I bought a Fenix TA30 awhile back, dealing with the warranty is a nightmare. I will never buy from a non U.S. based company again. No U.S. return address, not going to get my business.
Anyone else have issues with Fenix lights?
I could go through the dealer but I’ve bought so much stuff over the last year and a half I have no clue where I got it.
Sorry to hear about your troubles.
On the recommendation of some folks on this site, I tried a Fenix PD20 for my EDC, it’s served me well for the last couple years and I use it probably 5 to 7 times a week for various things. Haven’t had any trouble yet. But based on what you’re finding, it does make you want to think harder about “buy American.”
Any thoughts on what the best American brands and models are for best small EDC-type lights? Only American made I know of are Surefire and Novatac.
BTW, here’s the Fenix service page and some info on repairs, they say free for 24 months if that helps:
Actually from what I read/heard, their customer service is great.
Try
Note the second part:
- Dealers will be responsible for customers. Customers should contact the dealers or distributors from whom they bought Fenix lights for warranty support with Fenixlight Limited’s ‘Warranty Card’ and either a trade invoice, receipt or the trade number provided by the internet retailers. Fenix will provide our authorized dealers with the technology and parts to service our lights.
Most dealers don’t want to deal with that type of issues. And I can confirm that it is impossible to get a hold to Fenix, as my one, and will forever only Fenix broke.
Contrast that to Surefire, (and other American companies I assume but I’ve never dealt any) where unless you need to send the light to them all they ask for is your address and they will send replacement parts. You pay more for the light but the service is MUCH better.
My only surefire warranty experience was a bad LED in a shotgun weapon light. I had to send in the lamp assembly for testing. Three.5 weeks later I got a new one. I thought that was a bit long to be without my light, but I was only out the shipping one way.
I might also note that this was the only time I’ve needed Surefire’s warranty with my 10+ lights.
who did you get it from? I only bought from 4Sevens who have supposedly have excellent customer service…
one large reason I don’t buy my serious gear from ebay…
If you buy from a company that stands behind their products you shouldn’t need to worry about the dealer.
Correct, 4seven is the original/main company.
Sorry to hear about the troubles.
Hope it gets resolved to your satisfaction.
My 1 and only Surefire warranty issue:
The click on-off tailcap crapped the bed, so I called them.
I asked, and he said he didn’t need/want the broken one returned.
A few days later, I received 2 new tailcaps in the mail.
I called to tell them they FU, and he said they intentionally sent 2.
I didn’t buy it from Ebay, but I can’t find a receipt, box, etc… I found the small advertisement they put inside the box and that is it. It wasn’t a major purchase but I’m still mad I can’t find where I bought it from.
I’ve carried 2 P10’s or PD10’s for over 3 years evryday. Between the 2 I’ve got maybe $60.00 in them. If one dies I’ve got my use from them. I’m sorry to hear of your problems with them. I started using them when I went from uniformed to plain clothes work. They were small enough to always have in my pocket and plenty bright. FWIW I’ve got probably 15 various Surefires between my nightstand, safes, desk drawers, duty belt, pistols and rifles. Even with all of these Surefires I feel like the Fenix has its place and fills a niche not really covered by the more expensive lights. Even with their limitations i believe they offer a good value for the money.
who says everyone on ebay is a dealer? or that the unit you have is not a “grey” market unit. I only buy products from good dealers…
This is BS.
I can say this because I am in contact with them right now over a Fenix light that I messed up. They answered my emails promptly and have directed me to a US distributor for service.
I have a TK11 that I have been using in my shop. I have used it under a car welding with the light stuck in a large socket so it would point upward. I got a bunch of weld splatter on the glass and messed it up. I also messed up the switch using one of the “prongs” to pop something open. Light still works but would like to fix it if possible and it isn’t going to cost a lot of money.
Never heard of a “grey” market Surefire, I’ve heard of knock offs but I’ve heard of Surefire having a “grey” market (I’ve only heard that term in consumer electronics). Heck I’ve never heard of Surefire caring where the light was purchased from, a full half of my Surefires were purchased off of ebay.
Good for you, but my experience was the complete opposite. I sent them several emails and never heard back from them.
my quote was in response to the OP. but have you tried to contact your dealer about your light? I know 4 Sevens will take care of warranty issues of lights they have sold immediately…
For long term warranty issues, purchase your lights through Amazon, they keep your yearly receipts and invoices online for years so you can look them up and print them out.
My Bushnell (American Company) Game Cameras have a two year warranty and have all been back to Bushnell for repairs. Have to wonder how they can make any profit off such a shitty product when 100% of their product has to be returned for warranty repairs???
Good thing I bought them all through Amazon through because I just keep boxing them up and shipping them back to Bushnell for warranty repairs one after the other… :suicide2:
OP, maybe contact 4sevens, they may be able to assist you in some manner. I own a TK11 myself from 4sevens and I love it. Although I have not had to deal with a warantee issue yet. If anything they could give you the correct number to call… Worth a shot.
Nope.
Knock wood… mine are great, I’ve bought several as gifts (62 shopping days left), and I’m about to buy another.
It’s hardly Fenix’s fault that you can’t keep track of your stuff, or where it came from…
No, but they could also warranty it the same way that Surefire and most other American brands do, where they don’t care where you purchased it.