Rifle Scopes Supposedly NIB Scope (Cronus BTR) with signs of prior use...Would you send it back?

[Cotay]

I ordered a new Cronus BTR and it arrived today. Upon opening it, indications are that this is either a customer return or had been opened as a store demo.

Signs of prior use include: the parallax adjustment was not set to a marked value but was set between 50 and 70; the diopter adjustment was extended half way; the eye lens had smudges over 1/3 of the surface area, which appeared to be hand oils or eye gunk (granted it came off with a lens pen); the user manual has obviously been used extensively; a loose rubber band was in the bottom of the box showing signs that the scope had been removed from the plastic; the internal supports on the box show signs of prior stress from taking the scope in/out; my understanding is that the Cronus BTR comes with two cleaning cloths and there is only one (someone please correct me if wrong..that is what the Optics Trade review on YouTube says is included).

There are no signs that this has been mounted and the turrets are good, but I paid for a new scope, not a demo or customer return. None of the "signs" directly lead to any permanent issue that I can determine. Would you send it back for an exchange or live with it to avoid the hassle?

 

[Sniper266]

Certainly your call, but at the end of the day if nothing wrong; damaged, scratched, scuffed, is it worth the hassel of the return for some finger prints on the glass and a worn mannual?

Its certainly not right, but is it worth the hassel if nothing is “really” wrong? If anything you could always just send them a message stating the condition in which the scope was received and see what they have to say! Im also curious to hear who you bought it from.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You can’t be fucking serious. Parallax not set to a certain marking and diopter not all the way in? This is indicative of a used optic? And eye gunk and a loose rubber band? LOL

Dude, seriously... I’m at a loss here.

My advice, get out of LR shooting and take up knitting.

 

[Yoteski]

I wouldn't sweat it man. If there's something wrong Athlon will replace it.

 

[Cotay]

You can’t be fucking serious. Parallax not set to a certain marking and diopter not all the way in? This is indicative of a used optic? And eye gunk and a loose rubber band? LOL

Dude, seriously... I’m at a loss here.

My advice, get out of LR shooting and take up knitting.

I already know how to knit. God bless you.

 

[Cotay]

I wouldn't sweat it man. If there's something wrong Athlon will replace it.

I tend to spot even the most minor imperfection; drives my wife crazy but it serves me well in my profession. This was a bit surprising but I'm inclined to agree with you and just deal with it.

Certainly your call, but at the end of the day if nothing wrong; damaged, scratched, scuffed, is it worth the hassel of the return for some finger prints on the glass and a worn mannual?

Its certainly not right, but is it worth the hassel if nothing is “really” wrong? If anything you could always just send them a message stating the condition in which the scope was received and see what they have to say! Im also curious to hear who you bought it from.

It was a bit more crusty than fingerprints...looked a bit like snot to be honest.

I purchased it on Amazon since I had some gift cards and credits...the vendor was Wholesale Hunter.

 

[dino67]

I had the same thing happen once with a woman I purchased (the manual was missing altogether though) lol

 

[j741]

Maybe not your purchase, but there are a ton of fakes and scams on Amazon for high dollar items. Does the scope serial number match what is on the box? There are some sellers that send factory packaging with fakes inside.

I tend to spot even the most minor imperfection; drives my wife crazy but it serves me well in my profession. This was a bit surprising but I'm inclined to agree with you and just deal with it.




It was a bit more crusty than fingerprints...looked a bit like snot to be honest.

I purchased it on Amazon since I had some gift cards and credits...the vendor was Wholesale Hunter.

 

[Badfinger]

Somebody needs a Snickers........

 

[Dendro]

I’d be irritated about it, however if there are no obvious dents/gouges to scope body I would mount it and shoot.

 

[Cotay]

Maybe not your purchase, but there are a ton of fakes and scams on Amazon for high dollar items. Does the scope serial number match what is on the box? There are some sellers that send factory packaging with fakes inside.

There is no serial number on the box. I'm not sure if Athlon puts one on the box itself.

 

[b6graham]

There is no serial number on the box. I'm not sure if Athlon puts one on the box itself.

doubtful
contact athlon with the serial number and see what they say if you're super concerned.

or shoot it and see how it goes. worst case send it to athlon

 

[CRT2]

I tend to spot even the most minor imperfection; drives my wife crazy but it serves me well in my profession. This was a bit surprising but I'm inclined to agree with you and just deal with it.




It was a bit more crusty than fingerprints...looked a bit like snot to be honest.

I purchased it on Amazon since I had some gift cards and credits...the vendor was Wholesale Hunter.

Wholesale Hunter carries Athalon. https://www.wholesalehunter.com/Sea...artRow=1&EndRow=100&Rating=0&filtersselected=

 

[Poorboyr]

You can’t be fucking serious. Parallax not set to a certain marking and diopter not all the way in? This is indicative of a used optic? And eye gunk and a loose rubber band? LOL

Dude, seriously... I’m at a loss here.

My advice, get out of LR shooting and take up knitting.

Is there really a set spot where the parrallax is supposed to be set????? Youre kidding i hipe. I would chalk that up as a good thing. At least they are checking the thing when it comes to port.......

