CCM U+ Stick Break Help

[Drewhunz 3]

Managed to break 3 blue/white RBK 7K's in one game when they came out. All broke between my hands on wristers. That was a fun experience seeing that they were prostock and this without a warranty.

[adam14 182]

I can see your frustration, as I also have to usually pay for the most part of my sticks, and enjoy using a good quality OPS. But it annoys me that you have such a lack of faith in CCM. I'm not trying to sound Biased, the only ccm ive used was a v10.0, but if all the people that bought a S17 and it broke a day after the 30 day warranty decided to boycott Easton, then what? its like Ahriman said, the stick is gonna break no matter what. maybe yours did have a defect, maybe it was a bad batch. My suggestion would be to give CCM one more chance i'm sure that it will be better, or try Mission, they have a 60 day warranty, then you have no reason to complain.

[DarkStar50 679]

The high cost of everything in hockey is a built-in component of playing hockey. We either have to accept it or move out of playing hockey.

And that doesn't bode well for the future of the game.

People make sacrifices if they want to stay with what they love, no matter what it is. Hockey has been expensive in every economy. Hockey survived the early 70s oil price rise, the early 80s economy crap-out, the late 90s dot.com bust, and will survive this mess too. The shops and rinks that fail would have failed in any economy. Survival of the fittest. It's the law of the jungle.

[Chadd 916]

The high cost of everything in hockey is a built-in component of playing hockey. We either have to accept it or move out of playing hockey.

And that doesn't bode well for the future of the game.

People make sacrifices if they want to stay with what they love, no matter what it is. Hockey has been expensive in every economy. Hockey survived the early 70s oil price rise, the early 80s economy crap-out, the late 90s dot.com bust, and will survive this mess too. The shops and rinks that fail would have failed in any economy. Survival of the fittest. It's the law of the jungle.

Reducing the player base is never a good thing for the sport or the kids.

[DarkStar50 679]

The high cost of everything in hockey is a built-in component of playing hockey. We either have to accept it or move out of playing hockey.

And that doesn't bode well for the future of the game.

People make sacrifices if they want to stay with what they love, no matter what it is. Hockey has been expensive in every economy. Hockey survived the early 70s oil price rise, the early 80s economy crap-out, the late 90s dot.com bust, and will survive this mess too. The shops and rinks that fail would have failed in any economy. Survival of the fittest. It's the law of the jungle.

Reducing the player base is never a good thing for the sport or the kids.

Kids that did not belong in travel will move to house league which is where they should have been to improve their game to begin with. The player numbers have been going south for awhile now. That is old news.

[elihl6 0]

Sounds like everyone has hit on most of the points. I started to comment on here regarding this because I had an absolute wonderful experience with the CCM warranty. I don't want to give specifics because I am not sure if I would get anyone in trouble, in addition to not getting anyone's hopes up real high.

However, my approach differed which is why it probably worked for me. Again, tried the phone (unsuccessfully) for several days, until about day 29 of the warranty period and finally just wrote an email - response was almost immediate. My 9K-O broke, within the warranty period, was sent back in warranty period with valid receipt, and the warranty was honored. Was my stick a manufacture defect or abuse? It probably was a bit of both - the actual break point was on the blade straight down the fuse point, so defect is possible.

For me the wonderful experience was the post-replacement service. I received a U+ in a different curve, which in all was a different stick with a different curve. Knowing email seemed the fastest, I wrote a nice email, thanking them for what they did, mentioned this wasn't a hate email, how I have used their products, my experiences, etc., and more just questioning the process of why I received a different replacement. After no response for a week, I figured I would give up, but then received prompt and excellent service soon after the ball was rolling. They agreed to let me exchange for a different pattern, and I was extremely happy. The person was kind, attentive, and we had a pretty good conversation back and forth.

Again, that is why I was suggesting the email approach. Although an email can be devoid of emotion, that can be a good thing in some cases. I hate dealing with people, CSRs, etc. because I know they probably want to hear my sob story as much as I want to give it. That's why I try to start off on a "good foot" to ease some of the tention, even mentioning several times that I know it is not them, or apologize if it seems like a personal attack, as it is not, and I am just looking for some sort of solution.

Do I feel bad for your son breaking his stick? Sure. I am glad he understands (your teaching it seems) the "value" that it was not a good thing it broke. There are too many kids out there (I coach more of them then I would like) who get so caught up in emotions that it doesn't even phase them when they crank it off the boards or pipes. I feel for their parents too.

