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2.3 100 Reviews

Garmin Complaints Summary

31 Resolved
66 Unresolved
Our verdict: Engaging with Garmin, which has a below-average resolution rate, demands caution. Thoroughly assess their service reviews and explore how they handle unresolved complaints. If you encounter issues, document your experiences meticulously and be persistent in seeking resolutions.
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3:59 pm EDT
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Garmin gps system

My daughter purchased a Garmin (GPS System) from them and the screen was cracked. She did not use it for about 2 weeks which is when she noticed it. She also had paid for an extended warrenty for it. They told her they could not change it or repair it because it had to have been dropped. And her warrenty did not cover misuse. All they would do was refund her the prorated amount of the warrenty. This is not the first time We have had a problem with them but they never have to worry about anyone in my family buying anything else from them ever.

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10:29 am EST
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Garmin return fees on defective goods

Before you buy anything from pricebreak.com learn from my mistake and first read their return policy for defective products: you may be astounded to learn that they will charge you a very steep “return fee” plus you pay all shipping costs... For returning a defective product!

Even thought the product was defective out of the box and returned to pricebreak immediately, pricebreak.com demands I pay them $54.59 as a “return fee” for sending back a defective $309 garmin gps device I bought off their website. Worse than that: it has been almost 2 ½ months since I returned the product and I still have received no refund at all, just a lot of stalling tactics and chicanery.

Here are the facts:

I placed order pkb6333005e on dec. 9, 2009 for a garmin nuvi 885t gps. The total cost (Incl. Tax and shipping) was $309.99. I paid by visa check card.

The product arrived dec. 18th, a friday.

Busy, I waited to open the package until the evening of monday, dec. 21st within 60 minutes the screen had frozen several times requiring the unit to be turned off and then turned back on to resume operation. The garmin also shut itself off without warning, requiring a manual re-start to continue.in short: it didn’t work.

Now the chronology of events to date:

12-21-09:
A) I opened the package, charged the unit and tested it, finding it to be defective.
B) I called pricebreak.com customer service that evening (Dec. 21st) and was instructed to send the garmin back by ups with the return merchandise authorization number I was given by customer service (The rma number turns out to simply be the order number with rma added to the front of the order number).

12-22-09:
I sent the unit back to pricebreak.com the next day as instructed, at my cost (Approx $10.00)

01-10-10:
I emailed pricebreak.com asking about my refund, but got no response.

02-06-10:
I again emailed pricebreak.com, demanding a response and promising to start filing complaints if I did not hear from them.

02-07-10:
I received an email that appeared to be a refund receipt for the garmin unit. The refund notice contained a line item charge made against the total for $54.50 in “return fees”. It is in fact an invoice they seem to expect me to pay, apparently before they “refund” my original payment..

02-10-10:
A) I emailed pricebreak.com and notified them that I was unwilling to accept a $54.50 chargeback in addition to my out-of-pocket shipping costs in order to return a defective product within 2 business days of receiving it.

B) “arthur gwynne” of pricebreak.com responded to my email with one of his own back to me email stating that pricebreak.com has a policy of charging some 20% of product cost in “return fees” for returning a defective product as noted in faq section of their website.

C) I responded to mr. Gwynne by email stating that was not acceptable and demanded a full refund.

3-1-10:
As of today, pricebreak.com has not refunded any of my money. They seem intent on stealing all $309.99.

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7:14 pm EST
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Garmin do not buy garmin

I bought a Garmin a couple of years ago and today tried to update my maps. The Garmin is unrecognized by two different computers using two different cords. Customer service acknowledges this problem happens and told me I woul have to pay $85 dollars to have the unit refurbished and sent back to me with a 3 month guarantee. They told me this would include the same map that originally came with the unit. This means to get my GPS in good working condition I have to pay $160-210 (depending on whether I want the single map update $69 or lifetime updates $119). I may as well buy a brand new GPS. I would recommend researching other brands to see if they offer better warranties/customer service. Garmin has left me feeling very dissapointed. I'm going to buy a new GPS and Garmin will be my last choice.

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noouuu
thorneside, AU
Apr 27, 2011 6:53 am EDT
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SO TYPICAL OF A GARMIN GPS
AFTER A YEAR THE ORIGINAL MAP Is useless, the GPS start loosing all the data so conveniently, so you have to buy an updated map, if nothing has changed geograhpically in that period and onwards and you don't need a new map you shouldn't be forced to buy one!
its a company rort..., if you have bought a GPS with a map, that map should always remain and stay the same until you update, , and the same principle should apply to a new updated map ...
secondly, , , the customer care people know this and they will not directly answer your questions funny that!they will deflect your question and try to confuse your intelligence thats the last thing you need after after buying from a so called trusted product and company, that once was NO GARMINS SAVE YOUR MONEY!

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ep2002
Kingsville, CA
Apr 26, 2011 4:39 am EDT
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Well I've had enough of Garmin & I used to say they had good customer service even though I've talked to several of their tech support who are complete ###s.

