I've purchased loads and loads over the years. The only thing I would declare as "rubbish" are 3 very cheap carp rods I bought last year (I think they worked out at just over a tenner each so what did I expect!!).
I lent them to my Daughter's boyfriend when we went to France in July, and he caught two carp on them, 1 at 22lb and the other at just over 31 so I guess they worked, but they were total gash lol!!
I have now told him to throw them away as I am passing my 3 x 10ft Korum rods on to him for Christmas which will be much better. Shame they live in a flat with no garden as those cheapies would make ideal beanpoles...