I purchase a used one that had some dings on the paint and a slit on the cap from shipping, still good for the price if you don't mind the weight of the rod on the low end. I'm 6' 4" 270# it felt heavy on my backyard dry run resting on my leg or underarm with a Penn 6000 and that's without that big fish on the end. Also trying to take apart the lower ferrules was stuck so I had to wrap it in ice and put behind my legs, grip and use my knees something I don't want to do at the beach. Most likely way it was return the first time.