GARMIN

GARMIN ONLINE UPDATE SCAM, KNOWINGLY ENGAGE IN CONSUMER FRAUD, TOTAL UNCONCERNED A**HOLES! Olathe, Kansas , Kansas

12th of Apr, 2011 by User537104

This all began innocently enough; my wife is going to Europe over the summer to visit her sister. In an effort to assist her in her travels, I purchase the European Map download from Garmin (online) which requires you to register, plug your device (Nuvi 880) into your computer and PURCHASE the download prior to receiving. Once your deivce is connected to the online service, the device is read, checked for necessary software updates and the serial number is registered.
Only after you attempt to initiate the download do you get a failure notice stating "Not Enough Room on Device". You would think that they would send this notice to you prior to purchase, wouldn't you? I mean, they have the information available as they just scanned your device for space and updates.
I immediately contact the customer service line and explain the problem...and ask for a refund of the $99.00 fee they have charged to my card. They refuse, stating, "I apologize but once a download is 'tied' to a device, we cannot issue a refund". I have registered a complaint with my bank and will update the results here. Just on principal, I would reccomend that nobody use Garmin. They are apparently resorting to online theft, fraud and deliberate deception in the face of their losses to cell phone navigation systems.

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Comments

5030 days ago by Anello

I'm having a similar problem. Just purchased the "City Navigator(R) North America NT" and have been trying to download forever...
I also got the message "Not Enough Room on Device" and rushed to buy and install a new micro SD card on my device. But the download simply doesn't work: either I get a "connection failed" or a "session timeout" message... (and I've got a pretty high speed Internet...)
Customer Service is "closed on weekends..." For e-mail, be patient and wait a reply "in 3 business days..."
But my Card was charged right away...

A.Sanvido
Calgary, AB - Canada

4762 days ago by DirectorLawrence

Pretty hacked off at Garmin as well. Not just because i relate to the above stories but I am convinced that they force you to update regularly. I was fine with my out of date map because it got me to where I needed to go. Suddenly the device miscalculates address and I get friendly reminder (life or death warnings) that my mapes are out of date and I must go online. Screw this company.