Weaver Binoculars. No service available. Odd

[atblis]

So I have a pair of Weaver Grandslams 8.5x45mm. They are right nice binoculars. I bought them NIB, but off of somebody on Ebay. I don't doubt they were NIB, just don't have a store receipt.

The other day, I noticed that I have water inside one side. The front seal is buggered. So I call up Meade/Weaver. A nice Indian chap answers. I tell him I have a pair... seal bad...need fixed... etc. etc. He tells me that they won't fix them without a receipt. So I ask, I just need them repaired, you won't even do that for a fee? He says nope.



I have always been very pleased with Weaver's stuff, but guess what? Never buying another. I think Weaver just made me into a Leupold customer.

 

[ocabj]

Don't blame Weaver. Blame Meade. Meade bought Weaver several months ago.

That is unfortunate, though. I have a Weaver T-36 that I really like. Not sure if I still have the original invoice.

 

[atblis]

Yeah

That's what they told me. They won't fix anything. Even rifle scopes. They'll replace stuff under warranty with a receipt, but nothing else. No repairs at all.

So unfortunately for me, it looks like I have a nice $400 paper weight. I bought the darn thing new, just never had a receipt for it.

 

[atblis]

Darn

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7257&KW=weaver+warranty
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4783&KW=weaver+quality

Weavers been my go to company for years now, not looking good. Others appear to be having issues with Meade as well. Looks like I'll just have to save some more pennies for that Zeiss I've been lusting after.

 

[atblis]

Another one
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=1811028

 

[ocabj]

Just so you know, Zeiss has even stricter warranty policies than Meade does.

Zeiss will not honor warranty on any product that was not purchased from a Zeiss authorized dealer. You must have proof (receipt/invoice) that shows it was purchased from a Zeiss authorized dealer. Thus, the warranty is non-transferable.

This is among other issues such as Zeiss having final say on whether or not they'll repair an optic (if they believe it was user caused damage).

A friend of mine does reviews on optics and he found a lot of negative issues regarding Zeiss' warranty policy.

Leupold has an excellent warranty policy, but a lot of the long range shooters have noted the decreasing quality.

Nightforce is the go to optic right now.

 

[atblis]

Yeah

Nightforce. IIRC They're also made by L.O.W. They don't seem to make anything in the middle though. It's either a 24mm front obj. or a 50+.

What burns me about the Weaver thing is that they won't fix it period. Not even if I pay them. So basically, I am screwed.

 

[George Hill]

This is why I'm a Leupold fan. They don't play games... the just fix it. Nikon too.