Hello there,

I have to have my rod repair...any advice for the best and most secure way to do this. I don't want to loose my custom build Winston.

I had to do this when my old Powell broke many years ago. It was about ten years ago and if I remember cost me about £35 in postage back then.

to make matters worse the feckers refused to replace the section so it was money wasted.

Some dealers will be happy for you to send in a small part of a damaged section, big enough to show it is put beyond use...could aways ask but they may also want to exactly match the replacement sections for the right fit.

If it's a 4 piece then it'll go normal Airsure and insure it to say £300.
Put the ally tube inside a heavy duty cardbord shipping tube and pack with bubble at the ends. It's trackable all the way and insured so no probs (except for the trauma of losing a favourite) if it does go missing as you'll be able to claim and get another.
Cheers

Have you thought of sending it to Foxons in North Wales

UK Game Fishing Specialists, Foxon's Tackle of North Wales

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Allan
Only dead fish go with the flow.

The builder provided me a warranty card, I am not sure foxons would accept it. It is not a standard Winston blank warranty it under the builder name.

As long as the builder bought the blank from an authorised Winston dealer then you are entitled to a replacement part from Winston FOC.
allanw may have a good point in that it will cost you probably £30 each way to send the rod there and back to the US, even if the repair is free. Foxon's as you know is the only custom builder to appear on Winston's dealer list, so the quality will be very high - check other threads on Foxons and Winston and you will see loads of happy clients and even Winston owners who have opted for a Foxon's repair (Lighthouse I think did this).
Unless the build was exceptionally unusual, I'm sure one of the UK builders could do the repair/replacement without appearing different, and it may cost you less to do so.
If you do opt to return it, please make sure you mark on the Customs declaration it is a warranty repair, and also get your builder to include a zero-cost invoice and attach it to the outside of the parcel, otherwise you will be charged VAT when it returns. You will most likely get your money back, after probably 3months and you will have to provide all the supporting documentation. If this happens you will not be refunded the Parcelforce fee, which will be up to £13.50

Cheers