This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Forerunner 735XT and warranty support

I am planning to purchase a Garmin Forerunner 735XT. Someone in my local running FB group (I don’t know her personally, but we have mutual acquaintances) is selling one for $200 (after tax, it would be $309 new on Amazon). She said she sent her watch to Garmin for warranty repair and they replaced it with a new one. This was after she bought a Fenix 5 because she didn’t think her watch was covered under warranty.

I contacted Garmin support and they said warranty is not transferable since I am buying from another person.

My options are to buy a watch for $200 and have no warranty coverage or buy the same watch for $309 and have one year of warranty protection... anyone here familiar with how likely forerunner 735xt watches are to have problems in the first year?

0 Andy275 over 5 years ago

I'd say it is a crap shoot. More likely than not you would not have a problem, but people do post on this forum not infrequently about water damage even in new watches. Mine is 3 yrs old and still works great. New ones seem to be as low as $280, and occasionally on sale for less. If it died though, I'd likely get a 945 as the tech is 3 yrs old. If you are not specifically doing triathlon and open water, the 245 has newer features for about the same price.

One thing to keep in mind is the replacement watch they send are typically refurbished. They may be fine, but I did get a refurbished Garmin Swim once where the glue disintegrated 7 months later (just outside the new warranty) and it was no longer water proof. Maybe an isolated experience, but I am a bit skeptical.