Brownells changed their “forever guarantee” return policy

[Adam B]

A word to the wise. Brownells has always had a great return policy (that is why I shop there from time to time, it surely isn't their low prices). I purchased 2 of their MPO scopes at the end of December and decided that I didn't care for them and returned them. I received a credit for $2100 and change today instead of a credit on the card I used to purchase them. Apparently they change their Forever Guarantee in November and neglected to tell anyone about it. This is my last purchase with them!

 

[wade2big]

To be fair it states in their policy that if the item is over 45 days old a credit is issued. Its all there. Be glad they take shit back that you beat up already. I wouldn’t.

You should be praising Brownell’s.

 

[Adam B]

They just made the change in November and never sent out one single notice about it. FYI-the scopes were like new when I sent them back

 

[Codiekfx400]

This should be interesting. I just sent back a couple of HS precision urban sniper rifle stocks.

 

[1911hombre]

What kind or amount of credit were you expecting?

 

[Adam B]

What kind or amount of credit were you expecting?

I wanted it refunded to my credit card, not a Brownells gift card

 

[Drew890]

They just made the change in November and never sent out one single notice about it. FYI-the scopes were like new when I sent them back

Wait, so the expectation is that retailers have to send an email or letter to all potential customers that they are changing a policy?
It’s not enough that the policy was clearly in place at the time of the order, but they are required to send out individual communications prior to any future purchases?

 

[AFancyPenguin]

A word to the wise. Brownells has always had a great return policy (that is why I shop there from time to time, it surely isn't their low prices). I purchased 2 of their MPO scopes at the end of December and decided that I didn't care for them and returned them. I received a credit for $2100 and change today instead of a credit on the card I used to purchase them. Apparently they change their Forever Guarantee in November and neglected to tell anyone about it. This is my last purchase with them!

How long did you have them prior to returning?

 

[Adam B]

Wait, so the expectation is that retailers have to send an email or letter to all potential customers that they are changing a policy?
It’s not enough that the policy was clearly in place at the time of the order, but they are required to send out individual communications prior to any future purchases?

Given that they have had their Forever Guarantee in place forever, which essentially helped to build their business to what it is today, I would think if they are going to make such a drastic change to it they should send out an email to their customers notifying them of the change. It isnt like they dont spam them hell out of their customer base as it is

 

[Adam B]

How long did you have them prior to returning?

48 days

 

[AFancyPenguin]

Sucks, but I would be happy just to have gotten something back.

 

[Adam B]

Sucks, but I would be happy just to have gotten something back.

I agree

 

[abn31c]

"Like new" = used, just sayin.....

 

[LawnMM]

You can't find a way to spend a $2100 gift card at Brownells?

 

[wade2big]

48 days

You did buy them in December and are just now making this thread. Probably more like 68 days.

 

[Drew890]

According to the OPs previous post in the MPO thread, he was praising them in January.

 

[Adam B]

Probably due to shipping time and processing time

Exactly

 

[wade2big]

Probably due to shipping time and processing time

I am ribbing on him like everyone else. Definitely not calling him a liar. Poking fun.

 

[Adam B]

According to the OPs previous post in the MPO thread, he was praising them in January.

I liked them initially but changed my mind, thanks sherlock

 

[DukeGSP]

if you say you're never shopping with them again, may I pretty please have the credit?

 

[Adam B]

if you say you're never shopping with them again, may I pretty please have the credit?

sure $2100, just paypal me

 

[Adam B]

Agreed, are those gift cards for sale at a discount?? Haha just playing OP, try giving them a ring, if not i'm sure you've got other things to buy at Brownells

I called them and they are not budging which is a bummer because I have been a customer for over 20 years but no more

 

[DukeGSP]

I"ll start the bid @ 1,000

 

[deersniper]

$1001

What don’t you like about the scopes ?

 

[Adam B]

I didn’t care for the cap on the windage, the lack of a locking turret for elevation and the click adjustments

 

[W54/XM-388]

I wouldn't get all bent out of shape over it if I was you.

Most everyone has had to adjust their refund policies because with all the competition and low margins nobody can really afford to keep taking it in the shorts as a buy and try for free place. Too many folks abusing it and as such it becomes unmanageable.

They sent you brand new scopes on time.
You returned Used scopes the better part of 2 months later.
They can't sell them as new any more, and somebody else would want a fair bit of a discount (I'm sure you would) because somebody else used them.

Take for example EuroOptic, you mount the scope in your rings, no full refund for you even if it's within their return period as now they can't sell it as new any more & have to give a decent discount on it.

I'd have a bit of sympathy if you just got the scope took a look and didn't like the feel of it and sent it back right away, but over a month later, be glad you got the full value back in a gift card and not less a restocking fee.

 

[W54/XM-388]

That does suck, but it would also suck to "sell" stuff so people can try it out, then try to sell it used when you're already out shipping costs.

I'm not above doing this whatsoever, but it feels better when I do it to a POS outfit like Amazon.

You'll find it's rather infuriating on the other end especially when people lie about things to demand you pay the return shipping.