When I first researched which was the best GPS out there, everyone told me Garmin was top of the line.

LOL, yeh right. I spent over $350 for a Garmin here in Windsor, Ontario, there was something wrong with it, so I took it back to Costco. Got another one. Another problem with that one. I think (it's been so long I don't remember), I returned it again & got a better model. More problems.

Now I started talking with someone high up in the company.

While he was nice & helpful, there continued to be ongoing problems with EVERY single Garmin I received & I believe I've gone thru 3-4 of them & 2 different models.

I wasted TONS of my precious time dealing with them on the phone. Every time I speak to them it's at least 45-60 minutes of my time. I have no problem troubleshooting problems once or twice, but this BS has been ongoing for almost 3 years now.

The last Garmin that was sent to me refurbished since they had to send it from their Canadian distributor had the "use back roads" setting checked off, so the Garmin led me behind some farm & I ruined my car since there was nothing but HUGE pot holes to drive on.

When I first got this one, I kept telling Garmin that the GPS was telling me to take some other route than it normally tells me to take & instead of someone over there being smart & suggesting I look at those settings, one day I tried to go down that road (shoot me, I was curious) & I ruined my car.

Someone who was coming to my home had the SAME problem with her brand new Garmin (it was a gift) & their truck got stuck in the mud, & they had to pay $65 to get it towed out. Trust me, she was NOT happy & I doubt she will ever use the Garmin again.

Suddenly after I ruined my car, that's when Thad suggested I look at the settings. Why in the WORLD would you have a default setting for back roads? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. And why when I kept telling him & some other techie he had call me that it was pointing me in a different direction, why didn't they tell me to check the settings at that time?

This latest problem was me going across the border. The Garmin wouldn't find the address in Ann Arbor, MI. It just hung. I was on a tight schedule & I wasted time calling Garmin from Windsor, only to be told I have to do an update. Yeh right lady, I'm on the bloody road, I shouldn't have to do an update when I'm on the road.

Once I got across the border, suddenly the Garmin was able to pick up the address & I got to my destination (Amazing). The nightmare started on my way back home. AGAIN the GPS hung & couldn't find my home address, but then it suddenly found something & started pointing me in a direction so I went that way. I found it strange that the arrival time was 2 hours prior to the current time, but that has happened before on the Garmin, so I didn't think anything of it.

An hour later I FINALLY realize I'm lost. Instead of taking me back home, the bloody stupid GPS took me to the border of MI & OH. I had to get directions the old fashioned way.

I also lost 1/4 tank of gas & hour of my precious time & I WAS FURIOUS.

This isn't the first time one of the Garmins has gotten me lost. When I drove to my sister's in NY in PA it would give me wrong directions & you would think it has perfect directions in the States.

Sometimes in the surrounding areas of Windsor (not in Windsor itself) it doesn't recognize roads & these aren't new roads, they have been there for at least 4-7 years. Even my house it can't find & I realize it's a new sub division, but the house is 7 years old already. How bloody long does it take for them to get their act together when it comes to their maps?

Anyway, I contact Thad really pissed now since this is the umteenth time I've had to stop my life to deal with Garmin & I didn't like what I heard.

1. He claims he's never heard of the clock going backward.
2. He suggests I look at the map to see where it's taking me & decipher if it's going in the wrong direction. UMMMM, I told him I'm geographically challenged, why the HELL did I buy the Garmin in the first place? So I don't have to find my way around ON MY OWN that's why.

Why should I have to do all this work just to ensure this GPS works? I SHOULDN'T.

I would have NO way of knowing if it's going in the wrong direction b/c if I knew where I was going, I WOULDN'T NEED THE GARMIN!
3. He said he wouldn't reimburse me for my time or gas.
4. He said he'd give me an updated map. Woopty do. The problem isn't with their maps, it's with Garmin. The map worked perfectly fine in Windsor. Why can't it work going across the border from Canada to the US & then back?
5. He did e-mail me with some PDFs telling me to look them over. I didn't as I don't have time for this BS. I think the PDFs were to teach me how to figure out if the GPS is taking me the wrong way LOL

How the hell am I supposed to know that if I don't know where I am in the first place? That is just stupid. I shouldn't have to learn how to be smarter than the Gramin, it should be smarter than me when it comes to directions. That's why I bought it.
5. I e-mailed him saying I want to know how they are going to fix the Garmin so I don't get lost again & waste my tine & gas. Never heard back from him after that & I'm in the middle of a major move. So, I had to reach out to him. (more time of mine wasted)

When he called me back, he basically said there is nothing wrong with the Garmin or there's no way to fix it LOL, LOVELY. Then he clearly got ticked off b/c I told him I don't have time to read his PDFs.

He repeats again that he won't compensate me for my time or gas. I heard him the first time I didn't need him to repeat that. He said he'd send me the link to update the map. I asked him for a map to Panama which is where I'm going & he refused citing it's a different company. So I lost about $20 in gas & an hour of my time which for me is worth around $90 & he can't arrange to give me the map I want but hey, that map probably won't work either.

