Bad dealing with bushnell

L

Lloyd Smale

Moderator
Just had a bad experience with bushnell. I bought a 4200 scope about 4 months ago. I had it on a 7mag and had fired about 40 shots through the gun. The last few shots i noticed the zero was moving. Figured no big deal if somethings wrong they will fix it. Well i sent it in and got a email back from them that the scope was damaged. they said the tube is bent and its not covered under warantee. Now i dont know how the tube got bent or if it really even was as the scope looked spottless when i sent it in. If it was bent it was bent by them. they said theyd sell me a new scope for 205 bucks which is as much as i paid for this one. I cant stand getting ripped off and surely wont buy another one of there products. If this would have been a nikon or leupold for the same price and my grandkid smashed it against the wall they would have fixed it or replaced it for free. My guess is some service tech is covering his but after dropping it but ill never know. thing is that really makes me shake my head is even to drop it should bend the tube! Most likely just a sham to avoid having to warantee there product.
 
It could have easily been bent by the shipper as well. Most of the times the packages get handled pretty rough. That is why I ship most things insured for replacement value.

Elite Series scopes are supposed to have a "Bullet Proof" no questions asked return policy for one year from purchase. If this was a new scope I don't see what the problem is with the tube being bent as long as you are inside the one year window and can prove it with receipt. I would go higher than the CS person you talked to about your scope.

Even though I own a 4200 series scope and I like it. I still tend to buy Leupold, Burris, Vortex, and recently Redfield. They have a transferable warranty. I had a buddy however that had problems with Nikon CS about getting his Monarch scope repaired. They eventually fixed it but it was a big hassle for him.
 
I did speak to one by email and he was no help at all. Guy shouldnt have to beg for fair treatment. Like I said for the same money I can buy a scope from leupold or nikon that would be covered it i ran it over with my truck!!
 
I'd talk to a supervisor on the phone. If they don't help, ask for THEIR supervisor. If need be, make it clear that their choice is make it right or lose a customer forever. If they don't make it right, don't ever buy another Bushnell product and tell everyone you know. You might point them to thus thread also.
 
Last weekend my Elite 4200 was "fun", as well. On firing the first 5-shot group for some load development, I discovered the zero had shifted EIGHT INCHES right. I had already been disappointed in the scope for quite some time. Now, I'm thoroughly displeased. It was my first Bushnell product, in more than a decade. Now, it'll probably be my last.

I've been trying to get through their horrible customer service wait times for 3 days now (I bought my 4200 exactly 1 year ago, ... today). Every time I reach the 30 minute mark, waiting on hold, their system hangs up on me...
They're going to get an ear full, if they refuse to honor the 1 year Elite "Money Back" guarantee.

I'll let you know what happens.
Your best bet is to file a damage claim with the shipper.
 
I've had a couple of Bushnell scopes for years with no problems, a recent accident knocked one out of alignment so I decided to take advantage of the cheap prices on the 3200 10X, at the same time I ordered a Mueller APT 4.5 to 14x.

The 10x is ok. The adjustments are repeatable and I've had no issues with it, but the optical quality of the Mueller is superior. The only thing I don't like with the APT is that the elevation turret markings are illogical, but performance wise it has been great. My next scope will probably be another Mueller.
 
I agree with your assessment of the Mueller. My uncle has a Bushnell Elite something or other on his 22-250, I think it's 8-32x. My Mueller is 8.5-25x (the Eraticator) and is every bit the quality of the Bushnell, at least optically speaking, but cost half as much.
 
That's a bunch of BS, you shouldn't have to worry about poor customer service when you pay good money for a supposed top of the line product. You definitely shouldn't have to ask to talk to a supervisor. I'm wondering how they expect to compete with leupold and others in the same price range with that kind of customer service. Like you said you can spend the same money for a similar product and have a no questions asked warranty that is hassle free and get friendly service. I have considered bushnell elites a couple times because of clearance sales, but ended up going with weaver, who I have dealt with before and their customer service and warranty rocks. Leupold is even better and doesn't limit their warranty at all no matter how old your scope is. Thanks for the warning. Man I hate bad customer service.
 
