While I cannot speak on behalf of what was discussed at the time you placed your order, I can tell you, without having the firearm here to take measurements from, we, at least I do, refrain from recommending ring heights over the phone.
Unfortunately this is a very tough question to answer without having the rifle here. There are several comprehensive aspects when it comes to mounting that I evaluate.
Bolt and Action clearance?
Objective bell clearance?
Ocular Bell clearance?
Are we set up for a solid cheek weld?
Is this going to give us adequate eye relief?
Trying to do this over the phone or through email is nearly unfathomable, because not all manufactures follow the same guide lines in measuring or manufacturing…it’s something that I have to put on the bench and measure.
Located under
About Us at the bottom of SWFA.com's Homepage, we notate:
We do business based on a very simple idea. If you are not 100% satisfied with our products or service, we'll refund your money! Just return any new unused item to us within 10 days from the date delivered. Include a copy of your receipt and we will issue a refund. Shipping charges are not refundable and we can not accept returns on special order items.
No C.O.D.'s. All Warranties are through the manufacturer only. No warranties are expressed or implied by S.W.F.A.. Prices' do not include shipping and handling. Texas residents add 8.25% sales tax. Prices are subject to change without notice. S.W.F.A. is not responsible for mis-prints or errors, Personal and or business checks are held 10 days. Once you mount a scope it becomes used product and used products are not eligible for refund, exchange, or return (placing the scope in rings constitutes mounting). We only ship to United States of America addresses. Returns are subject to a 15% Restocking Fee.
The facts are that you told me over the phone that you mounted them, rendering them used.
Taking it back and trying to remarket to it to someone else to sell is not ethical. It is not our business model to cheat people out of product, let alone their money.
I COMPLETELY understand how hard it is for yall to take limited info over the phone and try to piece together a system for someone sight unseen. But with that said chances are they are gonna have to take that product out of the packaging to see if it is going to fit properly on the given platform. If it doesn't fit now what? Tough luck Customer Joe.
Do you use different types of rings and different heights when you fit and mount a scope in your shop? If so then by your definition you are selling "used" rings to other unsuspecting customers. Do I think this is bad business ethics? Absolutely not. Just because you place a ring on a base to check the fit doesn't make it a used product in my eyes. Not every brand new truck that's been test driven has to be sold on the used lot.
YOU made a recommendation on a set of Talleys for my wife's rifle over the phone. It was perfect. Could not have been happier. You didn't seem to refrain from making recommendations that day and it worked out for both of us.
The 2nd set of rings I bought from you ( can't recall who sold me the 1st set, very nice guy though) for this particular rifle was perfect. Literally couldn't fit any better. But the 1st set that did not fit can't be returned after leaving the factory packaging for an incredible 15 minutes are now useless. I should probably send them in for scrap metal price so no ones gets ahold of these now that they are all used up.
Let's take into consideration a what if perhaps?
Say SWFA took just took everything back as a return on all the items that had been taken out of their OEM packaging, then mounted...and then took the customer's word that the item in question was still in "like new condition" completely unblemished, yet when we receive the item and despite what was explained over the phone or through email, the screws were missing, or it was scratched, or perhaps marred up after being matted to the bases it was attached to with visible signs of use?
Without a doubt the product is still functional, like a new item would be, but not from a cosmetic perspective.
What recourse would a company have then? The company already issued a refund or replacement. Now said company is stuck with a returned item that can not be used, let alone remarketing it to someone else as "Like New"
What if you received the a set of rings in this condition that you paid in full, expecting a new item in a sealed package? Would you be upset? So would many others, given the scenario.
Asking SWFA to take you for your word and what you say, that the rings are in totally new condition when you explained over the phone that you mounted it to your rifle.
I'm sure that you mean no ill will and you're a nice guy and please don't get me wrong, I am not insinuating that your trying to be deceitful, but if we used that same precedent with everyone and took everyone's word, how could we be certain , sight unseen that the returned items remain in new, pristine condition with out any signs of use?
We have a adopted a returns policy that we feel is reasonable and that even many other retailers utilize, that if you remove the product from the package and
use it, its is a used item.
It is possible to determine the proper ring height before bedding the scope in the rings and then mounting it to your rifle.
Case in point, there is an old thread I posted on this subject, taken from information we use here everyday.
How to determine the proper Ring Height >>> Link <<< In store if asked which ring height, we will always err on the side of being slightly taller, to prevent being too short and creating interference with the bolt.
This isn't quite the same scenario as rings used to mount scopes here in the store. Simply because as soon as we mount rings, they are then also considered used items, same for when as if the customer did it himself, and the customer accepts that fact.
Plus, we are able to visibly inspect the rings we mount to ensure they are not blemished in an way, which we do not have the benefit of doing so prior to someone returning the product to SWFA.
There are occasions where people will ask this question and then ask what do I use. I will explain that I am partial to Seekins and Talley, which I am. All of my rifles use those two components as a mounting solution. Then I will explain what I have and what steps I took to draw that conclusion of what I used, but that is not to be taken as a recommendation. It's sharing what my rig is outfitted with.