I actually had the exact opposite experience; a couple years back I had a brand new rod splinter at the top of the grip, the very first perch I caught. I had to pay to return the broken rod and pay shipping for the replacement, all said and done it cost as about as much in shipping as a new rod would have. I even suggested breaking the rod in half and providing photos but they said it needed to be returned- maybe they had a bad run and needed to collect them, but the consumer shouldn't pay for their research/QC.
When summer came and I still didn't have the replacement I called and was told "they are a seasonal item, we will send a replacement early in the winter when we start producing ice products again”.