Meopta optics warranty problems!

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MikeZZZ

MikeZZZ

Well-Known Member
Trade Member
Be aware that there is a problem with warranty now with all Meopta products. Meopta are now distributed in the UK by RUAG in Cornwall.

I called them yesterday to say that I had a condensation problem with a Meopta Artemis rifle scope and asked for a warranty repair. The lady I spoke to told me that due to Brexit unless they (RUAG) had sold me the scope - (ie in the last year since they took over the distribution for Meopta in the UK so that they could account for VAT paid on the item) they were unable to process any warranty returns as the item needs to be sent to the factory in the Czech Republic for which they now need an individual item export licence and RUAG have no idea if when the item is returned if there will be any VAT or customs charges levied on the repaired item! They are currently trying to find their way through this Brexit induced fiasco with a test case warranty binocular return - until this is returned and resolved they have no idea what will happen and so advised me to wait and not send in my scope for warranty repair for at least a couple of months! In effect until this situation is resolved all OLD Meopta products currently have a no warranty cover to speak of in the UK!
 
That's interesting to know thanks for sharing Mike.
Only had to return one Meopta scope to the company some years ago (prior to Viking Arms taking over distribution in the U.K.). I dealt with Meopta direct at the time and found them to be excellent. Not that I'm expecting to have to return either of my Meopta scopes anytime soon but I hope this problem will be resolved soon just the same.
 
I had a problem with a pair of Leopold binos, long story short I sent them back to the US and they were replaced FOC.
When the new pair were delivered I was charged VAT and duty, despite the zero invoice. I appealed to both customs and revenue and got a full refund.
Since you’re now outside the EU why not contact Meopta directly yourself?
You should only be assessed tax and duty on the value of the repair.
 
MikeZZZ said:
Be aware that there is a problem with warranty now with all Meopta products. Meopta are now distributed in the UK by RUAG in Cornwall.

I called them yesterday to say that I had a condensation problem with a Meopta Artemis rifle scope and asked for a warranty repair. The lady I spoke to told me that due to Brexit unless they (RUAG) had sold me the scope - (ie in the last year since they took over the distribution for Meopta in the UK so that they could account for VAT paid on the item) they were unable to process any warranty returns as the item needs to be sent to the factory in the Czech Republic for which they now need an individual item export licence and RUAG have no idea if when the item is returned if there will be any VAT or customs charges levied on the repaired item! They are currently trying to find their way through this Brexit induced fiasco with a test case warranty binocular return - until this is returned and resolved they have no idea what will happen and so advised me to wait and not send in my scope for warranty repair for at least a couple of months! In effect until this situation is resolved all OLD Meopta products currently have a no warranty cover to speak of in the UK!
Click to expand...
Written directly to Meopta twice now over the past 4 weeks - not even a reply to acknowledge my emails. What customer service!!!
 
19/3/21 Update regarding Meopta warranty work. MEOPTA OWNERS BEWARE.

I eventually got a reply from Meopta Customer Service in the Czech Republic (after a 3 month wait) - the cost of a seal repair and nitrogen purge would be around £170 as the scope is out of warranty (only 10 years). Then there is cost of postage to them, duty charged in the Czech Republic (approx £30), return postage (£20) and any tax/VAT levied in the UK upon the item return. So a minimum of £250.

Ruag and Meopta both confirm they are having severe problems resolving export/import problems so there is virtually no new or warranty stock moving between the UK and the Czech factory. No sign of a resolution in sight. Thanks Brexit!

As my Artemis scope was bought for less than £250 originally - it will now be binned and I'll buy a replacement scope - probably a Vortex or Hawke scope with a transferable lifetime warranty.

I'm lucky as this is my only (and last Meopta optic) - all you other Meopta scope owners beware - your warranty if it's still valid - probably isn't worth the paper its written on.
 
I wouldn't be too critical of Meopta as much of it is outside of their control and the other major brand importers/distributors are having similar issues also.
I'm not sure if my recollection is correct but I believe that the Meopta warranty was originally longer but EU legislation forced all the companies to reduce warranties to a maximum of 10 years.

I know it was a few years ago and things were slightly different then but I returned a scope to Meopta myself on one occasion, and yes they were slow to respond to my emails initially but after that the service was prompt and absolutely free from hassle or charge. I think we just have to wait a while to see how things eventually settle down with regard to sending goods back and fore to Europe, it's early days yet and absolutely nobody seems to know how its supposed to work, or else some one is being deliberately awkward.
 
