Crimson Trace Free Battery Scam

[RichardU]

I bought several Crimson Trace lasers when they offered "Free batteries for life." Not sure if they still do.

You've always had to jump through some hoops to get the batteries. At first, an email worked. Now you need to fill out a ridiculous form for every laser every time. And yet months after filling out the forms, no batteries.

I think S&W might reconsider bundling products from a company that doesn't honor its obligations.

Richard

 

[scott.amy00]

Sounds like they used this as a sales tactic and now they're not interested in keeping up their end of the deal...with the bottom dollar being their true motivation and greediness of companies these days I am not at all surprised. It's very rare to find a company that stands by what they market without adding fine print in an attempt to disqualify you from your benefits or claims...they're focused on the initial sale and profit, they don't seem to be interested in making lifelong customers and keeping those customers happy down the line.

Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk

 

[Bob4southern]

I agree and still awaiting the batteries. I sent Crimson Trace an email requesting a delivery update and never received even the courtesy of a reply...perhaps they bundled their reply with their batteries?

 

[Ranger17]

I don't have a CT Laser but was curious on the program. From what could find, it's basically 1 battery per year per item.

" Under this program, the original purchaser of a qualifying product purchased new at retail may receive from Crimson Trace up to one (1) set of new batteries per calendar year, per qualifying product registered, for the life of the product. "

OP, how long does your battery set last before it needs replacing? Is it more often than once per year? If its a #2032 battery its cheap enough they may hope owners just replace on their own, instead of contacting them for a free one.
Or perhaps if CT has staff offsite due to covid related restrictions, their follow up could be delayed. Which could explain why so long for feedback or batteries now.

 

[JH1951]

It's easier for me to buy a battery locally than jumping through hoops and getting distressed about getting a battery. Their little certificate is still in the box.

 

[scott.amy00]

It's easier for me to buy a battery locally than jumping through hoops and getting distressed about getting a battery. Their little certificate is still in the box.

And I am sure this is what they're hoping for, the fact that they can make it just hard enough that you'd rather spend your own money and get a replacement battery rather than making them stock to their obligation...sad!

Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk

 

[Buford57]

I bought one of their lasers last year (for a gun I no longer own) and sent in the warranty card. About a month later I got a new battery in the mail. Didn't ask for it, didn't need it and gave it to the buyer when I sold the gun. I was impressed. Sorry it's not working out that way now.

 

[OttoLoader]

I bought a CT in 2011.

I called them in 2014 to ask about the battery. They sent batteries.

However that was before the original owners sold the company.

 

[ajgunner]

Some of us have the luxury of being close by so can just stop in while passing by. The really do prefer that you remove the grips from the revolver though before you walk in the door looking for batteries.
I also had a switch go south on me a few years back. I took the grip in and asked if I could get a replacement switch. The nice young lady disappeared behind a closed door and returned shortly with a brand new in the box replacement grip. Right on par with Dillon if you want my opinion. Of course your experience may differ with all the current **** going on in the world.

 

[marvin02]

. . .

I think S&W might reconsider bundling products from a company that doesn't honor its obligations.

Richard

S&W owns Crimson Trace, they purchased them in 2016.

https://www.bizjournals.com/portlan...le-gun-sight-maker-sold-for-95m-to-smith.html

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Extended warranty! How could I lose?

Much less frustration to just buy a new battery when needed.

 

[silverstateS&W]

as with all companies , when the big company(S&W) buys out the little company(CTC) many things that made the little company successful just disappear. Casualties over the years:
SilencioHearingProtection(now gone) Uncle Mikes,Hoppes,KleenBore,
the list goes on and on.....

 

[VikingDude]

But is it a scam if you do get a free battery, even if you have to stand on one leg and recite the alphabet backwards?

 

[Fulton722]

I got one free battery; however, it was the wrong one for my Shield with the red integrated laser. I also tried to get new batteries for my C-T grips for my P239 about 3 months ago, which they acknowledged I had correctly submitted the required documentation, and they were sending batteries ... received NOTHING !

At this point, I am done with C-T, and consider their battery program to be a TOTAL SCAM.

 

[hdfinder47]

I bought my first CT years ago for a J frame airweight. I'd just call them when I needed batteries and they'd send however many I said I needed. No fuss, no muss. Dang I miss the good 'ol days of just talking to people who give a **** about customer service.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

The CR2032 batteries can be replaced with the much more expensive DL2032 that I have bought @ Home Depot which are Lithium Ion..
They are available just about anywhere, Just Google it..
My Diabetic Sugar Tester = Glucometer uses the same ones & they do wear out from use & aren't designed to last forever.. I keep new ones on hand for when they go bad which is about every six months or less, It gets used 5-6 times a day and yes my fingers are sore.. Hate that thing.. It saves my life though.
I bet that after playing with the laser for a while they start to loose voltage & go dim, Every other battery does too..
They are 3 volt & can be checked with a volt meter..
In fact I have some CR2032 Lithium batteries right here that aren't marked DL but CR JFYI.. I bought these @ Kroger..
I'd also bet they are ALL made in China in the same factory..
You're Mileage May Vary..
So Go Out & Get some new batteries..

I didn't know that S&W had bought Crimson Trace.
Must be why the internal lasers in some older pistols are from Insight Technology..

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

[kbm6893]

I bought my first CT years ago for a J frame airweight. I'd just call them when I needed batteries and they'd send however many I said I needed. No fuss, no muss. Dang I miss the good 'ol days of just talking to people who give a **** about customer service.

Same for me. Didn't know they changed. Sad.

