Leupold CS is loopy!

[JFB]

Here are my current email exchanges

Me--Can the recticle in Vari-X iii 1.5-5X20 be changed to a German #1.
If so, how much?

LCS--If the serial # on your scope ends in a letter, we can do that swap for $200.

Me--Just to confirm, my U327xxx can NOT be swapped.

LCS-- Correct. That will not be able to be retrofit.

So based on that I found a company called Iron Sights and shipped the scope to them. I then thought I would ask Leupold about warranty after someone else worked on it. I was expecting the reply “warranty is void”, but got this additional tidbit

Me-- IF, I have the recticle replaced, would the "Gold Ring" warranty still be available?

LCS-- that would void the warranty… However, there is about a 50% chance we will be able to swap the reticle in your scope.

Me- 50% Chance? So, what would be the criteria?

LCS-- I have no way of telling… our repair department will determine once the scope is opened.

I have another I want to do the same, but wanted to wait and see how Iron Sights does,

has anyone got any recent experiance with Iron Sights?

 

[contender]

More & more,,, I see the need to actually talk to a person in any company vs. using email. If you call,,, you get a live person, and ask for something like "Technical support." Then you can (usually) get good answers to questions.

 

[Kevin]

It’s a different company but similar outcome to what Contender states. I called RCBS two years ago on Christmas Eve. I actually got ahold of a technician. He sent out a new part which I got the following week. Had I sent an email, it would have drug on for a few weeks.

A polite phone call is a great answer...

 

[kmoore]

JFB, I dealt with iron sights several years ago and was happy. Another gun club member recommended them. My case was cross hairs in a 1973 redfield model 3200 20x scope broke. They would fix it at a turn around of 10 months or so. I had quit shooting competition but wanted it fixed for resale. They got it and emailed me asking to purchase it for 650, so I sold it to them. I thought I would sell it for 450 or so after it was repaired.

 

[JFB]

Thanks kmore, when I read your 10 MONTH turn around, I had to go back and check my email. I hope my 4 to 8 WEEKS was not a typo. I did see a lot of old online discussion with your times.

 

[smoke-eater]

Really a shame you had such a bad cs experience with Leupold. Just a year or so ago, I sent them a 40 year old M8-4X to be inspected and repaired if deemed necessary. Got it back a month later completely rebuilt, with new windage and elevation adjusters. Didn't cost a dime. I sent them a "thank you" note, and one week later I received a box containing six Leopold caps and a stainless travel mug with their logo. Sorry about your experience, but I'm sold on 'em.

Jeff

 

[Daveboone]

I think simply put Leupold cant give a definite answer with too many vague details...how can they be sure they can repair something knowing someone else altered it? it may not leave it in a workable condition. I think that the best route is (especially considering the highly concise nature of optics) buy what you want the first time. Don't try to make the square peg fit the round hole. Leupold is well known for their outstanding service, the reason they are the only scopes on my rifles.

 

[kmoore]

Leupold, I have a dog in this fight and am biased. Of course there are other great scopes but, they are 40 min. driving distance away from me, have a great warranty, make great scopes and among other things gave me a scope at my retirement that retailed for 800. I have a bunch of them. None so far has had a problem. My opinion about the warranty, going way back they had a life time warranty when others in their price range did not. I think that is what made the other scope brands get better and have the same warranty or go under. Competition is good.