The boxes got beat up badly, but the contents (the rod and reel) were not damaged. I learned my lesson from my last rod. The joints can be sticky, especially at the tip, so i sprayed wd40 into the joints so they won't lock up when collapsing the rod. From my previous experience, the rods are light and durable; the sensitivity is great, you can feel every motion made on the other end. Casting with the rod is also great; the joints don't move once locked into place. I have not tried the reel that came with this one, and i am only speaking on experience from my previous rod, which is the same type. Unfortunately, i broke the tip on that one, but that was on me and not a manufacturing error. The tip locked up and the line got caught on my bag. I was trying to take the hook off and bent the tip too far, not noticing.the boxes got beat up badly, but the contents (the rod and reel) were not damaged. I learned my lesson from my last rod. The joints can be sticky, especially at the tip, so i sp
