I just replaced a PQ and an Extreme last night. Look at the rod blank above the handle. You'll find a 3 digit date code (01G, 02G or 03G, etc.)
The PQ was an 03G so there were no questions asked.
The Extreme was an 01G that I just purchased as a combo. I didn't have the receipt and they gave me some flack for being an old rod. In the end, I prevailed and got two new 03G rods with no receipt.
BPS rods have 1 year warranty. So as a lesson learned ALWAYS look at the date codes and buy the newest rod possible. BPS uses the "combos" as a means to deplete their inventory of non-current model year rods.
If you don't want a late model combo, you can choose a new rod and reel ask an employee to combo them for you. You DO NOT have to take one of the "Pre-Assembled" combo's off the rack.
I found some 01G and 02G rods on their shelf (that's how I prevailed). It was a pain in the @$$ looking through the racks but it was worth it in the end. I guess another important lesson is: SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS.
Good luck
Marke