Leupold warranty experience

[couesbitten]

Just wanted to share my recent experience with all of you.

I bought a pair of Leupold Pinnacle binos 4 years ago, great glass very clear, hard to beat for the money. The next year I bought a pair of Leica Geovid binos, 'cause I had to have the range finder/bino combo. Anyway, I passed the Leupolds to my son, and in the last year or two, one of the eye cups has become loose and would not stay in the upright position.

Boxed them up and sent them in for repair, nine days later, I got a NEW pair of binos in the mail! That is good customer service.

Leupold customer for life.

[Gobble]

Their warranty and customer service is unmatched. During hunting season if you send you scope in for work they used to have a guarantee to have it back in 1 week or less. My dad dropped his rifle a couple of years ago with a 30 yr old Vari x II. It bent the scope so he called Leupold and explained this to them, unfortunatly they did not carry the size tube he had and offered a new scope at cost. They are great people.

[Ray]

Not optics but talk about unmatched service...

My friend has a cooper rifle in .22 hornet. The bolt broke while out shooting in Montana this spring. We were driving on the way back and stopped by their small facility. They mentioned that the bolt design had changed after this model. So they crafted a new bolt fix on the fly without any notice on the spot. Took about 30 minutes in their shop. No charge.

[C-Money]

I have had wonderful experiences with Leupold. They are my scope of choice! I have sent in two different scopes and got them back in about a week! Good people, worth a few extra bucks!

[firefighter4607]

  My dad has dealt with them a few times, most of the time they would send him back a new scope. We had a friend that would drop his scope every 3-4 years then send it in to them and they would replace it no questions asked.

[Huntbear]

I actually fell on my scope one year, and broke it.  Drove to Leupold, walked inside with my broken scope, walked out 15 minutes later with a new scope.  Was back hunting the next morning.

[thinkingman]

Too many stories like these for me to buy a Leupold.
I buy Burris and Nikon and have yet to send one back.

[Gobble]

Too many stories like these for me to buy a Leupold.
I buy Burris and Nikon and have yet to send one back.

  Not sure what you mean?

If you read the stories the warranties are granted with no questions asked. I don't care what scope you have, if you fall on or drop your scope on a rock you will have damage. Their optics are some of the best, if not the best.  That is why most serious hunters use them I bet 80% of the scopes out there are Leupold, they DO NOT fail. 

[thinkingman]

Too many stories like these for me to buy a Leupold.
I buy Burris and Nikon and have yet to send one back.

  Not sure what you mean?

If you read the stories the warranties are granted with no questions asked. I don't care what scope you have, if you fall on or drop your scope on a rock you will have damage. Their optics are some of the best, if not the best.  That is why most serious hunters use them I bet 80% of the scopes out there are Leupold, they DO NOT fail. 

Based on the Leupold that's on my buddies rifle that cost him a whitetail this year, the posts on this thread and hundreds of others on websites I frequent...LEUPOLDS DO FAIL.

[Bearhunter]

Dude, you drop your scope on a rock, (which I did about a month ago, still gotta send it in) it doesnt matter who manufactures it, its gonna get dented or broken is some sort of fashion.  Especially if it hits hard enough, there nothing out there thats bullet proof.  With a warranty like that its hard to buy nothing but leupold

[firefighter4607]

Based on the Leupold that's on my buddies rifle that cost him a whitetail this year, the posts on this thread and hundreds of others on websites I frequent...LEUPOLDS DO FAIL.
[/quote]

One of your buddies scope failed..... Did he have it sighted in a few days before the season? Did he drop it lately? Maybe he is just a BAD SHOT? You left out a lot of details when you are pointing fingers at Leupold. You say on THIS thread Leupold FAILED? I see all good things coming from this thread about Leupold's, only negative thing is yours! You must have a big big thing against Leupold.

[thinkingman]

Based on the Leupold that's on my buddies rifle that cost him a whitetail this year, the posts on this thread and hundreds of others on websites I frequent...LEUPOLDS DO FAIL.

One of your buddies scope failed..... Did he have it sighted in a few days before the season? Did he drop it lately? Maybe he is just a BAD SHOT? You left out a lot of details when you are pointing fingers at Leupold. You say on THIS thread Leupold FAILED? I see all good things coming from this thread about Leupold's, only negative thing is yours! You must have a big big thing against Leupold.
[/quote]
I am a daily poster and reader of a number of optics websites, and it is like every week, somebody posts how great the repair/replacement service is on Leupold.  They ignore the fact that a great scope shouldn't need to be repaired/replaced.
If the Yugo website posters said how great it was that Yugo replaced the engine that blows up every 50k miles, would you rush out and buy a Yugo?

