Shoddy service from Garmin
andy_from_embsay
Posts: 343
Edge 800, purchased 14 months ago has failed - USB socket (after months of working only intermittently - and being told by Garmin every time it was my computer/my lead/my USB socket) now won't connect to 3 different computers, 3 different USB leads and is basically impossible to connect to . Rang Garmin support - only option is a replacement unit - £120 and first I have to send this one back at my expense. This is a device that cost £270 and is 60 days outside the guarantee period.
Shoddy workmanship and shoddy service (the guy on the phone asked the supervisor if they could do the replacement any cheaper and the answer was no).
I have bought 4 different Garmin watches (including the FR610 which has had to go back twice because of faulty straps) and this is my third Garmin cycle computer - but it's the last thing I will ever buy from them. It's not the money, it's the absolute contempt in which they hold their customers - "we've had your money, now sod off" seems to be the attitude.
Compare this to TomTom who sent me a free reconditioned car SatNav when ours was almost two years old.
Shoddy workmanship and shoddy service (the guy on the phone asked the supervisor if they could do the replacement any cheaper and the answer was no).
I have bought 4 different Garmin watches (including the FR610 which has had to go back twice because of faulty straps) and this is my third Garmin cycle computer - but it's the last thing I will ever buy from them. It's not the money, it's the absolute contempt in which they hold their customers - "we've had your money, now sod off" seems to be the attitude.
Compare this to TomTom who sent me a free reconditioned car SatNav when ours was almost two years old.
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Colnago
Cervelo
Campagnolo
Even so what?
After a bit of digging they found the initial call dates preceeded the end of warranty period and replaced it.
Either that or ask for the complaints procedure and put in writing noting when initial calls were made etc, you will need to give them time to reply but you can then put the case forward to the OFT if a satisfactory result has not been made.
If I buy something - I'd rather buy something that's reliable and doesn't need to be replaced ?
This always makes me chuckle. Garmin sell thousands of units worldwide, but you read a few niggles on a forum which account for a tiny fraction of those sales and you make your decision on that? No-one ever posts to say 'my garmin has been working flawlessly for years', why would they?
Garmin's have issues, not disputing that. But based on their sales compared to the rivals, are you not more likely to hear about the problems than the other brands? That does not make the alternatives any more reliable.
It can depend on the individual you happen to speak to, so I would ring them again, ask for an RMA tracking number becasue you've got a faulty unit and send it in. They should at least look at it before deciding to charge you for a replacement.
The amount of times i've read about the Garmin units failing, or not working is beyond a joke. Open your eyes and realise that there are other/better alternatives out there now.
youre like moths to a flame you lot..." someones got a Garmin...yaay...lets all buy one..oh but they dont work...oh well..lets buy another one..yaayy.....oh...'
http://eu.mio.com/en_eu/mio-cyclo.htm?u ... n=redirect
Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
Specialized Secteur Elite 2011
How do you know the other one they've sold is still working?
These are still relatively new to the market are they not? So how can you claim that it's a better alternative until we see years worth of feedback and sales approaching those of Garmin to see if it is indeed any more reliable? It does look very nice and more competitive, once you price in maps and accessories etc. I just don't see how you can claim it is better and has 'no issues'.
+1 You have up to 6 years(5 in Scotland) to raise a problem with the retailer.
or here http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/revi ... 300-review it's not that much cheaper either.
as opposed to the edge http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/gps/1285 ... n-edge-800
Its not just this forum though - check out any running forum and you'll see the stories of people on their fourth or fifth unit. I'm struggling to think of any product that fails this much ?
Whilst its a nice to have - they dont make you any faster just by having them.
Maybe I'll get one in a while when they seem to be more sorted - but I've coped for 30 years or so without one - so its not vital eh ?
Until this thread, I'd regarded Garmin as having some of the best support in the business, but their documentation is terrible, hence the various enthusiast run support forums.
So if you never had any intention of buying a gps unit why bother with a post suggesting the negative feedback had put you off? Trolling perhaps? No-one on here has ever suggested a Garmin is going to make you ride faster - I don't get your point? They can be fantastically helpful however. I've ridden sportives with terrible signage or where locals have deliberately altered signs to send you off course - the Garmin GPS has saved a lot of wasted energy. I also like to plot new routes and ride new areas, again the Garmin is perfect for the job. My 800 has been flawless - never a moments problem.
Garmin where a dreadful bunch to deal with. If there was an alternative perhaps Garmin would sharpen up customer service.
As to mapping - I quite like getting lost - best way to find new roads I find ! ;-)
I'd love to use the i-phone as well but found that the life got sucked out of it in 3 hours using the Strava app!
One thing I have noticed after years of using a Garmin, my natural sense of direction has taken a turn for the worse!
That's what is so disappointing - I've had 3 watches, a 305, a 705 and now this - whilst I love the geeky side of analysing where I've been and planning routes, I've found garmin pretty unhelpful every time something's gone wrong (and it has - FR610 has gone back twice, and I've now found a thread I posted on the Edge forum in September last year when this unit was only 3 months old when it wasn't seeing my computer - convinced by garmin it was my computer that was at fault (think was just after mac released a new OS).
I'm definitely going to try the SoGA angle, but as they've already got my £120 I'm not sure how strong my position is!
http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=10 ... ij&z=a.png