Product Warranty & Care Policy

1. General Warranty Terms

We fully comply with our obligations under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA). If a product fails to meet the statutory guarantees of acceptable quality, fitness for purpose, or matching its description, we will provide a lawful remedy (repair, replacement, or a refund, depending on whether the fault is minor or major).

What is NOT Covered by Warranty

Across all product categories, our warranties strictly cover manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. The following are not covered:

• Normal wear and tear over time.

• Accidental damage (e.g., impact scratches, drops, or crushed items).

• Damage caused by neglect, misuse, alteration, or lack of basic maintenance.

• Failure to follow the product-specific care and storage instructions listed below.

• Damage resulting from exposure to chemicals, solvents, oils, or excessive heat.

Commercial Use Limitation

For items purchased for commercial or in-trade use (including but not limited to professional guiding services, lodge loan gear, or commercial hire), a restricted 1-month limited manufacturing warranty applies from the date of purchase.

2. Waders & Wading Boots Warranty

Breathable waders and wading boots operate in harsh outdoor environments. Their lifespan is heavily dependent on the user's care and level of use.

What Real Warranty Issues Look Like:

• Waders: Genuine manufacturing defects such as delaminating or leaking factory-taped seams, or faulty gravel guard attachments.

• Boots: Delamination of the sole unit from the upper boot body due to glue failure or stitching failure on structural seams under normal use.

What is Excluded:

• Waders: Pinholes and punctures from gorse, blackberries, rocks, barbed wire, or user hooks; fabric abrasion leaks caused by legs rubbing together over time; fabric stretching or seam tears caused by selecting an incorrect, tight size.

• Boots: Cleat/stud loss; standard tread wear; degradation or hardening of materials left wet or exposed to high heat.

Sizing Responsibility:

It is the sole responsibility of the customer to ensure they select the correct size using our online sizing charts. Waders must have sufficient excess fabric and room for free movement (crouching, climbing riverbanks) to prevent excessive stress on the seams. When measuring your inseam, we strongly recommend adding at least 50mm (2 inches) to ensure an appropriate fit. Seam failure caused by an overly tight or restrictive fit is not a manufacturing defect.

3. Rods & Reels Warranty

Fly Rods

All fly rods are covered by a 12-month manufacturing warranty from the date of purchase, covering defects in materials and workmanship.

• Warranty Issues: Structural graphite failures or blank defects under normal casting/fighting stress, or loose reel seat components.

• Excluded: Structural breakages caused by high-sticking, trying to pull fly lines free from snags, car doors, ceiling fans, or impacts from heavy flies/beadheads ("bombs").

• Out-of-Warranty Support: If a rod section breaks due to accidental damage or outside the warranty window, we will endeavour to source a replacement section from the manufacturer at the customer's expense (subject to parts availability). We do try to keep a stock of tip sections available for many of our rods, and we can source replacement sections in most cases.

Fly Reels

All fly reels are covered by a 12-month manufacturing warranty from the date of purchase.

• Warranty Issues: Mechanical failure of the drag assembly, machining defects, or structural component failures.

• Excluded: Scratches and dents from being dropped on rocks, bent frames/spools from impact, or internal corrosion/seizure resulting from a lack of cleaning after saltwater exposure.

4. Mandatory Product Care & Storage Instructions

To qualify for warranty consideration, products must be maintained according to these industry standards.

Wader Care & Storage

• Drying: Always hang waders upside down by the boots/booties in a well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight. Never dry waders using heaters, radiators, tumble dryers, or inside an enclosed vehicle.

• Zipped Waders: Front-zipped waders must be stored completely unzipped (front zip down) to protect the waterproof seal from memory-creasing and compression damage.

• Washing: Hand wash or rinse your waders in cold, fresh water after every trip. Do not use commercial laundry detergents, bleach, or fabric softeners.

Wading Boot Care & Storage

• Drying: Air-dry boots exclusively in the shade in a temperature-controlled environment not exceeding 22°C. Do not place them next to fires, heaters, or in direct hot sunlight, as excessive heat shrinks fabric and destroys the adhesives bonding the sole.

• Chemical Exposure: Do not expose wading boots to oils, greases, solvents, petrol, or harsh industrial cleaning agents.

Rod, Reel & Fly Line Care

• Saltwater/Estuary Use: Thoroughly rinse rods, guides, and reels in warm, fresh water immediately after use in saltwater or brackish environments to prevent corrosion.

• Ferrule Maintenance: Ensure rod sections are securely pushed together during use to prevent structural cracking at the joins. Ferrule wax should be applied periodically.

• Fly Lines: Clean fly lines regularly using warm water and a dedicated line dressing to remove grit and algae, which prevent premature cracking of the PVC coating.

• Storage: Never store rods or reels wet inside plastic tubes or bags, as trapped moisture will damage cork handles, blister blank coatings, and corrode metal components.

5. Warranty Claims Process

If you experience a genuine manufacturing fault, please follow these steps to initiate a return:

1. Request a WSR: Contact us at johan@iloveflyfishing.kiwi to detail the issue and obtain a Warranty Service Request (WSR) authorisation.

2. Cleanliness: All gear returned for inspection must be clean and completely dry. Due to health and safety regulations, wet, dirty, or foul-smelling waders or boots will be rejected and returned to the sender immediately without inspection.

3. Proof of Purchase: Enclose a copy of your original dated receipt or invoice.

4. Shipping: Return shipping to our base is the responsibility of the customer. We highly recommend using a tracked courier service.

5. Assessment: Once received, the item will be thoroughly inspected. If a manufacturing defect is validated, we will repair the item or provide a replacement. If the exact model or section is discontinued, we reserve the right to supply a comparable current alternative.