GearBox Pro Control Integra Pickleball Paddle

Defective Paddle, Horrible Proceedure

Hubby was very excited to receive his new Gearbox Pro Control Integra paddle! Unfortunately what he received was a defective paddle. Looked like a 16mm core was squeezed into a 14mm paddle, middle of paddle face was notably raised. I immediately contacted Gearbox directly to ensure paddle was in fact a dud; they assured me it was within less than a minute on the phone. Gearbox advised they do not deal directly with Canadian orders, "Optic Sports" deals with their Canadian defect/warranty issues. I then contacted the seller to see if they would simply replace the paddle and after 2 days I called back and was told I had to send the paddle to their Gearbox Warranty Reviewers (AKA: Optic Sports). I was informed by Optic Sports that I had to pay to ship the paddle to them and they would review it to determine if it was actually a manufacturing defect or not (again, already confirmed by Gearbox 3 days prior). So paid (approx $40) to ship the defective paddle to Optic Sports. A week later and a couple of days after Optic Sports received the paddle, I called Optic Sports to inquire. They were of the opinion that it was acrually NOT a manufacturing defect (WHAT!?) but they would keep that paddle as 1 of their demos and send me a replacement or I could ask the original seller for a refund. By this point I was completely turned off of Gearbox and preferred a refund. Upon asking the seller, I was denied a refund and so was forced to accept the replacement Gearbox paddle. REMARKABLY, a few hours later, Ryan, the owner of "Pickleball Superstore", called me directly to apologized for the run-around I have been dealing with and offered to refund or exchange my defective Gearbox paddle. He was shocked and again apologetic to learn that I had already shipped the defective paddle to Optic Sports (this was now approximately 1 1/2 weeks into the process. He offered to refund the defective paddle or replace it with another of my choosing at a discount. I chose a replacement (Joola Perseus 16mm) and Ryan also refunded me the amount of my shipping costs. Thank you Ryan, for finally stepping in, doing the right thing and making the nightmare end! Ryan and I both then messaged Optic Sports to head-off the shipping of my replacement paddle and have it redirected back to Pickleball Superstore. I never received confirmation that my final message was received by Optic Sports, nore did I get shipped that replacement paddle, so I will assume that all got sorted out between the 2 of them. Glad this ordeal finally was corrected, thanks again Ryan, but I hope this fiasco doesn't happen to any other Canadian Gearbox purchasers!

Great paddle! It gives me the control I need and it has power to offer as well!

Definitely a Pro

This is one of those paddles that can be considered a game changer... especially if you're after more power.