Question about Costco

[imagoon]

Been a member for many years, for me it's well worth the $55/year membership.

One positive thing about Costco (although I don't do it much) is you can return anything and get your money back if you aren't pleased. Have only done this a few times. I don't know the ins and outs, but lately I've been wanting to buy a GPS for driving. A friend has an iPhone, and a road directions app that talks to her as she's driving, tells her when to make a turn, etc. I don't have a smartphone but figure a GPS would do the same thing, maybe a lot more. Costco has Garmin's and I saw 2-3 in the store a month ago. I just looked online and saw a better deal on the one I figured I favored.

In researching GPS's, people mention that the lifetime updates may not play out as you hope. IOW, a unit may not get updates after a certain time. The one I'm looking at (2595) has been out a couple of years I think and I don't want to have to buy another in 2-3 years. Someone said that's why they would want to get theirs from Costco because if it stopped working you could just bring it back and get your money back.

So, question is: If I buy from Costco online do I get the same return policy as if I buy in the store?

If you read the fine print on the Garmin unit, "Lifetime" is defined as the "lifetime" of the device and not yours. Last time I checked it was about 3 years from the date of release. You could argue that "stopped getting updates" after 2.5 / 3 years as working as intended and you returning it would be sketchy but whatever.

 

[feralkid]

This is cheaper... and a lot easier. Plus, this has a pedestrian mode. I don't think your new car's GPS will have that.

Does it come with a sarcasm meter?

 

[Muse]

Get on the smartphone craze while your brain cells are still active.

OK, I'm not being facetious, if I'm going to do this I need to get crazy about smartphones. I see people fiddling with them all the time, of course. What do I need to know to get me started on it? I'm kind of into solitude. I don't need to be communicating with someone all the time.

 

[Muse]

If you read the fine print on the Garmin unit, "Lifetime" is defined as the "lifetime" of the device and not yours. Last time I checked it was about 3 years from the date of release. You could argue that "stopped getting updates" after 2.5 / 3 years as working as intended and you returning it would be sketchy but whatever.

I don't see where they indicate the date of release. From the reviews I see at Amazon I gather that it was being bought in Sept. 2011. That would make it over 2 years old already. So, it can be expected to become obsolete by the end of the year? That's acceptable? What's up with that? Planned obsolescence? Or should it really be on them to support their "lifetime" designation? Where is this "fine print?" I'm looking at this from my perspective, obviously, purchasing online or at a Costco warehouse. I don't see anything indicating that "lifetime" means 3 years from the introduction of the product.

 

[imagoon]

I don't see where they indicate the date of release. From the reviews I see at Amazon I gather that it was being bought in Sept. 2011. That would make it over 2 years old already. So, it can be expected to become obsolete by the end of the year? That's acceptable? What's up with that? Planned obsolescence? Or should it really be on them to support their "lifetime" designation? Where is this "fine print?" I'm looking at this from my perspective, obviously, purchasing online or at a Costco warehouse. I don't see anything indicating that "lifetime" means 3 years from the introduction of the product.

All I can say is go read the fine print. It is also in the box. Start here:

http://www.garmin.com/en-US/legal/lmdisclaimer

The have a longer one out there some place.

Phrases like these:

such updates are made available on Garmin.com during the useful life of 1 compatible Garmin product or as long as Garmin receives map data from a third party supplier, whichever is shorter.

A product will be deemed to be out of service and its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more.

If neither of the measures in (a) or (b) can be used to address your product’s lack of sufficient remaining memory, then Garmin may conclude that the “useful life” of your product has expired. (a) (b) here are talking about memory capacity or adding sdcards etc

Basically state that the "lifetime" of a device is basically whatever Garmin wants to say it is. Looks like they made it even shorter than the last time I looked at a Garmin. Basically you can buy one off the shelf and have it be past useful life from the legalize they have on the site.

 

[Muse]

OK, here's a copy/paste of the statement at the link in the last post:


Lifetime Maps Terms & Conditions

If you purchase a nüMaps Lifetime subscription (sold separately) or if your Garmin product comes bundled with a nüMaps Lifetime or other lifetime map subscription, you will receive map data updates when and as such updates are made available on Garmin.com during the useful life of 1 compatible Garmin product or as long as Garmin receives map data from a third party supplier, whichever is shorter. A product’s “useful life” means the period during which the product (a) has sufficient memory capacity and other required technical capabilities to utilize current map data and (b) is capable of operating as intended without major repairs. A product will be deemed to be out of service and its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more. Unless otherwise stated, the updates you receive under the subscription will be updates to the same geographic area included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. In some instances, your Garmin product might not have sufficient memory remaining for you to load an update to the map data, in which case you will need to either (a) select reduced map data coverage for your updates, or (b) purchase separately a microSD™/SD™ card (if and as applicable to your Garmin product) and load all or a portion of the map data coverage for your updates to the card and insert the card into the microSD/SD card slot contained in your Garmin product. If neither of the measures in (a) or (b) can be used to address your product’s lack of sufficient remaining memory, then Garmin may conclude that the “useful life” of your product has expired. Garmin may terminate your nüMaps Lifetime or other lifetime map subscription at any time if you violate any of the terms of this agreement or your subscription. Your nüMaps Lifetime subscription or other lifetime map subscription may not be transferred to another person or another Garmin product.
- - - -
Reading the above I conclude that I have to download at the very minimum every 2 years or they can conclude that my device is past "useful life." If there's not enough memory, that's my problem, I can remedy that either by deleting files or adding memory. If I don't violate their terms, I'm OK. As long as their 3rd party supplier of maps continues to supply, and my device works, has enough memory and I continue to download updates at least every 2 years I should be able to continue to update the device. If not, I have to think they dropped the ball. There's no 2-3 year life expectancy mention. Have I misinterpreted the terms and conditions?

