Zeiss warranty experience

Sir Plus

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A while ago I sold a Zeiss Diavari ZA T* 1.5-6x42 on the EE and only after a buyer said he’d take it did I notice that part of the reticle (german #4) looked like it was getting unglued from the glass.
I mentioned it to the buyer and he agreed to buy it at a lower price if I could confirm that it was still under warranty.
I contacted Gentec with the exact model name and received confirmation so we proceeded with the transaction.
Problem is, some time later the buyer contacts me to tell me that Zeiss won’t fix the scope for free as it is too old and the quote was close to 500$.
We agreed that the scope would be shipped back to me and that I would refund him.
After prodding and two months of waiting, yeaterday I received the scope, and gave the refund to the buyer.
Not the most impressive service, I have seen companies fix/replace things that were obviously out of warranty yet Zeiss couldn’t take responsibility even after telling me that they would fix it.
Not sure what I’ll do with the scope now.
 
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Sounds odd.

I sent a friend's scope back to Zeiss (through Gentec) that originally retailed for ~$1000 about 8 years ago. It was f***ed in several ways.......and in my opinion, quite obvious that 'user error' was an issue.

The scope in question was no longer made, and rather than fix it, they were replacing the scope 100% free of charge.

3 Months after originally sending the old one in, my friend received a brand new Zeiss scope that retails for ~$2700.


I would advise contacting Gentec again..........
 
Your friend’s doesn’t sound that old, mine says made in West Germany

Ya. It's about 8 years old.

Like i said, seems odd that Zeiss would replace and then give a $1700 upgrade to my buddy for a broken scope that wasn't a manufacturing defect......but your scope that the reticle is failing, they're not going to fix it......but it's $500?

Im a little confused about the $500. What was that quote for if they refused to repair it? The cost of a new scope?

I'd contact gentec again and get the info from the horse's mouth
 
They'd fix it for money, my phrasing was confusing.
Here's the quote.

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Ok, so the bottom line of the notes explains it. Built prior to lifetime warranty. :(

I guess you have to decide if it's worth it to repair the scope.........how much is a new scope of equivalent quality/features?
 
Anyway if you can ascertain if they did indeed have a lifetime warranty at the time of the purchase of the scope. That is their "get out clause" from that quote.
 
I had literally asked them, with the exact model, and clearly stating that it was second hand, if they had a Leupold style warranty and was told that it would be fixed. I understand the concept of it being made before the unlimited warranty though. That’s why I was sure to give them all the details before going forward with the sale.

The scope still works and it compares favourably with my Conquest despite being at least 30 years old. I think that was a 2-3K scope back then. I just don’t know how durable that reticle is now and if it’s at risk of becoming unusable.
 
IIRC —- the West German Zeiss were covered by a 30 ‘Jahre’ warranty. I had a 3-9x, 36 1” Diavari ‘mended’ at no charge when the zoom ring started to get quite stiff after about a decade. I think (from my limited experience) that they honour their stated warranty.
 
i will give a shout to the german real zeiss ....in europe never had issue with zeiss to fix stuff, not the same can be said from schmidt und bender ...

good luck.
 
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