• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Rifle Scopes SWFA - hands down, WORST company I've dealt with

Re: SWFA - hands down, WORST company I've dealt with

When I order ANYTHING I look for or and ask is it in stock?
If the item is not in stock, what is the wait time.
 
Re: SWFA - hands down, WORST company I've dealt with

swfa is a great company to deal with you whinney little bitch.
 
Re: SWFA - hands down, WORST company I've dealt with

I am not much for jumping in on these type things, but i have been dealing with SWFA for years and they are a first class company in my books. For a company to refund the full amount on a scope that was months old and was mounted and used is unheard of these days.
 
Re: SWFA - hands down, WORST company I've dealt with

I'd like to relate what happened to me in my last experience with SWFA. I got in on the first Facebook promo for the SS 5X20, and immediately after unpacking the new scope, I ran to my computer to order a sunshade and cattail for it. The next thing I did was drop the scope while attempting to mount it in a Bobro QD mount. (In my defense I have severe nerve damage in my left hand so several fingers are numb and don't work very well, so I should have been more careful) The objective bell was dented enough that I knew the sunshade wouldn't screw on. So I emailed SWFA asking to cancel the sunshade from my order. I also asked if it was possible to repair the scope and if so, what would be the cost. You know what those rascals at SWFA did? They emailed back offering to ship me a new scope to replace the one I damaged at no cost to me! All I can say is that SWFA has a customer for life.
 
I would have to disagree with the negative postings, and based on my dealings with SWFA, they have excellent customer service and they go out of their way to please their customers. There is no reason that I would shop anywhere else. I have only purchased their own branded scopes, and since I have limited funding, the value I get from their products is unbeatable and I am a totally sold as a life customer.
 
Well lets see now, it's been approximately 5 weeks now since I ordered a new scope from SWFA. The scope had 3 different serious issues, so I called the day after I received it to send it back. Long story short, it took two and a half weeks just to get a return number because the person that handled returns was sick. Fine, the lady was sick, I understand that, what I don't understand is why SWFA doesn't have a plan B for when this person gets sick seeing that they are a bigger optics retailer. Fast forward to this morning, my wife just checked our credit card and it still has not been credited back after I was told it would be last week. I must of called them a half dozen times by now trying to get all this SH!T taken care of. This whole experience pisses me off! I won't be doing any business with them again.

FYI I've ordered more than a few items from them over the years with no problems. Last year I had a experience with them that was slightly unpleasant and almost didn't order this scope from them but they had it in stock so I ordered it anyway.
 
Last edited:
I've had nothing but great service from SWFA. I've ordered from them many times with zero problems. I got in on the original 5-20 FB deal and still have and use that scope solely. While I was waiting for it, I had to travel to a shoot and I still had no scope! So what did SWFA do? They loaned me one. They told me to pick any scope they had listed on their other site, the sample list, and they'd loan it to me until my 5-20 came in. WTF?!?! I could have borrowed a S&B if I'd wanted. I only borrowed a SS 10x, but that in my opinion was an incredible gesture. They didn't know me from Adam. I have and will continue to do business with them.
 
SWFA is a damn good outfit, I refer people there all the time. I bought a fixed 10x scope from them, and then went semi-auto unexpectedly before it showed up. They gladly returned the fixed 10 for a 3.5-10, and I even got to speak to a real human being at the other end of the line.
 
I have had excellent service with all my dealing SWFA
I always find it interesting how when people jump "ON DEALS" and there are complications
I always go into deals with an open mind, that because it is a deal it may not be as important to the company that is giving the deal; as to me Getting The DEAL lol
I also feel that a first post to just Bitch is in bad taste
Would have been much better received if OP ASKED FOR HELP WITH HIS CUSTOMER SERVICE PROBLEM FROM A HIDE SPONSOR
John
 
Complaining about getting the scope WAY earlier than some of the people still waiting for the scope...
I should be complaining since I haven't seen it even now, but I'm not because I knew it would be a long wait..
 
I am sensing a lot of smoke in here. I have talked to SWFA several times be it by email or a simple phone call. Emails are usually answered in a few hours. I called to get a return number on a scope and in 2 minutes I was done on the phone! Great service. I can't see how some people are having issues after I have delt with them first hand with no issues multiple times. My scope was backordered, I emailed and asked for a "ball-park'' time frame, was told 3 months, and got it in 1 month. I give them an "A" rating. I am assuming there is "more to the story" with the people that are bashing SWFA.
 
Definitely not reflective of my experience. I was struggling to find a fixed SS 12x. One finally showed up on samplelist, and I ordered at the exact same time as another guy. I emailed SWFA and they found me a brand new one and sent it to me for the Sample List price. Never had any trouble getting a reply back the same day via email.
 
Ditto that...I have good luck in dealing with SWFA on several scopes and just bought a used SS5-20......also looking at the new 3-15 scope which should look good on my AR15.
 
I've never dealt with this company before today... I called them up about buying a used scope from a second party asked about their warranty and man they are hands down an awesome company to deal with they answered every little question have a great warranty program and they were just plain awesome to deal with.
 
I've had quite a number of purchases from SWFA. I have to say that I have not been disappointed....not once about any of my experiences with them. Look forward to buying more from SWFA.

