Garmin Customer Service
User Reviews, Ratings and Comments
NEGATIVE Comments
309 Negative Comments out of 349 Total Comments is 88.54%.
POSITIVE Comments
40 Positive Comments out of 349 Total Comments is 11.46%.
Issue Resolution
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After buying my second Garmin that now has gone to the crapper again. I will not buy another one.
Company said the cost to repair is going to start at $123.00. I bought it for that less than 2 years ago.sylviaB16 5/21/13 1:19PM -
What a bloody disaster Garmin is! I own a Zumo and a Nuvi. Had problems with both. Bought a European update for the Zumo and couldn't make it work. Garmin got the Nuvi going, butthen told me: (Block capitals Zoomed in e- Mail WE'VE TOLD YOU 7 TIMES HOW TO FIX THIS. - Actually they'd told me 7 times how to fix the Nuvi - they hadn't even bothered to address the problem with the Zumo.
2 weeks after I'd arrived in Europe, I was told 'We can't fix this. You will have to spend more money.
Piss off, Garmin.
Hack & Crack time.Rupert 5/20/13 9:32PM -
In a word...TERRIBLE! Purchased map updates for my Garmin and it would not load. Waited 15 minutes for CS Tech and reached Ann. She was irritable and sounded as though I was bothering her. Back and forth from Mygarmin.com to garmin.com kept asking me to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result. In the end asked for a refund on my purchase and have thrown the device in the trash. No more Garmin products for this house.Garmin no more 5/20/13 10:18AM
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Suppoort is impossible to reach, and their Tech Support on-line will not respond but sends you round on a circular route. VERY poor.John 5/20/13 8:23AM
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Suppoort is impossible to reach, and their Tech Support on-line will not respond but sends you round on a circular route. VERY poor.John 5/20/13 8:23AM
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Not happy with the customer service ...I needed a pin reset on a unit used by my ex, they asked for 90. err... 89.95 to exchange a unit valued at 40.
How crazy was I to have purchaser multiple units (over a few years) and believe they would assist a customer.californiadon 5/19/13 2:59PM -
Needed to download some GPS trainer software (189MB) and I'm still trying hours later. Not only is the download speed a primordial 23kbps at the moment (it is often less) but the server keeps stalling all the time and a clean download is impossible. Since the download process is done outside of a web browser as part of another software installation there's no resume option and it has not once reached even 10% complete. For a company that relies on online updates you'd think some of the technical chimps Garmin employs would have worked out this laughable aspect of Garmin's "customer service". I'm just glad I've not paid real money for anything they have ever made and, on the strength of this I never will.RF 5/11/13 4:15AM
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I purchased a brand new Garmin Montana GPS along with three CD rom maps. I attempted to install the maps using the CD's and the until would not store or recognize them. I phoned customer support. The smart alec support tech refused to transfer me to a supervisor, and after 80 minutes on the phone yesterday (where the tech couldn't even get the maps to transfer and work properly) they have blocked both my home and cell numbers. I had a friend call from his cell, and it picked up immediately. This is over $800 worth of products that do work even remotely as advertised. Poorly run company. Poorly trained employees, and ridiculously unprofessional support staff. 05/10/2013scarybear22 5/10/13 6:22AM
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Purchased a new Garmin, registered on net but unable to download maps. After telephone consultation with Garmin asked to return SatNav. (This is brand new and never been used). Also asked to leave micro sd card in. After approx. 2 weeks received a "refurbished" SatNav AND no micro sd card. Naturally spoke to Garmin who maintain that they have fulfilled their obligations in accordance with warranty terms. So, I paid for a brand new Garmin, never used it and ended up with a refurbished item which would have cost me some 40% less than what I originally paid. They have offered to pay me for the micro sd card. I supplied the receipt but I am still waiting some 2 weeks later. I am now in the process of writing to the CEO to express my disgust.
A morally dishonest company and possibly legally as well.Anonymous 5/9/13 6:36AM -
Worst Customer Service EVER! completely rude, and could not cancel a transaction due to a wrong selection of unit 2 minutes after placing it, telling me i would be the cause of interrupting every other customers order....DO NOT BUY DIRECTLY FROM GARMIN!!!!!Anonymous 5/8/13 10:26AM
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The hotline was unreachable or off during open hours.
The guy told me he would send me the code key by email and he did not.
