What is the deal with scope warranties?

[Lucky Scott]

I have been looking for a scope for my long range rifle. I hear some great things about warranties, but am not sure how it works.
For example, a company like Vortex that has a lifetime warranty, does it transfer to the next owner? Do you need a receipt? Is the warranty for the original owner only?
If I buy a used scope and have trouble with it, what do I need to know to get it repaired?

I realize many companies have different types of warranties, but what do I need to know?

[Merc1138]

I have been looking for a scope for my long range rifle. I hear some great things about warranties, but am not sure how it works.
For example, a company like Vortex that has a lifetime warranty, does it transfer to the next owner? Do you need a receipt? Is the warranty for the original owner only?
If I buy a used scope and have trouble with it, what do I need to know to get it repaired?

I realize many companies have different types of warranties, but what do I need to know?

All of that is going to be specific to the manufacturer, and sometimes specific to the line of scopes, or even particular model. There's no way to know this without looking up the warranty information for the specific scope you're interested in.

Some manufacturers have lifetime transferrable warranties, some want you to register when you buy, some a 1 year, 3 year, 5 year, some are only good for the original buyer.

Get the make and model of the scope you're interested in, and go to the manufacturer website and read the specific details. There's no generic answer.

[TruEdge]

Leupold , for example, has a lifetime warranty to whomever owns the scope. There's no registration all you need to do is have one of their scopes and if it has a problem they will make it right. This is one of the main reasons I buy leupold.

[ejhc11]

Vortex and Burris also have one of the best warranties - no receipt, and the warranty goes with the product.

Weaver scopes are lifetime but only cover the original owner and you need a receipt.

Bushnell warranties vary in coverage, time and original owner only, receipt is required.

[gbullock32]

One important thing to know with 'lifetime' warranties- is it for your lifetime (however long you own the item), or is it for the 'lifetime' of the product. Some policies state that the 'lifetime' is the products lifetime, which may be only a year, less, or more- something I learned with a few different returns I have tried (not with optics, but other items).

[thrillhouse700]

I have only ever dealt with one warranty and that was Nikon and they exceeded my expectations.

[MrSam]

Depends on the manufacturer. Most manufacturers know that people don't keep their receipts past...a month or two. I believe Nikon's warranty transfers to the next owner. I'm sure Vortex does the same.

[HK Dave]

The best warranty is the one you never have to use... I look for that first when purchasing a scope... then I look to see if the company will stand behind their product "IF" it somehow goes bad.

[Joe Register]

huh