leica warranty stinks

B

bigbear

Guest
i was hunting in the rain and my 1200 scan rangefinder was in my backpack. i went to use it and it had condensation inside. so after my hunting trip i sent it to leica warranty dept. the called to say S.O.L. I have only had the rangefinder about13 months.other the fact that it looks like ihave a 500.00 knick knack it was great rangefinder. Calling caleba's in the morning hope and pray they can help me. If so swarvoski rangefinder is my next choice it is waterproof.
 
I'd keep trying maybe somewhere else , that just dosen't sound right, most of those places are damn good about making it right !...Greg
 
If they don't say to keep it out of the rain then I'd say its false advertising. I can see if you fell in the creek with it that it probably won't be covered.

But in a backpack it could only get somewhat damp and humid. After all if it got soaked so would all your other gear and we know that won't happen. Backpacks keep stuff dry and most hunters won't allow them to get drenched either.

I'd pursue it more also. Call back and ask to talk to someone higher up. Or get the email to Leica direct and have a conversation.

Their glass is superb. I had them on the list for rangefinder to replace the so so bushy I have. But maybe I'll be looking towards Swarovski even though they are still higher. Of course waterproof is always good.

Jeff
 
PS I'm sure you paid with a credit card. Check with them also. They want their clients happy also.

Jeff
 
Wait a second. Leica has one of the best warrantys in the business. They will cover their binos even if you accidentally destroy them. I know a guy who backed over his in his truck and they still replaced them. I'd try again, you must of got someone who was having a bad day.
 
I agree with BigPig. You talked with the wrong person. They should stand behind their product, and replace it no questions asked.

M&T
 
One of our guides had a problem with his Leica range finder. It took him several months to get it fixed because the people were not helpful. It just quit working, and they did finally fix it. The big problem for him was that a hunter gave it to him as a tip and he could not prove that he purchased it. I think he finally got a letter from the hunter with the purchase info and they fixed the range finder. But it did take months and the people were not courteous or helpful. I was going to get a Leica but now I am hesitant.
 
And thier warranty on binos is only good for the original owner.
DO NOT BUY USED Leica binos or you are S.O.L.
 
My Leica spotting scope got munched during last years hunting season, I sent it in for repair & they sent me a new one back,
I like my warranty.
 
I Had the same problem with Leica. The screw that holds the prism on the left side of my 10x binos dropped out and the prism shfted and cracked. they said they would fix it for 300.00. I told them to keep the damn things. about 3 months later they arrived with the screw still rolling around inside. They are now a paper weight on the desk. If you bought through Cabelas I would think they will take care of ya. As for leica. They are great to look through but i will never own any of their products again.
 
the description in cabelas says that both the 900 and 1200 models are fully waterproof..if they advertise that but wont fix it then i guess iam maybe staying away from leica myself.. cbryant11
 
I have had one reply so far from Leica direct. Basically no questions asked lifetime(original owner only- why would anyone sell one anyway....) warranty. Repair or replace at their option. Binocs and spotting scopes only.

The rangefinders they beat around the bush a bit so I emailed back to them to clarify more. Will post that response later.

Also they did note that they don't touch gray market glass at all.

With that being said-- whoever it was with the loose screw, if its not gray market and you are first owner, get back to them. I can forward you their answer if you want it.

Jeff
 
This is not the first time that I've read some questionable things about Leica on this site. I've also read some good things but it seems to me that when you spend the extra cash for quality glass and quality warranty that everything we read should be good. I've seen nothing but good reports about Leuopold and Swarovski. Mostly good about Nikon. The rest I have no clue about. Nothing can make or break you like your reputation by word of mouth.
fatrooster.
 
LAST EDITED ON Nov-11-04 AT 05:42PM (MST)[p]Answer on rangefinders is that the rangefinders are water resistant, not waterproof. 2 years on worksmanship.

The new binoc with rangefinder built in are waterproof to 16.5 feet saltwater with 5 year warranty.

FYI they keep mentioning the electronics involved. I suspect that they cannot afford to replace this stuff if abused. Kinda like drop your laptop or fall in the creek with it and expect Dell to replace it free. At least thats what I get from my conversations.

Jeff

PS someone else take time to report on warranties by bushnell for a drenched rangefinder, same on Nikon etc... and report for us if Swarovski is as good or better on rangefinders or glass.

FWIW I know that Leupold fixed a friends scope off an AR15 and told him they would not fix it again if it broke again.

I suspect that if you dig deep enough you'll find good and bad about each product. I've heard nothing but good about Leica in cameras for 25+ years. My mother sold them in the 50s. Still have a 1950s model that works great. And Leitz(a subsidiary if I'm correct) has great surveying instruments but dont' mistreat that stuff either or you'll be paying a bill.

The other reports will be interesting. I know if I could sell my Zeiss 10x40s and reasonably get into a Leica pair I'd do it in a heartbeat after comparing last year.

Jeff
 
Another thing about warranties.
When I was looking for quality binos I called up Zeiss USA and they told me if their name was on them they would warranty them no questions asked "grey market or used" it didn't matter they would cover them.I was very impressed by that answer that's for sure.
I know Sworovski won't touch the grey market stuff either. I ended up buying some 8x42 slc off ebay for $437 and Swaro will warranty them, that was a deal! And the reason I didn't buy used Leicas.
 
FYI

Zeiss warranty on my 10x40s is that they'd replace the roll back eye cups but the lenses had the normal wear and tear and they wanted to charge some 250 bucks to replace them(that was 10 years ago anyway). I do agree that the wear and tear on the lenses was my fault. I used the glass, didn't baby it etc...
Not saying the above was wrong at all, just FWIW
 
LAST EDITED ON Nov-12-04 AT 06:56PM (MST)[p]Swarovski has been top shelf with their warranty. My sts80 scope fell out of the jeep this september and got badly damaged. They had to send it to Austria to be fixed but sent me a loaner overnite. I don't need to return it til mine is back. Bino warranty has been just as good. Grey market won't even get looked at though. If you are looking at used call them with serial # and verify U.S.sale for warranty.

JB

PS- replace all 4 lenses on 10x42slc is only $100
 

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