I bought my F5 Plus from Cotswold Outdoor yesterday. I noticed that there is a scratch on the titanium bezel as soon as I took the watch out of the box.
I immediately sent the store a photo showing the problem to make sure that they acknowledge that this is an out of the box fault.
They got back to me today, saying that I have two options: (this was also verified by a customer services manager by phone)
1) Get a refund (the model I picked is no longer in stock so there would be a long wait time if I re-order)
2) Send the watch to head office for inspection?!!, which goes to Garmin direct if their findings are inconclusive for another inspection
Possible outcomes:
1) Get a new watch after a few weeks of waiting
2) Get the watch back in the same shape if they find that the bezel scratch is not their fault/doing
This is the most anti-consumer policy I have ever come across in my 30+ years as a consumer.
I would advise caution in buying from Cotswold Outdoor/Snow and Rock/Cycling Surgery/The North Face as they are part of the same group.
Garmin, on the other hand, seem to not only charge vastly more for the Plus series but have also put ridiculous policies in place.
I will be going for the new Suunto instead, it seems...
Rant over.
Nick
