Bill did contact me and offer to replace at no cost. THROUGHTHEGILLS If that qualifies as a full refund, I take Paypal whenever you're ready...
I see now how this thread could be perceived as "bashing", but that was not the intention. Honestly trying to find out if this was a common occurrence, or hoping someone would point out something that I had overlooked. I specifically bought a QD because of all the good reviews I've read on BFC about it. I posted on here looking for answers, not pointing fingers or starting chit.
I appreciate the customer service Bill and QD has extended, but I will respectfully decline. Operator Error or just a twist of fate, I can't in good conscience take a replacement when I am obviously in the minority of the minority of people who have had problems. If it was blatantly defective, I would absolutely ask for a warranty but I can't say this is. For all I know could be something I did (I still stand by that the stopper was up), but I'm not going to blame QD and ask them to replace it either.
Besides, what am I going to do with a new one if I can't use slides and a spinner with it? TTB scares the chit out of me, even knowing that the line will snap if something binds up. I'll just paddle around over her in the kiddy pool, to hell with the deep end. I'm keeping the slides.
I would absolutely video myself throwing it in the lake for $5 before I sold it to one of you jokers for full price because I'm an a$$hole like that. If all I do is drive to the lake and throw in a $50 rest, it will be the cheapest trip I've made to the lake all year!