I bought a Garmin global positioning system (GPS) that didn't work properly. I was referred to a web site that supposedly had a team of experts available to help in such cases. The deal was that I would describe the problem and the level that I was willing to pay when and if the problem was solved to my satisfaction. The levels were $18 and two more, something like $28 and $38. I indicated the $18 level and gave my charge card number. I was calling Friday, July 2, 2010. In short, the problem was NOT solved and the answers given were not even close. It so happened that my 30 year-old grandson was visiting and fixed the GPS. I find that my charge card has been charged $18 and I want a refund.

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.

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.

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...

I purchased my Garmin Forerunner 2 years ago and looked after well.
It stopped working in the last month. I have sent two messages to technical support and made a complaint last week. I have heard absolutely nothing back. How rubbish are Garmin?? I am not buying another of their low quality products now.