Priming a Fluval 405 filter is so simple, a caveman could do it. Sorry, don't blame the stick. Sounds to me like operator error. Did you watch the video?
If the stick is broke or whatever, fill the canister with whatever, pop the intake in the tank, then suck on the output. Be careful to keep your hand on the flow adjuster so that when the filter is about to start you can flip off the output.
When mines doesnt prime I just stick a hose or power head at the inlet. But thats me being lazy. That stick breaking is user error and not it being "cheap" as someone said. All the stick does is bring the water upward 3 inches and gravity does the rest.