I’m looking at used scopes because my budget is too small for a new one. Question, what are the most important things to scrutinize on a used scope before buying? What wears out or breaks typically?
Rifle Scopes Used scope- what to look for?
- Thread starter Barracho
- Start date
Well, if you buy one of the brands with a no-questions-asked warranty it doesn't matter so much. I know plenty of second owners on Vortex who sent them in to get fixed/replaced.
Just from my personal experience, if the scope is good and tracks when you get it then you're most likely good to go for the duration. The risk is more misrepresentation from the seller than something breaking after you buy. I've always had a good transaction here. I would not buy a used scope off the internet except for right here. Otherwise I'd want to examine it, and retain the right to return it if I mount it and it doesn't track.
Just from my personal experience, if the scope is good and tracks when you get it then you're most likely good to go for the duration. The risk is more misrepresentation from the seller than something breaking after you buy. I've always had a good transaction here. I would not buy a used scope off the internet except for right here. Otherwise I'd want to examine it, and retain the right to return it if I mount it and it doesn't track.
I echo what fig said.
Known brand.
Warranty possible.
Known seller.
There is a sellers list here and often previous buyers will chime in and confirm a good seller.
I also would probably not buy from another site.
Known brand.
Warranty possible.
Known seller.
There is a sellers list here and often previous buyers will chime in and confirm a good seller.
I also would probably not buy from another site.
I've bought many second hand scopes and haven't had too many issues. Bought an AMG here that had to take a surprise trip to Wisconsin for cross-threaded turret caps, but you can't see that in pics. Made me glad it was a Vortex. General rules for me are don't buy anything from someone who has no feedback on eBay or has 0 posts on here or other forums.
I have purchased 2 Steiner Military, 3 TXi, 2 Bushnell HDMRs, and a Vortex Razor from this site (good god this place owns my wallet). Use common sense, buy a good brand, and pay the 3% to protect yourself if there is the slightest bit of doubt in your mind.
Most on here are good people.
Most on here are good people.
I advocate paying the 3% fee for PayPal so you have some recourse if things go sideways. I’d rather use electronic payment rather than sending a money order. When I’m the seller I usually price my stuff to include the 3% and shipping. As the buyer or seller I provide my phone number by email or PM.
One issue though is PayPal has been known to deny claims on firearm related purchases. I use a CC for big purchases because they ask less questions when you dispute a charge.
Vortex and Athlon have NQA warranties. I just returned a vortex Viper red dot... no questions asked. So I know for a fact vortex warranty is good to go
I recommend going to their respective websites and read them for yourself.
Or any other scope manufacturer that you are looking at. Note specifically if they require a receipt or that you be the original purchaser..
I recommend going to their respective websites and read them for yourself.
Or any other scope manufacturer that you are looking at. Note specifically if they require a receipt or that you be the original purchaser..
Yikes, thanks for the info guys. I need to stop using paypal completely if that's how they do business.
I read through the PP product protection policy. Firearms, accessories, and ammunition are all ineligible.
You could try calling it an airsoft or paintball scope. But you'd risk losing your man card...
As a seller, I had one guy buy with PayPal using his CC and then dispute the charge later. PayPal folded because the weight of the CC company disputing the charge was more than me who violated a policy selling a firearm. He got to keep the firearm, got his money back from his CC and PayPal came after me for the balance.
It took 6 months and 2 court case to get the guy busted for fraud and my money back. The only thing that saved me was that it was a firearm and the FFL had a record of the transfer in his bound book.
SnipersHide’s policy for allowing anyone to cancel at any time is a good thing. On other sites you get banned for that.
It took 6 months and 2 court case to get the guy busted for fraud and my money back. The only thing that saved me was that it was a firearm and the FFL had a record of the transfer in his bound book.
SnipersHide’s policy for allowing anyone to cancel at any time is a good thing. On other sites you get banned for that.
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That sounds like a nightmare. I have had eBay buyers claim items never showed up. Sucks!
@Eurodriver, @ChrisAU
These are the reasons that I won’t accept PayPal goods and services as a seller. If you buy from me it will be PP FF or USPS money order. These two payment methods work and operate exactly the same.
These are the reasons that I won’t accept PayPal goods and services as a seller. If you buy from me it will be PP FF or USPS money order. These two payment methods work and operate exactly the same.
My experience with PP is half good/half bad. Good since it works well in 98% of the transactions but the other 2% really screw you. That’s not too bad. Unfortunately they seem to default and side with the buyer even if they’re the ones doing wrong. Once got screwed by a buyer with “buyers remorse” as PP phrased it. Although we both exchanged items and money back it was a PITA and PP froze my account for a week! PP said since they had already mailed the 100% legit items I sold back to me that it would be best just to return the $$ and resell the items! So I resold the items for more than face value and made out like a bandit!!! Weird how things work but PP admitted I was right and the buyer was wrong but PP just wanted to settle the issue as fast as possible.
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