We'll see if I get the link from him. I now have to trust the Garmin is going to take me back to Warren MI in a few days without getting me lost & I can't waste time as I have tons of errands to do & a plane to catch.

I will NEVER recommend Garmin again.

Other issues I remember having with the units:

1. Would tell me I'm trying to access the Garmin with my cell when I wasn't. Pass key 1234 or something like that.
2. Would give me some Bluetooth error which would freeze the GPS so I couldn't get directions. I'd have to pull over to the side of the road & waste my time finding something small enough to reset the entire thing just so I could get a working GPS.

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noouuu
thorneside, AU
Feb 03, 2011 2:53 am EST
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IN GENERAL GARMIN SUX SO DO THE ADVOCATES OF THE PRODUCT

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9:54 pm EST
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Garmin rip offs on updates

I bought one of these for my husband for Christmas at Walmart. It needed Map updating as soon as we used it the first time, which I purchased for about $80. I understand the updating but the cost is ridiculous for the updates. If I would have known you have to pay to constantly update the stupid GPS I would have thought twice about buying it. What a load of crap and what a complete rip off concerning the price, not to mention it should have been updated when it was first purchased for free!

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keith stone
Tampa, US
Aug 31, 2010 1:08 pm EDT

Whenever you purchase a new Garmin GPS, you are entitled to one free update within 60 days of purchase. You should be mad at the person who did not tell you this not Garmin.

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9:07 am EDT
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Garmin stuck with a lemon

Garmin is very disappointing. The first day I bought my Garmin it never acquired satellites (kept telling me it couldn't acquire and asked if it should keep searching?). From that point on it took at least 7-10 minutes to acquire satellites. We would have to pull over to the side of the road and let it "warm up" before we continued our trip. When I would compare this to someone else's Garmin, it was clear mine was not right because theirs always worked within seconds. I called customer service several times to ask them what was wrong and they told me to update the software, oh - and use it more often... Because their customer service hours are extremely inconvenient and they make it practically impossible for anyone that holds a job during the day to contact them, this problem continued longer than the warranty period of one year. We would call - get a response to do something first - then have to literally plan a time to call back because they were only open I think 9-5 and there was usually a 30 minute hold wait. No weekend times. Finally - the power cord stopped working on top of everything else. The last person I talked to told me they couldn't help me because I was past my warranty period. He said it would be $80 to repair, plus shipping/tax - so the way I see it that's another $100 or so and no guarantee that they can fix the unit. I wrote back to tell him I would not be purchasing another Garmin because the one I did purchase was a lemon, and no one cared or tried to help me - and I certainly wasn't sinking another $300 into Garmin AGAIN! That response was ignored. So - I'm off to purchase another brand and letting everyone know to beware...

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noouuu
thorneside, AU
Feb 03, 2011 2:54 am EST
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YOU HAVE A LEMON ME TOO!

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cor
Olathe, US
Nov 06, 2009 4:41 pm EST

I thought Garmin had a full 1 year warranty...

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8:46 am EDT
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Garmin traffic subsriptions refund

Garmin Customer Service is terrible! I have been fighting with them for 3 months to get a refund of $49.99. The online system for getting a subscription for traffic alerts for my 660, didn't give me enough information to determine which of the 2 offered was correct for my unit. With a 50/50 shot, I of course chose wrong. After a few days of fighting the unit, I called and then was told that I had the wrong subscription. The subscription I needed was $10 more and they would process the refund immediately for the incorrect purchase. I went ahead and purchased the correct traffic alerts subscription, installed it and it works fine. Now 3 months and counting, I still do not have my $49.99 credit back to my debit card account. I keep getting told it may take months for the credit to appear. What a load of BS. They took my money in seconds from my account, it should only take seconds to get it back! I recently had a refund from another online company and I got money back from them in less than 24 hours. After about 6 emails back and forth, I'm ready to step up my action against them. Anybody else have a similar issue with Garmin?

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Richrech Eichel
,
Mar 26, 2008 5:57 pm EDT

Thes guys are frauds.
I ordered a Garmin Nuvi 660 and withing an hour I received an e-mail to call their 800 number to verify the order. When I called I was transferred several times and finaly spoke with a very smart mouth individual. He asked for my order number which I had already given twice and after giving it he asked if I had any questions. I said no. He then informed me that I had to purchase a map set as the unit did not come with maps loaded and would be no good to me. I asked how much and he said $59.95. I said Garmin dosen't sell the unit without maps. He replied, You are not buying from Garmin, how do you think we can sell them so cheap. I replied I don't need the maps. He said your order is canceled. I said I did not cancel my order as I want the unit. He hung up.
I called Garmin to verify if they sold unit without maps and was told no.
I called TCP s back and was put on hold for a few minutes then a female cam on and asked my order number. I gave it to her. I was put on hold. In a few minutes the same person I had originally spoken to came on and asked what I needed. I told him I had spoken with Garnin and again told him the unit came with maps and I still wanted it. He said don't waste my time and hung up.
Don't waste your time with these people thay are scam artist from the word go...

