Bushnell is junk

[ww874]

Hello- I have never done this before but I feel it's necessary to advise potential buyers of Bushnell products to be aware. I recently sent a Bushnell Sentry spotting scope to Bushnell for repair. I realize this was not an expensive piece of equiptment but I bought it for the once or twice a year sight in trip to the range. This scope was not abused and it was stored in it's box when not in use. Needless to say after four years ie. that means about 10 times of usage, the focus ring broke. I tried to tighten the screw but it didn't work. I sent the scope back to Bushnell for repair. When I bought the scope I received the really reassuring lifetime warranty certificate. Upon reading the warranty card it stated just sent the scope back with a $10.00 check for shipping and it was covered for the lifetime of the product. Well, after three weeks I received a respose from Bushnell. This is no joke, the letter stated my scope was not able to be repaired because " it was broke". They did offer to replace the scope for the purchase price of another scope. I contacted their customer service and was told sorry but too bad. To add insult to injury I advised the rep not to sent the scope back to me and not to cash my check for the $10.00 return shipping. The guy told me sorry their policy was to sent all items back to senders within 30 days if no work was preformed. I realized this post is long winded but I really feel it's necessary to let potential buyers of Bushnell products know what to expect when their Bushnell product needs repair.

[EncoreBilly]

I've had very good luck with my 3200 and 4200 elite rifle scopes.As a matter of fact I like them better than the two Weaver's,1Grand Slam and v-16 that I have.Oh yes,have had my bushnell range finder for 6 years and it still works flawlessly.:)

[Rustywreck]

I have a Bushnell laser range finder. One day I had it in a fanny pack with a pop can. The can punctured and filled the pack with pop, soaking the rangefinder.
The rangefinder did not work, as it had pop inside of it. I sent it back with $15 check.
I expected they would return the old rangefinder and tell me it was broke from misuse, which was the case. Instead, less than a week later they sent me a new rangefinder with no questions asked.
I've been a Bushnell fan ever since.

[mazter]

I have had a Bushnell scope's on my .22s for years, they are the 3x9x40 Varment seris, and I have a 3200 elite & the Rangefinder too,. I have never ever had a problem with any of them. Im sorry to hear that you did.

[scalerman]

I have a pair of Bushnell compact 10x25's. I sent them backwhen the images were not lining up. they told me that they would not warrant them as this was obviously an abuse issue. But they did send me a new pair for about a quarter of the price I had paid for the original ones. I am a happy customer.

[Joe Bloggs]

Only today I was thinking how happy I was with my two base model Bushnell Sportsman scopes. Have a 3-9x32 on my .22 and a 1.5-4.5x21 on my Marlin .30/30. Both scopes are bright and clear and seem to be holding up well. I think they are great value for money spent.

[Cal Sibley]

I've got mixed feelings about Bushnell. My Banner 6x18 ran out of vertical elevation this year. I had to return a Sportsman and a Sportview, both 4x12 to the plant. Neither survived their initial trip to the range. That's what I get for being dumb enough to buy a scope made in China. I have a Bushnell Elite (Bausch & Lomb) 4400 in 6x24 that's the best scope I've ever owned. My Bushnell Spotting scope is over 15 years old and still works flawlessly. I guess sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. That's not very encouraging is it? Best wishes.
Cal - Montreal

[Evan03]

ive had one bushnell, it came on a rifle i bought used awhile ago.

cant tell you the model or anything but it definatly wasnt worth keeping.

[jon lynn]

I have always had great luck with Bushnells. I think the Elite 3200 is awsome. I knew a German fella who had luck with a Sportview on his 8x56R for years (I am sure it's still on it).

I sent a scope back to Bushnell years ago, I got it on a rifle, they replaced it free. But I think the purchase of Tasco optics put a bigger financial strain on the Bushnell folks than they anticipated.

[300 RUM]

I am sorry to hear about problems with your scope. I have owned several bushnell products and have only had a problem with one. My elite 3200 scope had a small black spec that appeared by the crosshairs every few shots. I sent it in and they sent me a new one. The scope was only two months old.
I also once had a leupold vx-III the "elite" of the scope world and had the crosshair reticle lean over at about a 45 degree angle and after several attempts the scope never was never repaired they did offer to put a new reticle in it for $150.00 but that is when I got the 3200 elite. I guess no company is without its faults on occasion.

