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Rifle Scopes how many of you destroyed your 1000$+ scopes and not have it covered be a warranty?

Ring

Ring

Rifle Instructor
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Minuteman
Dec 12, 2009
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Medina, Ohio
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i sent 2 vortex in for me dropping them, 1 crushed the eyepiece when it fell off my car, the other i propped up against a wall and turned my back to have it slide and smash a turret...

and my razor took this huge hit, but still is working fine, so never sent it in to get looked at.. maybe in the winter ill get it checked out to be sure..

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/snipers-hide-rifle-scopes/184738-hows-scope-abuse-razor.html


just wounding since most companies dont cover user error, how many of you with high dollar scopes that got turned into paper weights?
 
Vortex never asked any questions when I sent something in for warranty work, they just fixed it.

NF gave me the runaround when I tried to get a spec of dust on the reticle plane removed THAT WAS THERE WHEN I OPENED THE BOX BRAND NEW

"12-16 weeks to fix it, plus shipping both ways"

"It's defective"

That was part of the falling out that I had with NF. I've moved on to better and never looked back.
 
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Agree with Rob. If I run into you at TVP or Rayners, consider this your notification that you have a 10ft restraining order around any of my gear. :)

Hard to beat the vortex warranty. Its the reason I keep going back to them.
 
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They won't for long if people keep throwing them all over the place and then expect to get a new scope because they don't know how to take care of it. Its one thing to have a defect in the optic but if you have the attitude that it will be covered no matter how clumsy you are, these warranties will stop. I read that some of the higher end scopes (like S&B) are moving away from lifetime warranties for this very reason. While I take my rifles out and shoot in some rather rough places, I would throw my body between my AX with a S&B before I let it hit the ground regardless of how tough it is suppose to be....
 
If I spend $1000+ on an optic you better believe that it will come with a lifetime warranty. That is one of the biggest things I'm paying for. But yes I hate to see people abuse such warranties. Sending optics and gear back for free repair/replacement due to abuse is ridiculous.
 
Agreed - people should not be taking advantage of Vortex because of things that are the user's fault. However, a few months back, Vortex posted a article and picture on facebook showing a Razor spotter that had been shot via an accidental discharge. The owner of the scope contacted Vortex and explained that the scope had a bullet hole through the barrel of the spotter and that the spotter continued to work. The scope owner appeared to be very upfront and honest with Vortex. What did Vortex do?.......... They requested the scope be sent back, they sent the guy a new replacement and posted the fact that even after being shot with a high power rifle it continued to function (the bullet obviously didn't hit any of the lenses). This example speaks volumes about Vortex as a company, their customer service, and their products. The way Vortex handled this is an example of advertising that money cannot buy. No matter what else you want to say about Vortex, they do live up to their motto - "the customer is king and they do come first."
 
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Keep in mind that things like the shot spotter, and abused gear that still works can and will be used as demos. Its something they can put on show or use to show how durrable their products are.

I have a feeling that the actual cost to Vortex for a Razor is much less than half the price you paid before getting into some overhead,admin, COGS,ect. They are not losing their ass by replacing your scope.

They are also creating 10 more sales for everyone they replace when they don't have to. In the 2K realm, the Vortex is the only option worth considering.
 
Hairball said:
They won't for long if people keep throwing them all over the place and then expect to get a new scope because they don't know how to take care of it. Its one thing to have a defect in the optic but if you have the attitude that it will be covered no matter how clumsy you are, these warranties will stop. I read that some of the higher end scopes (like S&B) are moving away from lifetime warranties for this very reason. While I take my rifles out and shoot in some rather rough places, I would throw my body between my AX with a S&B before I let it hit the ground regardless of how tough it is suppose to be....
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s&b HAS A 2 YEAR WARRENTY CARD IN THE BOX... .. doh caps :)

2 years on something that cost 3+k dont make me warm and fuzzy...
 
While not about optics, This is my gun related customer service story.

I sent my SWR Warlock into SWR/SilencerCo to have the upgrade done to make it a Warlock II.

I got a call from Mike at SilencerCo, and he said that they messed up the tube while taking my suppressor apart. (I had thousands and thousands of rounds through that can).

He said that they would replace it with anything they make. Anything.

and they would pay the $200 tax for a new stamp.

I thought about it for a day or two and called Mike back and verified that I could have anything they made. He confirmed this and said that he wanted me to be happy with them. I asked for a Osprey 45 and his response was "Okay, send me your FFL info, and I'll ship it out".

I'm still waiting on the Osprey (should have it by the end of next month, God willing and the creek don't rise)

That is customer service.