 

[Muse]

I went ahead and confirmed my order. "It's better to regret something you do than something you don't do."

 

[bradly1101]

Planned obsolescence, it's so very frustrating. GPS manufacturers want you coming back, and since it's pretty much useless without current data, you have no choice. It happens with everything. Dammit I'm not upgrading to a new phone to get Kit Kat! It works fine! Nice try phone company.

2-5 years on something that should last at least 10 is ridiculous.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

OK, I'm not being facetious, if I'm going to do this I need to get crazy about smartphones. I see people fiddling with them all the time, of course. What do I need to know to get me started on it? I'm kind of into solitude. I don't need to be communicating with someone all the time.

says the guy with 13k forum posts?

 

[vshah]

i have found map updates to be completely unnecessary. My civic has maps from 2007, and I have no issues.

 

[feralkid]

i have found map updates to be completely unnecessary. My civic has maps from 2007, and I have no issues.

None at all, unless you need to find a street or business built after 2007.

:whiste:

 

[Muse]

Planned obsolescence, it's so very frustrating. GPS manufacturers want you coming back, and since it's pretty much useless without current data, you have no choice. It happens with everything. Dammit I'm not upgrading to a new phone to get Kit Kat! It works fine! Nice try phone company.

2-5 years on something that should last at least 10 is ridiculous.

One of my girlfriends remarked "you want everything to last forever." Yeah, planned O bugs me majorly, and I do try to make things last. I'm a real fixit guy.

Sometimes I think it isn't love that makes the world go round, it's commerce.

 

[ponyo]

Nokia 520

This phone is $60. You don't need cell or data plan. You can use it as iPod Touch equivalent and listen to music, watch videos, alarm clock, calendar, etc. It also has free offline Nokia maps which you can use as standalone GPS. I would use this phone if I didn't have GPS or smartphone phone with data plan.

 

[imagoon]

OK, here's a copy/paste of the statement at the link in the last post:


Lifetime Maps Terms & Conditions

If you purchase a nüMaps Lifetime subscription (sold separately) or if your Garmin product comes bundled with a nüMaps Lifetime or other lifetime map subscription, you will receive map data updates when and as such updates are made available on Garmin.com during the useful life of 1 compatible Garmin product or as long as Garmin receives map data from a third party supplier, whichever is shorter. A product’s “useful life” means the period during which the product (a) has sufficient memory capacity and other required technical capabilities to utilize current map data and (b) is capable of operating as intended without major repairs. A product will be deemed to be out of service and its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more. Unless otherwise stated, the updates you receive under the subscription will be updates to the same geographic area included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. In some instances, your Garmin product might not have sufficient memory remaining for you to load an update to the map data, in which case you will need to either (a) select reduced map data coverage for your updates, or (b) purchase separately a microSD™/SD™ card (if and as applicable to your Garmin product) and load all or a portion of the map data coverage for your updates to the card and insert the card into the microSD/SD card slot contained in your Garmin product. If neither of the measures in (a) or (b) can be used to address your product’s lack of sufficient remaining memory, then Garmin may conclude that the “useful life” of your product has expired. Garmin may terminate your nüMaps Lifetime or other lifetime map subscription at any time if you violate any of the terms of this agreement or your subscription. Your nüMaps Lifetime subscription or other lifetime map subscription may not be transferred to another person or another Garmin product.
- - - -
Reading the above I conclude that I have to download at the very minimum every 2 years or they can conclude that my device is past "useful life." If there's not enough memory, that's my problem, I can remedy that either by deleting files or adding memory. If I don't violate their terms, I'm OK. As long as their 3rd party supplier of maps continues to supply, and my device works, has enough memory and I continue to download updates at least every 2 years I should be able to continue to update the device. If not, I have to think they dropped the ball. There's no 2-3 year life expectancy mention. Have I misinterpreted the terms and conditions?

Sure assuming that is the correct agreement for that specific unit, that you are buying that sub or the unit comes with it.

 

[alkemyst]

This is cheaper... and a lot easier. Plus, this has a pedestrian mode. I don't think your new car's GPS will have that.