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Thai
,
Jun 10, 2008 1:01 pm EDT

I have the same problem as Richrech; these guy are a bunch of limb d...ks...check the net and you find all kind of complains about "thecameraprofessionals" What a bunch of jack off.

http://www.thecameraprofessionals.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=74906&gclid=CJy41rjWzpMCFQ7Wsgods2ppjg

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Richrech Eichel
,
Mar 26, 2008 6:01 pm EDT

The company is The Camera Professionals

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8:22 am EDT
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Garmin upgrading maps

How come when I try to upgrade my maps, it comes up with "registered to another person"?

I knew this was going to be a problem when I thought I bought a new unit from TigerDirect and it said it was refurbished when I got it.

And now Garmin replied that they couldn't contact the previous owner, refunded my money and more or less said I was screwed!

Now, how does TigerDirect get away selling used equipment as new, and why doesn't Garmin clear the previous customer when refurbished. Good questions for the BBB.

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JimA71
, US
Sep 21, 2009 11:03 am EDT

My new Garmin Nuvi 755T instructs me to turn, after the turn was already made and I am about 100feet up the road. At some intersections, while i am waiting for traffic so I can turn, it shows that I already turned and it instruct me to go straight. Garmin stated what their wide range of acceptable inaccuracies are, but I don't buy the excuse. My girlfriends $100 Magellan is right on the mark as well as my Delorme $49 PN40. So why is the performance of my $400 Garmin so poor and Tech support stated a reset is all I can do(which didn't work).

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chill
Marlton, US
Jan 06, 2009 2:26 pm EST

I purchased a Garmin and specifically asked for two-day delivery. I asked the order taker several times will I get it in two days. She assured me that I would. Didn't get it until 5 days later. Very incompetent order takers plus you have a hard time understanding what they're saying. They don't speak good English. Paid a large sum for two-day. I emailed and called and they won't refund the EXTRA delivery charge. I will never deal with these people again. If you're smart, you'll read ahead before dealing with these people. I wish I had.

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Anon1123
, US
Dec 01, 2011 10:29 pm EST

Did you order the device directly from Garmin? If so, all of their call centers are located within the United States so odds of their representative not speaking English well enough is highly unlikely.

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nazarite99
Olathe, US
Jun 05, 2009 12:20 am EDT

I don't sympathize with the comments above. First off I know that if someone calls Garmin International you will reach someone that speaks English very well and to add to this the call centers are located in Olathe, KS and Kansas City, KS. Also if anyone is interested in doing map update I would recommend to do some research before you purchase one. I had a similar experience to the second complaint but after much resesarch and speaking with Garmin International I understand how map update work. It is not the GPS company's complete responsiblity to update the mapping in specific areas, it actually fall mostly on the mapping company that they purchase it from. This can be either Navteq or TeleAtlas or in some cases both. Google Maps and MapQuest get the mapping from the same companies but because they are an online service they can have the changes in the mapping reflected quicker.

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angry customer
St thomas , CA
Feb 19, 2009 9:55 am EST

I sympathize, but I have been a loyal user of garmin for years, and travel about 30, 000 kilimeters a year useing it, and I know when it has gone wrong, and brother ! it has .
I just updated to the 2017 north american maps, and found (after mutch comparison ) major cities and all the new roads and construction, new factories, shopping malls, highway changes back to 3 years, do not apear . Customer support told me this is minor .
Milliond of dollars of industrial parks, and roads just somehow slipps through the mapping proccess.
So I checked some other cities, and others, Untill It was pretty clear .
They have just slapped 2017 on the old version .
This is no update, it is a rippoff .
That info was told to me by others, who I did not want to believe, but it was that or they are so incompitent as to miss 4 lane highways constructed in last 3 years and included a mud laneway less than a mile long that s 2 miles from my house that goes into a vacant strip of land . I checked, there it is, wow thanks a lot for your accuracy . In this day and age we are finding out just how little buisness is acountable for what it does . I won't get my money back, but I have a wish for those crooks !

As you grab your chest with a heart attack
that your last thaught is .
" Is that ambulance useing your product to find you ""

What goes around, comes around !

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Garmin problems with garmin navigator

I was having some trouble with the Garmin Nuvi 200 and was talking to some guy about resolving the problem.  He gave me several things to try and none of them worked.  He acknowledged that he did not help me with my problem.It was my understaing that if I did not get the problem resolved I would not be charged.  Today the money was deducted from my account.What can I do?  Who can I contact for a resolution to this?Donald E. Harbour

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HoneyE
Painesville, US
Feb 14, 2010 9:57 pm EST

Contact your bank and tell them about the charges, tell them you didn't authorize them to take that out. Stupid Norton tried that with us and we called the bank and they refunded us the money and changed our card number.

