About a month or month and a half ago I sent in a 3 by 9 Weaver classic scope for repair. I'd talked to the company whom now own Weaver, Simmons and Redifeld, Meade Optics about if my scope was covered by their warrentee now that they had purchased these scope lines from Blount/Alliant.

They assured me that my scope was one that was covered by their warrentee and to send it in. I had to send ten bucks along to pay for shipping it back when it was repaired.

About a month after I sent it in I got a letter from one of their service reps telling me that my scope had a bent tube and for $71 bucks they would replace it with a new one.

I sent them this letter in response:

Attention:
Mr. Timothy Walker
Consumer Service Representative
Simmons Outdoor Corporation
1-800-285-0689

Dear Sirs:

I received your letter dated Tuesday, September 19, 2006 on Product Review Report # PRR50245 about the 3 by 9 Weaver classic scope I sent you for repair. I read it with some dismay. I bought this scope new and it’s resided in a set of Leopold bases and rings on a Remington 280 Mountain Rifle ever since.

I ran a gunsmith shop for 27 years and always use a ring turner for turn in bases so as not to damage scopes when mounting them. I also use a one inch solid steel round bar to make sure installed bases are not placing any torque on the scope tube when installed. This rifle has never been dropped nor transported without a gun case. I am at a loss to explain how the scope tube could be bent.

I own two Weaver Classic scopes and four Simmons scopes, including two ATEC 2.8 to 10’s, a Pro-50 variable and a three to nine variable. I also own several Leopold scopes. I’ve had very good luck with these scopes up until this one stopped working right.

I work as a moderator on one of the internet shooting and hunting forums with over 11,000 members across America and over seas and often have advised folks to buy and use both the Weaver scopes and the Simmons ATEC’s I have on two of my rifles. I’ve not often been bitten my own advice until now.

I’ve been told by several of our forum members and moderators that Simmons and the new Weaver scopes built in Japan won’t hold up and when sent in for warrantee work either can’t be fixed or won’t be fixed or replaced under warrantee and I should consider Leopold or Burris as they have the best warrantee on their products in the industry. I really didn’t believe that until now.

I believe I’ll ask that you send the scope back without repairing it and I’ll consign it to the trash heap where unfortunately I now see your products belong. I’ll put the $70.82 towards a new Leopold or Burris product. These are companies with a track record for excellent customer service which apparently Meade optics as the new owner of these names does not care about.

Thanks

B Faucett

Guess what When I called today and talked to the head of the service department I was assured that my Weaver would be replaced or repaired.

I was told that because of my letter they were looking at changing several of their repair policies to better serve folks that bought their products.

We'll see.

Way to go, Bob - Sometimes, you just have to squeak louder to get the proper lubrication!!! :D

Iwish I would have sent a letter just like that to Zeiss,I sent in a 3x9x36 Diavari for repair,I was told it could not be fixed so I would be receiving a new scope, imagine my suprize when I received a 3x9 Conquest for a replacement. I complained long and hard to no avail,and as a result have now started buying Swarovki optics.

Iwish I would have sent a letter just like that to Zeiss,I sent in a 3x9x36 Diavari for repair,I was told it could not be fixed so I would be receiving a new scope, imagine my suprize when I received a 3x9 Conquest for a replacement. I complained long and hard to no avail,and as a result have now started buying Swarovki optics.

Boy I hate it when they do something like that. Sure wonder why they would mess with the folks that keep them in business. Was the Diavari still in production?

I'm eagerly awaiting to see what Weaver sends me as a replacement for the 3 by 9 Classic scope I sent them. One nice thing is that the scope I sent them is still in production so I've got my hopes up. Being that thay also produce Simmons and Redfield I'm hoping I don't get one of the cheapie Simmons.

Got to say I do really like the Simmons ATEC's I have. Mabe I'm just lucky with the two I have. I know that I'm sure thinking about going back to strictly Leapold and dang the cost.

Faucettb.........I sent in two older REDFIELD SCOPES over a year ago, after talking to Redfield repair station in Florida. They said, sure we can fix them.....they were NOT broke, I just wanted them to check and replace O-rings etc.

Well, after 3 months I called and they said "We do NOT have your scopes. I sent in the money as told, $25 dollars for each scope. They I sent them a copy of the receipt they signed for at the post office for my scopes.

