Free Garmin inReach Mini?

Hello, looking to see if anyone has any opinions here before I send an inReach mini back to Garmin.

Long story short, I came across a inreach mini and since I already own an explorer, and I'm familiar with these products, I contacted Garmin right away. I provided the IMEI number to see if someone perhaps lost it, reported it stolen, etc. However it looked brand new.

The Garmin rep said that the device was never activated and not reported lost or stolen so it was clear. However, now here comes the weird part, he back tracked for a second, put me on hold for a few minutes, then came back to tell me it's actually a "promotional" inreach mini so it's unable to be activated and please mail it back to us.

Does this make sense or do they just want the inreach back, since it's never been activated, so that they can resell it?

Let me know your thoughts!

Thanks

0 Volker over 1 year ago

“Long story short, I came across a inreach mini”

You just found it or somebody gave it to you…? Sounds a little bit strange. I think because Garmin knows the IMEI, they will just block the activation if it isn’t a device for public use and you can perhaps use it as a paperweight.

0 4743782 over 1 year ago in reply to Volker

It was given along with other items from a moving resident. I manage multiple luxury buildings in the city and you'd be surprised what residents leave behind, throw out, give away, etc.

I'll be sending it back regardless, since I already have the explorer as I mentioned. I was more interested in these "promotional" devices, if that was really a thing.