I managed to break the tip section of my brand new Greys Platinum XD 10' Competitor Special rod at Rutland on the Saturday of the May Bank Holiday. I have no idea how I managed to break it, this is the first time in more years than I care to mention of trout fishing that I have ever broken a tip section. Weird, especially since this rod was only purchased the previous month.

After a prompt online and postal warranty registration of said rod quickly followed by researching the procedure for rectifying this situation I decided to bite the bullet and jump through the necessary hoops to get this resolved.

On the next business day (Tuesday) I called Greys and got through to the inevitable automated phone queue before eventually talking to a human who tells me I can pay when the broken sections are received by Greys who will then call me back which might "be in a few days". Not looking good for using the rod with a new tip section in the RWFF Cutting Trophy Bank Competition at Rutland on the following Friday 4th June methinks!

A trip to the local Post Office sees these purchases:

1. 1 x Jiffy bag: £0:69
2. 1 x Next day delivery: £5:15

Off it goes - maybe I will get the replacement in time for the competition maybe not.

On the following Thursday, two days after posting the broken four inch tip sections I get a call saying the broken parts had been received at Greys. Taking the hit at 22% of the original rod price I fork out the cash for the replacement getting an assurance that I will receive the replacement tip section the next day.

Match day sees the arrival of a long thin circular package via UPS making me a very happy chappy. Excellent service but at a price totalling 25% of the original rod price.

Later bank side at Rutland the rod goes unused due to the vagaries of my various set-ups and how the trout want it. Namely at the very last knockings - using a DT#6 line five yards out from the bank on a dry fly. No need for any distance casting :) These are the trials and tribulations of trout fishing!