Anyone bought Kowa binoculars in Europe? Is online shopping a good option? (1 Viewer)

[JAC34]

Hey everyone,

I’m going to be in Scotland for a bit and I’m looking to pick up a pair of Kowa BD II 8x32 binoculars. I checked out a few local shops, but it seems like they don’t have any Kowa stock.

Has anyone bought Kowa binoculars online in Europe? How did it go? I’m especially curious about the return and exchange policies—don’t want to end up stuck if they’re not quite right. Thanks in advance!

 

[jring]

Hi,

first of all, welcome to birdforum!

We do have a 14 day no questions asked return period mandated by law for online sales from businesses in the EU and in the UK that seems to be still the case. The return postage is on you, though...

Accepting returns and giving refunds: the law

When you do and do not have to offer a refund, repair or replacement, unconditional refunds for online purchases, and penalties for deceiving customers

www.gov.uk

Joachim

 

[wm.wragg]

Hey everyone,

I’m going to be in Scotland for a bit and I’m looking to pick up a pair of Kowa BD II 8x32 binoculars. I checked out a few local shops, but it seems like they don’t have any Kowa stock.

Has anyone bought Kowa binoculars online in Europe? How did it go? I’m especially curious about the return and exchange policies—don’t want to end up stuck if they’re not quite right. Thanks in advance!

I believe the "The Birder's Store" has them in stock in the UK Kowa BD II XD 8x32 Binoculars The Birders Store I've bought from them a few times, and also returned binoculars as they just didn't fit my face, all without issue.

 

[PatR]

Good people to do business with, £10 off your first order and a 14 days returns policy as per UK consumer law.

Kowa BD II 8x32 XD Binoculars | Viking Optical Centres

Kowa BD II 8x32 XD Binoculars The third generation in the BD line-up, the new BDII XD take over from the popular BD XD range. The latest version has been designed to be ‘Affordable without compromise’, Kowa’s philosophy when designing and making these optics.

www.vikingopticalcentres.co.uk

 

[JAC34]

I believe the "The Birder's Store" has them in stock in the UK Kowa BD II XD 8x32 Binoculars The Birders Store I've bought from them a few times, and also returned binoculars as they just didn't fit my face, all without issue.

Thank you for the information!

 

[JAC34]

Hi,

first of all, welcome to birdforum!

We do have a 14 day no questions asked return period mandated by law for online sales from businesses in the EU and in the UK that seems to be still the case. The return postage is on you, though...

Accepting returns and giving refunds: the law

When you do and do not have to offer a refund, repair or replacement, unconditional refunds for online purchases, and penalties for deceiving customers

www.gov.uk

Joachim

Thank you Joachim

 

[JAC34]

Good people to do business with, £10 off your first order and a 14 days returns policy as per UK consumer law.

Kowa BD II 8x32 XD Binoculars | Viking Optical Centres

Kowa BD II 8x32 XD Binoculars The third generation in the BD line-up, the new BDII XD take over from the popular BD XD range. The latest version has been designed to be ‘Affordable without compromise’, Kowa’s philosophy when designing and making these optics.

www.vikingopticalcentres.co.uk

Thank you!

 

[fazalmajid]

I ordered a pair of Kowa Genesis 8x22 from Viking Optical Centres on Sep. 29, and received them on Oct 1 via DHL (free shipping).

 

[JAC34]

I ordered a pair of Kowa Genesis 8x22 from Viking Optical Centres on Sep. 29, and received them on Oct 1 via DHL (free shipping).

Where did you order from? Did you buy from a Kowa distributor in the US?

 

[Bentley03]

Where did you order from? Did you buy from a Kowa distributor in the US?

I believe he's in the UK, so UK based and ordering from a UK Kowa stockist.

Viking also happen to be the official repair centre for Kowa in the UK (and also hold the contract to supply all the RSPB shops).

 

[fazalmajid]

As Bentley03 said, I live in the UK, and purchased online from Viking Optical Centres | Binoculars, Telescopes & Accessories

AFAIK they are an authorized reseller for the UK, in addition to having their own optics line (including lines co-branded with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB). At Birdfair, Swarovski, Kowa or Zeiss will tell you to go to the Viking stand next door to get the show specials.

They often have the best UK prices available, and are a reputable seller.

 

[Gzoladz74]

In case it helps, I purchased a Kowa scope (and a few other bits and pieces later) from Foto Erhardt in Germany and found them good enough. I am fairly sure they stock binocs too.