For me, I only recently chose to try out the OPS phenomenon. It has helped, but it was more because my beloved combo of UltraLite 110 and composite blade are becoming scarce and not as cost effective. I wear or break the majority of them out at the kick point, and it was just something I came to expect. Easton stepped up, despite it being most likely wear, and not a defect in the few cases I tried (many, many years ago). Probably will happen with your son as well. Unfortunately, with the 2 OPS I have, one was broken with blocking a shot in the middle of the shaft and the other, referenced above, was at the blade. I was devastated when that first broke, more because I can't find another.

My solution of not shelling out $200 for a suitable OPS has been to find the pattern and flex I like (hasn't changed in 15+ years), and then find a previous year's model online. That way I can stay within my $80-120 price point. That's an option of course, and I assume being in an online forum, you might already know.

As for your feelings about CCM... Hopefully the good word I'll spread to my players, teammates, and friends will offset your swearing off of them. Then again, your $150 investment in one company to stave off future disappointments from them is small price to pay.

Good luck to you and your son(s). Hopefully you can find a suitable alternative for him that will work out for everyone (your checkbook, his game).

[interpathway 9]

Have you ever considered getting your stick fixed? I don't know where you live but in a lot of the urban centers, there is a place called "Stick Fix" or something similar where you can take your broke OPS and they will repair it for you for about $60-80. Lots of people claim that after repair the stick still performs as if it wasn't broken. So, instead of paying up for a new stick maybe you can just get it repaired for half the cost of a new stick.

What about SRS? www.srshockey.com

They fix shafts and blades. Give their technology a look-up on YouTube. "hockeyplayermagazine" has a two part video on how they fix broken sticks. If the companies ever decide to give-up on their Warranty Departments, this business is going to boom.

[NYRfan 0]

sticks break unfortunately. I found the best way to deal with this inevitability is to use a tapered combo. you get the performance of an OPS and worst case scenario, you are only out about 90 bucks if the shaft breaks or 45 if the blade breaks (at senior prices). Part of this is being a smart consumer. There are also plenty of mid range OPS that offer an ovechkinesque curve in jr or int. I personally cannot believe all the tikes I see rocking vapor XXXX OPSs when I didn't use composite shafts until I was in high school, but I guess as aformentioned, the times are a changing (This is NOT how to grow a sport btw, if you companies are listening).

[TBLfan 25]

Yeah, what assholes. They won't honor the warranty after the warranty is expired, for shame.

I don't blame CCM for not providing post-warranty support, but I would be annoyed enough with the CSR (assuming that dialog posted was accurate) to not buy any products from the company again...

It sucks that his kid's stick broke, but once it's past the warranty period I wouldn't expect a new stick.

edit: annoyed with the CSR because of the attitude, not the denail of warranty service. A CSR with a bad attitude can equal a loss of business, which is why companies normally terminate such employees...

Did you read his post? He's a typical angry customer. I bet it was more like this:

Customer: "My son broke his stick 32 days after we bought it, I'd like a replacement."

CCM: "I'm sorry, we cannot offer you a replacement as it is past it's warranty."

Of course upon hearing "Fuck off, CCM hates you and your son" from the aforementioned line, the customer goes off on a tangent.

That's obviously an exaggeration but there's two sides to a story and typically it's the customer that is less understanding. In my experience, the customer is more likely to be short and... well a dick. Then the next person they talk to they act like a victim of some tyrant and their verbal abuse. Customers don't like the word "No."

[DaveROR 0]

Yeah, what assholes. They won't honor the warranty after the warranty is expired, for shame.

I don't blame CCM for not providing post-warranty support, but I would be annoyed enough with the CSR (assuming that dialog posted was accurate) to not buy any products from the company again...

It sucks that his kid's stick broke, but once it's past the warranty period I wouldn't expect a new stick.

edit: annoyed with the CSR because of the attitude, not the denail of warranty service. A CSR with a bad attitude can equal a loss of business, which is why companies normally terminate such employees...

Did you read his post? He's a typical angry customer. I bet it was more like this:

Customer: "My son broke his stick 32 days after we bought it, I'd like a replacement."

CCM: "I'm sorry, we cannot offer you a replacement as it is past it's warranty."

Of course upon hearing "Fuck off, CCM hates you and your son" from the aforementioned line, the customer goes off on a tangent.