I sent 4 emails in a week without any answer.
I called several times at 17.30 and the service was off and the voicemail told me to call at open hours.
Very annoying the support!!Anonymous 5/8/13 8:55AM -
Been stuck on customer support line for 15 minutes.Bushy 4/28/13 10:13PM
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Currently dealing with Garmin by email. My Nuvi 2595 is Ok but I'm going to Ireland and want to download a map of the UK Had a heck of a time for it to even respond when I hit download, after switching browsers it finally clicked and then told me my (registered)device was not compatible with the map I'm trying to download. So I emailed them, several days later they tell me they fixed the issue and it is compatible just go for it. i tried again and it won't let me, just refuses to allow the download. I told them and 6 days later no answer. I tried again today and asked for a supervisor. If I don't get this resolved by next weekend, i will return this piece of to Costco and go buy a Tom Tom or Magellanjep 4/26/13 8:42PM
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I downloaded the free maps for my nuvi 1450 LMT GPS and it would not update my Garmin and it deleted the map of Canada. This was apparently does because the download would not fit because of lack of space. Basically this GPS is a piece of crap as I cna not longer use it in CANADA. I think the whole process is a scam and I will not buy another Garmin pproduct.tfzett@aol.com 4/17/13 8:11AM
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I bought my garmin through my company I work for. the cord that came with it that attaches to computer and device (USB) does not fit. I do not understand why I have to buy a new one when they didn't give me the right one in the first place.khunt15 4/7/13 8:22AM
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Wasted 90 minutes of my time trying to download and update maps for my GPS and still accomplished nothing. I was able to download it to my computer but then it wouldn't download to my device. Complete waste of my time.Anonymous 4/3/13 6:35AM
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Forerunner 10 does not work as it can't acquire satellites. Waste of money. The website contact us does not work as you can't selct device, so it throws you out after step 4.
Can't get through to 1800 number.
Pretty poorAnonymous 3/25/13 11:43PM -
25-30 minute phone hold for customer service. Person answering had an attitude and it wasn't friendly, helpful or positive.
Garmin is having widespread problems with their units suddenly crashing and not booting up. The customer dis-service person told me it's not a large problem and my unit isn't affected. Meanwhile my unit wont boot up. Glad it "isn't affected".
No help, she told me to send it in with a check for $99.00 and they would repair my unit, a Nuvi W255.
Goodbye Garmin, having purchased 6 units in my past I'm not done with them. Lousy management produces lousy employees.Adios Garmin 3/25/13 9:57AM -
To anyone comtemplating buy a Garmin GPS product, I say don't waste your time. I have purchased two of their products and within two years, they were junk. Try to call customer support???? Forget about that, they tell you it's a 30-35 minute wait, you wait an hour and then they disconnect you and they expect you to start all over again. Try to get map updates??? They tell you you need to buy microchips to boot your memory on your device. So you only download the USA maps instead of Canada and the USA. Then you try to get a map update once you buy a microchip, and the Garmin system will not let you update your device to include Canada, EVEN THOUGH YOU PAID FOR LIFETIME MAPS!!!! If you want to experience this frustration in person, just buy a Garmin GPS. They are absolutely pathetic.jj 3/18/13 11:55AM
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Garmin website doesn't recognize me and has locked me out today, a Saturday, with no recourse until at least Monday. I am traveling tomorrow - outdated map is now their responsibility.
I can't believe this is an international company where Customer Service leaves at Friday at 5 pm, and says in their email they will get back to me within 3 business days!
I will not buy Garmin again, and will tell all I can about their lousy service.Lost in Manhattan 3/16/13 4:47PM -
Garmin software is of poor quality. I wonder if Garmin actually tests any of their software before turning it over to their customers. Garmin Express fails about 75% of the time and the Garmin software on their website hangs up more times than it is successful.Anonymous 3/15/13 6:32AM
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your automatic update is the biggest pease of Crap that I have ever seen in my life I will NEVER tell anyone to buy your product if i could I will return mineAnonymous 2/26/13 6:55PM
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The online "email support" page does not work. It just generates an error message that I need to select my device from the list. However, the list is empty.cherab 2/25/13 10:07PM
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Since Friday I have not been able to get a trafic signal for longer than 2 min. on all my Garmin devices in the New York metro area. I even put one of them on my roof. I returned 2 of them so far back to costco and got another one same problem. Customer service hold time is over a half hour and they close at 6 and are off on weekends. So I need to purchase a android phone and pay 20 to use my phone to get traffic? This seems like a scam.djay4242 2/25/13 6:32PM
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I have complaints about GARMIN Italy's customer service, and I want to be sure their behaving matches GARMIN policy.
