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Need Legal Advice regarding Garmin

Former Member over 14 years ago

Situation: I just received my recalled Nuvi back from the Garmin repair center and in the letter they sent it stated that they had "changed" the serial number of my unit. It also stated that I would need to register this unit.

I went to MyGarmin and attempted to register it but got the response that it was already registered. I then turned on the unit and went to the "Favorites" category where I discovered that this was not my unit - in fact it had belonged to someone else. All of the favorites saved on here were from a different area of the country.

I called Garmin Tech support but they were of no help at all. They said that we were never promised our own units back (even though that I still have the original communication from Garmin that states that our own units will be returned to us) so I have to take this one that they sent me.

I told them that the one I have clearly belongs to someone else and they verified that it "did" belong to someone else but now it's mine. I told them that I cannot even use it because the maps that are loaded on it are not for the part of the country that I travel in. I was told that I could "buy" a map update to correct that. I told them that I want my old unit back and they said I wasn't getting it.

What I would like to do now is to see if anyone has any recommendations as how to proceed legally against Garmin. Obviously if they are just sending units back out "willy-nilly" to everyone that participated in the recall there are probably tens of thousands of folks in the same boat that I am. I believe that this would definitely qualify for a class action type of lawsuit.

This is a very poor way to do business with a loyal Garmin customer for many years who also owns multiple Garmin products. They will not do anything on their own to correct this issue so someone needs to hold them accountable. Any help that anyone can provide would be much appreciated. If someone reads this post and they are an attorney that can help me with this issue please PM me.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

0 Former Member over 14 years ago

Hopefully, you might call again and get a more knowledgeable tech that will be able to help you.

I know one thing, when Garmin exchanges a unit for another, you need to call their tech service after receiving the new unit and they have a way to transfer your map ownership to this new unit. They do that only when THEY decide to exchange units (which is your case), not when a unit is stolen, missing etc.

So go chill a bit, put your smiley face on and present your case to another tech. Keep your cool as you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

As for your favorites, I don't know what they can or can't do. But for future reference, it is always good to back up your GPS on DVD once in a while. Some files may be restored that way.

OTOH, if you are adamant of pressing your suit, maybe it is smarter to keep the evidence intact (not mess with it yourself and not let Garmin do it either) and then not enjoy your GPS for the amount of time it will take to bring the case to conclusion. By then you'll probably end up with something as obsolete as a rotary dial phone that nobody will ever know how to fix... Your decision.

0 Former Member over 14 years ago

I would agree with "SARLABS" about this issue. The fact that you got a device back that isn't yours, there has to be a better solution for this. I would suggest calling again about this. I'm sure Garmin has a better solution than telling you to buy more mapping.

1-800-800-1020 or [email][email protected][/email]

Special Hotline for Recall: (866) 957-1981

0 Former Member over 14 years ago

Thanks for all the replies and PMs. It sounds like there are plenty of others that have had the same thing happen to them.

I did contact tech support again and still no help. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told that was not an option. I also lost my lifetime subscription to my map service that I had for my original unit and they told me to just purchase another.

I then told them that they could look in my MyGarmin account and verify that I had a paid subscription for Lifetime maps. She logged on to my MyGarmin account and said that there was no record of it and I told her that it was listed there just an hour or so ago. She again stated that there was no record of it.

I immediately logged onto my account and guess what - they had removed all traces of my original Nuvi registration along with any record of my Lifetime Map subscription - how convenient. I asked how I could get my subscription back and her response was, "there is no record of you ever having a subscription - you will have to purchase another one." At that I hung up - there was no reason to proceed any further.

I then contacted one of the top legal firms in the US who specializes in class action lawsuits and reviewed all of these details. They assigned an attorney to research and review this matter but did tell me that this sounds like something that they do want to proceed with. They said that they will let me know something by next week and would provide me with contact information to post on here so that others affected could contact them too.

The fact of the matter is that I could easily go purchase a new Nuvi along with another lifetime map subscription and just walk away from this entire matter and not spend any more time on it. However, this now comes down to the principle of the matter and I will not let people or a company treat me (or others) like this without putting up a fight. I'm at a place in life now where I have plenty of time and plenty of money to do everything that I can to right this injustice. As much as people don't like lawyers this case is a good example of why we need to have them available when this happens.

Unfortunately companies like Garmin no longer care about their reputation, or even doing the right thing. All they care about is money and hopefully they will now have to pay out a tremendous amount of money and legal fees that will get their attention.

When this is all said and done I can assure you that I will never spend one more dime with a sorry company that treats its customers like this. I am in the process of now looking for another GPS provider who hopefully I can count on to operate in an ethical and professional way.

I will keep you informed and thanks for everyone's support in this very disappointing matter.

0 Former Member over 14 years ago

what is wrong with garmin? Are they on there way out? I just bought a new older unit to replace the one they wouldn't do anything about. I feel like I have been robbed, Cheated and stolen from. The unit issue's, Map issue's. Thet think everybody should buy a new unit and maps every year from them. I'm in the marine maps. I need to buy them once and only once, they don't change much.

Should have went to lorance!!!!!!!! My new garmin 378, will be here tomarrow. Should send it back. Had a problem finding the thing so I chould use my maps.

Dan

0 Former Member over 14 years ago

Were are they to there self up?????This is there Forum?????? I guess if I keep nocking them, the'll shut me down. If we all hammer them, They will just shut the forum off!!!!!!!!