That's obviously an exaggeration but there's two sides to a story and typically it's the customer that is less understanding. In my experience, the customer is more likely to be short and... well a dick. Then the next person they talk to they act like a victim of some tyrant and their verbal abuse. Customers don't like the word "No."

Yes I read his post. As I said in my post "assuming that dialog posted was accurate".....

Neither of us can say how he acted on the phone. From what he wrote, I can't blame him. Is what he wrote the factual account? Probably not 100%, but all I can go on is what he wrote....

Also, a CSR mentioning a meeting during which the topic of post-warranty support was discussed and the decision was to stop providing such service would be an issue, and would at least lead to a "discussion" in our CS department, and if repeated would be a termination. You never mention something like that to a customer. The CSR could have been far more professional and could have possibly saved the customer. At the very least a supervisor should have been available to handle any calls that went past that (assuming the CSR was polite and professional).

You don't have to be an asshole to enforce a company policy afterall.... even if the customer is one.

Again though, that's all based on what the OP wrote, I have no idea whether or not it's accurate. My point was that a bad CSR WILL make me look elsewhere and I certainly won't blame others who feel the same way. You made your opinion (as you even wrote) based on "I bet it went more like this".. yet you actually have absolutely no clue how the phone call went unless you are the CSR in question, which we know isn't the case :)

[TBLfan 25]

Based on the fact that she explained those details would lead me to believe that he wouldn't take a "No, we cannot do that, it's against our policy to do so" as an answer. Again, this is from my experience with dealing with customers. You give them the standard response and finally when they break you, you just come out and be personable, and explain the situation(from the CCM side). Working in sales, I've seen it done to CSRs thousands of times. As a salesman, I wouldn't take that crap and I was quick to pass it off on a Manager... so I've seen them put up with it just as many times.

It's always the same. Starts off as the nice guy. Gets pissed off and starts yelling or using a harsh tone. Relaxes and acts like a victim, then gets angry again. Call ends in a hung up phone as the CSR is explaining the situation again.

Let me add, I'm not trying to be a dick. I understand where he's coming from but if he looked at it from a different view, he'd probably feel and act differently. I'm just being as honest as possible.

[Chadd 916]

Enough speculation on what "might have" happened. The situation is that CCM is sticking to the 30 days and the OP is unhappy.

[goodguy 7]

Thanks for the replies - I am a bit cooler now (not that I was hot) but just a bit frustrated at their immediate "NO" response.

Oh well, looks like I will take some of your advice and look athe some other brands.

Is Mission still viable as far as sticks - I heard they were bought by Bauer.

They had a 60 day warranty on the ti sticks. I wonder if that is still in efffect.

Anyone have any idea of what curve in Mission would be similar to an Ovechkin?

Thanks.

[reyno2ac 0]

Now I pay $200 for a OPS and $30 for hockey per session with my buddies. I do it because I enjoy it and want to do it. If it was about the money, I wouldn't do it.

COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC but, you pay $30 for drop in?! Are we talking a 2 hour drop in session?

[interpathway 9]

Anyone have any idea of what curve in Mission would be similar to an Ovechkin?

Thanks.

Pattern DB in the yellow heading at the top of your screen. Find the curves for either the OV or Drury curve (they are clones of one another) and then search by that criteria.

[Drewhunz 3]

Sundin

[hockeysc23 0]

Thanks for the replies - I am a bit cooler now (not that I was hot) but just a bit frustrated at their immediate "NO" response.

Oh well, looks like I will take some of your advice and look athe some other brands.

Is Mission still viable as far as sticks - I heard they were bought by Bauer.

They had a 60 day warranty on the ti sticks. I wonder if that is still in efffect.

Anyone have any idea of what curve in Mission would be similar to an Ovechkin?

Thanks.

Mission would be good as they are clearing stock. Why not try a top of the line OPS but from last years model. So maybe a Vector 10, One90, or RBK 7k.

That way your kid can still get performance but you can save a buck or two. Or as mentioned before go shaft and blade and get a CCM Ovie Curve blade.

[goodguy 7]

Thanks - the shaft/blade option sounds good.

Didn't think my experience would be such a big deal (in defense of CCM and otherwise).

I am a very reasonable person and called with a completely very nice tone and continued that throughout the conversation.

Whenever you run across a poor CSR, it sort of shocks you and you really do nto know what to say at that moment. So I figured I would try the email approach.