On February 1st I bought in Cagliari (Trony shop) my first Garmin: Nuvi 50
At home I started to study how it works and, because of the very very poor printed documentation, I switched on the device (serial # 2PQ070266) and made all the registrations and updates required. Of course as soon as I switch on, the set tries to connect to satellites (and unfortunately for me it succeeded ... see later).
With some study I learnt to manage "Base Camp" package (very smart: I appreciated it very much) and to set Waypoints and Routes. Very powerful: I agree Garmin is the best GPS in commerce!
When I tried to transfer waypoints and route in the Nuvi 50 I succeeded for waypoints, but not for the routes. Some searches with Google and I discovered it was not up to my mistakes, but Nuvi 50 doesn't support routes. I have to upgrade to a higher model, say 2445LM. OK, I like the system and I will pay the extra money.
Back to the shop (2 working days after the buy) I was answered: impossible to change without Garmin permission because you have registered the set. I protest, but ... OK, ask Garmin.
At Garmin Italy I spoke with 2 persons of customer care service: the first, named Marco, was ready for allowing the upgrade. The second, named Fabio, called from within Trony shop, refused because "... the satellite has fixed your connection on february 1st, and so we cannot sell any more your Nuvi 50".
Is that actually your customer policy? Really you change sets only if never switched on?
It sounds a bit absurd!
Please tell me what Garmin's return (.. for upgrade) policy actually is.
Thanks for your attention
Sergio RavaioliSergio - Cagliari 2/24/13 11:29AM
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I have received the most excellent care from Garmin KZN when I handed in a Garmin navigator to have its screen fixed. Such a professinal team and so helpful and now a repaired GPS!
The number of the center is
Thanks
KimKimJ 4/22/13 8:23AM -
My Garmin Oregon 400T malfunctioned. An email to Garmin support was quickly responded to by Kris Ta in their customer support unit after hours. The next morning I followed up with support and also received a follow up call from Kris. The same day the unit was in the mail for a replacement unit. I am very pleased with the excellent customer service.chucky-chief 4/11/13 7:06PM
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I called Garmin service for help updating my 1450. I was helped through the entire procedure by Emily in Kansas City and can say I don't think I have ever been treated with more patience and knowledge of what to do. She was easy to understand and took the time to walk me through the procedure. Garmin should be happy they have and employee this good at her job. She even asked after finishing if there was anything else whe could help with. I downloaded the new map and am quite happy with the product.Anonymous 1/2/13 3:04PM
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I like the fact that when you call Garmin you speak to an American in America.
When was the last time that you called for support with any other company and spoke to am American?Bob Mueller 11/28/12 2:12PM -
Due to a failure of my 1st Garmin 3790LMT, Garmin exchanged the unit. Once the new unit arrived, it shows that it is a LMT, however I was unable to apply map updates. The new unit also included Europe, while the original did not. I called support, waited 30 min to speak to someone and I asked why the delay. There was an updated released 3 days ago, and whenever that happens, the way can be long. Ok, so here is what the rep did once I explained what was up. 1st removed the old unit. 2nd applied the Lifetime Map and Traffic (LMT) to the new unit. 3rd had me log back in and see if I could get the lifetime updater to say that the unit could be updated. It did. All is well.ericthered44 8/24/12 10:57AM
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I don't know why everyone is having problems with Garmin customer service. My GPS Map 276C is 8 years old and still working. On numerous occasions, I have called Garmin for technical assistance. Sometimes I get right thru; other times I have to wait a while. But every time I have call with a problem, the technician has been polite and, above all, helpful enough to solve my problem. I hope it continues.Jack 7/9/12 5:59PM
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Unbelieveable! Got through in under a minute. Rep set up an exchange. Now let see how long that takes.tom22222 6/28/12 8:41AM
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I received a Garmin for a christmas present. I was dissapointed with the quality of the product. The product appears to have some design flaws that casued the band to tear.
However, my customer experience with Garmin was nothing but outstanding. The entire process to getting my watch replaced was above my expectations.
