Rifle Scopes Bushnell will not honor 30% off Elite Tactical scopes

[generalzip]

Do yourself a favor and don't buy a XRS II, let alone any Bushnell product. They won't stand behind their word. They will not honor their 30% rebate even though I have the coupon from here

https://media.midwayusa.com/cms/rebate/2018_2/2018_bushnell_30_30days_promotion_mir.pdf

showing the scope is not excluded from the rebate. I contacted Bushnell, Vista Outdoors, etc and just got the run around. I even purchased on March 1st, the first day of the rebate, before they changed their mind about excluding the Elite Tactical Scopes.


I will never buy another Bushnell product again after this. I wanted to post this to make everyone aware and save you all your time, $750 bucks, and a headache.

 

[FCrifles]

I understand your frustration, as I also sent in the rebate for a couple of scopes. With that being said, $750 for a LRHS 4.5-18x44 is a knockout deal that George and GA offered to everybody (they weren't even aware of any rebate). The problem lies with Bushnell soley and an obvious oversight on their half. I too have the original rebate that did not exclude the LRHS, I also purchased on 3/1 and called vista on 3/1 just before pulling the trigger. Talked with Ashley who punched in the product number for that scope specifically and told me that it was indeed honored in the rebate....now it is not

 

[_Windrider_]

Aaaaaaand now you know why Vista is next in line after Remington to declare BK.

 

[W54/XM-388]

This would be one thing where you could quite possibly have some recourse to either your credit card provider or to the FTC since in any case your purchase of the product was specifically tied to the promised rebate.
The FTC thing can take a long time to work out however, but they do tend to take a hard stance if enough people complain.

 

[generalzip]

$750 is not what I paid for a LRHS. Where did you read that? I bought a XRS II for over 2 grand.... The rebate should have been around $675 for a $2250 scope. Sorry my math was a bit off.

I also spoke with someone before I punched in the rebate (may have been Ashley as well). She was very friendly and helpful. Now I'm being told my rebate will not be honored. I'll never buy a Bushnell product after this and I own at least 6 of their ET scopes. Their loss in the end I suppose however.

 

[generalzip]

W54,

I agree with the CC, but the vendor is not at fault and I do not feel right punishing them. The manufacturer is at fault, not the vendor that sold it to me. Can you elaborate on the FTC? I'm not familiar with that term.

 

[_Windrider_]

W54,

I agree with the CC, but the vendor is not at fault and I do not feel right punishing them. The manufacturer is at fault, not the vendor that sold it to me. Can you elaborate on the FTC? I'm not familiar with that term.

Federal trade Commission

 

[Aaron47pb]

Given the conflicting responses, I'm just trying to understand what happened to you. Are you saying you physically mailed in the rebate, just received notice that it wasn't accepted, then called in and was told you were SoL?

 

[TheGerman]

lol Bushnell

The company I bought a brand new spotter from that basically imploded within 6 months, sent it in and then after 'losing' it and waiting 4 months, I get a non reticle, angled eye piece spotter (nothing even remotely close to the model I sent in) that was listed several hundred dollars LESS than the one I sent. When I complained, they sent me some bullshit 20% off coupon for the luxury of getting 20% off of full retail on their site.

Fuck. Them. Spotter 60 Masterrace from then on.

 

[_Windrider_]

lol Bushnell

The company I bought a brand new spotter from that basically imploded within 6 months, sent it in and then after 'losing' it and waiting 4 months, I get a non reticle, angled eye piece spotter (nothing even remotely close to the model I sent in) that was listed several hundred dollars LESS than the one I sent. When I complained, they sent me some bullshit 20% off coupon for the luxury of getting 20% off of full retail on their site.

Fuck. Them. Spotter 60 Masterrace from then on.

I looks through a spotter 80 this weekend. Yeah it was so choice.

 

[FCrifles]

You said $750 and I assumed you were talking about the LRHS too, my fault. That is the price they were selling for at GA.

I agree with it being bullshit if Bushnell doesn't honor it, since it was originally eligible (speaking for the LRHS). I submitted originally online and was rejected. Talked with them and they said send it in via mail with the original rebate form showing no exclusions for the Elite Tactical series and they would honor it.

I just talked with Vista and they received my mail submission and told me as long as the rebate form didn't exclude the scope I was good to go. Guess we will see

 

[fdkay]

I am sorry you guys didn't get the promotional offer, but, sitting on the sidelines, I'll say this.
The rebate form from Bushnell specifically excluded the Elite Tactical.
Vista "claimed' that they would honor the rebate.
Vista is at fault here, not Bushnell.
In regards to the "tactical hunters" not being honored, i think that is a serious fuckup and bushnell should honor it. They definitely do not say "elite tactical" anywhere except in the description that they are derived from the tactical series.

