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[Fish Assassin]

Like others have said, take it back. There shouldn't be those nicks and scratches on any new reel.

[BIG T]

Totally agree....good guy to deal with!  I have a strange feeling who ever sold you that reel sold you a second hand reel claiming it was new or you were sold what they call a "Blem" in which John does sell for much cheaper because the only difference is cosmetic flaws. 

I know the family and all though I have chosen not to ever buy another Milner reel I would still refer people to him as John is keen on helping with reel issues even if it's not a reel he makes.

One thing I need to add: Milner reels get nicked easily so I would highly recommend not putting the reel down without putting a case on it first.

Hey pin-nook.   You should thanks Mr. Milner. Your design are selling like a hotcake back east.    I think he should take it back , good luck....

[Pin-nook]

WHOA....had a brain cramp I meant to say "Big T" has a large collection of Milner reels!

Hey pin-nook.   You should thank Mr. Milner. Your design are selling like a hotcake back east.    I think he should take it back , good luck....

I know!!  I'm over it...I told Eric I will never buy another one of his dad's reels but I might buy an older Milner reel(nickle plated) in very mint condition! 

Big T....because of all the negative stuff I read on FWR, I hardly miss fishing and love hitting the gym more on the days I should be out there!

[fishing4salmon]

After talking to John this morning, I have decided to send the reel to him. He is extremely nice and is willing to back up his product. He also had a chance to look at the picture and said that some of the scratches should not be there. Although returning it to the store is an option, I don't want to because all the local shop I talked to does not either have it or the setup I want it. I really want to keep this reel because it is made in BC and I feel proud of it. LOL

[Pin-nook]

Why would someone putting there reel down without a case annoy you???

Plain and simple...respect your equipment!!

You get a nick or ding on the rim of the spool, it would annoy or bother me as I'm sure it would anybody using a centerpin. With a centerpin, you can easily damage the reel simply by putting the reel down and plus sand and grit could get inside the reel causing performance issues so why do it?

Centerpins, especially Milners and one-offs(hand made) hold value if left mint so if someone was to sell a centerpin they could probably get good money back or in some cases double and triple the money they paid for the reel.

I find it funny when I see a centerpin for sale and the price is not too far off from a new one but yet it has scratches and dings, why buy that when you can get a new one? People now a days buy a centerpin because they saw someone using one or got to use one and liked it not knowing that there is more to it than just a reel. Maybe there's a few of us that value these reels way more than most but I can tell you that I have used a few and have settled on customs and when the maker stops making them, the demand will be greater and trying to find those reels at mint condition at a reasonable price will be hard to find! 

[HOOK]

After talking to John this morning, I have decided to send the reel to him. He is extremely nice and is willing to back up his product. He also had a chance to look at the picture and said that some of the scratches should not be there. Although returning it to the store is an option, I don't want to because all the local shop I talked to does not either have it or the setup I want it. I really want to keep this reel because it is made in BC and I feel proud of it. LOL

ok but how much extra cash is this costing YOU ??

if its your local shop that you frequent they should make things right for you. end of story

you sort of sound scared to take it back for some reason. At least now you know to look over a reel BEFORE you leave the shop 



Im with you Pin-nook. when I see people lay down $1000+ fly reels on the rocks or just drop them in the shallow water to get their hero shot it makes me cringe more than annoy me. I watched a guy last year put his rod on the ground, follow the rod up to the line then line to his steelhead only to have the fish break free of his grip and promptly drag his $1200 Saracione and $900-1000 Sage spey rod banging across the rocks 

I like most others enjoy pics of gorgeous fish next to beautiful reels but I often wonder how tired was the fish to get that amazing shot especially if they are fishing alone

[Magz]

Yes i agree you really need to take the time at your fishn shop and look at evrything on the reel.spin it as fast as you can and look for wobbles and scratches and tool marks.john is an awsome guy and fixed all my complaints.i hate to say anything negative about his reels but i did have to send two of my three milners back to him for fixing.one other thing i suggest to anybody getting a new reel is check all the screws on a new reel as i had a few come loose.caused by a lack of lock tite on them.use blue lock tite,just a small dab on the screws and yourgood to go.i was breaking im my talisman on some pinks and the reel started to come of the reel seat while playing a fish.when i got home i checked all my reels and i found a few screws that where loose!!!

[Johnny Canuck]

Plain and simple...respect your equipment!!

You get a nick or ding on the rim of the spool, it would annoy or bother me as I'm sure it would anybody using a centerpin. With a centerpin, you can easily damage the reel simply by putting the reel down and plus sand and grit could get inside the reel causing performance issues so why do it?

Centerpins, especially Milners and one-offs(hand made) hold value if left mint so if someone was to sell a centerpin they could probably get good money back or in some cases double and triple the money they paid for the reel.