I remember some talk (and maybe it was ALL talk....'or rumor') about that they would be introducing a spotting scope sometime in the future. Any more on this?
 
Last edited:
I've bought a few scopes and a few accessories from SWFA and the only thing that has annoyed my is that their website doesn't show real time if an item is in stock. They aren't the only ones that have annoyed me with this. Otherwise, SWFA is ok by me.
 
I've had quite a number of purchases from SWFA. I have to say that I have not been disappointed....not once about any of my experiences with them. Look forward to buying more from SWFA.


I remember some talk (and maybe it was ALL talk....'or rumor') about that they would be introducing a spotting scope sometime in the future. Any more on this?

I heard rumor, but seemed weak rumor. They introduced new scope last year, which just started shipping finally a few months ago, and new 3-15 just last week, but I'm sure you savvy guys are fully aware...
 
I walked in there today with a warranty claim on a new scope in which the illumination ceased to work.
10 minutes later I was handed a new scope and a handshake. No hassle at all.
 
I,ve been dealing with SWFA for years now,I,ve done at least 10 sales with them & can't say enough good things about Chris F.& his entire work crew.....Ernie
 
how are the actual scopes themselves, customer service aside? Is it one of those kind of things you were better off saving for somethin better?
 
SWFA is a great company in all aspects. Customer service, warranties, and their own line of scopes. I have been dealing with them for years and they always take care of me. As with rifles and powder the current demand has a lot of things back ordered and phones ringing off the hook, not to mention they also get walk in customers.
They also get people trying to claim a good scope is broken to get full money back, I have personally been in the office witnessing this.
Maybe you just have bad timing, maybe things aren't happening as fast as you would like, but to make a claim that they are the worst is regoddamndiculous!
 
Hell, I missed the deal completely and ordered the 5-20 sometime in Dec. 12, I'd be happy to give your money back to you if I could put my name on your unhappy little situation.
 
I have bought four or five scopes from SWFA and never had anything but excellent service. I was always able to get someone on the phone to answer my questions. They also ship PDQ second only to Midway.
 
I have had nothing but stellar experiences with SWFA. I recently ordered a scope base from them. It was IN STOCK on their website when I ordered it. I got a call -- the same day-- saying it was in fact out of stock, and the guy spent 10 minutes on the phone with me going through their other offerings that would fit my rifle (I wasn't near a computer). I ended up altering my order over the phone without having to wait to get back to a computer, the guy was very pleasant, and even though what I originally wanted is not what I ended up with in the end I was still happy.


And of the 3-4 scopes of theirs I have used, all were great for their respective price ranges.

I know we all have our own experiences that shape our opinions of companies, but SWFA, from my experience, is no where near being even remotely the worst company, or even a bad one. Leave those titles to Comcast and AT&T.
 
Ive been happybwith my scopes from them. I did return a swfa 10x for warrenty and I never heard anything back. I called them and they didnt know it was there... they looked around and found it... so if I wouldnt have called id probably still be waiting... then ive had to call about 5 times after that to see what was taking so long because they were suppose to just send me a new one.... ends up im suppose to get my scope back today. Finally got a shipping confirmation. They didnt replace it though. Im getting my original scope back. I had problems with the sunshade jumping threads and couldnt get it off. But they got it off there and supposely fixed it. We will see today
 
Ordering from SWFA was one of the worst mistakes I've made all year. I apologize if this subject is in the wrong category or whatever. This is my 1st post in Sniper's Hide. I've read the forums on and off. But I signed up specifically so I could post my terrible experience with SWFA so hopefully no one else will have to experience the same.
Anyone remember when they did the promo coupon for the SS 5-20x50 deal?? 10,000 "likes" and you could order the SS 5-20x50 for $1299 and get the 1-6x24 for $299. Great deal right?? WRONG.
I placed that order with SWFA on the very day they hit 10,000 "likes" on their Facebook page. (and I'm sure there are those of you that tried this for SH's FB page too but SWFA reneged on that deal) So I receive my SS 5-20x50 within a week or 2. That was in the end of May. However, by the end of September is still had not received the 1-6x20. That's 4 months. FOUR MONTHS! So after many phone calls to SWFA, I write an email detailing my disappointment and request for a return. Shortly after I receive a RMA and a UPS label I can print. I quickly repackage the 5-20 in its original box and in completely unused condition, and ship it off. A week goes by, I hear nothing from SWFA. After a few more days I email and ask "what's the deal?" The response I get is basically, "Oh, it's been sitting on the dock, no one noticed it was there." So, once that was straightened out, I figure I should be receiving my refund some time soon. I am told at the time it should be 5-10 business days or some such thing. Here it is, almost 20 business days later, and all SWFA keeps telling me is that they are just waiting for their Credit Company to allow the refund to go through. And all along, I have not heard/read anything even remotely apologetic for any of this. SWFA had my money. I had a scope. They have their scope, AND still have all my money. This is total BS. I would like to take more time and write this more articulately and with more specific details and dates, but I am just writing from my heart right now as I am sOo friggin aggravated and just want to get this off my chest. As well as just get it out there for anyone else that is going through this or wants to AVOID going through this with SWFA. You are not alone! I feel your pain. My question, semi-rehtorical as it may be, how much longer should I wait before I file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau...