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Nikon customer service did exactly what their advertisements state for me. I have a 7x35 ATB porro binocular which I damaged, my fault, left them in front of a gas heater and ruined them. I threw them out in the shed for a few months in disgust and left them there, then a few weeks ago decided to see if they could be fixed. Nikon has a "10 dollar No Fault Repair Policy", so I thought I'd try them and see what happened. Sure enough, ten bucks and $7.50 return shipping, and they rebuild them as new, and shipped 'em back to me. Process took right at four weeks, correspondence, repair time, and shipping two ways.

Wow. Now that's service!

I sent Nikon a second hand 3-9 riflescope a couple of years ago and received a new one in a little less than 2 weeks. I give them an "A" in customer service. Leupold's still #1 with me though, for quality and customer service.

I just recently bought a Nikon Monarch scope (used) from a guy ... It has terrible ring marks (including indentions/dents from the rings being way overtightened) and it has quite a few scratches on it. I was/am planning on sending it back to the guy on Monday for a refund of my money, but this thread got me thinking ... I wonder if Nikon would consider this scope "broken" and ship me a replacement for the $10.00 + shipping cost? I mean, I got this scope for one helluva deal, so paying about another $25 to get a brand new one to replace this one would still be quite nice. Anyone know if this is something (mainly the damage to the maintube) that Nikon would consider bad enough to replace?

thanks

With Leupold you only pay shipping one way to them, and that is all. Leupold payes return shipping and for repair are replacement. I droped a rifle out of a tree and ruined the scope I payed shipping one way and they replaced scope and paid return shipping.

Elmer ...

I know that's how Leupold works ... they are very good about their customer service and repair/replace policies ... But there are two things here ... First, Nikon is not Leupold ... Second, you say you "ruined" your scope by dropping it ... I'm still wondering if the damage to this Nikon is bad enough they would consider it "ruined" ...

Let's hope they do ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Leupolds general policy is to fix any scope that is defective from the factory or becomes unusable mechanically from normal wear and tear. Cosmetic repairs usually they charge for, such as replacing scratched up tubes. I know they have replaced scopes before that were owner damaged, not covered by warranty, but I have heard that lately they are getting more picky about having to fix things for free that have nothing to do with factory defects. I wouldn't complain if they charged a little to fix stuff that's really not warranty damage.

I doubt that Nikon will replace the scraped up and marked up scope; since it's cosmetic and not functionally damaged. Now if the lenses were falling out, or adjustments broken, that would appear to me to be something they'd have to fix for ten bucks. I wonder if all Nikon USA products are under the Ten Dollar Lifetime No Fault replacement or repair warranty, or just some of their products?

My binoculars lost all of the nitrogen gas, and the right side adjustable ocular fell out of place because the plastic (YUCK) retaining rings melted. I know I shouldn't have been stupid and left them laying right in front of a gas heater, but plastic retaining rings? No wonder these things weren't expensive. BTW, I would rate these binoculars as sub par optically, only about the inner half of the FOV is in focus, and the resolution isn't too danged good on the part that's focused. The focusing arms exposure on the outside leaves them rather fragile to drops also. I'd definitely recommend the Pentax PCF WP's as an alternative, if someone were to be wanting full size porro prism binocs. The Pentax's focus internally like a roof prism, and as an added benefit they are guaranteed waterproof to 3 meters submersion (JIS Class 6). Oh well, live and learn. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Phillip ... I'm hoping that the dents in the maintube are deep enough to keep the erector from being able to freely travel as much as it should ... therefore, the scope would not be fully functional (IMHO) ... I'm going to call them tomorrow to explain to them what's up w/ the scope ... see what they say ... I'll report back then...

A while back there was a guy advertising broken/dented Nikon Monarchs on ebay for give away prices. I called Nikon and asked if there was any chance they would repair these scopes. The $10.00 no fault warranty doesn't include scopes. The guy was really nice, but told me there was no way they would stand behind the scopes being advertised as they were clearly damaged through negligence. BTW, unless the policy has changed, Nikon "refurb" scopes are not covered by the lifetime warranty, I think they only have a 1 year. This may have changed as it was a few months back when I called them about the scopes, but the warranty for the Scopes vs. the Binos was definitely different. As they say YMMV... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I spoke with a Nikon rep this morning about the dented maintube due to excessive scope ring pressure ... While he told me that I would need to send in the scope before any decision could be made, he did hint very strongly that "Nikons warranty is very flexible" and that most likely it would be fixed/replaced ...

Long story short, based on his words and his tone, I think I'll roll the dice and pay to ship it to them for a look-see. I've only heard good things lately about Nikon's service, which does give me a little bit of the warm fuzzy's concerning this matter...

I'll post back when more info is available.

OK ... I'm very confused.

I wanted to re-asure myself that sending this scope back to Nikon is going to work for me ... So, I made another phone call to them. At this time, I have talked to two different reps at Nikon and they gave me two totally different answers about the scopes. The first person I talked to said to send it in, as it will most likely be fixed/replaced for a minimal or nil charge ... The second person I talked to said that (A) the general warranty is only for the original owner and is not transferrable (B) no rifle scopes and/or their repairs are covered by the $10 "no fault" warranty (C) all non-warranty rifle scope repairs require the scope be shipped to them, and they will contact you with an estimate on the work ...

Now, what the second rep told me goes against everything I've heard posted here at the campfire ... I guess at this time, I'm going to make one more phone call, see what kind of response I get from a third rep, and then couple that with the advice I get from this board ... and then decide if I'm going to send it back or just get the guy I bought it from to refund my money...

Anyone feel like giving me a hand w/ some first hand advice? Thanks.

I shipped a scope to them to test the $10 "no fault" warranty and they sent me the scope back saying it is too damaged to repair. Save yourself some effort and money by just returning the scope to the seller and get your money back.

I sent a scope in basically the same condition to Leupold with an explanation that it was my fault. They sent me back a replacement scope, no questions asked. As was stated before, they are not Leupold and their service department reinforces that.

Longbob ... I think you're right ... however, here's that I just found on Nikon's website under their service section of questions and answers ... I think you'll find this interesting ...

How do I ship my binocular/fieldscope/spotting scope for a non-warranty repair? How much will the repair cost? Please ship it to our factory service center at the following address:

Nikon Sport Optics Service Center
19601 Hamilton Ave.
Torrance, CA 90502-1309

Please include a note describing the problem. We recommend shipping the product insured via a carrier that provides you with a tracking number. Please enclose the product in a plastic bag and pack it in a sturdy box with several inches of a quality packing material on all sides. Please do not ship the product in its original box, and please retain the case, caps, and strap. Keep a record of the model and serial number. Under the terms of our "no-fault" repair policy, the cost of a non-warranty repair of a binocular, fieldscope, or spotting scope is $10 plus $7.50 return shipping plus applicable sales tax.

Repair information is available on-line. To approve or refuse an estimate, obtain information on the status of your repair, obtain a package tracking number, or e-mail a question to our service department, please log on to www.nikonusa.com and click on "Service" at the top of the home page.

According to that (I can only assume that their use of the word "fieldscope" means riflescope since I can't find anywhere else on their website that discusses "fieldscopes"), it seems that I should just pack it up and send it in ... I just don't quite feel comfortable doing that right now, based on what I got from talking to that last service rep ... so I think I'll email Nikon right now and see what they say ...

Hmmm, it appears to be that the binoculars and spotting scopes have the "No Fault" repair policy (which is apparently for 25 years, instead of lifetime), and that the rifle scopes are covered under the regular lifetime warranty against internal defects.

I returned a Nikon Monarch UCC 3-9x40 that had the mag ring frozen. In ten days, I had a fresh new scope at my doorstep.

That is my one and only experience with Nikon warrantys ervice, and it was five years back, easy, but I was pleased then and still impressed now.

Rick

I just got off the phone with my Nikon sales rep. He informed me that yes Binoculars and Spotting scopes have a 25 year no fault warranty, however, that warranty is not transferable owner to owner.
He did not know about Riflescopes but is going to check. He believes that Riflescopes are a parts and labor warranty but not no fault.

OK ... I now just got off the phone with the third Nikon rep that I've talked to today ... He was most helpful. I explained the problem with the scope, and he admitted that he did not know if this would be covered under the warranty ... but he aluded to what the first guy said which is "Nikon is very flexible with the warrany restrictions" ...

Now, this is what he told me about the riflescopes. He said that the Monarch scopes are one of the only products Nikon has that carry a fully transferrable, lifetime, no-fault warrany. He advised I pack it up, send it in (no need for proof of purchase or a receipt, etc.) and they would have me something within about 7 to 10 business days.

I'm not one to knowingly waste money ... especially since I'm not yet "rich" by my own standards, or anyone else's for that matter. However, this entire situation is baffling me to the point that I feel compelled to send this scope in to find out what the hell is going to happen. I guess I can/should just mentally write off about $25 to the experience I'm about to have, good or bad. I'll let you guys know more as I find out ...

Maybe, if it goes south, and I end up where I am now, less $25.00, all you guys can harass Nikon a little for me and point back to this thread in the hopes they will feel bad for giving me such a run-around, and then perhaps try to make things right. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I just got a corrected call back from my Nikon rep. He incorrectly told me that the Bino and spotting scopes were not transferable warranties, and THEY ARE TRANSFERABLE <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.
He still is lost about riflescopes but still maintains that they are not a no fault.

Not a comment about customer service, but one of my scopes is a Nikon Monarch 3-9 x 40, and it is clear and bright at dawn and dusk, I am well pleased.

StayDog:

I agree. Mine is bright, bright, bright!