I have sent several emails to beretta inquiring about parts for tikka's and other questions, never got an answer back. I even wrote a letter to them, with hand written addressed envelope, no answer. The lights are on but noone is home at beretta. if any gunwriters or any other people make contact with beretta reps, tell them they suck.

I agree, Beretta does SUCK.

Yup I agree, from both personal experience and my local gun dealer.

Huge beretta fan BUT must agree that customer service does suck thank god only have had one issue with all the Berettas I own.

I have a friend that has sent a Silver Pigeon in twice. Was kept nearly a year both times and is still not right.

I bought a band new 686 Silver Essential. First shot fired the stock split where it was inletted around the back of the action.

Sent it back. Waited 6 months and it came back. They used epoxy to fill the crack on a brand new gun that had been fired once and the opposite side of the stock was ruined now because they stuck it in what looked like a regular metal vise, you could see the XXX pattern where it was tightened up.

The local gun dealer sent I don't know how many emails, letters, and calls to Beretta to find out about becoming a Sako dealer and never heard back from them.

Dealing with them on phone isn't going to be any better either, more likely much worse.

Would suggest a sandwich and beverage for the phone transfers and wait, if you even get lucky enough to be transfered.

Added: Two local dealers have quit stocking anything under their umbrella, and will only order if they can find a distributor 'in stock' with specifically what you want.

Based upon personal experience I'd say you guys are giving Beretta too much credit.

I went through the deal with Beretta for years until I finally had enough of it several years ago and sold every Beretta I owned. Haven't regretted that in the least. Their designs are typically good (but not always), as are their materials (usually), but their quality control and customer service definitely SUCK!!!!!! Beretta is sitting fat on government contracts and a no-longer-deserved reputation for quality. I never thought I'd say this about a gun manufacturer, but I HOPE THEY GO OUT OF BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It would (will) make the world a better place in which to live.

Friend of mine sued them over some issue he had with some semi-auto he had. He got tired of the B.S and no response and than blaming him for whatever issue it was.

Since the transaction (sale) took place here in SD he took them to court here and ended up winning. Actually than had to file a judgment against them. It was quite humerus hearing his story over all this.

Needless to say he tells everyone he knows about this and will never buy anything that Berretta associates their name with.

I knew some of Beretta's PR folks back in the late 1980's- early 1990's.

I fields tested several of the ealry ONYX model over unders which where made SPEICIFALLY for the American market. Even several years after they had come out, the guns were in VERY short supply in the US. One of the models I wanted( a 20 g with 28" barrels) was nearly impossible to get.

One year at the SHOT show, I think in 1993, I cornered their in house Sales head at their booth at the SHOT show and asked him straight up if they were EVER going to get any of those guns in country.

I was told very matter of factly by a VERY frustrated sales rep that-

1)The demand for Beratta shotguns is WORLD WIDE.

2) The US market means LITTLE to them.

3) They only sell/manufacture guns in the US to meet the requirements of their LUCRATIVE US miltary M9 Pistol contract.

4) Beretta could give a RATS ASS if they ever service the American market properly- they have such a strong market in Europe and in Latin America, the US could fall off the face of the planet and they could care less.

And you know what? During the last 15+ years Beretta has done NOTHING to refute what he told me.

Most of their dealers cannot GET what they KNOW they can sell in terms of guns, and their customer service is perhaps the WORST of any company that makes a higher end product.

They are the reasons why I refuse to own any Tikka or SAKO rifles anymore.

[bleep] 'em.

After my experience with Beretta via telephone, and ultimately in person, at a SHOT booth, over a failed repair of a 689 9.3x74R o/u, I wouldn't take one of their guns for free. The only way to describe the service is, abysmal. I ultimately had the rifle repaired properly by Champlin Arms, who was fantastic to deal with. I then had JJ consign and sell it. I've washed my hands of their products. Fortunately, there are competing companies putting out guns, every bit the equal of, or superior to Beretta.

