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First Kimber Experience - Customer Service

Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp Member Posts: 5,871
edited January 2012 in General Discussion
My son's Solo lost one of the dot inserts on the rear sight. The gun is about 6 months old. I spent 20 minutes on hold because they have no e-mail for CS on their website.

Finally they answered and said it's covered under warranty but we'll need to send the gun to them and it will take around 5-8 weeks. I told the guy he can just send me another $.25 insert and I'll Superglue it in myself, but no go.

This is poor customer service - if this were a carry gun, who wants to send it in for 5-8 weeks, especially for such a minor repair?

This makes future gun purchase decisions a tad simpler - Kimber will not be on the list.

Comments

  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    Just put a dot of white nail polish in the hole and live with it...
    That's what i'd do.
  • 17tobyracing17tobyracing Member Posts: 3,429 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Kimber = junk

    To make a very long story short... I have a Kimber Ultra-Raptor II that was sent back to them 3 times because of failure to feed and failure to go into full battery issues. Their customer service sucked and they were reluctant to stand behind their product. I will never purchase another Kimber product again!
  • roswellnativeroswellnative Member Posts: 10,194 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hmmm I have never had any of anything fall off my pistols... Course I sold my Kimber about 2 years ago..
    Although always described as a cowboy, Roswellnative generally acts as a righter of wrongs or bodyguard of some sort, where he excels thanks to his resourcefulness and incredible gun prowesses.
  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I remember last year when I bought my Desert Eagle 1911G, the Kimber lovers were all over me for buying JUNK. How DARE I claim it was "good". It was CHEAP and not a KIMBER.

    After 6000 rounds (including 5000 rounds of my reloads), there have been no issues with my DE1911. Not one.

    Sorry about your Solo, but I hate it when companies don't back their products with good customer service. It's a shame, especially for how much those pistols go for.
  • rongrong Member Posts: 8,459
    edited November -1
    I have a Kimber Grand Raptor II
    and I was having problems with
    reloads.I was really disappointed.
    I told Perry shooter and he
    explained to me what the pistol
    was really looking for in a reload.
    She goes bang every time now.
    Thanks Karl!
    ron
  • Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp Member Posts: 5,871
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rong
    I have a Kimber Grand Raptor II
    and I was having problems with
    reloads.I was really disappointed.
    I told Perry shooter and he
    explained to me what the pistol
    was really looking for in a reload.
    She goes bang every time now.
    Thanks Karl!
    ron


    My Glocks eat everything I feed them. I once got distracted and loaded a rock in the magazine, and my G19 shot it. [:D]
  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Wyatt Earp
    quote:Originally posted by rong
    I have a Kimber Grand Raptor II
    and I was having problems with
    reloads.I was really disappointed.
    I told Perry shooter and he
    explained to me what the pistol
    was really looking for in a reload.
    She goes bang every time now.
    Thanks Karl!
    ron


    My Glocks eat everything I feed them. I once got distracted and loaded a rock in the magazine, and my G19 shot it. [:D]


    Yeah...but it's a GLOCK. [xx(] On the other hand, I say the same thing about my Beretta 92...it eats everything. But it's a BERETTA! [:D]
  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    been saying this for years, no one listens
  • CSI21CSI21 Member Posts: 1,206 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Something bad has happened at Kimber, not sure what happened, they used to be the premier gun. Now they get sent back left and right from this area. Maybe someone knows if they got sold or something.
  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by CSI21
    Something bad has happened at Kimber, not sure what happened, they used to be the premier gun. Now they get sent back left and right from this area. Maybe someone knows if they got sold or something.



    back around 2005 they had a goal, 5,000 1911's a week, they met it, and continue to, along with reducing their lifetime warranty to one year, right there tells you something


    like most companies they started out making a superior product, then grew to fast, and to big for their britches, and continue to live off the name they made for themselves prior
  • 17tobyracing17tobyracing Member Posts: 3,429 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by CSI21
    Something bad has happened at Kimber, not sure what happened, they used to be the premier gun. Now they get sent back left and right from this area. Maybe someone knows if they got sold or something.


    Contain too many MIM parts to be a premier gun. At this point, I think you are paying simply for a name.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,522 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't feel them Kimber's are superior to any production better name brand such as Sig. There so called Target 9mm I purchased and paid fair money for, had a terrible feeding problem and accuracy sucked. My Browning HP competition ate it alive.
  • partisanpartisan Member Posts: 6,414
    edited November -1
    Glad to know about Kimber CS. Thanks!!!
  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,692 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is why people can be excused for buying foreign made handguns.

    I have a Pro Carry and an Ultra Carry, and have never had a problem I didn't cause. I believe I bought them in 2006 or 2007, and would buy a Kimber again, though the tales one hears about new production pistols does make one sit back and think....
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
  • 17tobyracing17tobyracing Member Posts: 3,429 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by eboydell
    But the other thing is, I am no afraid to alter the bad parts.