I would recommend contacting them by e-mail. I would start the letter by saying that you have owned several bushnell products and have up until now been very pleased with all their products. And say how suprised you were when this product failed. Explain you had the understanding that the product had a written lifetime guarantee, You even still have the card. And you were very discouraged when you have a warranty card that says lifetime warranty yet a broken scope was returned to you. So on and so on basically say how you were a loyal customer and were truly hurt and dissapointed by your problem not being solved.

I have worked in the customer service business for over nine years in direct customer realations as well as management positions. Letters like this usually reach someone on a personal level. Every one at one time or another has had a problem with a product they bought even those who work for manufacturers. I find this type of approach reaches people and If they cant resolve the problem, they usually go out of their way to find someone who can. But if you write a nasty letter or come on agressively, a wall will go up and nothing gets done. Keep in mind this is probably the 20th time that day someone called up yelling at them. Some one who shoes them kindness often stand out of the crowd and is recognized for it.

You would not try very hard to help someone that made you feel bad or stupid, But you would most likely do almost anything to help someone that showed you common curtesy and respect.

Too many people including myself often forget that the people on the other end of the telephone line have feelings too and if you hurt those feelings even without knowing it, They are unlikely to help. I have personally seen people react in both ways. I have seen they same employee that a customer was rude and short too basically schedule the customers repair several days out when we had openings that same day just for spite. I have seen that very same employee stay late calling until they reaarranged the schedule to get to a customer ASAP just because that customer was nice to her.

I would try the email if no response or not the response you want. Then send a letter also, if no response call and ask for a supervisor again be very nice no matter how mad you are. Always reinforce you have several of their product whether you do or not;) and say how you were hurt or dissapointed. Then ask how you can get help to solve your problem.:) This may not always work but it will most of the time

[Dan in the Delta]

Sorry to hear about your problems with Bushnell. I recently sold my Elite 3200 because I just wasn't satisfied with it. It didn't work well enough in low light for my liking.

I've only sent one scope back in my life and that was a Zeiss Conquest that I damaged due to my own fault. Zeiss replaced it with a brand new one within about a week. Because of that experience and because they make excellent scopes, I've been a huge Zeiss fan the last few years.

[TreeDoc]

Had a buddy with an older Elite 4000 that had the identical warranty issue. He was screwed but they did offer to sell him a new 4200 for more than he could have bought it at any of the discount scope retailers on the 'net! :rolleyes: He called SWFA where he originally bought it and they replaced it immediately regardless of Bushnell's stance! Guess where he's buying his next scope from?

[mac1]

I have had to return a Bushnell to the factory. I recieved a replacement for the return. I had trouble with the quick focus. It was too loose. I have another Bushness and use it because it was a gift. I now shy away from the scopes with the quick focus. If you are shooting a rimfire, then Bushness might be ok. Anything with recoil gets a different brand. Nothing but Nikon for me from now on.
If Bushnell recieved a letter from you indicating that they had lost a long time customer, then they might rethink their decision. You just need to get the letter to someone higher up on the food chain...not a clerk that opens mail.

[EncoreBilly]

I have a 3200 on my .50 cal Encore and it has worked flawlessly for 4 years, and I love the rainguard on those cold damp days.

[eldeguello]

Sounds to me like it is THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE rather than their products, which is junk!!

In this day & age, it is the RARE outfit which provides decent customer service - NIKON IS NO BETTER!!

I have a couple of Bushnell Scopechief IV "Command-Post" scopes I bought back in the late 1960's that are serving today just as well as they ever did! Can't speak for their current products, however.

[Downwindtracker2]

I am sure there Bushnells that are lucky to survive a box of ammo and others that you could take on that to Africa for that Hunt-Of-A-Lifetime.I have been told the 4200 series is tougher than the Leupold Vari-X III,they are certainly heavier:D .I don't think the Bushnell Elites are better design,though.

I'll report back on service when my old Scopechief comes back.

[gregarat]

Call me crazy but My 4200 and 3200 Elite scopes has a better picture than Leupold Very-x II.

My 4200 has been sitting on my .223 handy rifle, being abused in the Adirondack Mountains for 2 years. The thing is still flawless.