Jeff

To Beretta's credit, they sent me a rifle rebate overnight delivery. I literally had it within' a week of mailing it off.

I should also add, that they did refund me the money I spent with them on the failed repair. They subbed the repair out, and the work was so substandard, I refused to allow them to touch the gun again. That's when I turned to JJ, to fix it properly. I was astounded that the "oldest gunmaker in the world", doesn't have the ability to repair their own product! As a bonus, Champlin charged less to do the work, than the idiots that botched the job!

Jeff

Educational thread! Pee on them then, if that's the way they are. It just cost them a sale, as I was going to buy one of theirs very soon, but will go another route now. Thanks guys.

I would like to forward this thread and draft another nasty letter that hopefully makes it to someone important, the only problem is looking at their site there is such a lack of imformation, honestly its hard finding anyone to contact. if anyone knows how to get ahold of these people post it or PM it to me. funny how every reply except one is negative and the only positive involved a rebate.

in regard to tikka in particular it seems like they do a lot better job in canada, there must be different people who run that. as to the US market being small, I call BS on that, as for any single retail outlet, the US has to be their largest,

I can understand your frustration.

Locally the Canadian distributor of all things Beretta (Tikka, Sako, Beretta shotguns) is Stoeger. Their facility is located maybe 2 miles from the gun store everyone here deals with. The manager of Stoeger and several of his employees belong to our local gun club.

A ton of Beretta shotguns are in use at our club. There may be problems with their product but I certainly never hear it spoken of at the club and being retired I am there a lot!

It is hard to believe that Canada with 1/10th the US market is treated better. Maybe it is just the people involved.

Jim

I attempted to talk to the Beretta/Sako/Tikka rep at the NRA Show here in Louisville a couple of years ago. It was like talking to a rock. They didn't seem to care, so I walked away and haven't considered any of their products since.


That could very well be the case, for Canada and Australia, where the Beretta importer is a frequent poster on www.australianhunting.net, and a sponsor there, too. I'm happy for you guys, on both continents, but we in the US aren't well served by them at all.

I guess I am glad I bought all of my 5 Sako's before I read all of this. Never had any problems with them, but if I do I guess I will have them repaired locally.

Long

I was at the same show and came away with the same opinion. I wondered if the guys standing there had ever put a round down-range. I think they were more interested in their line of clothes than anything else.

Its a shame too, cause I really love my Sako's and Tikka's. But I bought these before Beretta bought them.

It's good to know that Coleguns.com can take care of Beretta problems, unlike Beretta USA, which is a miserable organization.

That's where my Zoli came from. Its coleguns.com . My experience with them were good, but I didn't need service either. I think that it is great that they service what they sell. The problem is that Berreta should be in the business of directly servicing their arms, or contracting with folks like Cole. Otherwise, I suppose they'll continue to get a black eye.

Trying sure doesn't hurt anything, but has been a waste of time here.

With my experience,have a deep suspicion none of the problems/complaints are getting to the 'head' of Beretta, about problems with the 'shooting sports' segment of their help/service.

Canada is on the same continent as the US

Sending anything to Beretta is akin to having it to close to a black hole.

Interesting comments about Beretta customer service. A year or so ago I wrote an email to Marochhi Arms in Italy. I was looking for a source of replacement parts for my well used Conquista Sporting Clays over and under (60,000-70,000 rounds). I needed a set of extra firing pins and springs and a set of ejector springs and plungers. After 70,000 rounds things tend to wear out. The office of the president/ceo sent me an email asking me for my address. Two weeks latter the requested parts were in my mail box with an invoice indicating no charge. Now that is what I call customer service! The US importer Precision Sales went out of business years ago.

A very happy Marocchi customer!

It looks like the US isn't the centre of the universe after all.

I have owned several Beretta shotguns (Many 390's, 686 & 2 682's) over the years and still like many things about them but will not buy one and try and tell my experience to others.