It really was not what I was expecting becasue companies have really gotten so much better (in recent years) handling CS issues.

I am not saying she was "terrible" but she was really very short and basically said "sorry" (so I have to give her that) - the tone was more like "boo hoo dude" instead of "sorry for your trouble but..." - so whatever, when little Billy gets to the NHL he will just reject all offers from CCM to rep thier products. (ok, don't start posting...I am just kidding....geez).

[DarkStar50 679]

Now I pay $200 for a OPS and $30 for hockey per session with my buddies. I do it because I enjoy it and want to do it. If it was about the money, I wouldn't do it.

COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC but, you pay $30 for drop in?! Are we talking a 2 hour drop in session?

Metro New York city rates are steep. I play with 24 guys, every 3 months we pay $300 for 13 sessions prepaid. It's up to each guy to skate all 13 at about $23. Miss three sessions and boom, 10 sessions are $30 each. Prime time skate, Friday from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

[Larry54 243]

Wouldn't little Billy be better off in the long run if someone taught him the proper skills to shoot with just about any stick rather than finding a stick that will act as a crutch to his idiosyncratic technique?

[goodguy 7]

Has no problems with his "technique" and in case you haven't seen Squirts play lately, not too many of them are hitting the net (let alone hitting it with rising shots) from the blue.

He can get it there with any stick but I (and everybody else) just could not believe the velocity he was getting this this particular stick (as well as the puck no popping over his stick, etc) .. I in no way say a stick is everything but in this case it made a difference. It is really fun to watch for this age group. I'm sure it helps he is as big as a 12 year old but regardless, it is giving his team another option (feed the point) which most teams at this age do not have - so it is fun for them to have it end up in good game results. Maybe it is the particular flex, whip, flex point, lie ??? Not sure.

I am eager to try some other sticks now to compare and see if it is really him or the stick - but the difference was so obvious once he started using it.

Larry54 - thanks for the advice though. Maybe "little billy" and you can square off in a skills competiton and see who comes out on top...lol

[Chadd 916]

Wouldn't little Billy be better off in the long run if someone taught him the proper skills to shoot with just about any stick rather than finding a stick that will act as a crutch to his idiosyncratic technique?

Warning added for trolling.

1. If you don't have anything useful to add, don't say anything....

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...?act=boardrules

[theWB 2]

Anyone have any idea of what curve in Mission would be similar to an Ovechkin?

Thanks.

Pattern DB in the yellow heading at the top of your screen. Find the curves for either the OV or Drury curve (they are clones of one another) and then search by that criteria.

Pattern DB wouldn't work for the OP as the Jr. ovechkin curve is much different than the Sr. IIRC the Jr. ovechkin is similiar to forsburg. Not sure what that equates to in a jr. mission one piece. Maybe one of our resident mission experts could fill in the missing piece?

Another option is to buy him another U+ and have it be a game only stick. Buy him some cheap woodies for practice so its not always getting beat on. Just a thought.

[phunky_monkey 6]

My opinion would be to play and train with the same stick to keep consistency, but that's just my preference.

I'm really happy with my S11's, though I've never used anything more high end (OPS wasn't around when I was last playing). They cost me $90 a pop and *knock on wood* have lasted me about 12 games so far and I'm 6'4", 200 pounds and 50% of my shots are slappers. But it all comes down to preference, and I'm an Easton guy.

I can't see myself moving to completely top end sticks as I just can't justify the cost. I was warned the S17 was quite brittle, so I avoided it. A stick breaking after a few games would really get my goat, so a compromise is best for me.

[Datsyukrulez13 0]

My opinion would be to play and train with the same stick to keep consistency, but that's just my preference.

I'm really happy with my S11's, though I've never used anything more high end (OPS wasn't around when I was last playing). They cost me $90 a pop and *knock on wood* have lasted me about 12 games so far and I'm 6'4", 200 pounds and 50% of my shots are slappers. But it all comes down to preference, and I'm an Easton guy.

I can't see myself moving to completely top end sticks as I just can't justify the cost. I was warned the S17 was quite brittle, so I avoided it. A stick breaking after a few games would really get my goat, so a compromise is best for me.

changing the subject but, i heard from some players tht they think easton fixed the weak elliptical taper on the S17, and by the way, my S11 broke on a slapper........ but it lasted me like 3-4 months so back to the old sherwood rm5