Thanks Garmin.Murph 3/7/12 8:47AM -
My Garmin Nuvi 550 had a warrantee issue with the battery connection. We contacted Garmin by phone, and they connected us with Ray-Tech in Quebec. We shipped the unit on a Monday PM by expedited post and a replacement unit was back in our hands by Friday. That is remarkable service considering that the unit has travelled back and forth 8,000km each way across the county.Nuvi 550 3/4/12 9:11AM
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And why do you not call 800-800-1020?
Garmin supports all its units, even long after the warranty has expired with free online (e-mail) and free phone support.
If you drop something, then it's your own fault. I have used Garmin units for years, and a 2 inch drop has not even put a scratch on any of them.
I read a lot of stuff in forums like this one, and I think it is time you take responsibility, starting with honesty.
So, shut up, if you screwed the device up, and pay up. Unless you're not man/woman enough to admit your wrong doing. Then keep being a complainer, like those in the stores at customer service counters, who believe if they complain long and loud enough they get a freebie.
If a device is defective, call them up, send them an e-mail. I have yet to encounter an unfriendly agent, that is unwilling to help. That does not mean they will give you a new unit if you dropped it. That is not helping, that is enabling - what we try to avoid with our kids, right?
Go to TomTom, Magellan, or any other company, and see how loong they support their devices with free online and phone support. Apple - ranked #1 supposedly - stops supporting any unit that is over 5 years old with repairs; and there is no free phone or e-mail support for a computer from them that is out of warranty (with AppleCare up to 3 years). Garmin supports my Garmin GPS III. You can check when that thing came out.unknown 2/5/12 6:30PM -
Having previously posted an unhappy experience I am happy to have to post an excellent experience. I used the email system and got help from associate Aaron S who was very patient in telling me the troubleshooting steps (not covered in the manual, by the way) and then when it was apparent that the factory had to get involved told me how to go about it. Upshot was that the factory replaced the unit (although probably out of warranty).
Totally different from my past experiences with Garmin.Peter 1/18/12 9:39AM -
I purchased a Garmin GPS from Target in Charlottesville, VA several mos ago. I did not save my receipt because I have heard great things about your product and never thought I'd need it. My Mom was put in Westminster Canterbury Nursing Home and needed to know how to get there in Lynchburg, VA. So I bought a Garmin UPS and loved it. It has come in use maybe 3-4 times that I needed it. I was invited to my neices house for Thanksgiving and keyed her address in on 11/23/11 and it worked fine. On Thanksgiving morning when leaving I plugged the car charger up to it and the GPS would not come on at all with or without the charger. All I want from Santa for Christmas is another Garmin GPS. It is hard to tell where I might need to go next. I sure hope you can help me.
KarenMerry Christmas 12/11/11 10:38AM -
On an internet search for help, I got "Just Answer" but they wanted $30 to give me any help. I bailed out of that rip-off and then hit this site that had the Garmin 800-800-1020 number. I called that, got a very nice lady immediately, and she spent 45 minutes helping me with my problem. I ended up getting an RMA number for an exchange of hardware. She even determined the manufacturing date from the serial number and gave me coverage under the one-year warrantee even though the Auto GPS was not registered. After reading so many complaints about Garmin I was prepared for the worst; instead I got the best. Their service, patience, and knowledge was comparable with the best I have ever experienced (i.e., Apple). I never found that 800-800-1020 support number on the Garmin site, but it sure worked for me. Maybe Garmin is actually getting better. BTW, I called first thing in the morning.Anonymous 10/1/11 12:21AM
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I was shocked when I sought technical support on line for my Garmin Nuvi and got JustAnswer. It would cost me $38. to help me fix my problem. I called 800-800-1020 (after pick up, dial 1 to speak to a live person). I got right to a customer service associate and she fixed my problem immediately. I am satisfied with the service I received on the phone - but I was really mad when I got JustAnswer. ETET 9/29/11 1:37PM
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Call answered quickly. Proposed solution worked fine.Anonymous 7/21/11 7:57AM
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I must have contacted a different company. I have never had anything less than excellent service whenever I have called Garmin Tech for service issues.The other day Dezirae Reberry Assoc # 6949 settled my problem in a manner that was above and beyond what I thought they might do.