I had a new 682 Super Sport, over 2K, to purchase and had been shooting beretta for a few years. After a few hundred rounds the stock cracked from the rear of the trigger gaurd to grip. This is the most common place for stress fractures when the wood could still be possibilly green. The 682 is a competion gun and only excepts 2 3/4 shells and I had only shot low brass 8's & 9's, not that the any 2 3/4 should have caused an issue. I new what the issue was but I'd heard service issues w/ Beretta before so I had 2 stock makers look at the stock and confirm what I already new that it was a stress fracture. I had each give me a letter stating the issue and included them when I sent the gun back to Beretta. I figured no big deal, I've seen other stress fractures at the same point and had 2 letters confirming. Beretta wanted $500.00 to replace and also stated that they would not guarantee the work or the match to the forearm. I had it sent back and had my local shop arrange a meeting with the Beretta Rep., the shop and myself. Big waste of time. He would not even look at it and said he could not and would not help in anyway since he new that Beretta wouldn't do anything anyway. From this post it seems he knew what he was talking about. I ended up fixing and selling all my Beretta guns.

I have not bought any Beretta since. Good luck to everyone.

And, your point is?

that is what I think is happening, who ever is really in charge has no idea how much people are sucking, otherwise why would any sane executive put up with that.

I wonder if anyone has tried sending an e-mail directly to Beretta in Italy? Being a family owned company this might be the way to see an improvement in service.

Just a thought. I don't own any Beretta's so do not feel like persuing it on other peoples behalf.

Jim

Jim,
I like Beretta shotguns and I plan on doing just that with a fax of this thread to Beretta USA in Maryland. Doubt if it will help much, but who knows.

the problem is there is a lack of info on who to contact, there is not email address or addresses, maybe that is on purpose.

It DAMN SURE IS when Foreign companies want to profit from our defense contracts..

Or just about any other form of foreign aide for that matter.

As in the case of the BRITISH ,when they needed armaments/aide when the Nazis are knocking at their doorstep after Dunkirk...LOL.

And there you have it. A pretty nice response to a snotty Brit comment!

UK Dave, why not tell us your experiences with Beretta's? I know that by and large they make a nice gun--ever had to have service? That sort of information would be informative.

IF it's a non-beretta make they're selling it's also second rate service, on top of the US issues.

Jim,

Actually yes, I did try that. Also got a response right away, and thought maybe things might be favorably resolved. The communication didn't last long, and ultimately nothing resulted from it. The whole experience was disappointing, to say the least. Their attitude in person at SHOT, was the final nail in the coffin for me. I wouldn't pi$$ on those people, if they were on fire.

Jeff

This thread has got to be the most accurate, and damaging to any company that sells firearms.

And I bet they are not listening, and never will.

Sad.

Steve

It makes me laugh at some of the arrogant comments being made.

If Berreta dont want to do business (with shotguns) with the USA then thats up to them, they have obviously looked at the market and all the other implications of looking after there goods (service,aftersales etc) and decided its not going to be economic to do so,but sitting here listening to all this drivell,it really does make me understand why most people think Americans as "arrogant",I my self have close ties with the US and will stick up for you all BUT, it is all brought on by yourselves,And to start with referances to wars etc, just shows the pointlessness of entering into anymore discussion.

I do shoot Berettas, I shoot a 682 gold E and am very happy with it,most of my friends shoot Berretas and they are as well, and have no problems with them in anyway.

UKDAVE..

You cant have it both ways ...

Beretta is NOT much of a company if they sell a high end product and don't service it worth a schit. ANY COMPANY that builds/sells a product here and DOES NOT back it up with decent service is the one who is ARROGANT. It's just very poor business practices.

Other than PAYING FOR a Beretta product, nobody here deserved to be left high and dry by Beretta in terms of costumer service when it was needed. And as far as you calling those folks liars, THERE is YOUR arrogance showing again..


I think it is interesting you defend such business practices on the part of Beretta. I'm sure you think every Toyota vehicle sold in the USA perfect as well...LOL.


