I was in my local fishing shop earlier this week,(drinking coffee ETC)talking, when the Auckland rep came in to pick up a broken Veritas surf rod we had been talking about .The break was in the second(mid)section where it fits into the first(butt)section.The rep is aware of the joint problems. I had helped the manager sand and polish 4 new rods 2 weeks earlier so they would fit together properly before putting them in the rack for sale.In defence of the product, My Veritas rods get used a lot and looking up the beach all my mates use them as well.For the money they out perform most rods worth twice even three times the price.Keep in mind that they are NOT a custom rod.