Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

[mram10]

I have a pair of Bushnell Fusions that were dropped and the left eye piece was bent. It also hit just right on the left strap holder and broke a little chunk off. I sent them in to Bushnell and they told me the warranty was void since I dropped them. I understand if I drove over them, but to drop them and have it do that much damage shows a lack of durability.

I sent them in to be repaired and the repair person told me the warranty is void, but we can sell you a pair for about $700. I composed myself and asked to speak to a manager. I talked to a manager named Steve(seemed very helpful) and he said they would fix the left eye piece for $25. Great! Well, I got them back and found that both front rings that hold in the front lenses were bent. Also, the left eye piece requires full focus(-) to get them to get close to fully focusing.

I just called him back and I will send them in again after hunting season for the above problems and the LRF display being very hard to read in the day time. I have dealt with Brunton, Vortex and Bushnell for product issues and Bushnell is by far the hardest to deal with. If vortex or brunton offered binos with lrfs built in, I would sell my fusions in a heart beat. Either way, I will keep you guys posted.

 

[L3IRQ]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

Shame to hear that, I was thinking of picking up one of the new 1-8.5's when they were released but now I will definitely think twice.

 

[KLin]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mram10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a pair of Bushnell Fusions that were dropped and the left eye piece was bent. It also hit just right on the left strap holder and broke a little chunk off. I sent them in to Bushnell and they told me the warranty was void since I dropped them. I understand if I drove over them, but to drop them and have it do that much damage shows a lack of durability.

I sent them in to be repaired and the repair person told me the warranty is void, but we can sell you a pair for about $700. I composed myself and asked to speak to a manager. I talked to a manager named Steve(seemed very helpful) and he said they would fix the left eye piece for $25. Great! Well, I got them back and found that both front rings that hold in the front lenses were bent. Also, the left eye piece requires full focus(-) to get them to get close to fully focusing.

I just called him back and I will send them in again after hunting season for the above problems and the LRF display being very hard to read in the day time. I have dealt with Brunton, Vortex and Bushnell for product issues and Bushnell is by far the hardest to deal with. If vortex or brunton offered binos with lrfs built in, I would sell my fusions in a heart beat. Either way, I will keep you guys posted.</div></div>

I would give Bushnell another shot---they are just across the river from us and we've had really great conversations with them and I believe they want to take care of their customers and stand behind their product 100%.

mention this: http://www.bushnell.com/global/promotions/bullet-proof-money-back-guarantee

it is listed on their covered product handout: http://www.bushnell.com/Bushnell/media/F...roduct_List.pdf

 

[mram10]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

KL,
I did mention that. They said because they were dropped, it voids the warranty. They even read the warranty verbatim for me. I am not looking for a reason to be frustrated with them, but it has been far from dealing with Vortex.

 

[loper]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

I had a similar experience dealing with bushnell's "customer service". I had an elite scope go tits up, (erector, I guess.)and it turned into a real goat rope. Did not get resolved, I ended up saying screw it, and I just don't buy bushnell stuff any more.

 

[Helter]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

How high did you drop them from? Was this from a stand or something?

 

[mram10]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

They were on a coat hook and a little kid(not mine)ran by and knocked them off. That is why I think they are not very durable.

 

[Helter]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

Yeah, I'll stay away from them then. Dropping them from what seems like a normal height wouldn't seem like "abuse" to me, that's what I'd expect a set of field glasses to experience in normal use.

 

[mdesign]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

Interesting, keep us posted if there are better developments...things like this could affect my decision to purchase from them.

Personally, I would not expect this to be covered by warranty but would think a quality repair should be an option.

To me, if the product fails to function due to the failure of the product, that is warranty. If I fall (or drop) my product and damage occurs then I hope I have bought from a company that will help me get fixed up at a fair cost. I dropped a pair of bino's once on a hunt and had to pay for the repair so they would focus right. The company was Redfield and $75 made them as good (or better) as new.

