Originally posted by: sscasteel on 6/9/2005 8:27:18 PM

I had a guy today drop by my shop to change reel handles on his [2] Older XLT MAGNUM reels. He wanted to change them over to the Grator Grip reel handles.. I had them, and while changing handles, I rolled the reels over to see the code numbers on the bottom of metal foot.

BOTH HAD BEEN GROUNDED OFF, REAL NEATLY . <!--graemlin::eek:--> YOU COULD SEE YELLOW UNDER THE CHROME COATING.
I asked him what happened here? He kind of gave me a "DIRTY" look, and then said "He had bought these Ambassadeur reels a long time ago because they had a Life Time Warranty" on them. He went on to state the he had once sent them off for a "tune - up", [where he would not say] and got them back. He fished with them for a few months, and one day took them off the rods and checking them, noticed the grounded out serial or code numbers on the bottom of the reel foot.

I was unable to get him to tell me where he had sent them, [location, or city/state] or who had worked on them. Apparently the idea of someone destroying code numbers on his [2] reels was upsetting to him. I finished changing his reel handles, and he left after paying.

I have been tossing this around in my head for a few hours, and have decided it is only fair to warn ALL NAFC MEMBERS TO CHECK THEIR OLDER LIFE TIME AMBASSADEUR REEL FRAMES. IS YOUR CODE/SERIAL NUMBERS GROUND OFF AS WELL?

IF SO, TRY TO REMEBER WHERE YOU TOOK THEM TO BE SERVICED LAST.

I can only Speculate at this point, but could "certain Reel repair places" or even the Parent Co. have started a "HUSH-HUSH" thing about grinding off the Code/Serial numbers on these Life Time Warranty reels? <!--graemlin::confused:--> Hoping folks won't check their reel frame reel foot and stick it right back on a rod, then use it. With these code/serial numbers gone now, would whomever then be able to deny you the right to the LIFETIME free maintenence or repair on them?
THE POSSIBLITY DOES EXIST. <!--graemlin::mad:-->

This may not be quite comparable to the "SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD" but what a wake up call this may be to anyone who likes to fish, and never even be aware that their reel foot numbers have been removed. What kind of "Fall Out" could happen with the Public?

For bringing this out into the public after a few hours of consideration, I feel I may have "Stepped on Someone's Toes" or "Upset an Apple Cart" maybe even exposed myself now, to a chance of "Great Bodily Harm" in "Retaliation" for it.

What can We "ANGLERS" do about this, if this has exposed a "Hush Hush" thing? ANY IDEAS? <!--graemlin::confused:-->