I have always felt their customer service was some of the best I have ever experienced.Billk 7/2/11 12:53AM -
I was having trouble updating the map on my automotive gps. I found the technician I spoke to be very patient, courteous, and helpful. My problem was solved in less than three minutes.cattlemanbuck 6/24/11 3:11PM
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just called customer service for an issue with my forerunner 310 xt and they were first class. phone got picked up right away, they were not able to solve my issue on the phone but they did tell me how to reset the watch, load new software and if it doesnt work they will return it with no issues. not sure why anybody is saying they dont have good service or products, seems great to me.skmdr 4/5/11 8:46AM
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I have recently contacted customer service for downloading a map update. I purchased lifetime maps and traffic, and I needed assistance activating the lifetime maps and I needed some help understanding how to use various features and the traffic screen. The customer service rep was courteous and knowledgeable. I waited less than a minute to be connected, and the rep walked me thru the activation process for my lifetime maps and the download. The only problem I have had with the Garmin 1390, is in areas where I know the route, the unit suggest a longer more congested route. This issue makes me a bit less confident in garmin's map directions when I'm in areas I'm not familiar with.Big Al from Jersey 2/4/11 10:44AM
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Called customer service since the charger for my 310XT just fell apart (lousy spring I guess) after having it for only 9 months and they are sending a replacement charger, had no problem and got through right away. Friend had similar experience with great customer service. Hope things are better with Garmin and they are paying attention to these posts.9 run run 1/20/11 10:54AM
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I have trouble understanding how some folks have such a bad experience with Garmin customer service when mine was perfect. The tech support person went beyond what I would have expected him to do. I have to call it the way I see it but I have had all good experiences with their customer service. Maybe when you call in all irate and upset it transfers to the customer service rep? Anyhow, I had a good experience and my issues were addressed and resolved.hogsniper 1/7/11 5:26AM
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I have experineced nothing but great customer service from Garvin. They are quick to respond, my Garvin kept falling off my window (realy have to keep the suction cup clean) the unit kept saying it wasn't reading the electrial imput, after about three weeks I guess the torture of the charging off and on finally effected the battery. After about 51 weeks after purchase I called customer support and after having me check several things they had me mail back the unit. They promptly replaced it with a remanfacutred unit and the problem continued. Tonight I called and they are sending out a new cord and cradle. Bottom line I have a new refg unit and an new cord and assembly. It psys to call and talk to soemone, they are a very responsive company. Be sure to register your unit, can quickly upload fixes and updates and made the call to customer service easy since they already had my info and verifible purchase date.Katlyn 11/18/10 5:55PM
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Garmin does not provide a reminder to update maps so if you are on holiday etc away from a pc it is easy to forget. You then end up with an out of date system.
Customer services were aggressive and rude on the phone. I complained to Dan Bartel, European head who was dismissive an didn't even have the courtesy to use Mr when addressing me. Garmin would not update the maps to the level that they should have been when I bought the satnav. Only offered me an update for a further £50. Poor system constantly rerouting and making errors such as taking the driver off the main the immediately rejoining. Predicted duration of journey underestimates wildly. Poor system for the moneyflombard 10/16/10 5:24AM -
Excellent customer service. Called Garmin at 10:30 and held for less than 3 minutes. I received a new Garmin Model 855 GPS from Walmart.com yesterday. In the process of trying to set up the unit, I found the initial screen showed a foreign language and I was unable to get to any icon settings. The CSR (Mahsa?)explained how to reset the GPS and what I needed to do. Since I'm at work, haven't had a chance to see if the problem was resolved, but I feel confident if it isn't, Garmin can steer me in the proper direction so I don't have to return the unit. Since I have 15 days to play with it or get a full refund from Walmart, I expect I may not have to return it.Anonymous 10/13/10 7:43AM
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I have a Garmin MAP 60Cx. I have owned it for 4 years and use it constantly. Over this time I have emailed Garmin several times about problems or operating questions and have always gotten immediate (next day) responses and every response has solved the problem or gave me the info I needed. I recently called to ask a question, and although the first message said there would be a 30 minute wait, I was talking to someone in less than 10 minutes, and the person was very helpful.
After reading all the negative comments, I wonder if they all are talking about the same company!
More likely, people who get satisfactory repsonses don't seek out sites like this, only those who have had problems.Anonymous 10/7/10 6:29AM
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