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Garmin rip off artists

These are the other web sites that this company owns. http://www.wisetronics.com
http://www.86photovideo.com
http://www.mywirelessdeal.com
http://www.cameragiantsinc.com

Shlomi Albaydadi, Owner Business Name: WiseTronics.com
86th Street Photo & Video
Camera Giants Inc.
My Wireless Deal
Wise Tronics
Y.E.S. International
Business Address: 2845 86th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11223
So, if you would like to be ripped off by from any of the above. He is listed with the BBB of N.Y. and the government is doing nothing about it. Check it out!

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Update by Tank
Jun 16, 2009 6:03 am EDT

June 15, Monday. I called 86th photo and video store to place an order for a garmin nuvi 780 gps. Great deal at $129.00 plus $9.95 to ship. I got a man who was very nice and said great now which charger do you want the regular is $80.00 and the rapid charger is $100.00. I told him no thanks. I just want the garmin 780. Well, this nice man was not nice anymore. He stated well it is on back order so call back in 3 weeks. He then hung up. So, I waited for a few minutes and called back. Yep, got the same person on the phone. He said what would you like and I told him and he said great. Then again stated about the chargers. So, I told him, I called earlier and you stated they were out of stock. Only when I just said I want the gps. Well, HE HUNG UP THE PHONE! Now the price is $199.99. TALK ABOUT RIP OFF ARTISTS. THIS IS HOW THEY DEAL WITH ALL THEIR PRODUCTS.

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Nooman
,
Oct 25, 2008 8:49 am EDT

Someone hacked by yahoo email and sent an email from my address to my friends - the subject name : hi,

I want to know who has done it and please stop it immediately.

It says buy electronics from this www.bj-trade.com.

Can you please let me know who has done it. I want to know who the cuplrit is.

Your prompt action is highly appreciated.

Thanks

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dianepel
Newton Centre, US
Aug 29, 2011 1:12 am EDT
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Made a purchase, cost $256. Paid thru Western Union . Informed thru Western Union that money was picked up. Was emailing a Linda Lu. Was emailed that product was going thru customs, then no further contact. Company is out of China. Chinasprint.com a very nice website. very professional looking.

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ejranch
Waddell, US
Jun 09, 2009 7:11 am EDT

I bought the Garmin Nuvi 780 for my husband for christmas. The window attachment would never stay attached to the glass, and always fell. The last time it fell it hit the shifter and cracked the screen, I took it in to get fixed since I bought the ext warranty and they wont cover it. Bull.

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GillesL
Caraquet, CA
Jan 18, 2015 3:20 pm EST
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Any one can tell me if this company is fake or real email me at boats@mdeltd.com

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RA Travis
Moneta, US
Feb 06, 2010 1:44 pm EST

I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 255W in December. Its packaging said free map updates would be available for 60 days after purchase. What they do not tell you is the download for the maps is 2000 mb and, unless you have high speed internet access, it takes days to download. I emailed their tech support and was told they would send me a DVD with the update, but the 'shipping and handling' would cost $15.00. Some 'free' update. Took the unit back to Staples for a refund and bought a TomTom.

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G Becker
Brillion, US
Jul 16, 2009 11:08 pm EDT

I had a similar experience with 86th photo and video. They would not answer their phone half the time. When they did they kept telling me garmin 780 was backordered 2 weeks after six they cancelled the order. They never answered any emails. Now they have cancelled the order saying they are no longer carrying item yet it is still avertised at 279.00. They are liers and cheats. A very irresponsible company. best be advised to stay away from them.

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4spyder
, US
Jun 21, 2009 6:19 pm EDT

GARMIN RIP-OFF
Downloadable City Navigator North America NT 2010 Map Update from Garmin will not install properly. I ordered the update for life last week and after hours and days of trying to get it to work. Garmin web tech help failed and the wait for a tech on the phone was 45 minutes. I requested a refund and was told that my credit card wouldn't be credited until 2 billing cycles. I believe the Map updates for life are you have to wait for life until they work out the installation issues. DO NOT BUY GARMIN MAP UPDATES FOR LIFE. Garmin is not the company they used to be. Time to change vendors for GPS products.

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andrew grant
,
Nov 15, 2008 11:21 am EST

I've got the same problem - only it attached my yahoo mail.
I can not believe the gmail, messenger, and yahoo mail have all been compromised.
Its not some one spoofing my email address because it was sent to my whole address book.

I have a anti phising picture so know if the web address is compromised.
my host file is locked down.
My firewall is locked down.
AVG, pestpatrol, adaware all found nothing.
Can not say that I'm know hijackthis very well - but nothing jumped out at me.
I can see no unusual programs running.
Plan to stop everything running - but would prefer to know how I was compromised - and know that its fixed.

Flagged something on yahoo mail waiting for their answer.

Would have expected a faster response from yahoo and gmail.

They must know unless they give an answer soon as the exploit widens people like me will just go back to pop3.
I'm about to try trend online .

