Just finding it frustrating dealing with equipment, always seem to have a warranty action on the go these days, or even multiple items at once.
In the last year, 2 x problems with a chiappa double badger, a higher end pentax spotting scope turns up with eyepiece lock ring seized( quality item, $900, replacement issued), a $300 red dot, less than year old, I was actually looking to sell to another member on this site has just failed( dot appears for only some of the power settings). 2 x Norinco lever actions, factory sights askew, 30-30 winchester( $2k gun), barrel damaged( probably transit)
Suddenly hit me how much 'quality managing' I am doing over my equipment these days. Im playing returns manager like a busy department store! I don't seem to recall having to juggle equipment like this back in the the 2000's. In the 90's I didnt take care of my gear at all, young dumb army guy used to treat everything like crap, but still cant remember many issues. Incidentally more and more these days I find myself dragging my 90's and 2000's gear out of the cupboard because its actually still bloody working.
its impacting purchase choices in some of the remote northern stores here too, some are dropping entire gun and equipment brands(wont name the stores or the brands as per the sites policy) because of the return costs a nd hassles.
Cue the millenials now telling me its all in my imagination or a clever trick by the evil patriarchy .
Nope sorry kids, I'm standing firm on this one, gear is just way too junky, especially the last 10 years. And Im just not interested in 'good customer service' posing as warranty returns for crap quality control. Thats a new thing as well , 'Customer service' used to mean the salesman smiles politely while he cashes your sale, that was the first and last time you had to deal with him as the item worked as promised.
I might have to bite the bullet and upgrade to primo level gear before I have a stroke lol. I was such a happy mid range budget shopper for decades, but its becoming less and less worth the hassle now.