ORIGINAL: Pinwheel 12
Many of them are simply trying to get a foothold in the market with this "lifetime warranty" marketing gimmick, and it really doesn't matter because some I will be willing to bet will not even be here 10 years down the road--- think about that one for a second... So as stated, a "lifetime warranty" only does one good if the company is able to stay in businesss, and keeps an inventory of parts onhand for many years or is willing to replace a model with a brand new one.
Maybe Merlin will implement the "Lifetime Warranty" for 2005, don't know yet but it has been mentioned to those who need to know now with the recent flak being tossed around. Not that it makes any difference in the actual warranty of the products because it certainly doesn't, but because so many people cannot read between the lines of the marketing hype. This is not the first time I've had to defend this, but again be aware that Merlin is not the only company that implements the 5 year warranty versus the "lifetime" either--there are more than a few companies who do as mentioned previously---companies such as Martin (who have been around many years-- 1930's I believe???) who do not look like they are going away anytime soon. Merlin has been around since the early 1970's themselves, and they too will still be here long after many of the other "rookie" companies are gone. Always have to take that type of thing into account as well when choosing equipment.. I've seen far too many "flash in the pans" come and go, and they all "were the best" or "had the best warranty" when they started too, LOL.
Good shooting, Pinwheel 12
I've always tried to read what you say with as much respect as I can but after statements like these above, I've lost a lot of respect for you being a "repuatable tech" on the boards.
You only belive in what the beloved Merlin has to offer and if they don't offer it today, it sucks but if they offer it tomorrow it's the greatest product ever produced.
Yeah, I'm fairly new to the boards as a poster but I have sat back for some time just reading and learning (a lot from you and some others) and to me it seems that for someone that runs a "Pro Shop" you show way too much bias towards certain products. If someone comes in to your shop and wants a fallaway rest installed, do you try to talk them out of one like you do on the message boards? If you don't stock a bow from a company that someone asks you if you have, do you tell them you don't want that bow you want a Merlin because the other companies warranty is a gimmick. Let me guess, if Merlin starts offering one in 2005 it won't be considered a gimmick will it?
I would think that if Merlin made such great bows and since they've been around since the mid 70's, they'd have more than 16 dealers established in the U.S., at least that's how many there was 3 months ago, not sure now.
BTW, when will the dealer page be updated? If I was a Merlin Dealer I'd be extremely miffed about not having my shop name listed on the web site for the past 3 months.
JMHO's, Toby