 

[sandog]

Guys must play with their laser a lot to need a new battery every year. I keep a few spares but have not needed one yet for the first Streamlight TRL-6 I bought 4 years ago.

I heard that CT had problems with contacts coming loose, it would suck to have the laser that is permanently attached and you have to send the whole gun in to fix the laser problem.

All my light/lasers are easily detachable and are made by Streamlight or Lasermax, like this light and green laser on the .45 Shield.

 

[BSA1]

I am glad that someone else doesn't like the factory built in laser. Considering how long a firearm can last with reasonable care and how fast technology keeps advancing it is foreseeable that the laser will be useless once manufacturer support ends.

 

[trikerdon]

This is what I use. Don't have a battery problem.

I can't get the link to work and I can't delete this post. Look up the Olight baldr mini or Olight Store.
Search results for: 'baldr mini htm' | OlightStore

 

[trikerdon]

Tactical light and green laser

Check this one out. It is what I use.

Baldr Mini Micro Tactical Light 600 Lumen | OlightStore

 

[lrrifleman]

I am sorry to hear the horror stories associated with the Crimson Trace battery-a-year program. In November '19 I won a Crimson Trace CMR204 tactical laser. Even though I have yet to take possession of the P320 Xcompact (still awaiting issuance of the purchase permit) that will wear that laser, I sought my replacement battery back in June or July. Even though I registered the laser at the time I won it, I had to reregister it in order to receive my battery. I viewed the process as their way to confirm that I was the original owner. It took about 6-7 weeks for my free CR2 battery to arrive.

Up until last year, I had never given the idea of a pistol laser a second thought. However, I did install the laser on my G17.5 MOS a few times, and I did like the versatility that it offered. In fact, when I won a P365 this past October, I immediately started looking for a Lima365 to put on it. I am finding that, despite my disabilities, I can put a pistol into play defensively and safely much faster.

Based on my experience with Crimson Trace so far, I really don't believe that their battery-a-month program is a marketing scam. I would like to think that any delays that consumers are experiencing this year are a direct result of the COVID crisis that has hit our country and wreaked havoc with our economy!

 

[Saudade]

I'll admit, there have been times I bought Brand B over Brand A because B had something like a mail in rebate or some other freebie. That didn't make Brand B any better or even cheaper than Brand A but I thought I was getting a better value.

Then you go through the gyrations of receipts, forms, mailing/faxing/emailing, and then wait 6-8 weeks (if not more) to get your $2 check (or worse a gift card).

I don't let those kind of things sway me anymore. If I get the rebate, I get it. If not, I'm still happy with my prurchase.

 

[CBStuard]

I have at least 10 CTC lasers. I have gotten the free batteries twice mainly because I forget to call. I am pretty sure the last time was >2016. But more important than free batteries, I have never had a CTC laser fail.

 

[colt_saa]

I bought several Crimson Trace lasers when they offered "Free batteries for life." Not sure if they still do.

You've always had to jump through some hoops to get the batteries. At first, an email worked. Now you need to fill out a ridiculous form for every laser every time. And yet months after filling out the forms, no batteries.

I think S&W might reconsider bundling products from a company that doesn't honor its obligations.

Richard

This is really your first contribution to the Forum after being a member for 6 years

The "ridiculous form" only asks for your name, E-mail address and phone number. Thet use that to look up the registration card you filled out when you bought your product. They then mail the batteries to the address you registered the product with

So you do not like their method of giving you your FREE batteries.

How does that make it a Scam ?

Myself and my Family have plenty of CT products between us

I change all the batteries every year, on the same day that I change my smoke detector batteries

For more than 10 years now, my batteries have always come FREE from CT.

I give them a call, tell them what I need and in 4-10 days there is an envelope in my mailbox.

I have NEVER jumped through a hoop or had a problem

This is an Honorable Company that manufactures a good product.

 

[SW Gun Guy]

Extended warranty! How could I lose?

Much less frustration to just buy a new battery when needed.

+1 I bought my 642 with one on. I just remember that there were enough hoops to jump through and a lot of info to provide that I decided I would spring for a new battery when needed. The older you get the more you prefer the less time used for the easy way out.

 

[Fulton722]

This is really your first contribution to the Forum after being a member for 6 years

The "ridiculous form" only asks for your name, E-mail address and phone number. Thet use that to look up the registration card you filled out when you bought your product. They then mail the batteries to the address you registered the product with

So you do not like their method of giving you your FREE batteries.

How does that make it a Scam ?

Myself and my Family have plenty of CT products between us

I change all the batteries every year, on the same day that I change my smoke detector batteries

For more than 10 years now, my batteries have always come FREE from CT.

I give them a call, tell them what I need and in 4-10 days there is an envelope in my mailbox.

I have NEVER jumped through a hoop or had a problem

This is an Honorable Company that manufactures a good product.

The C-T website asks for name, address, email, serial numbers, battery numbers you are requesting, laser model, laser serial, etc.

I have completed the online form multiple times over the past 18 months, then I receive emails acknowledging that my request was received, then I hear no more from them, and haven't received the batteries.

In my opinion, this is either a scam, or an unacceptable level of incompetence.

 

[diyj98]

My experience with Crimson Trace customer service has been less than stellar. I won't be buying anymore of their grips.

 

[gnystrom]

I have six sets of CT lasers. I have called CT and even after S&W had purchased the company I have never had a problem. My last call was 10 months ago and an envelope with all six sets arrived in a few days.
I think calling is better than an e-mail.

 

[Stumblebumble1]

Battery Scam

I bought a CT laser for my 45 sheild and have been promised the batteries for 4 months and still have not gotten them. No big deal as they are cheap.
However I do not like being lied to.