My Vortex Optics debacle

[1775usmc]

I've seen fakes from nearly optics brand known on the planet. That's why the companies, and the government work hard to shut them down.

In all fairness...how is this there problem?
Vortex lost the sale of a legitimate product, made no money.
Vortex paid to have the item shipped back, losing money trying to help you.
Vortex offered a 50% discount to buy an actual Vortex product, losing money to help you.
Vortex had their name used illicitly and their brand damaged.

I get that you're upset that you were fooled. I get that you need to share your experience, to help ease your mind. I also have great respect for Vortex as a company, their brand, their products and their people. I've been to Vortex, used and abused their products for years. Hands down, one of the best companies in the firearms related industry, and committed to fighting for your 2A rights in partnering with the Second Amendment Foundation.

Quite frankly, your post seems petty, ill informed and disrespectful of a quality brand. You want someone else to pay for you mistake.

Tell you what though, come to our shop in Vancouver and I'll give you a Vortex red dot for free, and it will be a real one. Only request, edit the post as warning to others about counterfeits, rather than a hit piece on Vortex.

Hell yes!

This is awesome of you to do!

 

[64MercurysRule]

Anything of value is going to have its counterfeits . Leupold and Surefire among others have had a rash of items hit market hard .

 

[roseburger]

People buy hard drives on Amazon and return a smaller one. The unsuspecting sucker gets a smaller hard drive than what they ordered.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Tell you what though, come to our shop in Vancouver and I'll give you a Vortex red dot for free, and it will be a real one. Only request, edit the post as warning to others about counterfeits, rather than a hit piece on Vortex.

Well dang! I just discovered that I also sent a *real* Vortex red dot in that they told me was a counterfeit, so I am exactly the same as the OP

 

[Nosferatu]

Well dang! I just discovered that I also sent a *real* Vortex red dot in that they told me was a counterfeit, so I am exactly the same as the OP

Uhh...yeaaahhhh....and I sent in a Nightfoce ACTAR that I thought was totally legit!

 

[arakboss]

Now I am starting wonder if any of my Anderson lowers are fakes???

 

[roseburger]

This is why I don't buy anything of value from Amazon.

 

[WAYNO]

I bought it on Amazon.

BINGO.

 

[PNWReloading]

Caveat Emptor
YGWYPF

 

[Sporting Systems]

I am a fan of Vortex. I own, probably 15 Vortex products. Over the years I have made three claims. All three times I received a brand-new replacement in under two weeks. No questions asked. No Problems. And excellent coms & service.

I have heard that some vendors are fooled by being supplied with fakes.

Only sheisty sellers, looking for deals on the buy. Vortex sells direct to their dealers, no wholesalers, no other middlemen. Your shipment comes from Vortex, your check goes to Vortex. I sent them a $15,000 check today, and have short stack of Vortex boxes in the receiving room, and shelves full of their gear.

 

[MymuttBear]

C'mon,
Vortex isn't going to lie to you about that to save themselves a few dollars on a claim-
You should be delighted that they offered you a 50% discount when they owe you nothing

Packaging isn't expensive, boxes, inserts, manuals are the cheapest and easiest way to make fake products seem credible.
I've bought a ton of optics off of Amazon, lots of legit businesses, just take a moment to see who the listed seller is.

Light bulb moment for me in that line. I couldn't work out why there are empty boxes, such as Leupold, for sale on Ebay!!

 

[Ironbar]

.

 

[Xmark1]

Very recently I sent in my Vortex red dot sight for service because it wasn't turning on. No problem I thought, they have a lifetime warranty. So I contacted them about a warranty claim, and they emailed me a postage paid ticket to send it in which I did. They acknowledged receipt, and I thought all was well.

On 4/10/26, Tony Wilson to Vortex customer service guy emails me back and tells me that their service tech determined that my Vortex red dot that I've had for YEARS is a fake! How the hell does someone go to all the trouble to fake a red dot and put it in expensive Vortex packaging? On top of that, I'm just supposed to accept that their word on the matter is the truth. Sounds to me like Vortex just didn't want to honor their own warranty. The best they'd do is offer me 50% off a new one. You know what Vortex- UP YOURS!

You just lost my business forever. (Not that you care).

Half of something is better than all of nothing. Vortex did not have to do anything for you.
Ask vortex how they identified your unit as a fake and pass that info along to us forum members.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Ask vortex how they identified your unit as a fake and pass that info along to us forum members.