The only thing I can see is yamanner a jscript which attacked yahoo back in 2006.

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cripps
,
Nov 14, 2008 5:59 pm EST

bj-trade.com HACK

same thing just happened to me

got in to my yahoo and gmail accounts

emailed all on list and then deleted my address book

i never reveal my passwords to anyone and am anal about security

i travel in china extensively - suspect i was compromised via my blackberry or using hotel wifis

be wary

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D.B.
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Oct 30, 2008 9:12 pm EDT

The same thing happened to a friend, I tried to delete the email and it kept reappearing in my inbox. It just won't delete. The original sender said he never sent it.

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3:08 pm EDT
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Garmin maps

I own a business and have a client who utilizes Garmin. This person travels quite often as does his wife and they both have a Garmin account. She just activated a lifetime contract with them when she upgraded her maps.

However, when my client went to upgrade his maps and as his Garmin is an older model, he had to choose which part of the US he wanted to download. Mind you, he didn't know this until he had already purchased the maps and tried to download them and received the "too little memory" error message. So, he contacts customer service and after about three hours on hold, he finally talks to a person who tells us they know that model has too little memory. He asks them to refund the maps fee ($69.99) and he will purchase a new model that has enough memory to download the entire USA without having to purchase additional memory.

They refused to do this and also refused to allow either of us to speak with a supervisor. We kept calling and were only allowed to leave messages which have, to date, gone without a return call.

This company is and their management are useless and I will be sure to tell ALL my friends, family, and clients to look elsewhere for their GPS and navigation needs!

Anywhere but GARMIN!

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MrBob
, US
Jan 15, 2011 4:43 pm EST

Garmin does not charge for customer service, even if the device is out of warranty. Whoever you talked to wasn't Garmin.

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cor
Olathe, US
Nov 06, 2009 4:37 pm EST

I had a similar problem. Garmin helped me moved ALL the maps onto a 2 gig SD card. I slipped the SD card into the side of the unit and had no further problems.

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nazarite99
Olathe, US
Jun 20, 2009 12:27 am EDT

Good point to bring up about not receiving a refund on the map update for the GPS that does not have enough space to put all of the mapping it. I came across a similar issue with another company about a year ago. I purchased the software to put on my computer and I did not want it after I loaded it on my computer so I tried to return it but the company refused to do so because it had aleady been used, unlocked or what ever they may call it.

I would like to challenge anyone to find a company that will refund you your money after you have loaded, unlocked or downloaded something to your computer or device and receive a refund. Most, if not all, companies work the same. This kind of sucks but that is the way "software" works when it comes to reimbushments.

Also to add to the last comment on the complaint this would be the same with the other GPS companies as well. If anyone does not believe me give them a call and find out for yourself. You never know until you ask youself.

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9:48 pm EDT
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Garmin customer service

Bought a StreetPilot C340 a couple of years ago. Recently paid over $50 for the dvd with map updates. When downloading to the GPS, I got an error - and it has wiped out all of the maps that were on the GPS. Trying to get customer service from them is a joke! all they do is respond with something else to try. I have asked them in each email - can't I just mail it in to you? I did get through on the phone once, and someone logged onto my PC, looked at the dvd, tried to run it himself, etc. and even he didn't know why it wasn't working!

All I want to do is send the unit, along with the dvd, into them and let them fix it. But no, they just insist on emailing me "solutions" to try. We've tried it all --- even their person tried it. I will never buy one of their products again.

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Update by Patti
Jun 26, 2009 9:55 am EDT

Good luck with getting your unit fixed. I will have to buy a new one now, which is unfair. But it will NOT be a Garmin product, that's for sure!

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rbta
La Canada, US
Feb 23, 2010 8:46 am EST

good luck in getting anyone on the phone to resoleve issues. buy another brand.

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rcigar
st. louis, US
Jun 25, 2009 11:33 am EDT

In the past I also was willing to wait for what was great customer care. I am currently on hold in excess of 2 hours with no end in sight. On another phone, I call their main line and did talk to the operator who told me that they have laid off too many customer service people and that she was not at all surprised that I can't get through. I have a need for the unit to be in working order for a critical trip today, so I am faced with purchasing a competitor's unit.

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nazarite99
Olathe, US
Jun 20, 2009 12:18 am EDT

Right off of the bat I have to tell you that I have spoken with several different customer service reps before and to be completely honest with you, Garmin has been the best when it comes to customer service. I want you to call up other companies and see if you get the same service. Trust me, most of them do not need to be working for any customer service.

As far as you device go I hope you are able to get it fixed in the end. I do know that when I spoke with Garmin recently, in regards to my device, it did take awhile before someone picked-up. I had to ask what the deal was with the long hold time. The rep told me that, in most cases, "We like to do what they can to take care of the customer. So if that means spending a little more time with each customer to make sure that they are taken care of then that is what it takes." That took me back. When was the last time you or anyone else have heard that from a company. It is more like "what can I do for you" and "Ok we are done have a great day." I will tell anyone that I would rather waite 20 minutes on hold to get great service then waite 5 minutes and get bad service and have to call back several times before my issue is resolved.

