All after-sales service is handled through our authorised retail outlets. In the event of any issue, the customer should contact the retail outlet where the product was purchased, as they will be able to assist directly and advise on the next steps.

Our retailers are carefully selected for their product knowledge and customer support. They will endeavour to resolve matters relating to both warranty and non-warranty issues as swiftly and efficiently as possible.

At Free Spirit, we aim to provide excellent backup, with strong spares availability and prompt support once any issue is brought to our attention. We understand that rods are working tools, and our aim is always to support customers fairly and practically.

All Free Spirit rods and products are covered by a 12-month limited warranty against manufacturing defects and breakage where the product is deemed to be at fault.

Manufacturing defects are rare, but we are very experienced in identifying them when they occur. In the case of a genuine blank fault, especially one relating to breakage, the issue will normally show itself very quickly — often within the first or second use, or the first time the rod is properly loaded. This is because the weakness is present from the point of manufacture and will usually fail early once pressure is applied.

Carbon is extremely strong when used correctly, but it can be damaged by misuse, impact or incorrect handling. Such damage may not always be visible on the surface, but it can weaken the carbon fibres internally and lead to failure later under load. This type of damage is not classed as a manufacturing defect and would not normally be covered under warranty.

Common causes of non-warranty damage include:

• Line or braid wrapping around the tip before casting, causing sudden loading and tip breakage.
• Bending the tip right back on itself, for example when setting up or pulling line through the rings.
• A lead or rig striking the blank during the backswing or when handling the rod.
• Hitting trees, bankside obstacles, rod pods, bivvies, the ground or the water during casting or follow-through.
• Knocks to the carbon wall, which can create internal bruising or fibre damage that may only show later.
• Poor transport protection, where rod sections, guides, reel seat collars or fittings rub or knock together repeatedly.
• Guide frames striking another section of blank in transit, which can damage the blank or remove coating from guides and fittings.
• Repeated contact with metal wrap sticks, particularly clicking the tip against the stick when wrapping line.

Breaks very close to the tip guide are almost always caused by customer error, usually from line wrapping, tip impact, or excessive bending of the tip section. For this reason, we strongly recommend checking before every cast that the line is free and running cleanly through all guides.

We do, however, try to view every case on its own merit and will often give customers the benefit of the doubt where the cause is not clear. We believe our policy is fair to those with genuine issues, while also allowing us to keep product and spare parts prices at a highly competitive level.

For this reason, we do not inflate spare part prices. In many cases, we will offer very favourable prices on replacement sections or parts to ensure customers are well looked after, even where the issue falls outside warranty cover.

To help avoid damage and preserve the performance of your rods, we strongly recommend the following:

• Always check that the line is free from the tip and all guides before casting.
• Avoid bending the tip section back on itself when setting up or pulling line through.
• Take care that leads, rigs or feeders do not swing into the blank.
• Be aware of surrounding trees, bankside obstacles, hard ground and water on the cast and follow-through.
• Use padded protective sleeves when transporting rods.
• Avoid rod sections, guide frames, reel seat collars and fittings rubbing or knocking together in transit.
• Take care when using metal wrap sticks, as repeated contact with the tip can cause damage over time.
• Wipe rods down after use and allow them to dry before storing them in a sleeve or case.

Carbon is a strong, responsive and highly effective material when treated correctly. With reasonable care in use, transport and storage, Free Spirit rods are designed to give many seasons of reliable performance.