UIBassWrangler
Member
I'm not sure if this belongs here or in the general discussion, but I just thought I would share my sob story about what not to do when getting a warranty replacement from Leica (or any brand possibly).
First off, I am still in college, so forking out $800 for a Leica 1600B isn't always the easiest in the first place. But last fall before season I made the purchase so I could upgrade from a Leupold that only was reliable to about 500 yards. After purchase of the Leica 1600B, I immediately noticed the rubber coating was peeling badly, and none of the internal weather features seemed to be correct; even after setting the rangefinder outside in 20 degree weather for a few hours it would still show only 55 degrees. Not huge defects, but still defective nonetheless and I spent a lot of money (to me) on the unit.
After the season I sent it in for a warranty evaluation in January, and I was working directly with a Leica representative (I don't feel it is super necessary to include names
). They supplied me with a shipping label and instructed me to return it with original packaging and receipt from where I bought it. After waiting about 3 months, I began to question where my rangefinder was. I tried emailing the representative I was working with but could not get any response whatsoever. About another month later I started calling to try to get ahold of someone. After trying off and on for about another month, I finally got ahold of someone in a different department who helped push me through.
Once they started looking at things, they found out that they had replaced my rangefinder and shipped it back to Sportsman's Warehouse where I purchased it. Needless to say, I have been trying to get Leica to send me a new unit now for about a month. The group at Leica keeps telling me they have put in an order and a new unit is on the way, but I have yet to receive it. I have also tried contacting Sportsman's Warehouse but they do not want to help me out given that I do not have any proof of purchase since I paid cash and sent my receipt to Leica.
Lessons Learned:
- Always keep a copy of my receipt
- Stay in touch often with customer reps whenever there is any doubt
- Always keep track of a serial number
- Just because a company is known for good customer service, mistakes can still be made
Anyways, I will keep the forum posted on what ends up happening, but I do know I will never purchase Leica products again. The old saying is still true: The best warranty is the one you never use.
-Tanner
First off, I am still in college, so forking out $800 for a Leica 1600B isn't always the easiest in the first place. But last fall before season I made the purchase so I could upgrade from a Leupold that only was reliable to about 500 yards. After purchase of the Leica 1600B, I immediately noticed the rubber coating was peeling badly, and none of the internal weather features seemed to be correct; even after setting the rangefinder outside in 20 degree weather for a few hours it would still show only 55 degrees. Not huge defects, but still defective nonetheless and I spent a lot of money (to me) on the unit.
After the season I sent it in for a warranty evaluation in January, and I was working directly with a Leica representative (I don't feel it is super necessary to include names
). They supplied me with a shipping label and instructed me to return it with original packaging and receipt from where I bought it. After waiting about 3 months, I began to question where my rangefinder was. I tried emailing the representative I was working with but could not get any response whatsoever. About another month later I started calling to try to get ahold of someone. After trying off and on for about another month, I finally got ahold of someone in a different department who helped push me through.Once they started looking at things, they found out that they had replaced my rangefinder and shipped it back to Sportsman's Warehouse where I purchased it. Needless to say, I have been trying to get Leica to send me a new unit now for about a month. The group at Leica keeps telling me they have put in an order and a new unit is on the way, but I have yet to receive it. I have also tried contacting Sportsman's Warehouse but they do not want to help me out given that I do not have any proof of purchase since I paid cash and sent my receipt to Leica.
Lessons Learned:
- Always keep a copy of my receipt
- Stay in touch often with customer reps whenever there is any doubt
- Always keep track of a serial number
- Just because a company is known for good customer service, mistakes can still be made
Anyways, I will keep the forum posted on what ends up happening, but I do know I will never purchase Leica products again. The old saying is still true: The best warranty is the one you never use.
-Tanner
