Cabelas has a guarantee on their own label that you can swap for a new replacement for a period of one year. I've brought a rod back for line-guide inserts being missing and another for the tip snapping off and got a new one with no problem (just keep the receipt).
If it's for kids I'd suggest a good reel combo paired with one of their rods. You'll have some "coverage" if something goes wrong with the rod and a good excuse to make another drive to Cabelas.