Excellent suggestion

 

[Autark]

I stop by Sporting Systems now and again, even when I don't need anything. I'll at least buy something trivial before leaving. The response in this thread demonstrates why I do.

Vortex support was great whenever I called to ask about a product. Always gave a realistic recommendation, not just the most expensive. Only reason I don't currently have a spotting scope from them is because the last one got stolen.

 

[Nosferatu]

I don't currently have a spotting scope from them is because the last one got stolen.

You should write Vortex and complain. It's clearly their fault.

 

[Sxsnuf]

I've seen fakes from nearly optics brand known on the planet. That's why the companies, and the government work hard to shut them down.

In all fairness...how is this Vortex's problem?
Vortex lost the sale of a legitimate product, made no money.
Vortex paid to have the item shipped back, losing money trying to help you.
Vortex offered a 50% discount to buy an actual Vortex product, losing money to help you.
Vortex had their name used illicitly and their brand damaged.

I get that you're upset that you were fooled. I get that you need to share your experience, to help ease your mind. I also have great respect for Vortex as a company, their brand, their products and their people. I've been to Vortex, used and abused their products for years. Hands down, one of the best companies in the firearms related industry, and committed to fighting for your 2A rights in partnering with the Second Amendment Foundation.

Quite frankly, your post seems petty, ill informed and disrespectful of a quality brand. You want someone else to pay for your mistake.

Tell you what though, come to our shop in Vancouver and I'll give you a Vortex red dot for free, and it will be a real one. Only request, edit the post as warning to others about counterfeits, rather than a hit piece on Vortex.

THAT is about as good an offer as I've ever seen!
That kind of generosity is also just one reason I try to support Sporting Systems AND SAF as much as possible.

 

[danielinfrang]

I was getting my dental work done on the cheap by some guy next to the dumpster behind the 7-11. He was personable, but the smell was always a little off-putting. Years into being his patient I realize all my fillings are missing, and THEN he starts plucking out my intact teeth cuz "some rich guy named George needs a set…"

Anyways, I try to nab him for malpractice, but apparently you can't sue 7-11 for dental fraud just cuz some guy out back took your money and your teeth. They offered me a lifetime supply of taquitos, but I ain't got no teef left to chew em.

Well screw you, 7-11! I'm never going back to your dumpster-tooth guy ever again!

Very recently I sent in my Vortex red dot sight for service because it wasn't turning on. No problem I thought, they have a lifetime warranty. So I contacted them about a warranty claim, and they emailed me a postage paid ticket to send it in which I did. They acknowledged receipt, and I thought all was well.

On 4/10/26, Tony Wilson to Vortex customer service guy emails me back and tells me that their service tech determined that my Vortex red dot that I've had for YEARS is a fake! How the hell does someone go to all the trouble to fake a red dot and put it in expensive Vortex packaging? On top of that, I'm just supposed to accept that their word on the matter is the truth. Sounds to me like Vortex just didn't want to honor their own warranty. The best they'd do is offer me 50% off a new one. You know what Vortex- UP YOURS!

You just lost my business forever. (Not that you care).

Sounds more like an "Amazon Debacle," than a vortex one.

 

[Steel Head]

Very recently I sent in my Vortex red dot sight for service because it wasn't turning on. No problem I thought, they have a lifetime warranty. So I contacted them about a warranty claim, and they emailed me a postage paid ticket to send it in which I did. They acknowledged receipt, and I thought all was well.

On 4/10/26, Tony Wilson to Vortex customer service guy emails me back and tells me that their service tech determined that my Vortex red dot that I've had for YEARS is a fake! How the hell does someone go to all the trouble to fake a red dot and put it in expensive Vortex packaging? On top of that, I'm just supposed to accept that their word on the matter is the truth. Sounds to me like Vortex just didn't want to honor their own warranty. The best they'd do is offer me 50% off a new one. You know what Vortex- UP YOURS!

You just lost my business forever. (Not that you care).

Vortex's response was quite reasonable, you should be mad at whoever sold it to you instead.

Lots of fakes going around.
Definitely be careful buying products like that at eBay or Amazon.

 

[Steel Head]

THAT is about as good an offer as I've ever seen!
That kind of generosity is also just one reason I try to support Sporting Systems AND SAF as much as possible.

Yep