As far as your "close ties" with the US... your first comment pretty much showed your true colors...

Jerks like you are living proof that we would have been better off if we had let you fend for yourselves in the 1940's..and let you speak GERMAN for the last 60 years.

You have missed the point entirely - it is up to Beretta whether or not they desire to do business in the USA (or anywhere else for that matter). But once they import the product into the country, advertise and sell you a product, taking your money in return, then they have the responsibility to service what they sell and/or make the parts available. It is not arrogant to expect a company to honor their published warranty and service defective products; bet you have the same expectations in England as well.

UK Dave--What you perceive as arrogance is just good old fashioned independent-minded pissed-offness. At least in this case. And perhaps, your "center of the universe" comment was intended in some other way.

I'm glad you've not had issues with your Beretta's. I would agree with most posters that the vast majority of Beretta products never need service. But some do. Anyone you know needed service in the UK?

I am aware that some business models rely on making a product with a particular failure rate, never or barely providing service and living with the consequences. Its normally done with cheaper products.

Everyone sell their Sukos! Cheap, to get rid of that garbage!!

Please forward me your listing from the classifieds..

Where the hell is oldman 43 or whatever to defend benelli now......

When the average Joe spends upwards of 3grand for an entry to mid-level O/U and product defect is due to a company who prides itself in being the oldest privately held company in the world, then they should take care of any issues quickly, fairly and error on the side of customer satisfaction.

My one example of Beretta incompetence was with a 682 that the barrels shot 6-8 inches apart in elevation at 16 yards. Beretta said that was within specs and there was no reason to send it back for inspection. I have probably owned 3 or 4 Berattas since then and currently have a DT-10 with no issues in 25,000 or so rounds.

Not trying to be the center of any universe. However, when it comes to the guns Americans can be a little particular.

Then again you Brits are known to avoid eye contact and drink to excess.

I feel compelled to comment here. I am a Brit who lives in the USA and also has Beretta products. UKDave, contrary to what you think Americans are not arrogant, and contrary to what has been said, the USA did not win WW2 for us Brits either. The Royal Air Force won the battle of Britain which stopped us getting invaded and idiot chops Hitler invaded Russia which thwarted his plans completely. We did need a little assistance to rid Europe of the Germans.
Back to Beretta, they do indeed suck!!! I had a couple of service issues with a Tikka T3 and they are really slow and pathetic in their customer service.

Juliang,

Thanks for the comments. Reality is often harsh and some can't see past their own little world let alone the universe.

I think Churchill had it precisely correct about the debt owed by the world to the RAF. Not only them but the unsung heros at Malvern in the Royal Signal Corp for the development of radar.

If one wants to base their shotgun purchase on customer service there are two companies that set the standard:

Perazzi: In particular Giacomo Sporting USA who represents
Perazzi here in the States.

Krieghoff International in Ottsville, Pa.

Call and you will talk to a real person who will handle your concerns fairly and efficiently.

Beretta prides itself on being their equal on the high-end market and perhaps they are for that particular product, but for the average guy who makes up the majority of their sales they have a long way to go.

I guess I'm an arrogant SOB fat American because I expect a product that I paid money for to work and when it doesn't to be fixed in a timley manner and with a smile and a "we're sorry".

This is about the dumbest derail of a thread and that says a lot on here lately.

I'm a huge Sako fan but I've quit buying new ones and just started picking up used ones. Dealing with Beretta USA just isn't worth it.

I guess when I sent my defective shotgun that broke on the first shot I should have expected it to be fixed with a mix of epoxy that didn't match the stock and the other side of the wood to be crushed in the vice because I'm really arrogant that way.

The Finns are alright.

Yep. I agree. They make a good product, its just their corporate front that sucks. Years ago, I had a problem with a set of rings. I called Stoeger and in less than a week I had a replacement set. You can't do that today.

