So, only started wearing my Fenix 7S at the beginning of May, 2022. Five days ago, September 25th, 2022, it powered off with a battery saying it was 50% charged. It now will power on, but within 10 seconds, promptly power back off. I spoke with the "customer support" representative in the online chat, and did everything they said, plus things I had read on the internet. I have tried the following:
- Charging it for 24 hours, both connected to a computer and connected to a normal charger
- Connected it to a charger, held the power button for 60 seconds, release, 10 seconds, release, 60 seconds, release, then disconnect from power and restart
- Variations of the above, connected to a charger, not connected to a charger
It won't stay on. Now, mind you, I am not a rock climber, dirt bike rider, construction worker. I have in no way abused my watch. In fact, I don't think there is a single scratch on it. I never let the battery drop below 20%. It just powered off and now doesn't work.
Here's the thing. I bought it in the US. I live in Colombia. I was told by the "customer support" representative to bring it to an official Garmin store here in Colombia, and they would be able to repair or replace it because it is under warranty. I did this. They also tried to boot it, and couldn't get it to stay on. They then said that I needed to have Garmin International authorize them to repair or replace it, since it was purchased in the US. I then contacted Garmin International AGAIN. Know that they said?
"If they repair or replace it there, they will do so at their own expense." "You can send it back to the US for $40, plus the cost of return shipping and import fees, and Garmin USA will fix it."
So, if I want to get my Garmin watch fixed, I have to spend $150 - $200 in shipping costs to have it sent back and forth from Colombia to the US, rather than Garmin simply paying Garmin Colombia the exact same thing as they would pay Garmin USA (in fact, probably less, since labor and materials here are far less expensive). It is somehow my responsibility to pay shipping to fix my Garmin watch which is defective/broken through no fault of my own. So, my $1,000 watch would then cost me $1,200, roughly. Or, I would have to fly back to the US to have them do it there... even though there are Garmin stores here.
May 9, 2024 Moderator: The Product Support Chat content cannot be posted to the forum, as this includes the representatives name. So this content was removed.
