Last year I was changing the line out that came on a Zebco Dock Demon combo that I picked up on the cheap. I wound the line to tight and full and blew the spool apart. Cheap reel, no big deal as I had better reels anyway. So, on a whim just before Christmas, I sent them a email and explained exactly what happened. They said, Ok, we will replace it. Last week, the UPS man left a box at my door with a new Zebco Dock Demon rod and reel combo. Awesome, all I was looking for was a replacement spool.
When my brother, 2 nephews, and his brother-in-law take our second annual ice fishing trip next season, I have a rod/reel combo, a few jigs I won here and a few other items for prizes for first fish, biggest fish, and most fish caught.
I guess some companies still have great customer service. And, it never hurts to ask.