Author Topic: T/C service experience (Read 990 times)

Doc T · « **on:** February 04, 2005, 06:56:06 AM »

I just got off the phone with the T/C service department. What a great bunch of guys!! Monday I sent them a used Electro-Dot 2.5X handgun scope that didn't work. This is the one with the lighted reticle and the rail mount. He called me today to ask if I was going to use this on a Contender or an Encore so he could send me a new base. They don't make the rail mount scopes anymore, which I was aware of. The scope I sent in had a bad switch and couldn't be repaired. They are going to send me a brand new 2.5 x 7 lighted reticle handgun scope, a set of rings, and a base next monday. I think I'll keep buying T/C.

Kens · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2005, 10:04:39 AM »

I was in TC's shop, Fox Ridge Outfitters before Christmas. I was buying some gifts and in the process of cashing out. A guy had brought in his TC Hawken Muzzle Loader. It looked old and dingedup. He said the hammer wouldn't lock back and that he really liked the firearm but might have to buy a new one. His wife looked worried. An employee took the muzzle loader back to look at it and came out a few minutes later and said, "It's all fixed." The customer replied, "How much is that going to cost me." The employee said, "It's free; it's covered under the lifetime warranty."

If that wasn't enough, I wanted a new rubber grip and forend for my Encore. The two sales people there said they only had a set on a frame in the back. One of them said, "If we sells the stocks we can't sell the frame without them; what if somebody comes in to buy the frame." The other guy said' "I'll take the hit if it comes to that." They sold me the grip and forend.

I agree. TC Service is great!!!

springer222 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2005, 02:08:42 PM »

I'll chime in -

I recently purchased two older Contender's at very reasonable prices. One of the frames, the style where you had to use a screwdriver (or something) to change from center to rimfire (slide safety on the hammer), had the rimfire firing pin broken. The other frame had the rimfire hammer nose pin missing. I called the factory to purchase parts and was informed that I needed to send the frames in for repair (factory installed parts) so they could go through the frames after repair for any other issues. Somewhat skeptical, thinking this is just a way for them to make an extra buck, I shipped the frames to TC. Assuming it would be several weeks, I was pleasantly surprised when I got both frames back within days not weeks, no charge; and this over the holiday season. I have been a TC fan for over a decade now, but this just adds to my belief in a company that will support its customers. I know there has been some posts of folks not please with the company, but with customer service like I received, I will continue to support TC.

Gregory · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2005, 02:42:09 PM »

Here's the other side of the coin:

I've been a TC owner (Contenders, Encore, and muzzleloaders) since 1984.

I've had occasion to send in one Contender frame, one Encore frame, and one muzzleloader for service in all that time.

I bought one of the first stainless Contender frames when they first came out. I bought a 4 digit frame that I thought might have collector value someday. Sent it in for repair and they replaced it instead of fixing it. Not bad you say.....they replaced it with a five digit serial number. Same story with a 4 digit TC Thunderhawk I bought when they first hit the market. I was not happy in either case. The ML came back with the quick load accurizer barrel drilled way off center!! I was happy with my original gun and it needed only a minor repair. Had I known they would replace it I would have paid a gunsmith to fix it.

The Encore went in for something stupid I did, they repaired it but "undid" the VV trigger job I had done. They wouldn't let it leave their shop without "fixing" the trigger to factory specs. It wasn't even being worked on for a trigger problem!!!

I think TC has gone downhill in the last 20 yrs. I was probably their biggest fan at one time, now I have trimmed my TC guns down to a minimum. If they did a better job on QC I wouldn't have had to send two of three of mine in in the first place. I wish they would repair my guns in some cases not just replace it. Or at least ask before doing so.

Rant off.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2005, 02:57:07 PM »

I am afraid I have to agree with Greg. They really were good quite a while back and you paid for that service in the price of the firearm. However over the years the management of the company has not evolved to accomodate the changes in communication technology that allows customers to economicall and quickly communicate with them. Their management ignores correspondence and seems to prerfer to remain isolated from their customer base.

They have changed their policies to require parts frames to be returned for repair rather than just ship replacement parts and allow the customer to perform the repair themselves.

This together with changes in shipping costs to send a Contender or Encore frame and the time to cross in transfer have made their products less desirable unless you reside close enough to their location to make delivery in person realistic.

I know people are giving up on them, but I will hang on for a while as I like the Contenders, Encores, Hawkens and Renegades I have. But I really hope that their senior management somehow gets a clue to what their customers are thinking about them.

Bullseye · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2005, 05:26:54 PM »

I have never had anything but good luck with T/C Service. They are not hard to get hold of, just pick up the phone and call them. I needed a part this week, gave them a call and it is on its way. I am reserving any bad opinions of them until I actually get some bad service, but so far that has never happened.

Keith L · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2005, 10:25:38 PM »

My guess is that they won't send parts due to potential legal questions. The same goes for undoing trigger jobs. The effect of our suit happy culture shows up in places that we don't like. My guess is that the skill level of people asking for parts varies widely, so they had to put in place a policy.