I recently had a similar experience with Bushnell on a pair of lower end scopes that convinced me to NEVER buy any of their products again. I try and warn everyone I can about Bushnell's pitiful excuse for customer service and their substandard products.

To the OP, I would keep calling back until somebody offered to make it right. I agree that a person shouldn't have to beg a company to honor their warranty but what other choice do you have?

I can also vouch for the Mueller line of scopes. I have one of their APV's and am ordering another for a 17HMR. Excellent quality stuff worth twice the money their going for.
 
I was on hold (again) with Bushnell, while typing the above post. I finally managed to get through, and made a supervisor give me his name and extension number after promising the money back guarantee would be honored (if post-marked today). After a mad dash to the Post Office, it's time to wait...

If they actually honor the refund, a Leupold or Redfield will take the 4200's place.


Llyod, I think you need to keep pressing the issue with Bushnell. Restate the fact that it did not have that damage when you shipped it. And remind them that they are responsible for inspecting the package, upon arrival. Since they failed to do so, and ruined your chances at filing an insurance claim with the shipper, they are ultimately liable for the damage. Keep pressing the issue, as far as you can take it. Eventually, they should cave. They failed you TWICE: Once with the scope. Once with the failure to inspect.
 
I've had my fair share of optics and I guess I've been lucky. ALL of the scopes I have had have worked perfectly from the box and I haven't had to use any Customer Service on them.

I'm waiting for the 1 scope that has to go back to the factory, but until then, with threads like these I at least know which brands to stay away from...
 
I have had a few scopes from Bushsmell go bad (I was broke so I bought a couple):(.
I just ate the cost and got better stuff, but the elite series are supposed to be good stuff.
I would definitely push it 'til I got some real service.
 
Doesn't matter how good the scope is, if it doesn't have a no-questions lifetime warranty (like Leupold) I won't buy it anymore. Over the years, every time I have varied from this policy I have been sorry. A few bucks more for the Leupold and you would already have the replacement in hand.
 
I have the Elite 6500 Tactical and I must say it has performed flawless holds zero and tracks great, the only complaint I have is that the markings for the indicaters are in dark green and it makes it very hard to see. Thought about sending it back and telling them to paint the markings white or I want a refund.
 
I did speak to one by email and he was no help at all.
Click to expand...

You need to call them. You might get a different response from a phone call. Explain the situation nicely and you might be surprised how they respond.
 
Tasco lost me for life due to poor customer service.
If you're not made happy by them over the phone, a letter may get some results. Either way, because of this thread, I am leaning away from a Bushnell and considering a Redfield by Leupold.
 
talked to them on the phone and got nowhere. bought a nikon team primos from natchez to replace it. Got it for 179 bucks. Just as good of a scope and a few bucks less then they wanted to rip me off for. At least this one will have a warantee.
 
through the years got loads of scopes, same how all bushnell, bush & lomb and tasco. In the group some are low and some are top of their line: banner, scope chief, Elite 3200, 4200, 6500, low end tasco and Titan as well.
All mounted on center fire rifles regular and magnum. in a +- 30 year period few whent bad, up to about 7 year a go, I send them back to the company here in Toronto along with the 10 dollars fees for the return and they always got replace or fix without any question, it was a lengthy process some time up to 8 months to get resolved but I got satisfaction. The policy change about 7 years a go, during this new regime, bushnell is also looking after Tasco warranty as well and they since only offer one year warranty on the products , they are inflexible it doesnt'matter how many supervisors you talk, believe me I am like a pittbull when I think I am right... but at the end I had only two choices: give them some money and have the scope replaced or do nothing and they will return the dammaged scope back to me.
Future scope going bad will go straight to garabage and will be replaced with Leupold...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top