Guess what kind of can I'm pretty much exclusivly buying from now on? Yup.

also, they sent back the tube with no baffels and end caps. It wasn't so bad that it couldn't be re-cored, so that's in the works too.

SWR/SilencerCo. for the win.
 
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I've got two Leupolds and both have been back to the factory for warranty work. I bought both secondhand, and the company was good enough to correct the problems. This was, however, caused by the failure of both scopes, and both were returned in less than a month.

USO, though, I have no idea how their warranty service works. I do recall JBW swapping out an SN3 for one that was smashed in a set of Badger rings by the local hamfisted gunplumber. As I recall, JBW wanted that particular scope for his personal 243. If that doesn't say the company stands behind their gear, I don't know what does.
 
bohem said:
Vortex never asked any questions when I sent something in for warranty work, they just fixed it.

NF gave me the runaround when I tried to get a spec of dust on the reticle plane removed THAT WAS THERE WHEN I OPENED THE BOX BRAND NEW

"12-16 weeks to fix it, plus shipping both ways"

"It's defective"

That was part of the falling out that I had with NF. I've moved on to better and never looked back.
Click to expand...

That's odd because I had to send in my ATACR for that very reason. They were very apologetic and I had it returned to me within a week.
 
The elephant in the room is Insurance. Insurance, if available, is to share risk for accidents among a large base.

Warranty is a short term guarantee that defective parts or builds will be replaced or fixed. Warranty is easy to determine whether or not the manufacturer provided a bad unit at sale time or had an engineering problem that showed itself after the fact.

Insurance on your Costa sunglasses was built into the price whether or not Costa talks about it. You can't be replacing $1000 or better scopes that are covered by accident, abuse, or carelessness.

If you drop an air conditioner out of a window onto your car, don't call the manufacturer. Call insurance, if you have it.
 
I wouldnt let the OP near my dogs Kong toy....

He'd figure out a way to break it.

Bushnell also has lifetime warranty on the elite lines. No they dont cover stupidity.

My valuables policy does however. Not that I'd need it- I dont prop my rifle places it doesnt belong or drop them off a vehicle.

I guess I'm just not 'high speed'.
 
VaRandy said:
You can't be replacing $1000 or better scopes that are covered by accident, abuse, or carelessness.
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Vortex makes the rules for their warranty - you don't.

Vortex Optics - VIP Warranty

If you ever have a problem, no matter the cause, we promise to take care of you.

Note
The VIP warranty does not cover loss, theft or deliberate damage to the product.
Click to expand...

As long as the damage was accidentally inflicted, Vortex will cover it.
 
The warranty is the reason I have a Vortex. It's also the reason I'm likely to go Vortex with my next scope. (also I really like the one I have). The first two scopes I ever bought arrived broken and I only got out from under the problem because I purchased them from a retailer with a great return policy. You can't put a price on peace of mind. If I have the decision between spending my two thousand dollars on a Razor HD or one of their competitors, the assurance that once I buy that scope I'll have it for life plays a huge part in my buying decision.
 
The price a consumer pays for a good covers the total cost of production of that item, the return on investment for that item, and the projected cost for any warranty work expected (based on the terms of the warranty) over the warranty period. If a company says "You break it, we fix it. For ever!" then I trust that a team of actuaries did their due diligence in assessing the risk associated with the above warranty policy and the company is not losing any money by honoring that promise. When you buy a product you pay for the warranty. Use it if you need it.
 
I have optics from a broad cross section of manufacturers including Leupold, Nightforce, S&B and Vortex. I have never (knock on wood) had to use NF CS and the fact that I have 11 of them speaks volumes, IMHO, to their quality. The guys at Vortex are great. They make fine optics at fair prices and they stand behind them with CS that is second to none. We must always remember that the warranty is only as good as the people who apply it at the manufacturer. That makes Vortex warranty the best.
 
So... Only Randy and I are smart enough to have a valuables policy?

My policy covers stupidity like the op bragging about. It also covers the rifle the scope was attached to.

Theft/fire/flood/stolen/ LOST/ ACCIDENTAL damage all my firearms and scopes are covered.

I tend to think if you have a number of guns, you're as careless as the op for NOT having a valuables policy.

DO NOT THINK your regular homeowners/renters covers this stuff. Many policies limit guns and gun accessories to around $1,000-$2000 TOTAL!!!! (and dont cover stupidity/accidental)

You need to start a personal valuables policy and have each item covered.

Yes, if I make a claim I have a deductible, and then years of scrutiny for an excuse to raise my rates. The op sounds like "THAT GUY" that uses and abuses stuff and cant be trusted with anything because he has no regard for peoples property. I know he's talking about his own property.... but a guy like that I wouldnt trust with my dogs Kong toy.
 
