Do optic companies actually make repairs anymore?

[hogpatrol]

The name complements other catchy named products as in "I shoot a Creedmoor with a Vortex".

 

[F Class John]

In talking to other scope manufacturers or sales reps the topic of Vortex almost always come up, naturally because of the warranty. Interestingly enough none of the people I’ve talked with seem to worry about having to compete with the warranty aspect (but of course they acknowledge it’s affect on the market). One said in so many words “our quality will outlast their warranty”. They’re aware of the warranty and the customer perception but they also said “would you rather have a scope that’s priced right and maybe maybe maybe you need to pay a couple hundred bucks down the line to repair or would you rather we pad the price and offer unlimited warranty?” I’m not bashing Vortex at all, I have a couple and for the purpose I use them for they’re great. I’m just saying that perception is often that other manufacturers are ‘scared or worried’ about the Vortex warranty but the reality is often different. There’s a market for them and they’ve done a great job filling some voids in the scope market with some good products (especially the GE) and have been super smart in how they market and fulfill their warranty but they aren’t going to put anyone out of business anytime soon just because they have that warranty. It’s a selling point for sure but there’s more that goes into choosing a scope than just that.

Buy what you like, for the reasons you like, practice as much as you can and have fun. Life’s too short otherwise.

 

[jimmymac]

I was under the impression that competitors not willing or able to afford $3000 optics use Vortex Golden Eagle scopes because they hold up and do a good job of not drifting. No?

 

[Delfuego]

practice as much as you can and have fun. Life’s too short otherwise.

Here, Here.

 

[Outrider27]

One thing not mentioned above is any optical company that doesn't honor their warranty, which speaks well for all the companies named.

I will not mention the name of a company that refused to honor their lifetime warranty when the scope (stored NIB for 3 years before installation) failed during the first range session when the entire elevation knob assembly came off when I tried to remove the cap for an adjustment, as I would hate to offend a company as well known as Tasco.

 

[Luisyamaha]

Since you mention Tasco... I had an amusing conversation with them a long time ago. I had a pair of WATERPROOF 7x50 binoculars. These were marketed and sold as MARINE Waterproof binoculars. They spent a few years in the boat. So, they started fogging and I sent them for repair/replacement or whatever. Well, I got whatever. They refused to repair replace them, because "they had humidity inside." WTF!!! After some rather heated phone conversation they agreed to look them over again and eventually repaired them and sent them back to me. I still have them. The built-in compass light had stopped working years before and they never did repair that, but I didn't care that much about that, so I let it pass.
I still have them (since 1983). I just looked over them and the compass, not just the light, had also stopped working. None of the Tasco brand riflescopes I ever had had lasted this long.

Luisyamaha

 

[209jones]

Looking at the way optics have changed and how fast they offer newer models over the last 20 yrs or so, and how many mfgrs, subcontractors and sub-subcontractors are involved, being offered an updated scope at a discount, isn't a terrible thing. New model could well be from a different mfgr, with the way some of these companies subcontract stuff, a certain part off the old model can easily become unavailable, sometimes political issues can be involved too, such as country sanctions. At least they offered that much.

 

[Fred Bohl]

Just a reminder:
When you include the warranty provisions when evaluating your purchase selection remember that a Lifetime Warranty is the lifetime of the seller's business model and has nothing to do with the buyer's lifetime.