You just got to be able to carry your car to enable it.

Do you even lift, bro?

 

[Pray To Jesus]

LMT is good

 

[BoomerD]

They still make cars without GPS?

Yes they do...but those don't always work either...

We bought our Expedition in 2005. Nav system worked fine for about a few years, especially while we were in California where I more-or-less knew all the roads I needed...but as soon as we moved out of state, to a city I didn't know at all...the fucking thing stopped working. Ford wanted almost $750 to replace the unit.
Fuck that. It was easier and cheaper to buy the Garmin...which, btw, works better than the factory unit ever did.

 

[Puppies04]

In researching GPS's, people mention that the lifetime updates may not play out as you hope. IOW, a unit may not get updates after a certain time. The one I'm looking at (2595) has been out a couple of years I think and I don't want to have to buy another in 2-3 years. Someone said that's why they would want to get theirs from Costco because if it stopped working you could just bring it back and get your money back.

My sat nav decided it wasn't going to work anymore a few weeks ago. I am currently using one that is about 6 years old and has never been updated. So far it has taken me to 15+ places without missing a beat. Unless you live in china where new cities spring up every 6 months does it really matter?

 

[Muse]

Nokia 520

This phone is $60. You don't need cell or data plan. You can use it as iPod Touch equivalent and listen to music, watch videos, alarm clock, calendar, etc. It also has free offline Nokia maps which you can use as standalone GPS. I would use this phone if I didn't have GPS or smartphone phone with data plan.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[Muse]

You just got to be able to carry your car to enable it.

Do you even lift, bro?

You mean weights? Yeah, I'm seriously into it, have been for almost 30 years. I'm every other day at 24 Hour Fitness, pumping iron, working on core, etc. It's number one priority to be fit and strong. 20 years ago I was 7 days a week, weight room 1.5 hours, 2 miles in the pool, passing virtually everyone I ever encountered in my lane. Tore my bicep tendon, since repaired, but I don't swim anymore. I've lightened up in the weight room, but I'm staying strong.

 

[alkemyst]

You mean weights? Yeah, I'm seriously into it, have been for almost 30 years. I'm every other day at 24 Hour Fitness, pumping iron, working on core, etc. It's number one priority to be fit and strong. 20 years ago I was 7 days a week, weight room 1.5 hours, 2 miles in the pool, passing virtually everyone I ever encountered in my lane. Tore my bicep tendon, since repaired, but I don't swim anymore. I've lightened up in the weight room, but I'm staying strong.

Yeah you got it, so hoist your car up on a shoulder and if you reach in and open your NAV up you should see the Walking Path mode on most GPSes enabled.

Cool thing is when you get tired walking you can just drive home and you don't have to worry about keeping that GPS in your pocket or a bag.



I tore my right bicep tendon, got fucked by workman's comp because they pushed me out to week 7 prior to letting me get an MRI and then week 13 prior to allowing a specialist to review.

I am basically unrepairable...4% total body disabilty and a nice $2400 check as my compensation for it Seriously the claims person was like "The good news is you qualify for TWO WEEKS pay for each percentage point under 5%" The thing that sucks though is even at my full pay that wouldn't be worth it to me...they cap it at like $300 a week max for what is considered a standard salary and if you can still work it's reduced even further to 37.5% of that if you actually made less.

 

[Soundmanred]

says the guy with 13k forum posts?

If people went door to door selling smartphones he'd have one already. Or a lot of them.

 

[Muse]

says the guy with 13k forum posts?

So, RossMAN has over 70,000. I don't spend all my time posting, I have a life.

 

[alkemyst]

So, RossMAN has over 70,000. I don't spend all my time posting, I have a life.

Post count is one of those things dudes that don't amount to much like to say make's another a loser. "Hey ATOT is great! However, why post there!"

Much of my post count comes from 5-6 years I worked from home in sales. I had a good $40k-50k income. It was sales which I am not a great sales person as I tend to be to honest and wasn't in the sales that I could sell to fulfill that. I wanted more though money and more of a challenge...so I moved on.

Also I lost a lot of my little screenshots from when I was younger here of those that played the post count shout out and had huge post counts on other forums. Many of them had combined post counts dwarfing out top 10 at the time. I don't post much elsewhere. I like AT because mostly it's work safe and client safe. Prior to getting back into the corporate world genmay/gfy/and worse were my stomping grounds.

 

[Muse]

If people went door to door selling smartphones he'd have one already. Or a lot of them.

You know, Red, I'm not the biggest sucker in the world. I have a really good track record. Yes, I've been nicked a couple of times by people at the door and on the phone but it's never cost me money. I don't just slam doors in people's faces. However, I am pretty short with them generally, people who solicit me. I don't like doing that, it's just the way things are nowadays. I don't like being cynical. But I'm going to be more guarded in the future. I won't give someone the benefit of the doubt in such circumstances. Those two guys did not deserve that. I tend to not be in those kinds of situations, but it's not always possible.