Garmin bites the dust

TyBoo · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 11:46 am Post subject:

So what do you all think of this?? A flat rate of $250 for something I paid $2000 for less than four years ago? On one hand, it is worth that for a working 2006C (they are $1300 new today, and I find no used ones on eBay). On the other hand, it sure takes the shine off of the Garmin product. I guess I'll send the piece of junk in as long as I know the flat rate is the maximum rate. I really have no choice if I can get it back for the flat rate, because I could sell it for twice that.

TyBoo · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:00 pm Post subject:

Well now, I called the Garmin 800 number, and the last thing the recording said was to expect a wait of 30 to 35 minutes. I paid two grand for this thing!?!?

TyBoo · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:15 pm Post subject:

Ah, maybe it ain't so bad. The guy who came on the phone after 15 minutes or so was the same one who sent me the email this morning, so the explaining was easy. The cost is $250 total, regardless of the problem. It covers a complete refurbish, latest software update, and return shipping. All I have to send is the display itself, the antenna, cables and sounder module can stay on the boat. If my unit is toast, it will be replaced with a refurbished one. He said it will be back within seven working days from the time they receive it.

I got called into work at midnight, and I haven't had any sleep yet. That's part of the reason my patience is so low. But, it was double time for the holiday and four hours call time, so in six hours I made better than two days pay. So maybe I can afford this. Plus I got today off to get the thing taken care of.

Oh, and the three days I would have ran out to the ocean were lousy fishing days out there, so the 50 gallons of fuel I saved by not having the GPS will cover a good part of the repair.

Thanks for letting me whine.

Gotta go to the UPS place............

DaveS · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:03 pm Post subject:

Mike, I had very good service when I had my Garmin GPS/Sounder on the 16'. I had some problems and after 2xs to the factory they replaced the whole unit. (Fortunately for me it was still under warranty).
On the plus side for you.....I would suspect that after you pay your $250. that if anything else goes wrong with it, it will be under a new warranty for a period of time. (After mine was replaced I never had a problem again).

Mighty Bite · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:52 pm Post subject:

Good Idea!

I think I know where I can find the rascal too!

Mr. Fisherman · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:43 pm Post subject:

Wow, what an ordeal!
When I had a problem with my Furuno that was purchased used and isn't even a model made anymore they took it in, looked it over and calibrated it... even traded the two cables that were sold to me by an "authorized dealer" and gave me the cable I thought I purchased in the first place and sent me on my way. Oh yea, the expidited the service because my brother was visiting and I needed the sounder in the river.
They did not charge one dime....

Guess what I am going to upgrade to when the time comes?....

DodgeRam · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject:

Personally I think that 4years boating and fishing on the ocean, ponding the hull for hundred of hours, turning the switch On and Off playing with all the different set up, ain't bad at all. Sure hope my 1000 Standard Horizon last just as long as your Garmin did, It as a 3year warranty and also the flat rate after the warranty is over. If when it come back from Garmin you still don't like It , I will buy it of you and use it as a sprare or may be use It as my Main GPS.... Gary

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

Mike, you get your 2006 back yet? Keep us posted. I've had to call Garmin a couple of times on my 182C and depth sounder module. They were always pretty quick with an answer and sent me a new chip once at no cost. Never had to send hardware back though.

Charlie

TyBoo · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:19 pm Post subject:

Nope on the Garmin. Last I heard is that it would be shipped by the end of the week, not here by the end of the week like I thought the guy said on the phone. I probably misunderstood.

I was going to go down and redo the wiring connections this evening (I clipped most of them checking the thing out), but I am still at work.

I hope it is here before we leave for Sequim. It's a long way from John Wayne Marina to the state park dock.

TyBoo · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:36 pm Post subject:

The Big G 2006C was delivered a few minutes ago. They sent it 2nd Day Air, so the UPS guy dropped it off on his way home.

The main board was replaced, and the software updated. They also replaced the screen, front case and keypads "for cosmetic reasons". That's cool. They even transferred my waypoint data.

I am just now fixing to go down to the boat and try it out. I apologize for my previous whining. The $250 was kind of a shock at first, but if she works, I am good with it. I might whine some more if it doesn't work, but I got a feeling it will be better than ever.

I had forgotten to remove my two Blue Chart data cards, and sent another email asking them to make sure I got the things back. I did. I also told them of a problem with the Puget Sound card (slow and repeated redraws) and asked them to check the programming. No mention in the paperwork of them doing that, but I will find out when we go to Sequim if it is fixed. If not, then Brokenleg Dave might need to replace it for me.

OK - here I go for the big test............

TyBoo · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:29 pm Post subject:

Mr. Fisherman · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:25 am Post subject: Too cool!

Congratulations!
I love it when a boat gets back up to par or even a little better Very Happy

DodgeRam · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:25 am Post subject:

It looks like I am not getting a second GPS from you. Happy for you that it was returned that fast. I had one of my depth sounders sent away for repair at a flat rate. When it came back, it sure looked like it was a brand new unit. They probably did the same with your Garmin. Would be lot cheaper for them to send you a new one than repair it.