This is why my expensive things are not where kids can knock them down and I am careful with them in the field. My man-cave where I have all my things and taxidermy is off limits (door locked) when we have company over.

 

[JeffP40]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

Here is what I am seeing. You left very expensive equipment where it could easily be dropped and when it does get dropped, you don't think it should have been damaged, and then expect the company to fix them for free? Am I getting this right? No one in their right mind leaves something like that where kids can get to it and then wants someone else to pay for their mistake. If you had said you made a mistake and needed them to be fixed due to your actions, I can see getting them repaired for a reasonable cost, but you think they should be covered for your incompetency
I can't imagine anyone thinking they should be subjected to an impact and not be damaged. I have dropped my binos out the door of the pickup and expected them to at least be knocked out of collimation, and been danged glad when they weren't.
Did you learn anything from this?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

JeffP40: You're missing the part where the OP stated bushnell offered to fix the eyepiece for $25 and he said "GREAT", but bushnell didn't in fact complete the repair.

I dont' think the OP is trying to absolve himself of his error in leaving expensive stuff where it could be hurt by children. I also didn't the impression he simply expects Bushnell to fix what he 'dun broke.

What I got from the OP, is he was dismayed the fall actually broke the equipment - that he wouldn't have expected so much damage... Then, Bushnell failed to complete a quality repair.

Perhaps I misunderstood?

Personally, I think asking for a precision optic to withstand drops onto hard surfaces with no issue is a tall order. However, I think it's fair to expect the manufacturer to suppor the product by repairing if at all possible, and perhaps offering a discount towards a new unit if it can't be repaired - particularly in this industry.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

i love my fusions and its probably the one piece of gear that i just can't do without. i guard and protect mine accordingly.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

1. Vortex would have fixed your shit no questions asked.

2. @ Ken while I love my HDMR I continue to have second thoughts about supporting Bushnell. Their lack of customer service is beginning to send waves to us that pay attention to such matters. The only time one gets something fixed from Bushnell is if they complain on Snipers Hide and someone with the inside scoop on who they should talk to at Bushnell about getting the optics fixed.

3. @ Jeff it's duely noted that you own safe queens and never use your gear.

4. Bushnell has stepped up their game in the optics field, now lets see them step up their CS game.

 

[codyb]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">Personally, I think asking for a precision optic to withstand drops onto hard surfaces with no issue is a tall order. However, I think it's fair to expect the manufacturer to suppor the product by repairing if at all possible, and perhaps offering a discount towards a new unit if it can't be repaired - particularly in this industry.</span> </div></div>

Swaro did it for me, dropped mine of a cliff while hunting. My fault no question about it. I hoped I would be able to pay for and have them repaired. They just sent em back for free, good as new.

CS like that makes customers for life.

 

[GasLight]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

Customer service at the end is paramount in this industry these days. We pay a premium for quality, but that doesn't mean there won't be issues. That said, how a company deals with issues on the back end is what we end up evaluating companies on. Should they fix them for free? Maybe, maybe not, it doesn't comfort me how this was handled though. And I have been looking at the fusion binos, but spending that kind of money on a product that isn't backed by what I feel is an industry standard (you can thank companies like Vortex for this) is asking a lot.

 

[Wolf22]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

GasLight quoted best - Thanks to Vortex and other vendors on this forum, the standard has been set for taking care of their clients. Right or wrong, in terms of fixing stuff for free when truly not a manuf. defect/issue, the Good and "bad'' gets made known........

But when a Manuf. returns a product still jacked, they should get bad press. I am pretty sure every company has QC, or managers that should have their eyes open prior to releasing a product for shipping. Should being the key word and in this Post, apparently they had a rough night and were fatigued that day. (Specifically for repairs)

 

[Ring]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

i had a old 1500y model, it shit out and would not range past 100y.. i sent it in, they gave me the same shit.. except i never dropped them, had to go rounds and rounds with them for a week before they fixed them...