I'm brand new here but the talk about warranties and how unconditional life time warranties put companies out of business doesn't wash. To the contrary, if the company makes a good product and markets at a prices that factors part of the sales price to cover warranty work all they do is build the business. OTH, having a limited warranty that is difficult to obtain factory service for is about the best way I know to make all your customers a one time wonder.

I'm involved in another activity where a company started their business with what almost amounts to an unconditional, transferable warranty. That business sells products equal in cost to many of our optics and has been in business over 25 years now with the most loyal and fastest growing customer base of any competing manufacturer with similar products. Even the low dollar eastern import stuff has not been able to dislodge that customer base. That company services their products whenever a customer sends them in, for whatever reason. The only time they charge for anything is when damage is severe, and then the service fees are kept well below the actual cost of the work performed.

Just getting into distance shooting so I only have a Nikon 4-16x44 P223 on my AR and just received a Vortex Viper HS 6-24x50 for my 308. Not big money optics but it's what I can afford. When I saw the warranty that came with the Vortex I started thinking cheap things about Nikon. That warranty is a very big deal and as long as Vortex makes a good product it will have people beating down their doors to make purchases.
 
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Hairball said:
They won't for long if people keep throwing them all over the place and then expect to get a new scope because they don't know how to take care of it. Its one thing to have a defect in the optic but if you have the attitude that it will be covered no matter how clumsy you are, these warranties will stop. I read that some of the higher end scopes (like S&B) are moving away from lifetime warranties for this very reason. While I take my rifles out and shoot in some rather rough places, I would throw my body between my AX with a S&B before I let it hit the ground regardless of how tough it is suppose to be....
Click to expand...
Fast forward to just over ten years later... Vortex is keep on keeping on...
 
IMG_0419.jpeg
 
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I would be less worried about the warranty length and more concerned with how costly out of pocket repair is.
If I bust up my $3k-4$k scope doing a comp or something (my fault) and it costs a couple hundred bucks for repair, I think that's entirely reasonable.
If it costs half the cost of the scope, that's a different story.
Vortex can offer lifetime warranty because their landed cost of the scope is a small fraction of what you paid to begin with. That is not always the case with other companies.
At the end of the day, a scope manufacturer is a business. Vortex is operating from the standpoint that their margins are so high they can tempt you with a lifetime warranty and replace a scope or 2 and still come out ahead.
Other manufactures might be in the hole with the first return/repair because the margins are thinner and therefore you the consumer need to support some of the bill.
It's just two different ways of getting to a net profit.
What each method says about the individual company's products is up for you to determine.
FWIW, I own Vortex and S&B, there is a place for both ends of the spectrum IMO.
 
I can understand a "fumblefingers"/accident prone always "walks under a cloud" individual, know some of 'em too.

some can't help themselves, come can.

What pisses me off is I've met/dealt w/some folks who abuse/mistreat their gear, and then want somebody else to suffer the consequences and pay for what they've done to their gear.

I try to pick my spots buying used gear because of folks neglecting their gear then lying through their teeth about the condition and then trying to sell a complete rusted out headache to you which is acting like a lowlife.

Took a chance on buying a used shotgun that showed up that was completely rusted out that seemed to me to have been totally neglected, but the guy wants to be paid for his neglect.


Talked w/some repair folks over the phone and on occasion they've told me how some folks don't seem to have a problem just totally abusing their gear, then turn around and work up a mad because they refuse to fix or replace it and then go a venue to trash them as if they've gotten mistreated.


Took me months to get my money after returning the "POS" the guy sent me because he lies and says the gun I returned to him wasn't the gun he shipped me. But of course serial numbers don't lie which didn't stop the headaches I had to go through to avoid being stuck w/the object of his abuse.
 
I have a USO SN9, the epoxy that hols the objective on was failing, I contacted USO they said if they cant fix it then I get whatever scope they I want that they currently sell. I have had hat USO since 2007....anyway they fixed it for me super happy with their attitude, when I wrote them they said "of course your covered, lifetime is lifetime"

Conversely, I have a Hendsoldt SAM scope from back in the day that I wanted checked out, the parallax is hard to get out of it, I am probably being to picky, anyway Hensoldt said sorry nothing we can do for you, no warranty and no service for that scope. I will probably sell the SAM, it works just can't quite get the last 1/4MOA out of the parallax, I suspect it has to do with the optical formula (short scope - 72mm objective) it has always been that way . Anyway Hendsoldt will not even look at it with me paying them....
 
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redneckbmxer24 said:
Did you run out of threads to tell people how great your shitty Chinese optics are
Click to expand...
I only recommend the best quality shitty Chinese optics and only when they have a fantastic sale with risk free buying with free returns policies.
 
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