Garmin SPECIAL DEAL: PAY NEW Fenix5+ and GET a REFURBISHED

Former Member over 6 years ago

I seriously need your opinion on this special deal by Garmin:

- I purchased a brand new Fenix 5+
- The watch had battery issues - disappointing max. 2.5 days battery life
- Took me 2 weeks to send back after uninstalling widgets, resets, new firmware, documentation, etc, to make sure its not due to any wrong settings
- Customer service promised to send me a new watch, but actually replaced my watch with a refurbished one and now closed the case

The result:

- I payed the full price for a new Fênix 5+
- Did the final quality check for Garmin who missed out
- Received a refurbished watch I could get for approx. $250 less and
- I am not happy customer at all, with the deficies in quality of the product and the customer service

Wouldn't you feel kind of ripped of, too or do I just have exaggerated expectations from a premium brand?

Top Replies

Odie21 over 6 years ago +1 suggested

In the first call they said they will send a new one due to the fact the watch was from beginning faulty. Now they say I should be happy with the refurbished one.

After dealing with Garmin’s customer service…

All Replies

0 nmyeti over 6 years ago

The only time I've ever dealt with Garmin directly was after i was outside of the return policy from my vendor. I've generally bought my items at REI for their excellent 90 day electronics return policy. That said, I did have to exchange my original 5x for a cracked OHR sensor. I probably could have just dumped this on REI, but wanted to send the watch back to Garmin for review. At the time dealing with an excellent person in Garmin Chat support they mentioned that the referb units probably get extra attention due to the way they are built. I don't know how accurate that is, but the 5x is still going strong.

0 MWBZ over 6 years ago in reply to Crispin_Ellisdon

Totally disagree

Refurbished items ARE NOT like brand new, that is why they have a discount.

If I pay for a BRAND NEW item, give me a BRAND NEW item. Period.

0 OEAGLEO over 6 years ago

Odd, I had a problem with my Fenix 5+, and sent it back to Garmin. They informed me that I would received a refurbished product, certified as "Like New", and I accepted that, as I know that's industry standard procedure, having worked in compputer field for most of my career. However, when I received the return watch, I was quite pleased to notice that I had been shipped a brand new F5+, complete in new box, (not marked refurbished), sealed, with all accessories, strap, etc. I was told to not include those in my return. I guess I'm on the exact opposite side of the scale than you, must be what they have in stock at the moment of shipping, but I have to say that I'm pleased.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

I had the opposite. Sent a 5X back after 18m because the pressure sensor was off by 2mbar (couldn’t calibrate with that software). I was told to send just the head back, and I received a fully boxed, new retail unit.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

I trust refurb from Garmin. They have always taken care of me. I probably own 8 garmin products and no battles when I have issues. They've even taken care of refurb issues.