Inreach deactivation/Iridium disabling

Personally, I avoid the Garmin app-universe whenever possible. Too many aops, too many ways to accomplish the sme thing, too many "only compatible with these devices" restrictions. Based on forum posts, activation, plan changes, billing changes, etc. have become completely unreliable. 

My usual advice with regard to activations, plan changes, etc. is to do it way before you need it. Not hours, not even days. A week or more at least.

I have (again personally) found that activations via the web site (explore.garmin.com) are the most straightforward and reliable. No matter what the propaganda says, I am pretty sure that this works for ANY inReach device. Just my opinion.

All of that said, your situation sounds like a one-off. You are correct to open support ticket. I assume you used email. If you have not heard back, try phone or chat. Based on forum posts, email is something of a black hole.

I agree that the apps are hopelessly confusing,

  Re my current problem, I called Garmin Support and they show that this device is still linked to some previous account but they can’t give me the account holders name for me to ascertain that it is definitely the person I bought it from. This means that unless the seller agrees to call Garmin and sort it out with the accounting department, I will never be able to activate the InReach. And at this point, I think I may be being ghosted by the previous owner. Apparently this issue comes up fairly frequently with units that are purchased secondhand. I’m obviously very bummed.

Ah that sucks!

When buying a used inReach device it's very important that the previous owner cancels their inReach subscription (not only suspending under the old plan model) and factory resets the device. See Preparing an inReach Mini Series for a Transfer of Ownership or Return. Also in some cases a Garmin inReach device can get locked (usually the result of billing issues) so you'd want to check with Garmin on that as well.

Hopefully you can get in contact with the seller and sort it out.

My guess is that it is a billing issue because the Product Support rep handed me off to the accounting department who said it’s still linked to another account.  They made it clear that they could not resolve the issue with me and.needed the previous owner to call them.  OR…. I could pay them $75 and they would make the problem magically go away.  That part really bothers me.

It was unfortunately Venmo, but it was a local sale so I know how to contact the seller.  And yes, the $75 is strange.  I asked if that was to cover an outstanding balance and they said no - it’s their fee to resolve the issue.  That may be my only recourse.  I learned a lesson here: NO 2nd hand electronics EVER!

75$ might be a new thing. I assume that if you give them $75, THEY will contact the current owner to get them to clean up behind themselves. If so, that would be an improvement over the current "hands off entirely" policy. But $75 is fairly expensive, depending on what you paid for the used unit.

It was $300 for the 67i in decent shape (a few light scratches).  A good deal but of course, at this point it’s basically just a 67 without the “i” part.

Progress! The seller spoke with Garmin support and they’re trying to resolve it.  I definitely appreciate the seller’s efforts - 40-60 minute holds are a drag.  I have a backcountry trip coming up next week, but I can always continue to use my Mini2 for that if necessary.