 

[MachoKing]

Wish I would have known about the $750 for an LRHS. I paid more than that with my military discount.

 

[BurnOut]

I am sorry you guys didn't get the promotional offer, but, sitting on the sidelines, I'll say this.
The rebate form from Bushnell specifically excluded the Elite Tactical.
Vista "claimed' that they would honor the rebate.
Vista is at fault here, not Bushnell.
In regards to the "tactical hunters" not being honored, i think that is a serious fuckup and bushnell should honor it. They definitely do not say "elite tactical" anywhere except in the description that they are derived from the tactical series.

EXACTLY. In all honesty, if I had purchased an Elite Tactical optic intending to take advantage of this rebate, I, personally, would be willing to take my lumps because all of the rebate forms that I've seen specifically exclude the Elite Tactical products. However, the Elite Long Range Hunter products being excluded is bullshit... even Bushnell's own product page for them does not include the word "tactical".

 

[lte82]

I'm in the same boat. My XRS 2 is in the mail and being returned for a refund.

 

[TimeWillTell]

You said $750 and I assumed you were talking about the LRHS too, my fault. That is the price they were selling for at GA.

I agree with it being bullshit if Bushnell doesn't honor it, since it was originally eligible (speaking for the LRHS). I submitted originally online and was rejected. Talked with them and they said send it in via mail with the original rebate form showing no exclusions for the Elite Tactical series and they would honor it.

I just talked with Vista and they received my mail submission and told me as long as the rebate form didn't exclude the scope I was good to go. Guess we will see

This is what I was told from Bushnell as well. I printed out the email to send as well.

 

[Aaron47pb]

Given the conflicting responses, I'm just trying to understand what happened to you. Are you saying you physically mailed in the rebate, just received notice that it wasn't accepted, then called in and was told you were SoL?

@generalzip Can you clarify if you had your mail in rebate rejected or the online?

 

[generalzip]

Given the conflicting responses, I'm just trying to understand what happened to you. Are you saying you physically mailed in the rebate, just received notice that it wasn't accepted, then called in and was told you were SoL?

I submitted my rebate online with pics and supporting documents AFTER I spoke on the phone with a rep from Vista Outdoor because my UPC was not going through. She gave me another to use that she said should work. I then got a rejection email. Called Vista and they said SoL. Called Bushnell and they said call Vista, which I said I did and they didn't care because Vista gives the rebates not Bushnell.

 

[generalzip]

I'm not sure what submitting it via mail would accomplish that submitting via online wouldn't? Maybe cutting the UPC out makes it more official as a proof of purchase? I'll try this as well and update. But at this rate I'll likely never buy another Bushnell product.

 

[MilDot1960]

On one site I looked at a week or so back they did state that their elite Tac range were excluded, I remember it because I have little interest in the non Elite range, So it might me a bad case of miscommunication,

 

[quiksilverj]

I'm still confused on the exclusion. Are the tactical series the "trs-25" exclusion?

Edit: that's seems like a red dot. I don't see it excluded on the Midway linked rebate which I guess is where the problem lies

 

[generalzip]

I'm still confused on the exclusion. Are the tactical series the "trs-25" exclusion?

Edit: that's seems like a red dot. I don't see it excluded on the Midway linked rebate which I guess is where the problem lies

That's correct. The original form was on Midway and that's what everyone used and is now screwed.

 

[MilDot1960]

They clearly list what is excluded,

QUOTE:-

30% for 30 Days
Purchase a Bushnell binocular, riflescope, hunting laser rangefinder, or spotting scope and receive 30% of your purchase price back in the form of a Bushnell Visa Prepaid Card. Offer excludes Bushnell Golf, Bushnell BackTrack GPS, Bushnell Trail Cameras, Bushnell Elite Tactical Riflescopes, and Bushnell TRS-25 products.

 

[generalzip]

They clearly list what is excluded,

QUOTE:-

30% for 30 Days
Purchase a Bushnell binocular, riflescope, hunting laser rangefinder, or spotting scope and receive 30% of your purchase price back in the form of a Bushnell Visa Prepaid Card. Offer excludes Bushnell Golf, Bushnell BackTrack GPS, Bushnell Trail Cameras, Bushnell Elite Tactical Riflescopes, and Bushnell TRS-25 products.

http://www.bushnell.com/global/promotions

You must have not clicked the link in the original OP. I'll post it again for you. This was the first rebate form to come out. They didn't change the exclusion list to include the Elite Tacticals until days after my purchase.

https://media.midwayusa.com/cms/rebate/2018_2/2018_bushnell_30_30days_promotion_mir.pdf

 

[MilDot1960]

You must have not clicked the link in the original OP. I'll post it again for you. This was the first rebate form to come out. They didn't change the exclusion list to include the Elite Tacticals until days after my purchase.

https://media.midwayusa.com/cms/rebate/2018_2/2018_bushnell_30_30days_promotion_mir.pdf

Sorry about that, Thank you Sir.