I find it funny when I see a centerpin for sale and the price is not too far off from a new one but yet it has scratches and dings, why buy that when you can get a new one? People now a days buy a centerpin because they saw someone using one or got to use one and liked it not knowing that there is more to it than just a reel. Maybe there's a few of us that value these reels way more than most but I can tell you that I have used a few and have settled on customs and when the maker stops making them, the demand will be greater and trying to find those reels at mint condition at a reasonable price will be hard to find!

Knicks and other marks give the reel attitude!

If the reel is being fished it is meant to be used. If it's to be collected and cherished leave it on a shelf in display. It's just like all those jacked up F350's everyone drives but they never get dirty or leave the pavement.

[leapin' tyee]

Yes i agree you really need to take the time at your fishn shop and look at evrything on the reel.spin it as fast as you can and look for wobbles and scratches and tool marks.john is an awsome guy and fixed all my complaints.i hate to say anything negative about his reels but i did have to send two of my three milners back to him for fixing.one other thing i suggest to anybody getting a new reel is check all the screws on a new reel as i had a few come loose.caused by a lack of lock tite on them.use blue lock tite,just a small dab on the screws and yourgood to go.i was breaking im my talisman on some pinks and the reel started to come of the reel seat while playing a fish.when i got home i checked all my reels and i found a few screws that where loose!!!

Wow, you have so many problems with those reels and they are not cheap.  Now i have a second thought about his reels. Thanks for the update.

[BIG T]

WHOA....had a brain cramp I meant to say "Big T" has a large collection of Milner reels!


I know!!  I'm over it...I told Eric I will never buy another one of his dad's reels but I might buy an older Milner reel(nickle plated) in very mint condition! 


What about the older Kingfisher with the gold color spool.  Only six were made...

Big T....because of all the negative stuff I read on FWR, I hardly miss fishing and love hitting the gym more on the days I should be out there!


[/quote]

Yes, there are a lot of Mr. know it all now. They don't even know what they are doing. This is why i try to stay out of it too.

[naka21]

Knicks and other marks give the reel attitude!

If the reel is being fished it is meant to be used. If it's to be collected and cherished leave it on a shelf in display. It's just like all those jacked up F350's everyone drives but they never get dirty or leave the pavement.

We'll said

[bigblockfox]

Wow, you have so many problems with those reels and they are not cheap.  Now i have a second thought about his reels. Thanks for the update.

their is alot of his reels out there. don't base your opinion on what a few guys say. not that they are not knowledgeable but you might really like them. i know i do. out of the three center pin reels i own, i like the milner the best. the other two i have is the imw which is a close second and the islander steelheader.

[Thrasher]

John does great work. Instead of posting this on here and get it blasted with all the negativity, how about perhaps taking it back to the retailer you got it from and have them answer your questions? All that a thread like this does is bring out all the possible negative thoughts and/or opinions people may have. These are all hand made. And, even though many measures are taken to insure that they are pristine for delivery , let's face it... They are hand made, not on an assembly line so there is opportunity for human error.

John has earned the right amongst the finig community and deserves the utmost respect to at least take it back to one of his retailers to resolve this matter OFF of an open forum. He is human and a great craftsman. Give him th opportunity to make it right.

That's my $.02

[rustybee]

I've had the opportunity to own 2 of John's reels.
Both were MINT and John was super awesome to deal with when a slight clerical issue with one of the certificate of authenticity. In my mind, he is a class act all the way and I have no problem spending my hard earn $ on his reels.

PS. If the reel was purchased from the store as you have indicated, then the proper route would be to seek recourse from them. Who knows if they are selling discounted blemishes as new and no reason why John should have to fix their error....

[fishing4salmon]

Well,  I cannot control what people think and I don't think this is a negative feedback
All I can say is that this reel will not be my last one from John. In fact, after already owning a kingfisher and a talisman, I am planning to get my third reel bearing talisman or kingfisher from him soon. I think his reel is  not just a fishing tool but also a piece of hand made art work. After spoken with him over the phone, I think he is a very humble, honest, and friendly guy. He is willing to make the reel right for me

ok but how much extra cash is this costing YOU ??

if its your local shop that you frequent they should make things right for you. end of story

you sort of sound scared to take it back for some reason. At least now you know to look over a reel BEFORE you leave the shop 

My tackle shop is not scary but friendly. I note that I could just return to my shop for a money return, but that's not what I am after. After calling up a few shops for the setup that I want, the order for this reel is at least an year. I felt lucky to own one. Plus, I note that my local tackle shop would willing to send it back for me, but I just can't wait to use the xpress mail.  Sometime you just cannot judge a thing with price . Fishing is an activity that I enjoy, and I don't want to put a price tag on it

The message I want to get across here is that everyone even machine can made error, but not everyone will admit or even fix it. Through this thread, I want to share a great experience I had with John's service and products.


Cheers,