Lifetime Scope Warranties, opinions please.

I’ve been using this scope 11 months now. Three weeks ago after taking by last shot of the evening. I attempted to turn off the IR and nothing happened. The illumination turret was just freely spinning, not engaging any of the detents. WTF, it’s my least used turret? When pesting in and around buildings I turn it on and leave it on. Now I get to test their “lifetime warranty”. Something I’m loath to do with any product I purchase.

Well, I sent the scope to it’s warranty center and was informed, that yes, it is defective. And will be replaced, but here’s the rub. They are not in stock and they don’t have a delivery date. I’ve been using this scope almost everyday. And am upset to be without it, and in limbo as to “when” I will have a replacement in hand. And while the response from customer service was prompt, there is no joy in “Mudville”. So now I’m approaching two weeks since they received my scope, plus whatever time it takes to get a replacement.

Though I have come to really, really like this scope and reticle. I am now looking at other brands solely based on how this warranty is being handled. I recently had an issue with a Stikman fill station. I emailed the maker on a Saturday, not expecting a response until Monday at the earliest. Got a response same day, sent unit back that Monday and had a replacement that Friday. Incredible customer service and backing of a product. I will name the distributor and scope. But would welcome the opinions of you fellows who have had to use your scope warranties and the turnaround time to getting a replacement.
 
I've had to return 2 UTG scopes and Mr. Luke Ting from Leapers handled the matter. One scope was a 4-16X40 1 in. model and it was replaced with a New unit. The other was a long discontinued 4-16X56 swat scope. It was replaced with an upgraded version at no cost to me.

As far as Athlon,I had an issue with the side focus malfunctioning and I sent it from here in Michigan to Kansas at 1:00 pm on a Saturday. Had the Brand New replacement at my door on Thursday by 3:00 pm.

Top notch service,in my opinion.

Mike
 
I bought a Weihrauch scope from AoA. It broke after a little over three months. AoA promptly replaced it with no hassles whatsoever, other than that I had to ship them the broken scope before they sent me the replacement. They gave great customer service. I'm guessing they'd do the same regardless of what brand you bought from them.
 
I go with Hawke or Bushnell on new & lifetime. Otherwise Pyramyd Air. I have a Bushnell I need to return due to reticle horizontal doesn’t touch at the crossroads. I’m debating keeping as is or ask for old new stock Japanese glass because I DON’T want a downgrade on it. 

Great to hear about Air Tanks Plus. I’m buying his Regman step down in-line reg set up, eventually, and each 4’ length of QD end hose is only $65. Entire same set up $150 less than I might of paid from used owner who switched over to the real dark side. BP Muzzle Loader. Ugh. Anyway good luck. 
 
Here's a fun story for you guys..

A guy I know sent a Bushnell 6-24 back for repair and B said they couldn't fix it. Guy complains and they sent him one of their DMR 3.5-21x50's! At first he was mad because it didn't focus to 10Y but he didn't realize for a while that they had sent him an $1100 scope, his other scope only being a $500 scope. 

He sold it and got a really nice FT scope in the end which was a nice upgrade from what he had before.

I sent two scopes off to Bushnell to be repaired, they fixed both in a timely manor and there was a 50% coupon for any Bushnell product that came with them.


 
I sent back a lower end Sightron which was replaced in less than a week without any question or hassle. I also returned a Viper Pro to Trenier that had dust inside the glass. The model had been discontinued so they offered my multiple replacement options or a credit for the full purchase price against another purchase if I wanted to upgrade to better glass. Can't beat either Sightron's or Trenier's customer service.
 
Gentlemen, thank you for your replies and insights. As of now it seems that I’m now in an indefinite wait period and without a scope on my primary PCP. The lack of product support is upsetting, so I will move to another brand. I’ve ordered an Athlon Helos BTR 6x24x50 with the APLR2 MOA reticle. Should’ve been my first choice, live and learn.
 
So I take it, it wasn’t an Athlon, what was it ? Save a lot of us from spending money we’re we shouldn’t. By not “ outing them” your still some what supporting them.

@ghoststalker, I have another post about my inbound Athlon Helos, where I name the scope and go into more details. The scope is the Aztec Emerald FFP. The scope has served me well until problem stated above. Any scope can have a defect, in this case it’s the distributor’s inability to replace it in a timely matter that’s the issue. Three weeks and counting...