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Garmin scam

Ordered a new Garmin Nuvi 760 with a GPS case for what I thought was a great deal - $268.94. I even printed a screen shot of the transaction. But when I checked my credit card I was charged 298.64. I called the company and spoke with Jon McKay, I said that it must have been a mistake that I was overcharged $30 and that I would like a correction. Jon McKay from 86photovideo.com said that that is not a mistake, and that they charged me a processing fee. I told him that the checkout screen did not indicate a $30 processing fee and none of their policies indicate that a customer will be overcharged without their knowledge, and I asked him again to refund the $30. He responds by saying in a sarcastic tone "big money for you, right". After about 15 minutes for talking Jon McKay of 86photovideo.com finally agreed to refund $15 and not a penny more.
Guys please do NOT buy anything from 86photovideo.com as they are lying about their prices and are looking for ways to scam money.
Please be careful and check you credit card statements.

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Garmin questionable ethics and customer service

I had placed an order for the Garmin Nuvi 760. Within a couple of days of placing the order I got a call from this gentelmen stating I would need a charger for my Navigator and there were several types to choose from anywhere from $40 - $80 additional. I was turned off by this and stated I was all set. He then preceeded to tell me that the order was on back order for approx. 3 weeks or so. I found this a little odd for a new product but whatever.
Now it's approx. 3 weeks time and I called and got the rudest customer service guy you could imagine. I said I'd like to check on the status of my order. He said "It's on BACKORDER" I said that I knew that but approx. how much longer would I have to wait. He stated "BACKORDER IS BACKORDER" and "NO" he could not tell me anymore information. Typically when a company orders products, they know the status of their product and can track the time, etc. I am not convinced that I was even getting a new product with the response I got and for waiting three weeks with no one able to give me an update. I said to the gentlement "So much for nice customer service" and hung up on him. I immediately wrote a compliant on their website and canceled my order. I'm getting my navigator in a couple of days from another company. I hope more people post as they deserve to go out of business acting the way they do.

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Garmin Bait and switch scam

I purchased the Garmin nuvi 265WT GPS online because it was about $50 less than other online sites. I received an email with an instruction to call an 800 to confirm the order. I called the number and spoke to a rep named Paul who told me I needed the memory card if I needed to update the map. I declined to purchase the card. He confirmed my shipping address and told me the GPS will be shipped in a couple of days.

I received an email a day latter indicating that they are out of stock of the GPS, and it would take 3 to 4 weeks for the backorder. I went back to the retailer's Website and I noticed the GPS is still available for sale only this time with even lower price, but no indication that the retailer is out of stock of the GPS. I went and canceled my order online since I don't expect the product to be shipped to me.

I had a similar experience with another online retailer named Closeout Genius who sold the same model for a lot less. Closeout Genius also emailed me to call it to confirm the order. When I called, its rep tried to sell me a memory card. When I declined to buy the memory card, I received an email after I hang up the phone saying that my order has been canceled without a request from me to cancel the order.

It seems that Camera Giant and Closeout Genius are using similar tactic to lure customers to purchase their products with low prices, then they ask customers to call to confirm their orders. When customers call, they try to sell more products, but when customers decline to buy more products, they either delay the shipping or in the case of Closeout Genius, cancel the order without being asked.

I noticed there are not many complaints with Camera Giants, but if it continues to conduct this kind of tactic, I expect more complaints like Closeout Genius.

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mh2ke
, US
Jul 25, 2011 9:03 pm EDT

Purchased a Garmin 265WT as a gift for my wife in February 2011. It was used fewer than half a dozen times before it failed in June 2011 leaving us stranded in New Jersey. Turned the GPS off when we stopped for lunch. When we turned it back on an hour later, the screen looked like an abstract painting. This unit has never been abused, dropped, jarred or misused in any manner. Garmin has catagorically denied warrenty service claiming the LCD screen is damaged and that LCD screens are not covered under warranty. There is nothing in the warranty that comes with the product that exempts LCD screens from warranty service.

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Garmin non-performance/scam

I made an online purchase on November 25, 2008. Pleanty of time to receive a great deal on a Garmin Nuvi GPS with delivery in time for a Christmas present for my daughter. I received a call from Sammy on the 26th (extension215) to please return a call. I did, only to discover Sammy was trying to add a memory card (which was not needed) for a very inflated price. Then he wanted to sell extended warranty, which I also declined. I waited another week before checking on my shipment. You cannot eamil them, but you can track your order online; however my order was still listed as processing. I called several times and was put on hold for very long periods, from 20 minutes up to an hour. I was told each time they were waiting on a shipment from the factory. Finally, after a long wait (again) on December 19th that the order would not be in in time for a Christmas delivery. I purchased the product elsewhere and paid for next day air shipping to receive by Christmas. I decided to leave the order intact to see where it went, and as of January 5, 2009 the order is still being processed. I called again(at 10 AM as they do not open until 9:30), waited for 20 minutes and was told I had to call back at 11 AM to speak to someone in customer service. I seem to think that the reason the order is not processed is because I use Amex which protects against scams. DO NOT PURCHASE FROM BIGCAMERADEALS.COM

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2:23 pm EST

Garmin fraud

FRAUD --- Guy did an "up-sell", lying to close the deal. Received the "kit", unit didn't work and was told there would be a 20% restocking fee and that their shipping costs to me ($20) was non-refundable! I'm pursuing this with BBB and Consumer Affairs.