So you sent them the exact item they wanted, brand New, and now you get back a Used item, devalued, and had to pay to ship it to them and get it back. You'll understand why on the other end, you feel pretty robbed. Even if you are selling a used item, the price may have changed for the lower two months later when you get it back.

You'll notice just about every grocery store and warehouse store in the country stopped offering returns on common bulk buy products as this "crisis" hit. Not just here in the USA either.

Amazon will tolerate it when you do it to the little guy, their 3rd party sellers. But do it to Corporate Amazon a few times too many, and trip their "It's not worth it for us to have you as a customer" percentage and you may see your account terminated without warning or recourse.

On our end we tend to refuse to sell to customers who do that stuff to us once or more.

 

[Charger442]

Buyers responsibility to understand the return policy before buying.

I side with Brownells on this one. It was in place in November and you bought in December. thats on the buyer 100%.

 

[abn31c]

The Brownells thread......

Screw Adam B.......

 

[Adam B]

The Brownells thread......

Screw Adam B.......

Wow, did you think of that all on your own? Impressive!

 

[Greenday4537]

My most recent experience was getting a hazmat shipment from them. FedEx would only attempt delivery in the middle of the day during the week. They were trying every which way to get FedEx to either wait until the weekend or deliver at night but FedEx was too lazy. They then offered to have it returned and they'd ship it (for free) to work if my job allowed it or to a FFL to hold onto for me. In the end, they had FedEx hold it at a location that stores hazmats and I drove an hour away to pick up my stuff.

Sucks to hear you weren't satisfied with their current policy, but I've really enjoyed their customer service.

 

[Alphatreedog]

Maybe Brownells is so expensive beause people buy expensive shit , use it then return it . Which so happens to equal used then Brownells is on the hook for a used product and out cash .

 

[Lil Casino]

I see it as a free lesson. Be glad they didn't charge a restocking fee.

 

[dzander]

Maybe it's just me but I wouldn't buy more than one scope of the same if I never had tried it before.
Fed x sucks. I joined the EDGE program , placed a order, supposed to be 2 day free shipping, took a week to get the package. I called to cancel the EDGE program , they said they would change my account to ship UPS only.
Placed a order yesterday, they didn't ship until today, so will see if I get it Thursday.
They aren't the best price like stated above, I think I'd rather support a company thats gun related vs say a Amazon.

 

[Adam B]

Maybe it's just me but I wouldn't buy more than one scope of the same if I never had tried it before.
Fed x sucks. I joined the EDGE program , placed a order, supposed to be 2 day free shipping, took a week to get the package. I called to cancel the EDGE program , they said they would change my account to ship UPS only.
Placed a order yesterday, they didn't ship until today, so will see if I get it Thursday.
They aren't the best price like stated above, I think I'd rather support a company thats gun related vs say a Amazon.

I agree 100%, I ordered the second one for a buddy

 

[Arc Light]

Tell you what, to help a fellow shooter out, I'll trade you 1000 rounds of M855 ammo straight up for your $2100 credit.

I'll eat the loss as Cheaper Than Dirt currently has the ammo for sale at $2495.00. Let me know.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Who the fuck orders shit, just to send it back later? Much much later I might add.
There is a proverb that applies here....right on the tip of my tongue......parted money....something something.
I dunno. Seems weak.
Making prima Donna's happy....is that why their stuff is expensive?
They are changing their policies, good, maybe I can afford to shop there more often.

 

[hermosabeach]

I'll give you $1300 for the Gift Card

 

[dzander]

Brownells has a lot of niche stuff that would pain in the ass to try and round up otherwise.
Wouldn't like to see them go out of business. I probably wouldn't buy a firearm or loaded ammo from them, or a Scope as there usually better sources for that. It's a gunsmith goto source.

 

[DOA]

I returned scope rings that were a year old, new and unused. Thought I was gonna get a 30mm scope but decided not to. Guess what? They accepted my return and gave me store credit? Instead of coming to SH and starting a whining and bitch thread, I bought something more expensive from them that I wanted more.

 

[RTH1800]

I’m not feeling it.

 

[abn31c]

F...R.....E.........E...Free....FREE......FREE

 

[armorpl8chikn]

F...R.....E.........E...Free....FREE......FREE

N...O.....T..HING...nothing...nothing is free. Even sunshine exacts a price from us.

 

[Centuriator]

48 days

Your fault then, stop whining.

 

[tnichols]

BEAR PIT!!!

???

 

[Driftr76]

 

[Centuriator]

"I purchased 2 of their MPO scopes at the end of December and decided that I didn't care for them and returned them."

Let me fix it for you:

"I purchased two of their MPO scopes at the end of December. I decided I didn't care for them, but I waited 48 days to try to return them. I expected Brownells to let me keep them for six weeks and now I'm upset they are only giving me a store credit so I thought I'd come on here and badmouth Brownells."

 

[TheGerman]

$1001

What don’t you like about the scopes ?

$600

 

[abn31c]

Your fault then, stop whining.

Holy shit, you made a post I agree with.
You should go by a Lotto ticket.......

 

[Centuriator]

Holy shit, you made a post I agree with.
You should go by a Lotto ticket.......