FA/Bushnell: Worst Customer Service I have dealt with! ---Resolved Successfully!

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Alright heres the low-down, I purchase a Eliminator Pro Guide Xl Bill Saunders edition blind. I have used it on about 5-6 hunts and on the last hunt the head support broke.....I take it back to Spotrsmans Warehouse and they wont replace/exchange it. So I had to contact FA directly. It took me two weeks just to get ahold of anyone there, and after finally getting ahold of a man named Liddell on the 19th, I was told to fax my purchase comfiration info....which I did on the 20th....I didnt recieve a call or order number, so I called this morning, after expecting the part to be here....I am told, that this head support piece to my $250 dollar blind will not even be in stock until JANUARY 31st, and then I would expect to see shipment within two weeks of that.....................we're right in the middle of our season, I have feilds that have geese piled in and no blind to hunt. Now, I have been a sponsored archer for 6 years now, and have multiple dealings with a ton of companies....I also worked in an archery shop here in Bend, and know that bar none when this situation occurs, the company will at the least get a part time replacement or just exchange the product entirely....
Im tremendously frusterated with the situation and the way its being handled.....
So unless I find fields that have the best hide known to man, I will just be duck hunting for the rest of the year.....Im aggrevated to say the least...
Is it me or should this be tollerated?

/signed/
Joseph Cima

[BerettaMan]

I think you have reached the wrong person or maybe just bad luck. I recently bought a Eliminator Top Gun blind that was missing a few stubble straps. I sent a picture to FA (Bushnell) and they send me a new blind ( PRo Guide XL ) at no charge. On top of that I got to keep my Top Gun blind. It was some of best customer service I have ever received.

Good Luck!!!

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Share your secrets Jeff

[Wazzu06]

i work in the customer service industry and the way you were treated is unacceptable. I know if someone in my office aggravates a customer they will write a letter or email and make sure it gets to the appropriate higher ups. I agree that you, unfortunately, talked with an incompetent person and should voice your frustration. Customer service has really gone down hill in the last couple of years and businesses should be held accountable. Good luck

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Does anyone have a contact at FA that can actually do something about this?

[CombinationLicense]

I would start by contacting FA's regional Pro Staffers or Field Staffers - There's a few local guys listed on the FA web site and some of them even frequent this board. If they can't get 'er done nobody can...

"CL"

[Gun Rod Bow]

I was able to buy replacement parts for my FA blinds last year right after the buyout.

If you have a bunch of geese botheing you, and you can't get parts in time, I'll bring my decoy trailer and blinds over and hunt the fields while you are duck hunting...

Just trying to help.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Brett or Eric...can you do anything?
Thanks CL...and GRB? haha

[adobe wall]

I can't speak to the customer service aspect. Just reading your post I kinda thought that it's early in the season yet, you've only used the FA blind a handful of times. No need to let it spoil your season. Get some closed cell foam and carve a headrest, or bend up some conduit, or use whatever you used before you bought the blind. Improvise and overcome.

No need to let your season depend on one part of one piece of equipment.

regards, aw

[Silver Eagle]

"Necessity is the Mother of invention"........Fix it and Hunt till they get you a new Part.......Ray

[SuperVee23]

OR_Bo_Huntr, I pro staff for them. I'm PMing you the number of a guy I personally dealt with and he is a Sr. Customer Service Supervisor at Bushnell, he may be able to help you out.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Originally Posted by Silver Eagle

"Necessity is the Mother of invention"........Fix it and Hunt till they get you a new Part.......Ray

To be honest I shouldnt have to do this, a $250 blind shouldnt need self made parts.

Supervee, thanks a bunch, returned your PM

[DukAddict]

Joe, you have my number, call me and lets deal with this rather than ifish about it.

Brett Neffendorf

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by DukAddict

Joe, you have my number, call me and lets deal with this rather than ifish about it.

Brett Neffendorf

I've got an extra, too, and can help GRB cure your problems Joe...