Leupold scopes have average glass and construction, yet their pricing is 20-40% higher than other manufacturers with similar glass.
I don't have anything against Leupold other than their customers think it's great to be able to send defective items in for repair or replacement.
They shouldn't be defective to begin with.
I purchased 2 Burris FFII's after directly comparing them to Leupolds costing much more.
The Burris' have been all over the Cascades, and suffered hundreds of rounds thru a hot recoil rifle and never even broke a sweat.
That's what good scopes do.
I read a post every week about a failed Leupold getting repaired or replaced and I wouldn't buy one because of the failure rate.
That's it, I don't want to argue...THEY FAIL and get repaired or replaced ON OTHER PEOPLES' GUNS, NOT MINE.

[C-Money]

Thinkingman, Burris scopes are great! I own a few my self. I hunt in a few states every year and the airlines are not nice to gun case. They get tossed around just like the rest of the baggage. When I get where I am going, I shoot my rifle like every responsible sportsmen should. My LEUPOLD scopes are right where I left them, every time! The two times I have sent in Leupold's for "repair" was for my own piece of mind. Due to the great warranty they checked out my scopes and put in some new parts but they were in good working order when I sent them in. Got a list of things they did to each. They are in my mind, the best! Plz dont get mad, Burris is another fine American company with a great product! Glad you use them.

[couesbitten]

I had to respond to thinkingman about his, in my opinion, flawed logic. The reason you hear so much about Leupold's great warranty coverage is not because they make an inferior product that has to be repaired frequently, but because they make a great product, are probably the number one selling scope in the U.S., and because of the number of scopes out there, you're more likely to hear about someone's warranty experience.

For example, in the latest issue of Bugle magazine, Wayne van Zwoll wrote an article with the results of his random questionnaire which was given to 730 RMEF 2008 Elk Camp attendees. Now I don't know about you, but I've never been to an RMEF Elk Camp, I've always wanted to go, but the logistics and the cost prevent me from doing so. My hunch is that a large majority of attendees are more "affluential" than myself, and are thus able to afford more "high dollar" equipment than I am. So assuming that, you might expect brands like Swarovski and Zeiss to be more popular with the responders of the questionnaire.

Here are the numbers for both rifle scopes and binoculars.

Riflescopes

Leupold  395
Nikon  33
Burris  33
Bushnell  32
Swarovski  27

Binoculars

Leupold  123
Swarovski  87
Bushnell  78
Nikon  76
Zeiss  44
Burris  33


So in conclusion, based on these numbers, either RMEF members are biased towards Leupold, or Leupold is just recognized as the great product they are. A Leupold is 12 times more likely to be found on top of a rifle than any other scope brand out there. I guess that you would also be 12 time more likely to hear about a warranty repair.

One more thing. I have a Burris Fullfield that I have had mounted on my .338 Win mag for about ten years. It has been repaired twice, and I assume that it will have to be repaired again. First time it was damaged while sighting it in after initial mounting. After less than 20 rounds, reticle came loose. Three years later same thing occurred. I told Burris that I really appreciate their warranty coverage, but what I would appreciate more is a rifle scope that could handle the recoil and wouldn't have to be repaired repeatedly.

[WDFW-SUX]

I just send them a VX III to change out the reticle to a varmit hunters one....can't wait

[Fitz]

I've had GREAT experience with Leupold as well.  Dropped my rifle after a slip on frozen creek and dented my VXIII 2.5X8 yet it still kept its zero for the remainder of the hunting trip!  Something eventually broke loose inside at the range the next season so I sent it in explaining it was MY fault and they still replaced it with a new unit.  I am also a Leupold customer for life.  Buy American folks!

[Ghost1941]

I love Leupold as well.  But I have no complaints from my Burris either. 
Both have EXCELLENT customer service, and as far that RMEF Elk Camp. 

You stated it yourself...

"a large majority of attendees are more "affluential" than myself"

This is typical with any individual whom has an abundance of money.   Look at any specific category, no matter what it is.  Whatever the review, they go out and buy the best they think there is.  As for them with hunting, who would want to show up to a hunt like that sporting a cheap rifle scope... yet most of us could still make a cheap little Bushnell work just as well when hunting game than a guy with a thousand dollar Leupold and decked out "Official Cabelas Gear".   

