I went to a local tackle shop yesterday with the express intent of purchasing the following- a Shimano Compre 7" two piece rod, a 2500 Shimano Symmetry, and a red Abu Garcia baitcaster for use with lead core.
They didn't have a single Compre; however, they did have Berkley, Clarus, Crucials, Lamiglas, Loomis, Powell, Okuma, and St. Croix. I shopped and compared rods in $80 to $160 range for almost an hour before I decided on a 6 1/2" Medium Berkley Series 1 spinning rod. It was actualy lighter than the Crucial(as far as I could tell) and to be honest as good as most of the other rods up to about $160. I was able to get the Symmetre to go with it. It is a light, sensitive, smooth set-up that cost me a total of $160 plus tax - less than what I had expected to spend. The salesman told me that if I ever (even after the warranty is up and I've lost my reciept) have a problem with my rod I only need to bring it the shop and it will get fixed or repaired by Berkley. I would have to pay shipping.
They didn't have the Abu Garcia I wanted but they did have a left handed Shimano Corvalus which was in the same price range as the Abu Garcia. For only $80 it seemed like a decent real.
I guess my point in writing this is that a very good (not great) rod/reel can be gotten today without breaking the bank. I've fished with Loomis, Rogue, Fenwick HMG, and Kistler. I've had another Series 1 that I always come back to as it's every bit as good as the others. I guess I'm a black sheep in this way.