I’m getting my Garmin Edge 500 replaced via warranty with Garmin. I am getting a refurb, and was wondering what everyone’s experience is with those?
first one, not so good, second one, good as new
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Garmin currently has my910xt and sending me a refurb. I had my 705 replaced with a refurb unit a few years ago. Worked perfectly.
My uncle had a refurbed edge 500 after smashing his screen. It worked for him for several years.
Some brands have notoriety for crappy refurbs, but not Garmin.
My Garmin Edge 500 went to hell at 11months, and they quickly send out a refurbished unit. It looked brand new to me and has been working flawlessly since October.
I just got a refurbished 500 after one of the prongs broke off the back. The unit they sent me looked brand new… Not a scratch, nic, or anything on it… My only little frustration is that little black plug in the back doesn’t fit like the old one did. But that is just nit picking. Satisfied no doubt.
thanks for all the responses.
I bought a refurbished 205 back in 2008. It still works great and holds a charge. My wife and I use it pretty regularly. The only thing that doesn’t work is the beep. It stopped a couple years ago. I think that might be due to sweat in the speaker. But, I don’t mind not beeping every mile.
I’ve had a similar experience to most of the other posters. Purchased a refurbished 305 in 2009, and no issues almost 4 years later (with daily use). The unit looked brand new when I got it, and I think it even had a 12 month warranty from Garmin.
I am sure that many refurb units are actually just unused returns / open box deals. So essentially new, they just can’t sell them as new.
Doesn’t everyone that has own a garmin product for more than 2 years have a refurb’d version?
I thought it was a rite of passage. My 500, my 405, and my now defunct 205 were all refurb’s. The only Garmin I have that was new when I got it is a pink FR10 that I bought my wife in September 2012 (and she loves it by the way) so it’s still too young to have passed.
Mine was as good as new when I got it. My only complain is that they sent me a different color. Beggars can’t be choosers I guess. For the replacement price, it was a great deal; especially since it was 100% my fault my original one broke.
After many years of use my Garmin Edge original died and they replaced it with a unit that looked like new. I used that for about 2 more years without any problems before I upgraded to a brand new one this past Christmas. I have always said and will continue to say that Garmin customer service is A+.
Edge 500 replaced two times with refurbs. First time, the rubberband was nicked and the Edge+mount flew off into traffic, cost ~$80 to replace. The second time, someone crashed into me and I guessed the Edge took an elbow to the screen. Garmin replaced it under warranty even though it wasn’t a manufacture issue.
The case were brand new both times, not sure about the innards.
The case were brand new both times, not sure about the innards.
Could be either. Person A with bad circuit board sends in 1 month old unit, person B with cracked screen but good circuit board sends his in. Take case A and insides B, get good refurb unit C.
John
Once before in the past my 310xt broke and I got a refurb which worked for over a full yr with no issues.
Recently my refurb broke. So I got a 2nd refurb. I wanted it pronto so I payed the optional fee (plus tax) to get this 2nd refurb sent overnight. The 2nd refurb arrived two days ago, it was already broken, screen cracked and all… AND they sent me somebody else’s receipt with my broken 310xt. It was bizarre.
I called Garmin, and the lady I spoke with at customer service was rude, unapologetic, and acted unsurprised as if this happens all the time. She said they would send me a 3rd refurb, and I should mail my 2 broken devices in. That was fine, except she insisted that I had to pay the optional fee (~$250 plus tax) again.
The fee(s) get refunded once Garmin receives my defected device(s) in the mail. However the tax that I payed on those payments doesn’t get refunded, so I got screwed.
At the end of the day I payed about $30 in tax more than I should have, and the purpose for paying the “rush” fee was completely defeated because it’s taken weeks to get my new device anyway.
Not happy with Garmin this time. WIsh I got the lady’s name, too. I’m not kidding she was absurdly rude.
Eddy,
I’d try calling in again and trying it with someone else. They made a mistake. You can take a photo as proof, and I’m sure that they can tie that number with someone else’s RMA.
I think the guys at Garmin are pretty reasonable if you explain the situation right.
Ring and try and get a new replacement.
I sent my 910 back and they replaced with a refurb and was worse than the one I originally sent them.
I eventually got a brand new one which is working fine
Jonboy
Had to get my wifes 405 replaced with a refurb and it seems to be working better than the original one.
I have a Forerunner 305 refurb, it has worked perfectly since '10. Good luck