Scope Repair (the good, the bad, the ugly)

[lwh723]

Sent in two scopes. A Sightron and Bausch and Lomb. Both were still holding zero, but were fogging.

The Good (really great): Sightron

Sent in a scope (SII 6-24x42) that had, had the heck beat out of it by the previous owner. I guarantee most if not all of you have never seen a scope with ring marks this bad. Since they didn't have my exact model available, they're sending me a SII Big Sky 4.5-14x44 Side Focus. Should have the scope on Tuesday next week which will be slightly over a week turn time. FANTASTIC.

The Bad: Bushnell
I opened my big mouth and told them I wasn't the original owner. Apparently, that voids the B&L warranty. Okay, I can live with that. Not thrilled, but it is what the writing says.

The Ugly: Bushnell
Offered me a "steal" of a deal on a 2.5-10x40 4200 (equivalent to my 4000 2.5-10x40 B&L) for $310 + S&H. I told them I didn't think that was exactly a deal and was pretty much comparable to what is available retail online. The prick in their customer service department actually had the nerve to argue with me about that and say they "must be selling below cost." Anyway, I checked and the silver ones are going for $300 (on sale) at Natchezss. I told them I'm never buying another Bushnell product again...that didn't seem to bother them at all.

I guess I'll need to find a replacement for that 2.5-10x40. I'm guessing Sightron has something comparable.

[farmallm51]

Check out Sightron's Big Sky 3.5-10.42. It's a nice piece of glass. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Plus as you have already found out there CS and warranty are great.

[161]

I had the same experience with a new set of BL binoculars. I received for Xmas. They said they had been dropped. But they had double vision from the time I took them out of the box. They wanted $80.00 to fix plus shipping on a new never used $260.00 set of glass. I told them to keep them and they dropped it to $40.00 I paid it but I'll never buy anything with their name on it again.

[dougedwards]

Sightron did the same thing for me. They sent me an upgrade from the model that I had shipped to them. Two days later the upgraded scope was at my door no questions asked. They can't be beat for customer service. Zeiss is also good. Some have had some trouble with Nikon but my experience with them has been very good. They also sent me a 2.5-10x42 to replace a faulty 3-9x42 Monarch. Good that we post these experiences good and bad. In the end Bushnell will suffer for it's lack of concern for their customers.

Doug

[Dave W]

Same here, Sightron and Leupold were great with quick turnarounds, although Sightron agreed to upgrade to a Mildot then sent an exact replacement.
Bushnell was two months in turnaround.

[kevin k]

i just had the same problem with a browning Bushnell elite they said they dont have parts no more and they were made before they took over and would sell me a 3x9-40 for 213.00 i said the same thing that i can get them cheaper on line also and told them to keep it and got the weaver ce for the 50

[artjr338wm]

I am always amazed when I am recommending to someone to buy a piece of hunting gear and I include the fact that a specific product manufacturer has excellent C/S by peoples responses of that is little help if the piece of equipment I am recommending breaks or needs to go back to the manufacturer.

But I always include that anything you buy that comes with a life time grantee that you use allot and hard there is at least a decent chance you will have to at some point send it back for repair.

Any expencive peice of equipment, especially optics, I give a great deal of consideration on that manufacterers C/S reputation be fore I deside to buy.

And there is little else that will get you truly p-offed worse than a C/S rep giving you a explanation that basically equates to pi$$ing down your back and telling you it's raining.

[lwh723]

Nov 13, 2009 22:34:10 GMT -5 artjr338wm said:

pi$$ing down your back and telling you it's raining.

The best line in the movie.