Leupold Price Fixing

[Adaminak]

I ran across this info and started doing a bit of research. From what I can find, it appears true. I'm not bad-mouthing Leupold optics, I've got a few myself and they've never let me down, but the whole intent behind this policy will probably stop me from buying one of their scopes anytime soon.

http://www.4scopes.com/leupold_vx_iii.htm

What do y'all think?

[tightgroup]

I have never owned a Leupold but I have a friend that swears by them. For most shooters I think they are overkill unless you are shooting past 300 yards or more.

The last time I bought a high end piece of glass was when I bought a Nightforce. As far as my eyes can tell it is just as clear as a Leupold and has almost twice the power for the same price.

[Fronty Owner]

My boss has a Leupold on EVERY one of his rifles and swears by them.
In a side by side power to power comparison to my simmons 8 pt. they are clearer and brighter. I have seen cheaper glass that appears just as clear and bright.

[Adaminak]

I've heard good things about Nightforce, but I've never seen one in the field, and even a BSA looks good under bright gymnasium lights. I have noticed Nightforce took a huge jump in price from their introduction. I don't know if it was a trial price to get their scopes on the market so people could see what they're selling, but pricewise I'd be hard pressed to buy a Nightforce when I can buy a top-end Kahles, Swarovski or Zeiss for the same price.

As far as quality goes, Leupold makes a pretty decent optic. Years ago, when I could buy a Vari-XIII for $299, they were also a great value. Now that a Vari-XIII goes for $425+, I'll buy a Zeiss Conquest for about the same cash, and it's a much brighter scope. With this new information, even if the Vari-XIII was $100 cheaper, I'd probably still buy something else. Nothing irritates me more than people artificially inflating the cost of a product or service.

[tightgroup]

I've heard good things about Nightforce, but I've never seen one in the field, and even a BSA looks good under bright gymnasium lights. I have noticed Nightforce took a huge jump in price from their introduction. I don't know if it was a trial price to get their scopes on the market so people could see what they're selling, but pricewise I'd be hard pressed to buy a Nightforce when I can buy a top-end Kahles, Swarovski or Zeiss for the same price.
I bought my Nightforce years ago when their prices were still reasonable. They have definitely taken a big jump in price. Their glass is not the best when compared to Swarovski or Zeiss but they are very rugged and that's why you see the benchrest and tactical guys use them.

Anyway, back to the subject of Leupold. If they are price fixing then I am disappointed. There is some good competition out there now and it will be interesting to see what they do to stay in front.

[Fronty Owner]

Leupold does have some good competition, but there are many people that still buy a name and buy on the assumption that a $1000 scope is 10 times better than a $100 scope.

[soulezoo]

It is when that scope is named Zeiss...

I have a custom Tasco that is much brighter than my Leupold at half the price.

[Mr. Bill]

i had a Leupold VX-II 4-12X40 on my 270. the scope was hard to get sighted in and once i had it sighted in it would shoot a consistent pattern for about a magazine (4 rounds) and then the next shot was on the other side of the hay bail. i took it in to get it replaced and i got a new one and went through the whole process again. scope would still act up. Cabelas finally bought it back from me and i bought the nikon monarch which is the best scope i have ever had. i am not pounding on leupold scopes i have no doubt that they are nice my experience with them was not what i was expecting.

[duner]

when the manufacturer sets the price it's not price fixing. if i remember correctly it called fair trade or something like that. Levi's used to do the same thing. didn't matter what store you went to a pair of Levi's cost the same.

[Adaminak]

You can call a pig a cow, but it doesn't make it any less a pig nor any more a cow. If the company sets a minimum sale price and prohibits a retailer from selling cheaper, it's price fixing. They are prohibiting free trade and artificially inflating the price of a product for the benefit of their company's image and bottom-line.