It's all about living within your means.

To sum it up though, I've had great service from Burris too... and I'm EXTREMELY impressed with the scope I bought last year from them.

[Charlie]

I've had Leupolds for over 30 years and I don't have any complaints. Before that time I tried several other brands and enjoyed several of them. I now have the money to buy any brand and model I would like but have never felt the need to buy anything else. I know there are other great manufactures out there and they sell scopes from bargain basement prices to thousands of dollars. If your scope meets your needs and quality standards, what more can you ask for? I know from what others have said that  Leupold's warranty is second to none but I have not had any experience using their warranty even though I have used my scopes in extremely adverse conditions for years. The demands I have put on my equipment over the years has been severe but not abusive. If Leupold ever gives me good cause to move to a different brand, I will not hesitate to do so. Until that time, they have earned the right to sit atop my rifles.

[billythekidrock]

I may have a different perspective in the next few weeks. So far I am not impressed with their service.

[Charlie]

I am interested in knowing how it turns out for you. Please follow-up after it is all said and done.

[Redmist]

A few years ago I sent Leupold an M8-4X which was my first scope when I was 13, that was 1971.  Used it on a 270 until I later remounted it to my sons first stainless Ruger 22.  I had glass beaded the scope down to the aluminum to match the 22.  Somehow the duplex wires got broken, so I shipped it to Leupold to have only the crosshairs replaced.  They completely rebuilt the scope replacing the lenses, o-rings, goldenring, and even replaced the gold inlay which I had blasted out the aluminum tube. No bill.  Lot of fine scope manufacturers out there, but I don't believe they can knock Leupold off the service podium. I'll have brand loyalty to Leupold for the next 37 years also.  I use my rifles in the High Cascades alot.  They and the Leupolds get real personal with rocks, water, and recoil.

[Charlie]

I have wanted to have the reticle changed on one of my Leupold's for a year or so. I haven't mounted it on a rifle yet so I thought I would send it in and test their customer service. I submitted a question on Leupold's website about what it would cost to do the swap. A tech emailed me back the next day and said it would cost $60. He said I could enclose a $60 check or money order with the scope or mail it to them. He said I could also pay over the phone with a credit card if that was easier. I chose to enclose a check with the scope. I sent it out last Friday evening and Leupold received it Monday afternoon. I got a call from them on Wednesday and they gave me a number to call concerning the total of my payment. When I called I was told that $600 was the total but they also had too add $3.89 for WA state tax. This could have been avoided if I would have made payment by phone. Anyway, no big deal and the scope is finished and being shipped this afternoon. They said it will arrive Monday. So far so good.

[wastickslinger]

I dropped a pair of 10X50 Mesa on a rock last year, really hard fall. The vision went double. The binos were about 5 years old. I sent them to Leupold on a Wed. and had a brand spanking new pair on my porch the following Thursday. 6 BUSINESS DAYS counting the shipping. That is unfrigginbelievable if you ask me.

Not only do I love the warranty but I love the product.

Leupold

[blacktail stalker]

I just sent back a pair of Leupold Cascade 10x42's because the eyecups wouldn't stay out. They sent me a brand new pair (updated model), and the eyecups now twist out. Total turn around about a week and a half. No questions asked, just got a brand new pair of binocs.

When I can afford it I go Leupold. It's nice to now that if you buy a product from them, it's good for your lifetime. Quality of glass is great for the price.

Awesome products. My  any body that talks negatively of Leupold just likes to argue for the sake of arguing.

[thinkingman]

I just sent back a pair of Leupold Cascade 10x42's because the eyecups wouldn't stay out. They sent me a brand new pair (updated model), and the eyecups now twist out. Total turn around about a week and a half. No questions asked, just got a brand new pair of binocs.

When I can afford it I go Leupold. It's nice to now that if you buy a product from them, it's good for your lifetime. Quality of glass is great for the price.

Awesome products. My  any body that talks negatively of Leupold just likes to argue for the sake of arguing.

Or likes to buy binoculars that have eyecups that work right the first time.