I think it will take a while for all import/export problems to be sorted out , i know that is no comfort for you or anybody else in a problematic situation , as for meopta i was considering a scope off them a while back and sent them an email asking a few questions , still waiting for a reply now , think ill stick to my athlons with lifetime no questions asked warranty
i have been thinking about buying another athlon but optics warehouse are struggling to get them since before xmas , apparently down to covid and brexit ?

if your thinking of another scope athlon are definately worth a look
 
Vortex have a real warranty - no questions asked, lifetime transferable. Their scopes are also very cost competitive at all price points. What is there not to like?

Meopta? They risk becoming a niche European manufacturer with falling market share.
 
MikeZZZ said:
Vortex have a real warranty - no questions asked, lifetime transferable. Their scopes are also very cost competitive at all price points. What is there not to like?

Meopta? They risk becoming a niche European manufacturer with falling market share.
Click to expand...
I both agree and disagree with you Mike.
Yes Vortex have an excellent no quibble warranty, however depending on their distribution network that could change and be affected like all the others at some time in the future. Leupold also had an excellent reputation for their warranty but returning items for repair has not been unaffected in past by restrictions and regulations both in Europe and into the U.S.A.
Meopta are in exactly the same boat as Swarovski, Zeiss, Schmidt & Bender and all the other European scope manufacturers, none of these are going to become niche. They are all having problems with returning defective optics for repair.
 
Thats not good very poor service from them indeed , I had a very long wait when a new IOR scope was faulty obtained vie importer in the end thanks to the good service of optics wearhouse they gave me a new scope as a direct replacement .or i feel i'd still be waiting .
BTW what is the rear Obj of your scope ? a pal of mine is trying to find the rubber eye ring and if your scrapping it could i have it to strip for the part he needs .
:tiphat:
 
paul o' said:
Thats not good very poor service from them indeed ,
Click to expand...
Paul I don't think that you can really blame either RUAG or Meopta for the current sad state of affairs. It's an absolute cluster *uck at the moment a mixture of pedantic European customs bureaucracy compounded by problems caused by numerous changes of distributor which would penalise RUAG financially if they attempted to honour warranties of previous distributors.
 
paul o' said:
Thats not good very poor service from them indeed , I had a very long wait when a new IOR scope was faulty obtained vie importer in the end thanks to the good service of optics wearhouse they gave me a new scope as a direct replacement .or i feel i'd still be waiting .
BTW what is the rear Obj of your scope ? a pal of mine is trying to find the rubber eye ring and if your scrapping it could i have it to strip for the part he needs .
:tiphat:
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I lost the rubber eyepiece ring you're after some time ago.
 
Might be worth writing to your MP. On second thoughts perhaps not as marching on our Capital to make known one's displeasure is an equally futile exercise and waste of good shoe leather.

K
 
8x57 said:
Paul I don't think that you can really blame either RUAG or Meopta for the current sad state of affairs. It's an absolute cluster *uck at the moment a mixture of pedantic European customs bureaucracy compounded by problems caused by numerous changes of distributor which would penalise RUAG financially if they attempted to honour warranties of previous distributors.
Click to expand...
Hi mty
My 2p on them is this they have enjoyed the days of honey and profit from us for years and they have had there cash , we have paid the vat on there products the promis of warrantys is why the shooter was happy to pay that extra amount , but due to changes they now default on the very reasion why the end user paid the requested amount . They should stand by there product and swollow the tax's its partly us in the UK they have to thank for there growth .
Atvb
Paul
 
I get the point you are making Paul but forget about the high end scopes and look at something like a Meopta Artemis 7x50 just how much money did they make?
When I bought my Artemis 7x50 new, which I think is a great scope by the way, it cost me just over £300. (I have the figure £315 in my head but I'm not certain.)
The RFD made something out of that as did the importer/distributor not forgetting the tax man at every opportunity. So I don't think in this case that there would be a great profit margin for the actual manufacturer Meopta.
I don't doubt that Meopta is a profitable optics company, but most of their revenue will come from military sales and photographic lenses, sporting telescope sights will be a much smaller and less profitable segment of their business. You've been in business so can appreciate that in order to stay viable every sector must be sustainable. They can't really be expected to supplement one small sector of their business just to maintain good will with shooters who are notoriously fickle and probably buy whatever is fashionable elsewhere next time anyway.

The answer to this situation is to get the various governments to sort out this customs calamity.
 
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