NIB Nikon scope arrived dirty and damaged.

[Trey Veston]

After dropping my rifle on my brand new Nikon P-Tactical 3x9 MRAD, I searched high and low for a NIB replacement. Found two. One in Canada that they couldn't ship due to ITAR regs. The other was at a place called Simmons Sporting Goods down in Louisiana. They appear to be like a Cabela's for the South.

They showed one NIB for $229. That's average retail for this scope, when they were available.

Ordered it last week and it arrived today. I am not happy.

First, it arrived in a larger box with minimal packing, so that the scope box was bounced around inside. Beat the heck out of the box.



Then, the scope box was partially open, like they didn't properly close it. Opened it and the scope wasn't even in the plastic sleeve. It was dusty and covered with fingerprints.





Then I noticed actual damage to the finish. Doesn't look like it was ever installed, but instead was a display model that had been abused.





I sent an email to the company with the above photos and outlined everything that was done improperly. Their website says there is a 30-day 100% money back guarantee.

https://www.simmonssportinggoods.com/

But, this is the only Nikon P-Tactical that I could find. I still love the scope, and I plan on camouflaging it anyway, so the scratches are no big deal. But, they should have indicated that it was a floor model and had light damage. Hoping I can get some money back.

I'm sure I can return it and get all my money back, but then I'd be back to square one.

 

[troy fairweather]

Defiantly was a display, that what caused the marks.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Not acceptable in the least. I’m sure the scope would work just fine, but that company needs to make it right. At the very least, that scope appears to have been opened and likely used as a display/demo model. As such, it should have been advertised as such. I’ve sold some scopes online, many of which had open boxes and/or were display/demo models and could have passed for being brand new to an unsuspecting buyer, but I always advertise it as such. Why a company would not do so when there is obvious cosmetic damage, likely due to handling, is beyond me. Hopefully, they can get you another one that is brand new. Perhaps they could refund some of your money to compensate for the damage/inconvenience and you can keep the Nikon scope? Regardless, please keep us posted as I always like hearing which companies treat customers well and make things right and which companies are problematic.

 

[Trey Veston]

Got a reply from the owner of the company the next day apologizing profusely for the horrible packaging and condition of the scope. He said he would get another scope sent out in the morning and to return the beat up scope when I get the new one. He also advised he would have a talk with his warehouse manager to let them know their packaging was inferior.

I didn't think they had more than one, which is why I got the display model, but when I went to the website, they showed one more in stock. No idea why they didn't just send the new one first, rather than the demo.

Regardless, very happy with the excellent response and would order from them again.

 

[Spats McGee]

I hate it that you got a beat-up scope, but it sounds like they're doing right by you. I'm glad for that, and certainly goes in the "pros" column by their name in my book.

 

[Trey Veston]

Finally got the replacement scope today. Not sure what to think...

It arrived in a box that was partially open because they only used one thin strip of clear packing tape on the outside...



Opened it up and the new scope box was wrapped in about 10' of packing paper like a giant burrito...



The Nikon box was totally closed, but a little beat up. The scope was in the original plastic sleeve this time, but upon removal, it was obvious that this was another scope that had been handled and lightly damaged. Same greasy fingerprints and a couple of scrapes and some gunk on the objective. Dusty, but less so than the previous one.







So, at this point, I'm just going to give up and keep this one and never use the company again. The President seems to have a firm grasp on customer service and quality, but his employees are completely incapable of delivering it.

 

[toivo]

Ditto on both being display models. Reputable retailers would sell those as "blems," not as NIB. Sounds like that company is on the shady side.

You might have to swallow your pride and keep it, though, because Nikon isn't making rifle scopes anymore, and supplies are drying up.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Not saying it is acceptable but this is becoming the new normal.

Company owners generally know their business. They may be bad managers of people but the cynic in me just thinks there is no such thing as a decent employee anymore and the owners and managers are just doing the best they can with the best tasting crap sandwich.

It is an out of production scope of which very few are left. It was a good thing you found one.

 

[The Glockodile]

Is it a look / feel / familiarity you want to preserve in using this scope?

 

[Spats McGee]

That's too bad. The company should have made it right, not tried to send you a less-used scope. That said, if the damage isn't too bad and the scope can be cleaned up, I'd probably keep it and avoid the company in the future.

 

[Trey Veston]

Yep. No idea why Nikon got out of the scope business. The ones I have are impressive at their price point with the exact features I want. Hopefully this one lasts for years and years.

 

[Mr. Hill]

I suspect that some of the “new” knives that I’ve purchased on the internet may have been display or seconds. It’s getting to the point that I’m going to start ordering directly from the manufacturer if possible, even if I have to pay more.

 

[Speedo66]

Since Nikon is out of the scope business, what happens with their lifetime guarantee?

Since it was sold as new, what will Nikon do if there's a problem?

 

[Spats McGee]

Since Nikon is out of the scope business, what happens with their lifetime guarantee?

Since it was sold as new, what will Nikon do if there's a problem?

It would appear that they are offering vouchers instead of repairing: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/nikon-rifle-scope-voucher.891899/

ETA: At least in the thread linked above, that's what happened.

 

[Trey Veston]

I did contact Nikon regarding the one I dropped and they said while it was not covered under warranty, that they would send me a shipping label to send it in and they would see if they could repair it and give me an estimate for my cost.

Seemed reasonable and nothing to lose, so said go ahead.

Never got the shipping label and pretty much forgot about until I got the notice this thread was replied to. Might have to call them again.

 

[ms6852]

Not saying it is acceptable but this is becoming the new normal.

It is becoming the "new norm" because consumers want instant gratification and are not willing to do without the item they purchased. It could be because consumers do not value their worth or their money because everything is handed to them in a silver platter. If the consumers showed restrain we would not have the gouging and high prices ammo is going for now. As a Capitalist country the business owner will always want a higher margin of profit and will always test the consumer's tolerance of what is acceptable or not. Never have known an honest business man that is not governed by greed and profits.