 

[TimeWillTell]

They clearly list what is excluded,

QUOTE:-

30% for 30 Days
Purchase a Bushnell binocular, riflescope, hunting laser rangefinder, or spotting scope and receive 30% of your purchase price back in the form of a Bushnell Visa Prepaid Card. Offer excludes Bushnell Golf, Bushnell BackTrack GPS, Bushnell Trail Cameras, Bushnell Elite Tactical Riflescopes, and Bushnell TRS-25 products.

http://www.bushnell.com/global/promotions

A lot of us bought based on the first form that did not exclude the elite tactical line.

 

[Aaron47pb]

Not to mention replies from Bushnell, in writing, that their Elite Tactical scopes would be covered by the rebate.

 

[MilDot1960]

A lot of us bought based on the first form that did not exclude the elite tactical line.

Yeah Sorry to hear that, When I first saw they excluded them I thought £&%$ and then went to another page, It always seems like the good gear never makes it to the Hot deals list.

 

[TimeWillTell]

Yeah Sorry to hear that, When I first saw they excluded them I thought £&%$ and then went to another page, It always seems like the good gear never makes it to the Hot deals list.

I'm not going to freak out yet. I'll sit back and see how my paper submission goes. I didn't even attempt the online form as I figured it would be a automated thing that wouldn't work.

 

[MilDot1960]

I know it is too late to help you guys but next time maybe we should warn others if they see a deal on certain sites might pay to check with Bushnell first before handing over the Loot.

 

[BurnOut]

You must have not clicked the link in the original OP. I'll post it again for you. This was the first rebate form to come out. They didn't change the exclusion list to include the Elite Tacticals until days after my purchase.

https://media.midwayusa.com/cms/rebate/2018_2/2018_bushnell_30_30days_promotion_mir.pdf

FWIW (which might not be much), the Vista Outdoors rep that I talked to earlier today stated that if I could find a rebate submission form that didn't exclude the Elite Tactical models, then I should use that to submit for my rebate via snail mail. I would guess that his thinking is that if the Elite Tactical-exclusionary form wasn't out when the purchase was made, then they'd have no choice BUT to honor the rebate.

I have no idea if that's accurate or not, but it may be worth a shot. In my case, it is... because returning my (LRHSi) scope would invoke a 15% restocking fee from my vendor (GrabAGun) that they aren't willing to waive. As such, it'd cost me $180 out of pocket if I just wanted to tell Bushnell and Vista to fuck off and wash my hands of it. No, thanks. So, I'm going to do everything I can with my snail mail submission to ensure that Vista/Bushnell honors the rebate.

 

[spife7980]

I know it is too late to help you guys but next time maybe we should warn others if they see a deal on certain sites might pay to check with Bushnell first before handing over the Loot.

God, read the threads. People did that. But the parent company, Vista Outdoors https://vistaoutdoor.com/brands/, is who is denying the rebate, not Bushnell itself.

 

[generalzip]

FWIW (which might not be much), the Vista Outdoors rep that I talked to earlier today stated that if I could find a rebate submission form that didn't exclude the Elite Tactical models, then I should use that to submit for my rebate via snail mail. I would guess that his thinking is that if the Elite Tactical-exclusionary form wasn't out when the purchase was made, then they'd have no choice BUT to honor the rebate.

I have no idea if that's accurate or not, but it may be worth a shot. In my case, it is... because returning my (LRHSi) scope would invoke a 15% restocking fee from my vendor (GrabAGun) that they aren't willing to waive. As such, it'd cost me $180 out of pocket if I just wanted to tell Bushnell and Vista to fuck off and wash my hands of it. No, thanks. So, I'm going to do everything I can with my snail mail submission to ensure that Vista/Bushnell honors the rebate.

I plan on doing the same. Will post back with results in the coming weeks. I hope a Bushnell rep sees this thread and understands the damage to Bushnells reputation with this screw up.

 

[Aaron47pb]

I plan on doing the same. Will post back with results in the coming weeks. I hope a Bushnell rep sees this thread and understands the damage to Bushnells reputation with this screw up.

Hopefully the mailed in rebates will be accepted and there won’t be a screw up, but rather Bushnell taking the high road. My impression from the beginning was that we had to mail it in for the Elite Tactical line since the website was not set up to accept them.