[riversledder]

Joe should never have had to go through any of this ,if the customer service was what it should be. Its not hard to at least return a reply within 24 hours and let the customer know you are listening.
If customer service is poor with a company, and I have choices, I will move on, no questions asked.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

At this point I would, however, I dont have money to go with a whole new setup, thanks riversledder

[D3smartie]

sounds to me like you needed to try a little harder if it took you two weeks to just get ahold of someone, especially when you know as many guys as you do that have FA connections.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Originally Posted by D3smartie

sounds to me like you needed to try a little harder if it took you two weeks to just get ahold of someone, especially when you know as many guys as you do that have FA connections.

No, the guy I was told to call was "out of town for two weeks, leave me a message" I left 3 and still havent heard back

[riversledder]

People need to stop making excuses about companies that have horrible service. A GOOD Company would get back to you asap and take care of issues in a fair manner. The customer should not have to try harder, wait longer, or track people down. One call should get the ball rolling and things should get resolved in a timely manner. There are lots of companies out there that still follow this motto.( they get my business) Sad that so many do not any more. Joe keep on them and get it resolved and think about doing business with someone else when you shop next time. Thats my opinion.
Sad that FA is not what it used to be when it was an Oregon company.

[Rauly]

Exactly. How did the head support break? Just curious.

[D3smartie]

there is always someone above the level you are calling, and not everyone is going to be out of town for 3 weeks. the squeaky wheel gets the oil... making it squeak on Ifish isnt the best method to get it resolved.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Originally Posted by D3smartie

there is always someone above the level you are calling, and not everyone is going to be out of town for 3 weeks. the squeaky wheel gets the oil... making it squeak on Ifish isnt the best method to get it resolved.

I would consider making 8+ phone calls to FA, waiting a minimum of 5 minutes each time, and being told Im going to have to wait until the middle of February until I get a $15 replacement part a little rediculous.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Originally Posted by Rauly

Exactly. How did the head support break? Just curious.

It was weak when I put it in there, and I had to baby the dang thing, and it finally just snapped...right in the center of the head rest/support

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Originally Posted by riversledder

People need to stop making excuses about companies that have horrible service. A GOOD Company would get back to you asap and take care of issues in a fair manner. The customer should not have to try harder, wait longer, or track people down. One call should get the ball rolling and things should get resolved in a timely manner. There are lots of companies out there that still follow this motto.( they get my business) Sad that so many do not any more. Joe keep on them and get it resolved and think about doing business with someone else when you shop next time. Thats my opinion.
Sad that FA is not what it used to be when it was an Oregon company.

Thanks RS

[riversledder]

Customer service is a big deal to me. Stand behind your products. And I agree that everyone have a right to know when a company does not provide good service. I have all FA blinds, but I have had less than favorable results in the last year with getting parts and answers to questions. I started making and buying parts ( boat top shop) for my current blinds.
When I used to call to get parts for these, they always took care of me. Part were available and sent quick. A few times they sent plastic parts to me for free . Thats customer service.

[D3smartie]

Then dont accept that answer from customer service.. This isnt rocket science. sounds to me like you broke your blind and just want to ***** about it. Plus you are mad that they dont have the part in stock. The fact that you never asked to speak to a manager or someone higher up tells me that you either didnt know how to make a better effort or for some reason were content to just whine.

doesnt sound like their customer service is what it should be, but your method of going about it doesnt sound like its that good either.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Got a call today from Mr. John Vaca from Final Approach...very nice guy and said that they will get me a blind out next week! I thought Id let everyone know, because he dealt with it fantastically, and very professionally. I apprecaited the effort, and the time he took on a holiday to contact me and get this taken care of!

Thank to John and FA!

[DukAddict]

Originally Posted by OR_Bo_Huntr

Got a call today from Mr. John Vaca from Final Approach...very nice guy and said that they will get me a blind out next week! I thought Id let everyone know, because he dealt with it fantastically, and very professionally. I apprecaited the effort, and the time he took on a holiday to contact me and get this taken care of!

Thank to John and FA!

Joe, Im glad you got this taken care of. FA BRAND/Bushnell is a great company and has proven that. Some times it can be hard to get a hold of people during hunting season as you know. Im glad you've been taken care of.

Brett Neffendorf

[Adjhunt]

Good deal joe!

[SuperVee23]

Joe, I'm glad John was able to help you out.

Kevin