Back when I was tangling with them, the president of Beretta U.S.A. was a guy named Steve Merritt [spelling?]. I talked to him on the phone at least once and his secretary a couple of times. I even sent a letter outlining all the Berettas I had owned through the years, the problems I'd had with them -- which, as I recall, was at least a third of the total -- as well as the various screw ups by the parts department, Customer Service, and Service that I'd encountered. This was about six years ago. At that time I was told B.U.S.A had hired the Customer Service Manager from Brownell's, and that things were going to change. Well, I gave them another year or two, but nothing got any better in my experience.

As an aside, being an avid shotgunner I needed SOMETHING to shoot with after dumping my Berettas, and I ended up buying a Ceasar Guerini. I found their products and Customer Service to be so exceptionally good that I've since bought three or four more Guerini's. Now THAT is a shotgun and a company that I can recommend to anyone!!!!

Know more than a few shooting Guerini's to the tune of considerable use. Which is when any problems usually surface. If service has been needed they have been quick to respond and have made every effort to be of assistance to the shooter.

One of the guys put in an aftermarket release trigger that never did well. Guerini took it back and did a complete trigger rebuild. No charge.

They are one of the new kids on the block and are trying hard to build their rep. Hope it stays that way.

I would never purchase another Beretta product for just this reason. A few years ago my SCI chapter visited the Accokeek, Md. plant where the military 9MM & other handguns are produced. I have been in electrical manufacturing plants all over the US & knowing a bit about manufacturing would give them an excellent rating for quality. Their sales people offered us wholesale pricing on any handgun in their line. A couple of months later when we attempted to place an order everyone we dealt with was gone. The new sales manager referred us to their dealer network which he said would treat us right. I needed a part for a Tikka that had been on order for 6 months & was told to bring it to the plant. After waiting about 2 hours I finally was told the part was on back order & might never be available. I won a 7MMUM at the SCI convention & proceeded to bed the rifle. After about 6 shots the stock split & almost hit me in the eye. When I returned to Beretta they refused to warranty because I had bedded the stock. After a fight & threatening to involve SCI they finally replaced the stock. Stock number 2 split in the same place & again almost hit me in the eye. Despite not being bedded again no replacement was offered since warranty had expired. With a little bit of legal experience(I'm an engineer)I sent photos to the lead attorney at Beretta with a letter requesting a synthetic stock or I would file in the county court for damages within 30 days. I received the stock via air with no statement from anyone in Beretta. I have left out the many times I was put on hold, calls not returned, & emails not returned. Its obvious Beretta has a revolving door with employees in sales & probably in management. My experience is that when you have poor service its usually either the owner(s) don't want to spend the money or simply don't care. With Beretta its probably both. Beretta manufacturers nice products, but I want products that provide service I have confidence in.

And it is a darn good thing they do otherwise they are not making it another 500 years I used to own Sakos 75's, 1 Tikka,Benelli shotguns. I can honestly say their customer service has turned me off to their firearms. I have one Beretta 390 shotgun that I will keep but no more for me of anything they sell.

What are all the brands in the Beretta family of companies now?

Off the top of my head (and mentioned in this thread) are
Sako
Tikka
Beretta
Benelli

Wikipedia has the following list:
quote:-------------------
The parent company; Beretta Holding, also owns Beretta USA, Benelli, Franchi, SAKO, Stoeger, Tikka, Uberti, the Burris Optics company and a twenty per cent interest of the Browning arms company.
-------------------------

Is this list correct?

I haven't heard of problems with Burris - is that because the optics side is run by different people than the firearms side?

Beretta is worse than I thought. I have two Tikka rifles and four Beretta shotguns (and one Franchi) so the news is very bad for me. At one time customer service was located here in my town of Wayne, NJ. I could drive down and talk to the guys at the counter. I guess I should have gotten the idea when I called last year to order a couple of "washer nuts" - the little nuts pressed into the forend wood so the forend iron can be attached to the wood. They told me that they weren't available anymore for my BL-3. I compared the nuts to those on my 1991 vintage 682 Sporting, and they were the same. So - the guys answering the phones in Maryland don't know squat. I spent a bunch of money restocking my 36 year old BL-3 and having her reblued. I sure hope she don't break.....

