I broke a new All Star rod about 10" below the tip while
taking a fish off the hook. All Star replaced that rod. That "new"
replacement rod broke in the same place, under the exact same
circumstances, the first time I used it.
To make a very long
and drawn out story short, I was told that they would only warranty
that rod with a Classic Series rod, since they did not make "my" rod
anymore. I countered that my rod was much more expensive than a Classic
Series rod which you can buy at Academy now for $39.99 any day of the
week, and that I did not agree to their "new" warranty terms. I wrote
their customer service folks a lengthy and very detailed description of
the circumstances surrounding the breakage due to what I know were
inferior components and/or craftsmanship. (I felt that I could make
that determination due to the fact that I had bought the same rod back
in 1992 [which I use exculsively for throwing Pop-R's], and still use
that rod often without ever having a problem [and take fish off the
same way I always do]). I gave them a chance to make this situation
right. I explained that if I did not hear back from them with a more
satisfactory solution to my problem that I would consider the matter
closed, and would NEVER buy another All Star rod. Needless to say, I
never heard back from them.
Now to the more positive stuff. I
felt like I was a pretty loyal All Star customer. Since that incident,
I have been "culling" my All Star rods (giving them away to my
friends), and began looking at different rods. I bought several gLoomis
rods after that incident with All Star, and have really enjoyed a
"better" quality of rod.
My neighbor gave me a Kistler rod
some time back, and I have begun adding Kistler rods to my inventory
over the past couple of years. I have become quite impressed with the
quality (and integrity) of the Kistler products, and have had the
sincere pleasure of meeting Trey Kistler at the recent Skeeter Owner's
Tournament at Lake Fork.
As a born-again Christian, and a former
Airborne/Ranger Infantry officer, I understand the meaning of
Integrity. Integrity implys honesty and virtue, and a commitment to
always doing what is right. I have met Trey Kistler personally, and can
easily discern the Integrity that he has established in his personal
life through his commitment to Jesus Christ. The integrity of Trey's
products reflect that same commitment to the highest standards of
quality, performance, and customer service that I have ever seen in a
rod manufacturing business. I am so impressed with Trey and his line of
Kistler rods, that I will become the "newest" loyal fan of Kistler rods.
Scott Burns, reelProtect-R, East Texas
fishing gear: Crank Bait Special 7' Medium Fishing Rod, Magnesium TS, Silver Series 7' med hvy, and a LOBI 10th anniversary 6'6
If you would like to share your story with us for use in our Customer Spotlight section in the news, just drop us a note through our testimonials.
