adam lancia Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Hi all, I bought a Rapala Vapor spinning reel last summer and now the knob on the handle is very difficult to turn. The knob is riveted onto the handle on both sides so I can't even service it or replace the bushings in the knob. I sent Rapala an email through their Canadian site, has anyone else contacted them this way and had any success? Would I be better off calling them? Lastly, does anyone know if there is another handle assembly that will fit and has replaceable bushings/bearings...? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I have contacted them through email... They did get back to me... They were not helpful AT ALL... Very disappointed with the replies I got from them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bassin Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I have had good dealings with them over the phone several years ago mind you . I had a new lure break and they replaced it no questions asked !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I have had good dealings with them over the phone several years ago mind you . I had a new lure break and they replaced it no questions asked !!! I was asked to ship my lures (about 12) that fell apart under normal use in 1 season... At my cost... When I asked if I would be getting ANY replacements to justify me spending my money to ship their faulty lures (only 1 color had an issue) their reply was we need to see the lures... I sent pics... They still insisted I ship them... All I wanted them to say was they'd give me at least 1 lure to pay for my shipping... I don't think that was too much to ask... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoby5 Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Could not agree more Mike they gave me the worst customer service ive ever encountered. I will never buy another rapala product again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 only real issues i've had with rapala (outside of their garbage rods and reels) is the tail dancers paint chipping off... didn't get any resolution to that issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I"ve had taildancers replaced that the lips pulled off of no questions asked, but I took them right to rapala in oshawa. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 ya, one of my TD's had the lip come off as well.... strange thing was I was fishing 100+' of water at Quinte....no way it hit bottom.... just reeled in the lip still attached to my line, without a lure attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam lancia Posted August 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I was able to speak to someone on the phone this morning. Basically, they're not sure which handles interchange between reels so the best they can do is replace the whole reel as a final warranty replacement, which I don't need. So, can anyone think of an easy way to drill the head from the rivet that is in the place where a screw head usually is? I feel like I should be able to then drill and tap the rivet and replace the bushings, freeing things up. Ideas? Opinions? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locnar Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I contacted them via phone... to place an order for a replacement handle for my ice auger. No problems, but no extra help. Just sold me the part and sent it within a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherpete Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I've been to their location in Oshawa three times, two for broken rods and one for a broken reel. All three times in and out no problems with new gear. The guy even took the spool off my broken reel and gave it to me as a spare without me asking! Why not just get a new reel if they offered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherpete Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Here's their phone number and address if you need it. (905) 571-3001 1350 Phillip Murray, Oshawa, ON L1J 6Z9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamS Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Why not just get a new reel if they offered? I wondered the same thing. I think you only get 1 year warranty with them and if it was last summer you bought it your around the end of your warranty. so why not take the new one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerritt Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) Yup dealt with them for the same issue as mentioned tail dancer lips separating while on vacation lost 4 lures.... Nothing but the lip left. When I received an email back from them they also included their general council in the reply.. Needless to say they were not going to help me. It was then I decided I would avoid buying their products as much as possible. G Edited August 23, 2014 by Gerritt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 in bizness you should never forget where you came from. rapala has seemed to achieved that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam lancia Posted August 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 You make a good point Adam. I guess I could jsut tackle this same bridge when I cross it again next summer. Maybe by then I'll know which handle I can interchange it with, LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farsider Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 If it is convenient to stop into their place in Oshawa, do it. Otherwise, the response/outcome is pathetic at best. They don't make 'em like they used to (and other applicable cliches...). Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam lancia Posted September 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Update: along with calling Rapala/Normark, I filled out their online contact form and actually got an email back a little over a week ago asking for a shipping address. They sent me a replacement handle assembly free of charge. I was really pleasantly surprised by this, not only because they sent me parts at no cost to me, but also because I forgot that I had contacted them through their website. Saved me a trip to Oshawa and I get to tray and modify the original binding handle assembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 very good to hear!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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