When I was having my problems I talked to the service manager & requested the opportunity to talk to the sales manager. I was told the sales manager was not allowed to be involved & was not allowed to even leave a message. I worked in management with GE & Westinghouse & even a consumers letter to the CEO resulted in individual managers responding in writing to every problem with a copy to the presidents office. I wrote letters to the sales manager & even to the president with no replies. I was even told to not call use the structured email format on their website. I attempted to discuss with a Beretta rep at a major outdoor show & was basically told they had no involvement with service or warranty. I own two Sakos & A Tikka, but they can kiss my a$$ on new sales. I would predict down the road they just fade away in the US market. US hunters & shooters will not support a manufacturer that lacks a service organization. It will be good riddance in my opinion.

Sorry to hear all the bad stuff about Beretta. My experience with their customer service runs against most here. I had great experience with a Beretta Mato rifle (I had them fit a spare magazine and adjust trigger while they were at it), and had them work over my M9. Both done very quickly, though I called ahead and presented the guns in person. The M9 was done while I waited, and is absolutely superb.

I can't comment on shotgun work, as I've never had any done. I do shoot Berettas alot, had three O/Us now, all flawless. I'd sooner shoot them than any others out there. Maybe they will blow up the next time I pull the trigger, but so far so good.

GF1..

How long ago was the work you mentioned done???

The M9 was a bit over a year ago; the rifle in 2002. Jeff Reh, their general counsel and manager, treated me extremely well.

you took the guns in yourself to their place, that is the difference, I can't even find a phone number and noone will even respond to an email. the emails are going into a black hole. you have to look to some obscure spot on their website to find any contact info, fill it out and NOONE will answer back ever. I think its on purpose that you have to look so hard on their site to contact them, they don't want to be contacted. I personally think they would be money ahead if they fired, every marketing, customer service person, and just sold the guns as is with no warranty at a lower price. because with beretta that is the situation you are dealing with.

Geesus..

It's PRETTY DAMN OVBIOUS to me that you got a BIT of special treatment having an "in" with their legal counsel and other employees..

It does not prove a THING about the way MOST Beretta service is handled. Period.

I tell you what ,Hoss, why don't you try using the the Beretta CS phone "hotline" like the rest of the poor bastards who posted here, without dropping any lawyer's/Beretta employess names and THEN see how well you get treated????

For the record, I didn't know anybody there until I met them there. I called to see them (got # from website), met them for first time at plant. Maybe just a good day...

FWIW - an example of one:

I bought a new Tikka T3 lite last year and it had a chip out of the plastic shroud (looked like someone dropped it - last one, display model). I called Beretta service and spoke to a nice lady who got me to the parts department. The gentleman there sent a shroud in the mail to me the next day free of charge. Too bad this seems to be the exception.

hey I got an answer back!!!! albeit nearly a month later, however don't get too excited. I asked about a long action bolt stop and a tikka varmint stock. They said go call brownells,







just for the hell of it I did look at brownells, they want nearly $600 for a varmint stock. my question is beretta TRYING as hard as they can to suck and hold their brand back.

two years after the last post on this thread and it appears that Beretta customer service hasn't improved any!!

Although I've only had one quick dealing with them, I was surprised enough about the lack of concern that I searched for places to post my disappointment. That is how I found this link.

My basic request was for them to cancel an online order that I had placed just minutes before (the shipping charge ended up being more than the items ordered... which was incredibly unreasonable). Of course, I was told by the "nice lady" on the phone that Beretta "can't cancel an online order". I assured her that she "could" and didn't get anywhere. It's easy enough to dispute the charge with my CC company but Beretta might be losing more than just me as a customer due to their lack of any real effort in the customer service department. It's too bad. I've liked the products that I've purchased from them so far.. but they're not the only gun makers around!