[mossback91]

Eyecups on my leupolds just broke!!! looks like Im sending them in

[blacktail stalker]

Guess I should have added that the Binocs are about 5 years old and the eyecups did work right, up until about a year ago, when the plastic on plastic contact must have been worn out of reasonable tolerances.  Point is everything wears, one pair might last 1 year, maybe 5, or maybe 50. Whether it's x brand or y brand doesn't matter if you like them. I like Leupold, and no matter when they wear out they get fixed or replaced for FREE. Look at the stories of guys that have broken them through abuse or accident. Customer service still came through for them. Leupold is one hell of a great company, and no, I am not affiliated with them.

[Charlie]

Well I didn't get my scope back on that Monday but that was when all the snow hit. The delay wasn't with Leupold. They had shipped the scope with UPS and because of the poor weather it was delayed for three days. The scope turned out just the way I wanted so no complaints. I am pleased with the Leupold service department and look forward to mounting the scope for this coming season. 

[dbllunger]

Always will with Leupold.  I personally have had several returns and heard many stories first hand without a negative yet.  Two of the best I have had.  Both I expected a repair bill of some type.  Have others that are almost as bad (how damaged) and as good (service provided).

1. Gold Ring Binos flew off saddle horn when hobbled horse hopped to get more grass.  Landed on rock and totally screwed up mirrors.  Told Leupold exactly what happened, and they were back in two weeks fully repaired at no cost.

2.  Original Alaskan scope that was dropped and bent tube.  No the original "Alaskan" was not introduced or first produced in the 90's.  Sent it back with explanation of what happened.  Less then a month with this explanation "We are sorry, but the damaged scope was not repairable.  The Alaskan scope has been discontinued, and we were unable to locate one to replace the damaged one.  Please accept this scope as a replacement.  If you have any concerns please contact our customer service department"  They sent a brand new Vari XIII fixed 4x. 

[satchel3006]

i had to send my 2x7 in to get the power adjustment ring fixed cause it was so tight it wouldnt turn. anyways while it was there i asked if they could change out the reticle got the scope back and they didnt change out the reticle (didnt charge me for it either) called and asked about it they said theyd send me a call tag to send it back. still havent got that call tag and that was about 8 months ago have called a bunch of times but still nothing i finally gave up

[high country]

I have been through leupolds CS 4 times all were quick turn arounds and free. been through burris once......greely colorado must be a lot farther away then portland, cause it sure took a lot longer. then my swarovski........I litterally thought they lost it after 3 months.....then it showed up. I hope to never need to send my stuff to rhode island again.....that sucked bad!

[Hacksaw]

They shouldn't be defective to begin with.
I purchased 2 Burris FFII's after directly comparing them to Leupolds costing much more.

I am curious as to how you compared them to the Leupolds. I've got a Burris FFII and, after hours at the range and in the field, I do not think that the FFII's are optically better than any of my Leupolds. Honestly, I am happy with the Burris for the money and for what I use it for, but, as far as quality of construction goes, the windage and elevation adjustments have given me problems since I took it out of the box. They are hard to adjust, get hung up and have to be tapped to actually break free, and they are not as accurate to the 1/4 MOA as any of my Leupolds.

[thinkingman]

They shouldn't be defective to begin with.
I purchased 2 Burris FFII's after directly comparing them to Leupolds costing much more.

I am curious as to how you compared them to the Leupolds. I've got a Burris FFII and, after hours at the range and in the field, I do not think that the FFII's are optically better than any of my Leupolds. Honestly, I am happy with the Burris for the money and for what I use it for, but, as far as quality of construction goes, the windage and elevation adjustments have given me problems since I took it out of the box. They are hard to adjust, get hung up and have to be tapped to actually break free, and they are not as accurate to the 1/4 MOA as any of my Leupolds.

Most Burris retailers have a wood gunstock with a rubber scopemount that allows you to stack two scopes, one above the other so you can hold the stock like you were shooting and shift your eye up and down to compare the scoped directly.
I was 'aiming' outside the windows of the shop and looking into a dark room across the street.
Lupold vs Burris FFII.  I could see more detail and the room looked brighter thru the Burris.
It was a very direct and objective experiment.
I handed it to my bro in law and didn't influence his choice, just said 'which one do you think is clearer and brighter?'
He didn't hesitate....Burris.
My FFII's live on some pretty intense rifles....6.5lb 300WSM.
Shoots very well, adjusts accurately when I need it to(not often, just load development)
I am convinced the competition has caught and passed Leupold.