 

[Doogie]

I know it is too late to help you guys but next time maybe we should warn others if they see a deal on certain sites might pay to check with Bushnell first before handing over the Loot.

No dice. I did exactly that and Bushnell told me I was good to go.

 

[TimeWillTell]

No dice. I did exactly that and Bushnell told me I was good to go.

View attachment 6887821

Nearly identical response that I received. I printed out my email and sent in with the rebate form that did NOT exclude the elite tactical

 

[Doogie]

Nearly identical response that I received. I printed out my email and sent in with the rebate form that did NOT exclude the elite tactical

How long ago did you send in your form?

 

[MilDot1960]

Struth what a mess,

 

[TheGerman]

I looks through a spotter 80 this weekend. Yeah it was so choice.

Tell me more about this Spotter 80

 

[TimeWillTell]

How long ago did you send in your form?

Saturday. So just started the process.

 

[_Windrider_]

Ha! Fucking fat fingers! 25-60x85 I believe it was

 

[ophious]

"Offer excludes Bushnell Golf, Bushnell Elite Tactical Scopes, Bushnell BackTrack GPS, Bushnell Trail Cameras and Bushnell TRS-25 products. Clubs, groups and organization entries are void and will not be honored, acknowledged or returned."

 

[Aaron47pb]

"Offer excludes Bushnell Golf, Bushnell Elite Tactical Scopes, Bushnell BackTrack GPS, Bushnell Trail Cameras and Bushnell TRS-25 products. Clubs, groups and organization entries are void and will not be honored, acknowledged or returned."

And a version that is still live on Midway USA that doesn't have any language about excluding the Elite Tactical line:

https://media.midwayusa.com/cms/rebate/2018_2/2018_bushnell_30_30days_promotion_mir.pdf

Now add that Bushnell is saying they will cover the Elite Tactical line and you have the current confusion..

 

[ophious]

And a version that is still live on Midway USA that doesn't have any language about excluding the Elite Tactical line:

https://media.midwayusa.com/cms/rebate/2018_2/2018_bushnell_30_30days_promotion_mir.pdf

Now add that Bushnell is saying they will cover the Elite Tactical line and you have the current confusion..

That's come BS. I'd be pissed. You should throw their scope through their corporate window like the discount tire commercial. I'd return it. Get a Kahles. You'd be much more satisfied anyway.

 

[Triple D]

I have a feeling this will turn into a bad move for Vista/Bushnell.

I was actually planning on giving then a try and was going to grab a XRS II. After seeing how they went back on their word, it’s hard to hand over any of my cash for their products. Looks like I’ll be sticking to NF and Vortex, and possibly Minox or S&B.

 

[Changed]

It’s a mistake, a big one, but a mistake nonetheless. Try not to judge them for one simple mistake. They did make it clear that it was an error, and darn near same day. Many people are simply trying to take advantage of this mistake. Not saying the OP did. If I were you I’d return the scope. It they won’t take it I’d return it directly to bushnell. Imagine if this were your company.

 

[chongoMT]

I ordered through Brownells in anticipation that it may get messy. When/if my rebate gets rejected after providing the correct form that does NOT mention the Tactical line, my first call will be to the CC company and see if they can do some heavy lifting on my behalf.

 

[generalzip]

It’s a mistake, a big one, but a mistake nonetheless. Try not to judge them for one simple mistake. They did make it clear that it was an error, and darn near same day. Many people are simply trying to take advantage of this mistake. Not saying the OP did. If I were you I’d return the scope. It they won’t take it I’d return it directly to bushnell. Imagine if this were your company.

They should at least honor purchased made before they released the new rebate form. I ordered the first day of the rebate. I wouldn’t have bought this scope otherwise I would have just got another gen 2 razor. Vista/Bushnell refuse to take the scope as a return and give me my money back. The vendor I bought it from charges 20% because I put it in rings. It’s new and never been on a fired rifle otherwise. Pretty pissed

 

[Changed]

They should at least honor purchased made before they released the new rebate form. I ordered the first day of the rebate. I wouldn’t have bought this scope otherwise I would have just got another gen 2 razor. Vista/Bushnell refuse to take the scope as a return and give me my money back. The vendor I bought it from charges 20% because I put it in rings. It’s new and never been on a fired rifle otherwise. Pretty pissed

Again. I understand your situation, and sympathize. Hate to hear all of this. I will agree that it’s a big hit.

 

[b6graham]

It seems from this thread and the other than the people who talked to actual people got help and those who did tried online didn't get what they wanted. Yeah snail mail blows and talking to people can be long. But if that's what it takes...