Experience buying demo optics?

[xbr897]

If you're looking at EuroOptic, I'd say just call them up. They are very helpful on the phone. I've ordered two demo Swaro items from them and both looked like new.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Many of my rifles are wearing demo optics from Euro Optic, SWFA or Camera Land NY. All 3 are good companies to deal with. A lot of demo optics are available after the trade shows. In every case the only way I could tell it was a demo was open packaging. Zero issues with any of my demo optics.

Safe shooting

 

[ldmay375]

Many of my rifles are wearing demo optics from Euro Optic, SWFA or Camera Land NY. All 3 are good companies to deal with. A lot of demo optics are available after the trade shows. In every case the only way I could tell it was a demo was open packaging. Zero issues with any of my demo optics.

Safe shooting

Most of my European scopes are demo's. I have never had an issue. The "as is condition" has aways been accurate. Most were as new condition. I have also bought used / trade ins from some of the bigger retailers.

 

[curtism1234]

I am strongly against demos of any product line, if for no other reason than mentally.

People can be hard on things - trying to see if they can intentionally break weak points to test durability, accidently drop them, etc. I bought a leupold vx3 last year that had been on display for 2 hours - dont know if anyone even touched it but it made me uneasy.

 

[Louis Toadvine]

I am strongly against demos of any product line, if for no other reason than mentally.

People can be hard on things - trying to see if they can intentionally break weak points to test durability, accidently drop them, etc. I bought a leupold vx3 last year that had been on display for 2 hours - dont know if anyone even touched it but it made me uneasy.

I appreciate hearing a different opinion. I think traditionally I have been opposed to purchasing demo (anything) for those same reasons, and have been willing to pay a premium for new/non-demo products to overcome those fears and apprehensions.

This time, however, a combination of coverage/safety (demo scopes are still covered by the manufacturers' warranties and can be returned in accordance with the retailer's return policy) and savings (I was able to save >$500 by purchasing an "as new" demo) got me over the edge. My scope arrived earlier this week, and it looks perfect and functions flawlessly. YMMV.

 

[Philip Glass]

I would love to hear some actual experiences (good, bad, ambivalent) of people who have bought demo optics (specifically rifle scopes). Recently I've been taking hard looks at a few demo or "open box" scopes that have been listed by online retailers. I see some manufacturers like Swarovski and Kahles grade their demo scopes as Condition A ("like new") or Condition B ("shows signs of use or blemishes"); others just group them all into one bucket. It looks like savings of 20-30% on high end scopes is the norm, which seems well worth it if condition is truly "like new".

Ideally one would get a hold of the scope itself to inspect, but we're talking online retailers here so that's not possible. Thoughts and experiences? Thanks in advance.

I bought a Schmidt & Bender from Europtic for my sons R8. It is a good scope and was a bargain. I wanted to get him a rail scope without buying a new Swaro.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Have purchased (gun/trade show-never mounted on a gun) demos from Eurooptic, but I make a point of going there in-person to check optics out prior to purchase. That said, they're a big business and live up to their word. What they say about condition is precisely how it is. In many cases, you're talking about a couple hundred more for brand new (but the warranty still applies on the demos.) Most, but not all, optics companies have a lifetime warranty. When work eases up to just normal-busy, I plan on stopping by for new compact binos as I gave mine to my son for AK. I drive north of there to the farm, passing by an old air force missile/bomb plant (now public hunting land-watch your step!) and the fabled Williamsport 1,000 yd range. The Muncy valley where EuroO is located is home to Piper, Grumman, et. al. 'Lotta air history made along Rt. 15 from NY (Wright Bros., Curtiss, Curtiss-Wright and then the aforementioned PA boys S. of the border. CT has its own amazing aeronautics history.) It's windy as hell in that valley at times-maybe a takeoff advantage in the WW-1 and pre-era? lol

This is Glenn Curtiss flying his Junebug. The Wright Bros. needed him as he was the engine expert, among other things. Like Piper in PA, he has his own museum in Hammondsport, NY featuring his planes, motorcycles, engines, etc.

 

[C.W. Richter]

You could ask someone nearby to go look at it for you, but they'd not be in business if they were pulling your chain. Retail can't survive that (although mail order is 99% of their business.)

 

[Louis Toadvine]

You could ask someone nearby to go look at it for you, but they'd not be in business if they were pulling your chain. Retail can't survive that (although mail order is 99% of their business

I took the leap of faith with Eurooptic based on the feedback I received in this thread. Received my Swarovski Z8i on Wednesday and just mounted it this evening. Looks perfect and functions flawlessly! Will order with confidence again in the future.

 

[C.W. Richter]

It's a fairly high-end store, to say the least! They have a LOT of international customers.