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jay
Graham, US
Feb 17, 2009 5:26 pm EST

same thing happened to me just bought a navigation system and since it was so low they sent me a error email saying their was a problem with my order when their was really no issue spoke to BRIAN ext 202 very RUDE anyone know what can be done please leave a note and i will respond back

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brian jones
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Dec 02, 2008 1:27 pm EST

same thing happenend to me, lied and sold a 30 dollar memory card for 150. then refused to take back!

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8:52 am EDT

Garmin Unauthorized charges on credit card statement

I made two recent purchases from Garmin International: an updated map program (2009), and an adapter cord for my GPS. In each case, when my credit card statement came in, I discovered that Garmin had tacked on $.50 to their charge. The amount may seem tiny, but when you multiply it by millions of consumers, it's not so tiny anymore. I have tried to contact them, but all I get is voice mail and they never return my call.

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1:08 pm EDT

Garmin Backorder

Similar complaint as someone else on here. They listed a great price on the GPS, so I ordered one.
They sent me an email saying I had to call them for security reasons. On the phone they tried to sell me lots of accessories for the GPS. When I said no, I received an email saying it would be 4 weeks because it was back ordered. I called them and they said it would be two weeks. I called a second time and they said it would be another five weeks before they would ship anything.
I told them to cancel the order.
I am convinced this place is just a scam.
Good Luck!

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12:00 am EST

Garmin fry's electronics: horrible repair warranty

After more than two months, 9/8/2007 to present (11/1/6/2007), I'm still waiting for the return or replacement of my Garmin Nuvi 350 from Fry's Electronics' service department. Numerous calls and in-store visits didn't help. The service reps are probably the rudest, in person and on the phone. This was my first foray with Fry's extended 3-year service warranty. What a horrible deal and experience! I would have been better off without the Fry's warranty. Garmin would have shipped me the replacement within 2 to 4 weeks.

Two weeks ago, I bought a 50" Plasma TV from another store. Never again at Fry's!

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12:00 am EST

Garmin I paid my money for a product that does not work

I bought 2 x160c color fishfinders for my local boat shop . I have used them 5 times and every time I use them the screen goes blank . You have to switch it off and on again than they work for 20min and same problem accours . They do not hold there settings that have been programmed.So went back to my dealer who than phoned Avic trading agents for Garmin SA . They keep saying they don't have stock.So I asked for my money back. Avic Trading Garmin SA said ask your dealer.and he is saying he is getting no support from Trading Garmin SA. So now I have to buy another brand or wait for another month or longer for replacement. What now guys I paid my money for a product that does not work.

Dean
South Africa
Bass Fishing

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Jackie37
, GB
Jul 01, 2019 4:12 pm EDT

Hello i placed an order for this item in june. Received delivery today but it wasn't the item i ordered instead i received a gucci scarf . Please could you send my original item for the Garmin watch as stated asap as I've paid over £35 for the watch Garmin vivo active 3. And would like it replaced a.s.a.p.

Thanks

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Debbiesmith0414
, US
Aug 29, 2018 12:26 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Bought this for my daughter for a X-Mas present. Worked great for approximately two weeks and at that point stopped working. Store won't take the item back and I am out $80.00. Spent way too much time on Garmin website trying to find a solution and cannot find a number to contact them directly. Must add I am really not happy with purchase at all.

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Haryanto Widjojo
, US
Aug 21, 2018 1:03 am EDT

April 23, 2018
Serial Number: 4MQ177017
CCAJ16LP1270T9
PLG. ID: 2433 No: 45111/SDPP/2016

Blank can not turn on after use for a race for 14 hours.
This item was good during the race but after race, I can not turn on.
What I can get for this complaint?
I can send back this unit and get the replacement or Garmin can fix it.

Thanks

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Garmin Customer Reviews Overview

Garmin Express is a software application that allows users to manage their Garmin devices from their computer. The software has received positive reviews for its ease of use and functionality. Users appreciate the ability to update their device software, download new maps, and manage their data all in one place. The software also offers helpful features such as automatic updates and the ability to sync data with other Garmin devices. Additionally, users have praised the customer support provided by Garmin, which is available 24/7 and is known for being helpful and responsive. Overall, Garmin Express is a reliable and user-friendly software that has received high marks from users.
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