Crimson Trace Free Battery Scam

[Ingramite]

I'm one of the smart guys that bought a set of 1911 laser grips from a Chinese vendor on Ebay.

They got my twelve dollars and I still don't have my laser grips.

Before anyone feels compelled to remind me that it's Christmas, or about Covid, or which way the wind blows....no worries.

 

[gnystrom]

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

And I have had the opposite to the point they sent me a replacement set of grips on one of their very first introduction products.

Some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you.

 

[Racer X]

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?

Pick up the phone and call. Ignoring emails or simply deleting them on the server with a filter before they even hit the inbox is easy. It's harder for an employee to lie on the phone. Because you can ask Why? Then they have to think of something else to say. Better yet, a snail mail letter to the CEO asking about why they don't follow their own guarantee?

 

[uncleted327]

Sounds a little ridiculous to me. If it's a good product who cares about the "free" batteries. Would it be a little disappointing to not get them after being advertised...yes. But it sounds like bitching about a good vehicle because you didn't get the free toaster they offered with purchase...first world problems...

 

[dbell54]

I've had CTs on a Combat Commander for years, never a problem getting batteries with a phone call. Now also have a Kimber Micro 9 with factory rosewood CT. Called to get batteries for both recently. Told that now you must fill out online form. Had to remove grips from both to get serial numbers. Filled out online form, got confirmation on Dec 4, still waiting for batteries. Very disappointed in change, but that's "progress" for you. I hope the batteries arrive eventually, not holding out much hope after reading this thread.

 

[Bob4southern]

After multiple follow up emails to Crimson Trace without even the courtesy of a reply I called to ask about the free batteries that I still had not received.

They have a record of my request and said that due to changes in how they can now ship batteries they are totally overwhelmed and behind in shipping. When I asked about the lack of email reply they said they don't have enough customer service people to respond.

I mentioned that they were being slammed on this forum as a scam, and the rep had nothing to say. He did tell me it would be at least another 2 months until they could ship the batteries.

My final comment to them was that if this is how they support their marketing programs, it gives me reason to doubt how they handle product development and customer service in general.

If a company cannot follow through on their own marketing, it seems to me that perhaps they should own up to it....and maybe come up with a different marketing plan? Just my opinion, ymmv...

 

[seldon14]

After multiple follow up emails to Crimson Trace without even the courtesy of a reply I called to ask about the free batteries that I still had not received.

They have a record of my request and said that due to changes in how they can now ship batteries they are totally overwhelmed and behind in shipping. When I asked about the lack of email reply they said they don't have enough customer service people to respond.

I mentioned that they were being slammed on this forum as a scam, and the rep had nothing to say. He did tell me it would be at least another 2 months until they could ship the batteries.

My final comment to them was that if this is how they support their marketing programs, it gives me reason to doubt how they handle product development and customer service in general.

If a company cannot follow through on their own marketing, it seems to me that perhaps they should own up to it....and maybe come up with a different marketing plan? Just my opinion, ymmv...

Is there anywhere in any of there marketing material that promises a set delivery time of the free batteries?

 

[Bob4southern]

Is there anywhere in any of there marketing material that promises a set delivery time of the free batteries?

Yes, in their confirmation of product registration email they say to allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Delays during a worldwide pandemic are totally understandable. Failure to recognize and acknowledge those delays is simply bad business and lack of customer service...in my opinion...ymmv.

 

[seldon14]

Yes, in their confirmation of product registration email they say to allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Delays during a worldwide pandemic are totally understandable. Failure to recognize and acknowledge those delays is simply bad business and lack of customer service...in my opinion...ymmv.

Fair enough. Yeah I get covid extending lead times, but if they are that far outside there range they should really have a banner notification at the top of the relevant web page with the same generic heads up I've seen on plenty of pages "due to disruptions in supply chains shipment of batteries are currently running 3-6 months behind" and a similar pre recorded message if you call.

 

[Bigpoppa]

Crimson Trace free batteries for life worked great 4-5 years ago before they started requiring registration for each laser that actually does not have a registration number. I have four CT laser grips for four of my M&P pistols and they work great. The battery for life program used to work with just a phone call to Crimson Trace and a request for batteries not anymore though. I can suspect that it got abused by people and they ended the program by requiring a number of hoops to jump through. Still a good product though.

 

[Bob4southern]

In the spirit of full disclosure I did receive my replacement battery via UPS Mail Innovations with final delivery from USPS this past weekend....almost exactly 3 months after it was ordered.
I have no idea if my recent phone call to customer service had anything to do with the shipment arriving when it did. I guess I will find out when I reorder again next year.
As always...ymmv....

 

[Runs With Gun]

Seldom good for a big company to buy a smaller company....hate to hear CTC is no longer its own company.

I never paid attention to their battery offer....I thought it was silly since their batteries last years in my carry gun. I think I've replaced the battery once in 9 years?

I love CTC laser grips so much though, it's the main reason I've stuck with the 5-shot J frame instead of going to a Colt 6 shot Agent or Cobra.

 

[BubbaBlades]

I received an e-mail from Crimson Trace last week informing me that "We are sorry for the extreme delay in response." It has been so long since I contacted C/T that I did not remember what this apology concerned.

I buy laser grip batteries in many different sizes through the year so one free battery per laser per year is not a big deal to me. What IS a big deal (as I stated in my e-mail response to C/T) is that I had my computer hard drive crash months ago and all of the data associated with my dozens of C/T purchases was no longer available.

I received a second e-mail from C/T informing me that they had lost their older laser grip buyer registration data and that I would need to re-register my 40+ C/T laser grips including purchase date and related info.

I sent C/T the above picture and their response was that they were sorry but re-registration was their only acceptable procedure.

I still love the product but I am not a fan of C/T's customer service.

 

[BloodyThumb]

I will admit they are somewhat slow... but I have never failed to get the free battery when requested. I have received 4 so far.

 

[ApKNJ]

Hey all,

A bunch of firsts for me today: I'm making my first post here because I just ordered my first CT product, for my first S&W handgun, and didn't even know about the free battery offer before this.
I'm sorry, but not surprised, to hear that they may make it more trouble than it's worth. Since the light I ordered uses a relatively uncommon CR2 battery, I'm really sort of hoping they do offer--and deliver--free replacements.

The CR2032 batteries can be replaced with the much more expensive DL2032 that I have bought @ Home Depot which are Lithium Ion..

Just by the way, those CR and DL batteries are both lithium (NOT Lithium Ion, which is different). The DL just means it's Duracell brand. A Duracell battery may indeed be better and more expensive than a 10-for-a-dollar eBay special battery, but it's not a different chemistry or technology in any way.

Nice meeting you all,

ApK