I read much hype about how GREAT these scopes were so I made the mistake of buying it directly from China, AliExpress.
Figured I'd not have an issue with it since it would be on a PCP(kinder & gentler than a piston/springer). Figured wrong.
Shipping it on my $ won't be worth time and hassle.
Live and learn the hard way, don't fall for the hype and stick with what works. Hence I will stick with Hawke.
Have a Hawke Vantage 3x9 - 40 on a PCP that I'm not using so it's a prime volunteer.
Thanks for your input though.
Just a general comment/response here. Keep in mind that I am not defending Discovery Optics at all when I say this, but I have had two dealings with AliExpress and in both cases I felt ripped off, both non-scope related. My first purchase, only half of what I ordered showed up. My second purchase (fool me twice, shame on me) the product was counterfeit.
I have heard and seen many instances since of counterfeit scopes being sold on AliExpress, anything from fake Bushnell's, Nikon's, Delta's, Discovery Optics, Vortex, etc etc. There is even one that briefly popped up on Amazon earlier this year and it was eventually removed after being flagged (I flagged one myself). It ALMOST looked legit, but for someone who was familiar with what they SHOULD have been selling, it did not pass the sniff test.
But regardless of that, I still will not buy direct from overseas because if nothing else the one-way shipping back to them is just plain expensive. Shipping something from China to the U.S. may cost them $5, but shipping it back in reverse might cost me $125+... no thanks.
The best three options I can recommend is going with a LGS that has a good sales/service reputation. The next is going with a good licensed online retailer that has a good sales/service reputation. The third I would suggest is Amazon Prime, for two reasons: First, the return window, warranty, and other particulars that Amazon (and the seller) will cover are spelled out, and Amazon's customer service is one of the fastest and no-hassle to deal with. And, if it is covered under Amazon's window, they pay to ship it back and they pay to ship a new replacement if so warranted. Beyond Amazon's window, there is the Amazon contact relay service with the seller. I fell into the latter window with one of my Discovery scopes. I would be lying if I didn't say that I feel like I received very prompt service through Discovery Optics because the last thing they want is a customer to give them a scathing review on Amazon with photos, and kill their sales of that line of scope.
Pick your poison, but I see a very mixed bag of opinions in this thread. Again, I would not consider myself a Discovery Optics fanboy... I made it clear in previous posts that I am not, but I wouldn't pay for a nice Leupold or Bushnell to be sent to me from China, even if they are built from Chinese parts, and I wouldnt do it for a Discovery scope either. Just my $0.02.
PT
