Reasons not to buy a Garmin Sat Nav

[Busterlung]

I've deceided to vent my frustration and tell the world about my experiences with Garmin UK in order that I can dissuade potential future customers from buying a Garmin.

The story so far......

2nd May;
Garmin Zumo 550 Sat Nav stops working and is reported to Garmin UK via telephone. The unit is returned to them for repair under warranty.

22nd May;
Replacement Sat Nav is sent and checked. The serial number on the unit does not match the serial number regognised by the computer when it's plugged in and the unit doesn't work. After a two hour phoine call to Garmin the unit is returned to them for repair.

19th June;
Still hadn't heard back from Garmin. A call to the helpdesk reveals that they haven't even looked at it yet.

1st July;
Still hadn't heard anything back from Garmin, so I called them again. I was informed during this call that the call taker had my Sat Nav in his hand and he would send it to me that same day.

4th July;
The Sat Nav with the mismatched serial numbers arrives back with me. Guess what?! It still doesn't work and there's a note with it stating that they couldn't find a fault.

11th July;
I'm currently waiting for Garmin to collect the Sat Nav.

In summary:
I've now been without a working Sat Nav for nearly two and a half months and I'm out of pocket due to the amount of money I've spent on special delivery postage.

Garmin UK It's over to you.

DON'T BUY A GARMIN!​

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Can I suggest you try a fresh install of the software on your pc.

 

[Fanum]

Apart from actually getting hold of them on the phone in the first place, I've always had superb service from Garmin, including a brand new unit with no quibble.

Their software has always been suspect TBH, but the mapping and software isn't Garmin, it's provided by other companies.

I would have NO hesitation in buying another Garmin myself

 

[Sleepy]

I on the other hand, would have no problems recommending them, have owned two over the last seven years or so, very pleased with the units.. and when my Zumo 550 eventually gave up the ghost, Garmin supplied me with a brand new Zumo 660 for a meagre £112.

Plus they transferred my Lifetime mapping over to the new unit.

So I'm a very happy Garmin user.

 

[Busterlung]

Can I suggest you try a fresh install of the software on your pc.

Not really an option when the unit won't even turn on properly and freezes on the welcome screen.

Thanks anyway.

 

[Busterlung]

I on the other hand, would have no problems recommending them, have owned two over the last seven years or so, very pleased with the units.. and when my Zumo 550 eventually gave up the ghost, Garmin supplied me with a brand new Zumo 660 for a meagre £112.

Plus they transferred my Lifetime mapping over to the new unit.

So I'm a very happy Garmin user.

In summary, your Garmin Zumo 550 was so unreliable it broke?

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

I've deceided to vent my frustration and tell the world about my experiences with Garmin UK in order that I can dissuade potential future customers from buying a Garmin....

Is your name Nigel.... you sound like a Nigel

I have never had anything but 1st class service from Garmin. They always provide excellent service whenever I have had to contact them.

That's why I still keep buying their units after being a customer for 12 years.

 

[Busterlung]

Apart from actually getting hold of them on the phone in the first place, I've always had superb service from Garmin, including a brand new unit with no quibble.

Their software has always been suspect TBH, but the mapping and software isn't Garmin, it's provided by other companies.

I would have NO hesitation in buying another Garmin myself

Suspect software and trouble getting hold of them on the phone?????

 

[Sleepy]

In summary, your Garmin Zumo 550 was so unreliable it broke?

After being used nearly every day for about four years, the screen stopped responding to touch.. not bad I thought.. Learn how to use yours, you'll be a lot happier (or maybe not).

 

[Busterlung]

Is your name Nigel.... you sound like a Nigel

I have never had anything but 1st class service from Garmin. They always provide excellent service whenever I have had to contact them.

That's why I still keep buying their units after being a customer for 12 years.

No it's not. But I do know a Nigel, does that count?!

Another buddy of mine who's spent the past twenty plus years in the marine industry won't buy Garmin products due to poor customer service. Just saying.

 

[richardbd]

I have never had anything but 1st class service from Garmin. They always provide excellent service whenever I have had to contact them.

+1

 

[Ogmios]

Garmin

It's bad.
It's good.


I dont know which way to turn!
~~

 

[Blackal]

No it's not. But I do know a Nigel, does that count?!

Another buddy of mine who's spent the past twenty plus years in the marine industry won't buy Garmin products due to poor customer service. Just saying.

Good for you..........

I've spent 40 years in the "Marine Industry" and would buy nothing other than a Garmin..........

I sense your thread is purely an "I'll teach Garmin not to piss me off! I'll convince the whole world - not to buy their products!"

Sorry - not convinced...........

Al

 

[Wapping]

Another buddy of mine who's spent the past twenty plus years in the marine industry won't buy Garmin products due to poor customer service. Just saying.

I have spent more than twenty years not in the marine industry (paddling pool attendant or super tanker skipper?) and will buy nothing else, not least due to their excellent service.

My buddy says the same and so does his mum.

 

[jetjock]

Use a map !!!

 

[newboy]

I had a faulty 660- the on/off button broke
Rang 'em - they replaced qith brand new for free - even sent replacement first as I had a trip.

Great service
The software is god awful but the product is great..

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

I've got an old 550 which has seen lots of abuse the bloody thing refuses to break so I can send it for repair and get a 660 in exchange

 

[GS_or_bust]

My name is Nigel and I have had a 660 for four years. It bricked once and they replaced it. I have had weird issues with unlocking maps but my lifetime updates thing now works fine.

Some of the routing can be strange; like taking you off at a slip road only to bring you back on again???

On the plus side they don't call it the Garmin box of adventure for nothing. Set it to shortest route and it will take on on an amazing journey.

 

[Timpo]

Full marks from me to Garmin UK.
They have been bang-on with any issues I had over the years, absolutely brilliant.

 

[stever1]

Busterlung. How IT literate are you ?. serious question, could it be that you are not setting it up correctly ?.

Firstly, de-register your old unit off the PC. Then search for and register the new one on the PC. It could be locking up because the PC is looking for the old unit. Is your Garmin software the latest version, if its an older one it may not work with a unit which has a later version.

Remember those famous words. Garbage in = garbage out.