Service, Repairs & Aftercare Policy
At Reel Operator, every reel entrusted to us is treated with care and attention.
Our aim is to provide high-quality servicing and repair work that helps keep your reel performing at its best. However, fishing reels are mechanical items exposed to wear, water, salt, sand, dirt and varying levels of maintenance, so their future condition will also depend heavily upon how they are used and cared for after leaving our workshop.
This policy explains what you can expect from us and what happens once your reel is returned to you.
Our Workmanship
All servicing and repair work undertaken by Reel Operator will be carried out with reasonable care and skill.
Depending upon the service or repair agreed, work may include:
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Dismantling and inspection
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Cleaning
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Lubrication
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Replacement of agreed worn or damaged components
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Reassembly
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Adjustment and testing
The exact work undertaken will depend upon the service requested and the condition and design of the individual reel.
If you believe there is a problem specifically relating to work we have carried out, please contact us as soon as reasonably possible.
We will discuss the problem with you and, where appropriate, ask for the reel to be returned so that we can inspect it.
If our workmanship is found to be responsible for the problem, we will put this right in accordance with your statutory consumer rights.
What Our Service Does Not Guarantee
A service or repair cannot guarantee that an older or used reel will remain fault-free indefinitely.
Unless specifically agreed otherwise, servicing or repairing one component does not mean that every component within the reel has been renewed or replaced.
Fishing reels contain numerous moving and wearing components. An unrelated component may subsequently wear or fail even where the reel has previously been correctly serviced.
Reel Operator therefore cannot accept responsibility for subsequent problems caused by circumstances unrelated to the work we performed.
Nothing within this policy affects your statutory consumer rights.
Once Your Reel Leaves Our Workshop
How a reel is treated after servicing can have a significant effect on its performance and lifespan.
Reel Operator cannot be responsible for deterioration or damage caused after return by matters such as:
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Accidental damage, impact or dropping
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Misuse or inappropriate use
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Water ingress occurring after servicing
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Saltwater exposure or salt corrosion occurring after servicing
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Sand, dirt or other contamination
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Inadequate cleaning or maintenance
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Incorrect lubrication or inappropriate products
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Excessive loading or use outside the reel's intended purpose
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Alteration, dismantling or repair by the customer or another person after our work
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Normal wear and tear
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Failure of an existing component unrelated to the work undertaken
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Storage in damp, wet or otherwise unsuitable conditions
This does not exclude responsibility for a fault caused by work Reel Operator has performed.
Saltwater Use
Saltwater is particularly harsh on fishing equipment.
Even reels designed for sea fishing can suffer corrosion, contamination and premature component wear if salt deposits are allowed to remain.
After saltwater use, we strongly recommend following the manufacturer's care instructions and taking sensible steps to remove salt contamination and allow the reel to dry appropriately before storage.
A reel should never simply be put away wet after fishing.
Regular maintenance can considerably increase the working life of fishing equipment.
Water-Damaged & Corroded Reels
Reels that have been submerged, heavily exposed to saltwater or allowed to develop significant corrosion can present additional problems.
Some damage may only become apparent once the reel has been dismantled.
Where practical, we will explain what we find and discuss any additional work or parts required before proceeding with additional chargeable repairs.
In severe cases, corrosion or damage may mean that a reel cannot economically or reliably be repaired.
We will always give you our assessment rather than carrying out unnecessary work where we believe repair is not worthwhile.
Replacement Parts
Where replacement components are required, availability can depend upon the reel manufacturer, model and age.
We cannot guarantee that replacement parts will remain available for every reel.
Where suitable parts cannot be sourced, we will discuss the available options with you.
Where aftermarket or alternative components are proposed, this will be discussed where appropriate before they are fitted.
Additional Faults Found During Servicing
Not every fault can be identified before a reel is dismantled.
If we discover additional wear, damage or components requiring replacement that would materially increase the agreed price, we will contact you before undertaking additional chargeable work.
We will not knowingly carry out significant additional work and simply present you with an unexpected bill.
Estimates & Diagnosis
Any initial estimate given before inspecting or dismantling a reel is based upon the information available to us at that time.
The final cost may change if additional problems become apparent during inspection.
Where this happens, we will contact you before proceeding with additional chargeable work.
Reels That Cannot Be Repaired
Occasionally a reel may be too badly worn, damaged or corroded to make repair practical, or the required components may no longer be available.
If we believe this is the case, we will explain our findings and discuss the available options.
Assessment, dismantling or diagnostic charges may still apply where these have been agreed beforehand, even if the reel ultimately cannot be repaired.
Aftercare
A professionally serviced reel still needs ongoing care.
For the best possible lifespan and performance we recommend:
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Cleaning your reel appropriately after use
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Paying particular attention after saltwater fishing
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Allowing equipment to dry before storage
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Storing reels somewhere clean and dry
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Following the manufacturer's lubrication and maintenance recommendations
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Avoiding unnecessary dismantling between services
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Having heavily used reels serviced periodically
If you're unsure how to look after your particular reel, please ask us.
We would much rather help you maintain it properly than see a good reel unnecessarily damaged.
Serviced & Recommissioned Reels Purchased From Us
Reels sold by Reel Operator will be described as accurately as reasonably possible, including their condition where relevant.
As these may be previously used reels, normal cosmetic signs of previous ownership may be present and will not necessarily constitute a fault.
Any known significant defects will be disclosed where applicable.
Your statutory consumer rights apply to goods purchased from Reel Operator. A reel must, taking account of matters such as its description, age and condition, meet the standards required by applicable consumer law.
For online purchases, additional cancellation and return rights may also apply.
Please see our separate Returns & Refunds Policy for further information.
Problems After a Service or Repair
If something doesn't seem right after your reel has been returned, please don't immediately dismantle it or attempt a repair yourself.
Contact Reel Operator first.
Tell us:
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Your name
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The reel make and model
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The work we carried out
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What problem you are experiencing
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When the problem first appeared
Photos or a short video may also help us understand what has happened.
Where necessary, we may ask for the reel to be returned for inspection before determining the cause of the problem.
Your Statutory Rights
Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude, restrict or replace rights provided to consumers under UK law.
Reel Operator
Service • Repair • Upgrade
Precision In. Performance Out.