Warranty on a 6

Anyone know the situation with 'testing' your watch in the UK, when bought from a reputable shop?

For example, I want to do a side-by-side few runs with my current device to see how the likes of the GPS accuracy is. If it turns out to be a stinker, can you typically just put it back in its packaging and then what? Tell them it is faulty and ask for a refund? Claim it hasn't been used and you have changed your mind?

I don't want to be left with an expensive mistake and if it doesn't perform as expected I would rather then wait for a 7 or get something like a Venu 2. Any advice?

  • If buying online you get a 14 day no questions asked return period as long as the unit is in "new" condition.

  • If buying online you get a 14 day no questions asked return period as long as the unit is in "new" condition.

    This is an EU rule. I don't know if this rule still applies to the UK after they leave the EU.

  • Not fully up on UK consumer law, so I won't comment on that. Although some shops may have better "no questions asked" returns policies than others or than the law requires as a minimum, so check their actual policy.

    But in terms of testing GPS, just be aware that on the first run with a new device, GPS is likely to be poor, as the watch won't (yet) have an almanac of satellite orbits (it takes about 13 minutes to download over the  GPS signal itself) which is used to improve accuracy . Subsequent runs should be better, so give it a few runs before forming an opinion.

    Note that is also applies after a firmware update, or if you have travelled more than about 200km from your last GPS location (eg. travelling to a bucket list race).

  • yeah, looks like it is just a 14 day returns policy (normally 30 days, but not as it is discounted) so need to be 'unused' condition

    to fully test GPS should i select 1 second interval and glonass+galileo? and also have the latest firmware (so not using the beta version)? and what about 3D speed/distance? just trying to select the optimal config.

  • Or simply synchronize with connect mobile or Express.

  • In the UK anything bought online can be returned for any reason within 14 days from delivery date. Amazon gives you 30 days, places like Wiggle / SportShoes online even longer.

    John Lewis in the Uk are great to deal with - I got my Fenix 5 from them, and then a Fenix 5+ - both developed faults within 11 months and as they said that it wasn't acceptable to be given a 'refurb' their own 2 year warranty was a godsend. 

    If you want to get an idea of GPS accuracy, just browse these forums - discard any posts from people who claim never to have problems and claim everything is perfect, You will soon spot them. Equally do the same from posters who say it's rubbish. The answer is somewhere in the middle - I think you'll be pretty happy with GPS as long as you don't expect sensible results from instant pace.

    But the Consumer Contracts Regulations for items purchased unseen and at a distance are your friend here - but buying from a good retailer is even better. BTW the 'unused' thing is not applicable because it's not possible to evaluate if the watch works to specification without using it! Within 6 months its up to the retailer to prove it ISN'T faulty, not for you to prove it is...