Having said that, I bought a new G2 yesterday and when I got it home I find it doesn't like several of the older barrels my other G2 likes. So now i can send stuff east, stone some lugs, or have a frame that only works with a couple of my barrels. I think I will be doing some stoning.

rickyp · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2005, 03:55:26 AM »

Quote from: Gregory

I bought one of the first stainless Contender frames when they first came out. I bought a 4 digit frame that I thought might have collector value someday. Sent it in for repair and they replaced it instead of fixing it. Not bad you say.....they replaced it with a five digit serial number. .

How can they do this? when you buy a handgun you register the S/N with the state.
what you now have is a unrequested handgun.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2005, 04:04:07 AM »

Quote from: rickyp

How can they do this? when you buy a handgun you register the S/N with the state.
what you now have is a unrequested handgun.

Maybe where you live but we don't register guns with the state here in Arizona, probably the same in other states!

rickyp · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2005, 07:22:16 AM »

You do not fill out any paperwork with the handguns S/N on it?

walk in and walk out with a handgun

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2005, 07:39:29 AM »

Private sale are not regulated or reported to anyone, and you only have to complete the federal paperwork that is required to be kept only by the FFL holder, if you are purchasing a firearm from an FFL holder. Nothing about your transaction is reported to the state.

RWD · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2005, 08:41:03 AM »

The big question now will be.....how will their service record be now that T/C is under new ownership!!!

rickyp · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2005, 08:52:28 AM »

if enough people start to complain they should go back.

I know it is a pain in the butt to have to send the frame and barrel back to them for work ot be done, looking at this from a legal point of view is not a bad thing for them. the warrenty does not say they will ship you all the parts so you can fix your T/C. they did this as a cursity they do list a parts list where you can buy parts yourself.

I will not have a problum with this aslong as the kep fixing the problums and shipping everythign back for free. if / when the start charging for reapirs I wil be the first in line to file a compant

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2005, 10:00:31 AM »

Once upon a time TC was THE shining example of how a company should care for it's customers. They did things far beyond the warranty and truly cared for customers. In my opinion that's no longer the case. They are now more about bottom line. What folks who make such a change don't seem to realize is the bottom line is affected adversely when they fail to care for the customer as TC is now moving toward.

Quality of product has suffered and they don't take care of customers as they did before. This is why after a relationship with them spanning well over 30 years I have divested myself of their products and have no plans to buy more. Sadly I have no more good things to say about TC and I've long been one of their strongest supporters. But then I support those who support me. Those who don't I don't.

old4x4 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2005, 02:27:34 PM »

I had one of their 3x RP pistol scopes that my SSK 444 Marlin shook loose pretty badly. Mailed it in Monday, Got it back fixed Friday. Never gave me probs again. I like T/C

karbo · « **Reply #15 on:** February 07, 2005, 05:36:31 AM »

TCs policy requiring that the firearm being sent to them for repair rather than sending out replacement parts is all about avoiding law suits not about being cheap. It's going to cost them much more to handle, repair and ship a complete firearm compared to a small package of parts. Considering our law suit happy society, I can't fault them for this.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2005, 06:15:36 AM »

I give up!!! When it comes to Contenders, I love 'em.

Now as to Encores, to me and my experiences, they are junk. I own the BP .50 cal. barrel and a .30-06 barrel. They are both nothing but trouble. The BP barrel is a prima donna and is unreliable. It took me more then three days to come up with a load recipe that it could finally shoot.

The .30-06 can't shoot a group to save it's life. The factory said it is shooting 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards on there range. I wish they would tell me what ammo they are using so I could match these results.

Both barrels and the frame have been back to the factory too many times. And at a cost to me, in shipping, that is unacceptable.

I will sell the Encore and barrels at a loss I guess. That is a shame and a blemish on the company, in my thoughts.

rickyp · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2005, 08:42:00 AM »

Lawful Larry,
is that encore a rifle or handgun?

Gregory · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2005, 12:18:01 PM »

Quote from: Lawful Larry

I give up!!! When it comes to Contenders, I love 'em.

Now as to Encores, to me and my experiences, they are junk. I own the BP .50 cal. barrel and a .30-06 barrel. They are both nothing but trouble. The BP barrel is a prima donna and is unreliable. It took me more then three days to come up with a load recipe that it could finally shoot.

The .30-06 can't shoot a group to save it's life. The factory said it is shooting 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards on there range. I wish they would tell me what ammo they are using so I could match these results.

Both barrels and the frame have been back to the factory too many times. And at a cost to me, in shipping, that is unacceptable.

I will sell the Encore and barrels at a loss I guess. That is a shame and a blemish on the company, in my thoughts.

I gave up on my Encore also. I prefer the "old" Contender. I sold off my Encore and all the barrels I had.