    For $1000+ the gun shouldn't be filled with MIM junk and a plastic mainspring housing. Guns built for the purpose of being a carry/conceal weapon should function out of the box without having to alter/replace parts. Kimber's canned answer is to blame the shooter for not allowing for an adequate break-in period. I attempted to run 500+ rounds of Ball through my Ultra-Raptor with no improvement. After 3 trips back to Kimber, the gun still did not perform properly. My local and highly trusted pistolsmith tweaked it so that it now functions flawlessly, but the trust has been lost and I do not carry the weapon for protection.
  • TrinityScrimshawTrinityScrimshaw Member Posts: 9,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No doubt a bunch of Kimber haters or Glock lovers are posting here.[;)]

    Never had one single problem with my Kimber.

    Trinity +++
  • Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp Member Posts: 5,871
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by TrinityScrimshaw
    No doubt a bunch of Kimber haters or Glock lovers are posting here.[;)]

    Never had one single problem with my Kimber.

    Trinity +++


    I take no pride in this thread. I paid good money (too much, if you remember) for a Solo for my son's birthday because I wanted him to have a really good gun.

    The gun has been fine, it's Kimber's customer service that is 3rd rate.
  • jjmitchell60jjmitchell60 Member Posts: 3,887
    edited November -1
    I own 6 Kimbers and love all of them but have owned several I traded off being I had WAY too many to shoot them all. My NIB CDP II had the safety come apart after 3 mags run through it in 2005. Called Kimber, new gun, send it back, came back in 2 weeks fixed, and no problems being they paid shipping BOTH ways. Fast forward to 2011, safety came apart again after at least 10,000 round through it from 2005 to 2011. Called Kimber, told them the problem as well as how many round shot through it, told them it happened when bought new in 2005, was told to send back under same work order and tell what was wrong, Kimber called me 2 weeks after the received it, told me they were sending me a complete new CDP II so what FFL did I want to use to which I explained I got my FFLs in 2006, 4 weeks later a new CDP II arrived with 3 NEW mags in addition to the one in with the Kimber, Kimber paid shipping BOTH ways again, and was told should I have anymore problems for as long as I own ANY of my Kimbers with ANY Kimber I have now or buy to call them and they will fix it if they can or replace it as they did with the CDP II. So if that is crappy customer service, I will take that crappy service ANY day!!!!!! By the way, have not found a load that my my kimbers will not shoot EXCEPT for the Kimber 22 conversion and the Kimber 22 target which will not cycle a cheap 22 load on the first round BUT will cycle the last 9 perfect. Good ammo they cycle all 10 perfect. I have a 460 Rowland conversion by Clark on one and have never had any problems out of that hotter round either. So any of you buy a nasty ole Kimber and wat to unload it CHEAP, contact me![;)][:D]
  • bhale187bhale187 Member Posts: 7,798
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Wyatt Earp
    quote:Originally posted by TrinityScrimshaw
    No doubt a bunch of Kimber haters or Glock lovers are posting here.[;)]

    Never had one single problem with my Kimber.

    Trinity +++


    I take no pride in this thread. I paid good money (too much, if you remember) for a Solo for my son's birthday because I wanted him to have a really good gun.

    The gun has been fine, it's Kimber's customer service that is 3rd rate.

    I understand what you're getting at with that statement, but a 6 month old $700+ handgun should not be loosing a sight dot
  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    see no one listens[V]
  • midnightrunpaintballermidnightrunpaintballer Member Posts: 2,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I also have never had a single problem with my Kimber. However, that being said, I would not buy any of their current production firearms. I have lost faith in them due to their dwindling reputation. I would still buy an older used Kimber if I were in the market, but not the newer stuff.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by midnightrunpaintballer
    I also have never had a single problem with my Kimber. However, that being said, I would not buy any of their current production firearms. I have lost faith in them due to their dwindling reputation. I would still buy an older used Kimber if I were in the market, but not the newer stuff.


    Got two those I really Like but am really wondering now. Keep hearing all the bad stuff.
  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Meanwhile the $655.00 Desert Eagle 1911G I bought a year ago keeps on going and going and going and going... [:D]

    I notice the price on line is going up, too...and the C model is now out.

    But I really like the Sig Sauer 1911s, too...and I hear Sig customer service is outstanding. If I buy another 1911 I think that will be the one.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Navybat
    Meanwhile the $655.00 Desert Eagle 1911G I bought a year ago keeps on going and going and going and going... [:D]

    I notice the price on line is going up, too...and the C model is now out.

    But I really like the Sig Sauer 1911s, too...and I hear Sig customer service is outstanding. If I buy another 1911 I think that will be the one.