Now about 15 days later, I got a phone call telling me they had found one of my rifle scopes but it was damaged "BENT TUBE" and could NOT be repared.

I sent them another letter through the mail telling them this is BS and I will contact my attorney and the Attorney General about their tactics. They wanted to give me a credit and have me purchase two new "Redfield Rifle Scopes" ..........Ummmmmmm OK, ...... NOT!!!

I later that week found out I could by from Wall - Mart, the same rifle scope for LESS MONEY, without giving up or trading in my scopes. I told them to "Send My Scopes Back To Me and My MONEY. I got both my scopes back 2 months later, in worse shape than I had ever senn them in, they took them apart and didn't put them back together properly. I never did get my money returned. So hunters, beware of REDFIELD or REPAIR STATIONS LIKE SUCH. :mad: :mad: :
Now 2 weeks later I E-mail them and told them to send my scopes and money back to me.

I got both my scopes back 2 months later in worse shape than I sent them and NEVER got my money back, a sum that totaled close to $100 dollars with shipping and insurance costs.

Faucettb.........I sent in two older REDFIELD SCOPES over a year ago, after talking to Redfield repair station in Florida. They said, sure we can fix them.....they were NOT broke, I just wanted them to check and replace O-rings etc.

Well, after 3 months I called and they said "We do NOT have your scopes. I sent in the money as told, $25 dollars for each scope. They I sent them a copy of the receipt they signed for at the post office for my scopes.

Now about 15 days later, I got a phone call telling me they had found one of my rifle scopes but it was damaged "BENT TUBE" and could NOT be repared.

I sent them another letter through the mail telling them this is BS and I will contact my attorney and the Attorney General about their tactics. They wanted to give me a credit and have me purchase two new "Redfield Rifle Scopes" ..........Ummmmmmm OK, ...... NOT!!!

I later that week found out I could by from Wall - Mart, the same rifle scope for LESS MONEY, without giving up or trading in my scopes. I told them to "Send My Scopes Back To Me and My MONEY. I got both my scopes back 2 months later, in worse shape than I had ever senn them in, they took them apart and didn't put them back together properly. I never did get my money returned. So hunters, beware of REDFIELD or REPAIR STATIONS LIKE SUCH. :mad: :mad: :
Now 2 weeks later I E-mail them and told them to send my scopes and money back to me.

I got both my scopes back 2 months later in worse shape than I sent them and NEVER got my money back, a sum that totaled close to $100 dollars with shipping and insurance costs.

Boy talk about the same story. When I originally sent in my Weaver I got this letter back about a bent tube and they would replace it for $71.00. I was pretty sure it did not have a bent tube and was pretty sure that they simply did not want to warrentee their product.

All I can say is you need to call and talk to he head of the service department and reiterate your problems. I just happen to have thier address and 1-800 number. Your scopes should be returned in working order or a better scope returned. From my conversations with there service department I got the impression that the right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing.

Attention:
Mr. Timothy Walker
Consumer Service Representative
Simmons Outdoor Corporation
1-800-285-0689

Be sure to have your PRR number for reference. The fella you need to talk to is Mr. Walkers boss. I think that there going to try to go around warrentees as much as possible. I'm awaiting the new or repaired scope they promised me.

I'd be glad to give them a call on your behalf if you think it would help.

Hi Faucettb,that is one thing that I neglected to mention. The Diavari had just been discontinued, but I felt that they could have handled the situation better, and not have expected me to accept a scope that is only worth less than half of what I sent them. I did get a bit of retribution though, I bought a new pair of Swarovski SLC 10x42 binoculars,and sent a copy of the bill of sale stating that had I been treated fairly they would have been Zeiss. I didnt receive a reply.Now about Leupold the extra money is well spent because they look after you no matter what. A few years ago I took a pretty hard fall and landed on top of my scope, since it was mounted a little high it bent the objective tube down to the barrell ,cracking the tube .I sent in the scope,a note explaining what had happened,and requested an estimatefor repair. About a week later,my scope showed up completly rebuilt with no charge.Now that is warranty . A few extra bucks is money well spent. Forgive my grammar and long windedness I am new to computers and typing, but what a great place to learn. just like shootin it takes lots of practice.I have had lots of replies from lots of nice people but its difficult to reply to all,Hope I dont offend anyone by not replying.

D I'd sure write a letter expressing my dissapointment and letting them know not only did you not recieve any answer, but that you expect better of a company with thier reputation.