I guess mine was used because it didn't have the bag or rubber band on it. Plus there were quite a few smudge marks. And to think, I ordered it straight from Athlon.......

 

[Cotay]

Is there really a set spot where the parrallax is supposed to be set????? Youre kidding i hipe. I would chalk that up as a good thing. At least they are checking the thing when it comes to port.......

I guess mine was used because it didn't have the bag or rubber band on it. Plus there were quite a few smudge marks. And to think, I ordered it straight from Athlon.......

EDIT: Actually, let me address this. I've ordered in my life probably three dozen scopes, with half of those having parallax adjustment. This is the first time I've had one arrive where the adjustment was not set to an identifiable value. Now that may not be dispositive of the condition, but my experience has been that they do in fact set them to an identifiable value on the knob.

If Athlon really sends scopes from the factory with dirty glass and unprotected in the condition you describe, then I'm now inclined to send this back and get something else.

 

[Poorboyr]

Not really.... Your post just made me laugh that someone would complain about something like that.....

In reality, if you bought it from a ma and pap store, it probably was looked at and fingered by customers. Most shops don't keep multiple high dollar scopes.

Either way, do what you want. It's your money. Just don't get butt hurt when you make a stupid post and people make dumb comments about it.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

The scope is in a box therefor it can't view more than a few inches out, so scopes should come with the parallax set at 1-3" depending on the length of the box and distance from the front lens to the inner edged.

That scope can't parallax down to a few inches so it's clearly defective. JUNK. Shoulda bought an NC Star.

 

[Cotay]

The scope is in a box therefor it can't view more than a few inches out, so scopes should come with the parallax set at 1-3" depending on the length of the box and distance from the front lens to the inner edged.

That scope can't parallax down to a few inches so it's clearly defective. JUNK. Shoulda bought an NC Star.

Nobody said anything about the scope being junk...not sure where you get that. It's in fact a quite nice bit of kit.

 

[steve123]

Call Athlon, explain your situation, send it back. Put a note in the shipping box also explaining the condition of the scope.

Or perhaps wholesale hunter will give you a discount or send you a coupon???

 

[flatland1]

Don't know if this helps or not, but I'm a small-time dealer for Athlon - don't keep much inventory on hand, simply because I can't afford to. But when I get a new scope from Athlon, I nearly always pull it out of the box & plastic envelope to take a look through it - if that makes it a demo or used, then TS - anyone who feels that way needs to find a bigger dealer who can afford to keep $10k or more worth of inventory in stock. If there's a problem with a scope that they send me - whether it's a Cronus, Ares BTR, Ares ETR, or whatever - I want to know about it ASAP so I can get it sent back for replacement. I've had guys stop by who want to look at/through scopes to get a better idea of whether they want to spend their hard-earned $$$ on a particular model or not. They don't get used, abused, nor slimy, nor do any of the accessories get removed from the box. Again, if that makes a brand new scope a demo in someone's mind, I'd just as soon not do business with them. Not saying I don't see your point - in your place, I'd be somewhat pissed or at least suspicious. If there's anything that actually detracts from the value of your 'new' scope, I'd call Athlon & give them the full run-down on the deal.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Nobody said anything about the scope being junk...not sure where you get that. It's in fact a quite nice bit of kit.

Not sure how you missed the sarcasm, but ok.

 

[Cotay]

Call Athlon, explain your situation, send it back. Put a note in the shipping box also explaining the condition of the scope.

Or perhaps wholesale hunter will give you a discount or send you a coupon???

Yeah, I'm fine about it this morning. I'm going to give the scope a once over in the daylight this afternoon and if all seems fine I'll keep it. Otherwise I'll just ask for a straight exchange.

Don't know if this helps or not, but I'm a small-time dealer for Athlon - don't keep much inventory on hand, simply because I can't afford to. But when I get a new scope from Athlon, I nearly always pull it out of the box & plastic envelope to take a look through it - if that makes it a demo or used, then TS - anyone who feels that way needs to find a bigger dealer who can afford to keep $10k or more worth of inventory in stock. If there's a problem with a scope that they send me - whether it's a Cronus, Ares BTR, Ares ETR, or whatever - I want to know about it ASAP so I can get it sent back for replacement. I've had guys stop by who want to look at/through scopes to get a better idea of whether they want to spend their hard-earned $$$ on a particular model or not. They don't get used, abused, nor slimy, nor do any of the accessories get removed from the box. Again, if that makes a brand new scope a demo in someone's mind, I'd just as soon not do business with them. Not saying I don't see your point - in your place, I'd be somewhat pissed or at least suspicious. If there's anything that actually detracts from the value of your 'new' scope, I'd call Athlon & give them the full run-down on the deal.

This makes sense and I appreciate your feedback. The "signs" I posted weren't complaints as some here seem to think; they were merely indicators that I saw. The one thing I'd actually complain about was the condition of the glass. But that has seemingly buffed out.

 

[PullMyTrigger]

No way in hell I would accept an open box, demo, or customer return. Makes no difference to me if it is in perfectly useable condition or not. There no telling how many people finger fucked your optic. It should have been disclosed prior to sale. I buy brand new equipment so it is pristine unmolested condition for a reason. I want to know it has only been handled by the person qualified to assemble it. Send that fucker back on the next UPS truck leaving town.