    But the Gun I carry is a Para Warthog.[:o)]
  • jjmitchell60jjmitchell60 Member Posts: 3,887
    edited November -1
    At what point can they make a 1911 different and it still be a 1911? Kimber, Ed Brown, Remington, Colt IMI, sig, Ruger, and etc.; a 1911 is a 1911. Seems Kimber has become slack on QC according to many but then again I have seen many firearms companies get slack with QC to get the products out faster. For those that prais a certain NEW gun watch and see later on you will begin to see posts about how that particular company is slacking off on QC and CS. Then again you cannot/will not please everyone and every manufacture will have a bad item or 2 slip by. Maybe it is a Friday made gun like the old Friday made autos. I was told to never buy a vehicle made on Friday, too many workers cutting corneres to get out of the plant for the weekend.

    as to teh sights, I am betting the sigt you had a problem with on the Kimber is not manufactured by Kimber!!! So if that is true, who really is at fault, Kimber for using an out sourced sight or the manufacture of the sight? Yes Kimber could send you a new sight BUT them would you be happy having to instal a new sight? Lots of IFF's in customer service these days.
  • oldnbaldoldnbald Member Posts: 3,578
    edited November -1
    quote:I don't need a Rolex to keep time.

    I don't need a $7K Ed Brown handgun for protection.

    If I want a piece of jewelry, I'll just buy a friggin necklace.



    AMEN!!
  • mateomasfeomateomasfeo Member Posts: 27,143
    edited November -1
    Almost bought a Kimber recently - came to my senses just in time...
  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,051 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I filled out their form and I got a response few days after. In the email I was told they would send me a RA (Return Authorization) I had to ask what RA meant [:D]. So that was December 29, 2011. Sent an email about a week ago to Dustin and nothing. I guess I'll up date "Project Liondsay" with no up date.
  • kimberkidkimberkid Member Posts: 8,858 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    8 Kimber's here ... I enjoy them all and never had a problem with any of them, but its been 10+ years since I bought a new one.

    Back when they started a "flavor of the month" production schedule, then they changed the safety and called it a Kimber II just so they could sell in CA and I was done with them. I've never bought a Kimber II anything and I've been completely happy! The last 2 I bought was the Stainless Gold Match and a Pro-Carry CDP.
    If you really desire something, you'll find a way ?
    ? otherwise, you'll find an excuse.
  • Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp Member Posts: 5,871
    edited November -1
    quote:So if that is true, who really is at fault, Kimber for using an out sourced sight or the manufacture of the sight? Yes Kimber could send you a new sight BUT them would you be happy having to instal a new sight? Lots of IFF's in customer service these days.


    If I have a warranty issue with the brakes on my Powerstroke, I don't care if Bendix made the brakes, it is Ford's obligation to take care of the issue.

    Same goes for Kimber.

    I'll never buy another Kimber product because of this. I'm not a high maintenance customer, I only ask for normal care.
  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    About ready to sell off my TLE II.
    Lost all confidence in it.

    Getting light primer strikes.

    Had a jam where a round (winchester white box fmj) came 1/2 out of the mag and locked into the feed ramp. Couldn't get the slide forward couldn't get the mag out.

    Both failures happened during the shooting portion of my CCW class.

    Talking with a friend - gunsmith, the set screw on the trigger probably needs to be tightened to fix the light primer stikes.
    Need to find my box in the garage.

    The feed ramp jam - most likely my fault for not cleaning it after shooting dirty lead handloads a couple years ago + a bad magazine.

    Anywho, after 24 years of shooting 1911's I'm just about done. Just not worth frustration when a $500 Glock will work right out of the box. May try a Brazilian Springfield TRP before I give up on this platform completely.

    For CCW it better go bang every single time.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    I keep hearing the problems and I am sure they are factual, but my three Kimbers are all fine.

    Ultra Carry II

    [img][/img]KimberUltraCarryIINP3Refinish004.jpg

    Eclipse Pro II

    [img][/img]HandgunPics025.jpg

    Pro CDP II

    [img][/img]GunPics015.jpg
  • River RatRiver Rat Member Posts: 9,022
    edited November -1
    Well, the wife's Kimber Carry operates flawlessly. But after reading this, I guess I'm glad we bought it ten years ago. Maybe things have changed since then, but that gun is not for sale.
  • A J ChristA J Christ Member Posts: 7,534
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Navybat
    and I hear Sig customer service is outstanding. If I buy another 1911 I think that will be the one.


    Dealt with SIG customer service twice. Bunch of arrogant people. Way worse then any other firearms customer service.


    In the end they came through but it was not pleasant to deal with them.

    Only experience I have with a Kimber is shooting one a buddy brought over. Worked OK.

    If I were wanting a 1911A1, I believe I'd build one, had good luck with the ones I built in the past. A whole lot of choices out there now. Just would NOT use an Essex frame.
  • wpagewpage Member Posts: 10,201 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jury is out on Kimber...

    Customer service is the key.

    Lets just say Kimber is not giving any thing away.
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