I did just that and then followed up with a phone call to the head of the department in charge of public relations. The result was I have a new scope just like the one I sent them coming on the 2nd.

Believe me some one is in charge of the company that produced the scope and if you can't get an answer from an employee then it's time you worked up the food chain.

These folks depend upon us, the customer, to keep thier business going. Unhappy customers talk, and that talk does effect their business. You need to point that out with words that tell them exactly how you feel.

Sending a reciept for another makers product didn't seem very effective. Talking to the department manager or even his boss may be more effective. your out nothing but a little postage or the cost of a phone call at the least. At the most you may get a problem resolved.

good for you kicking them up the a*** ! Sometimes these customer "service" weiners need a dose of reality.

About a year ago I purchased a used gun with a Simmon ATEC 6x20 on top. Something happened to the scope from recoil (7MM STW). I sent it back with a letter explaining what happened and that I no longer wanted that much power. I recieved in the mail a Weaver Classic in 4x16 power. This Weaver holds up to the recoil and has been fine.

In this situation my experience has been opposite of everyone else. Maybe the Classic was cheaper than the ATEC and they didn't have a problem with it.

I've got two AETEC's, both 2.8 to 10's I was not aware that Simmons produced The AETEC in other than in the 2.8 to 10 and the 4 by 14.

You might have had one of the other Simmons scopes. The only 6.5 by 20 I was aware of was the whitetail Classic model. Simmons is no longer producing any high power scopes larger than 6 by 18 according to their website.

Simmons produces a bunch of different grades of scopes, from extremly low priced ones to the top of the line AETEC models.

The AETEC and the Weaver Classics compare very favorably to each other both in price and optics. I have two of the Weaver Classics, one a 2-10 and the other the 3 by 9 that I should be getting back today.

I did find it interesting that for $71.00 they would replace the 3 by 9 Weaver classic. I've also seen these scopes retail at near $140.00. Kind of tells what the cost of producing one is.

The AETEC's I have were on a Rem 700 in 8mm Rem mag and one now resides on a Rem 700 Mountian rifle in 280 Remington. Both these compact scopes have held up well to the recoil fo the big magnums as have the two Weavers. As far as optics I lean slightly to the AETEC's.

It took some argueing to get them to fix/replace my Weaver scope. I think Meade optics whom just bought out Simmons, Weaver and Redfield are having some teething problems with warrentee work.

I'm not so sure that I'm going to purchase their products again. Probably go back to Leapold or buy a Burris when any scopes need replaced.

It was deffinitely a 6x20 power Aetec. I don't think they made it very long and I know they don't make it anymore. You can still find them used.

It was deffinitely a 6x20 power Aetec. I don't think they made it very long and I know they don't make it anymore. You can still find them used.

Simmons, according to what I see on their web sight is paring down their offerings a bunch. Dropping off the lesser selling lines and bolstering the scopes that seem to sell the best. I'm sure this is Meade stepping in and trying to make just the popular scopes.

They also are reserecting Redfield with several new high range variables. Along with the new acu-track adjustments this ought to make some fine scopes.

I've got to say out of all the scopes I own the AETEC is my favorite. This was one of the first scopes on the market in it's price range that I thought was worth the money.

The head of the service department told me that they were in the process of overhauling their warrentee to come more in line with some of the other top scope makers. Hopefully their looking at Leapold and Burris for a role model.

Last year when the Aetec broke I was trying to find a comparible scope. Going through catalogs and all. Anyhow the 6x20 was not offered. They were making the 6x20 in a Sniper Series or something like that in the 6x20 the scope looked the same but wasn't called an Aetec.

There warranty was good for me. But reading this post leads me to believe that their objectives are something other than customer service and are more towards numbers on an excel spreadsheet.

Well the UPS man just dropped off what looks like a brand new in the box 3 by 9 by 33 Weaver Classic. Now I've got to go and put it on the Ruger #1 and take it to the range. Sure is pretty. Hopefully this one will last a while.

If your looking for a higher powered variable I've had pretty good luck with BSA scopes. Put one on my sons 700 Rem VLS in 243 and it's done pretty well. It's a 6 by 24 illumanated mil dot model and I think it was around $110.00 delivered.

I've got an old Tasco 8 by 24 (one of the made in Japan models) on my 204 Ruger and it is just excellent.

Nope the Classic 16 is working great. The Aetec was to much for my application.