 

[Helter]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wolf22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">GasLight quoted best - Thanks to Vortex and other vendors on this forum, the standard has been set for taking care of their clients. Right or wrong, in terms of fixing stuff for free when truly not a manuf. defect/issue, the Good and "bad'' gets made known........

But when a Manuf. returns a product still jacked, they should get bad press. I am pretty sure every company has QC, or managers that should have their eyes open prior to releasing a product for shipping. Should being the key word and in this Post, apparently they had a rough night and were fatigued that day. (Specifically for repairs) </div></div>

Not to mention, their money back guarantee says "If, for any reason, you’re not completely satisfied with your Bushnell product, return it-no questions asked for a full refund of the purchase price."
I'd say lack of durability is a good reason to return it.
When a company markets a product as "tactical", while that can certainly mean a lot of different things to *them* (including, unfortunately, a coat of black paint and a marketing strategy sometimes), I think at a minimum it implies a certain degree of ruggedness.

 

[raider1v1]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

i would try to get them to repair it correctly, but since it was user damage, its not a warranty issue. i recommend being as nice and polite as possible, hopefully they will take pity on you.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: codyb</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">Personally, I think asking for a precision optic to withstand drops onto hard surfaces with no issue is a tall order. However, I think it's fair to expect the manufacturer to suppor the product by repairing if at all possible, and perhaps offering a discount towards a new unit if it can't be repaired - particularly in this industry.</span> </div></div>

Swaro did it for me, dropped mine of a cliff while hunting. My fault no question about it. I hoped I would be able to pay for and have them repaired. They just sent em back for free, good as new.

CS like that makes customers for life. </div></div>

That is awesome, and I agree CS like that fosters life customers. However, Bushnell hits a much different price point. As such, somethings gotta give. Some of the "give" is clearly optical quality, but some is also in super duper CS.

While that sounds lousy, many people simply can't afford the top notch stuff, so there is room in the market for lower end, lower value products.

 

[jolofree]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: codyb</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">Personally, I think asking for a precision optic to withstand drops onto hard surfaces with no issue is a tall order. However, I think it's fair to expect the manufacturer to suppor the product by repairing if at all possible, and perhaps offering a discount towards a new unit if it can't be repaired - particularly in this industry.</span> </div></div>

Swaro did it for me, dropped mine of a cliff while hunting. My fault no question about it. I hoped I would be able to pay for and have them repaired. They just sent em back for free, good as new.

CS like that makes customers for life. </div></div>


+1 Leupold fixed a scope I broke, totally my fault, good as new for free.
Dillon Precision has the BEST CS in the industry, I could go on & on about them....

 

[Hasgun Willtravel]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

I have had nothing but negative experiences with Bushnell products. Everything from red dots to scopes. I had 3 different products that each shit the bed (all within months of purchasing them) and I was told each time the items were discontinued and offered a fraction of the retail price I paid towards another product of equal or lesser value. I will never own another Bushnell product.

They should stick with the 2 weeks a year hunting scopes where the quality of product they produce belong, imo.

 

[Eznutz]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

Wow, good to know. Its a little to late because i already own the fusions but i will be extra careful with them if their CS is as bad as it sounds. Thanks for the heads up! i will no longer be looking at bushnell for equipment of anykind. Not worth the risk. Hunting and shooting is a high risk (on equipment) sport and if they won't stand behind what they sell you might want to warn others. Don't risk it. I'll stick to vortex.

 

[mram10]

Re: Do Not Damage Your Fusions!!!

JeffP,
You need to read my posts again. Before you throw out rude comments, learn to give the person the benefit of the doubt if you aren't sure. After that, simply ask questions for clarification like everyone else did. Did YOU learn anything from this?

That said, I do not expect people to pay for my mistakes, which is why I paid for shipping and repair. I'll admit I have been spoiled by companies like brunton and vortex who cover their products no questions asked. When a product like the fusions cost around $800 they should be more durable, in my opinion.