No it's not. They're selling a product that advertises "Lifetime Map Updates." If the map updates stop, the product is broken and should be returned. Let Costco deal with the manufacturer. That is a big part of why we pay annual membership fees.
I don't get this. You know this going in that you run that risk, but you hold Costco responsible? That's a dickhead move.
No it's not. They're selling a product that advertises "Lifetime Map Updates." If the map updates stop, the product is broken and should be returned. Let Costco deal with the manufacturer. That is a big part of why we pay annual membership fees.
http://www.garmin.com/us/maps/numaps_lifetimeIf 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.
COSTCO'S RISK FREE 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
Membership:
We will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied.
Merchandise:
We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, touchscreen tablets, MP3 players and cellular phones.
Per the manual's admonitions and my usual rules of thumb in my use of Li-ion rechargable batteries I'm not going to leave my GPS in the car, the possible exceptions being when I'm coming back soon and I know it will not get very warm in the car, and in those cases I will hopefully make sure it's not visible.
THAT is why, if Garmin ever stops updating the GPS, just return it for a refund.
I don't get this. You know this going in that you run that risk, but you hold Costco responsible? That's a dickhead move.
Yup and that second line (the 90 day return) didn't exist until recently because people like you were abusing the system because you would return things like that GPS because the device was past its useful life. GPS will likely pop up there sooner or later like it has at Best Buy, Amazon and other electronic retailers.
--edit--
This why they only give store credit now and have added "Manager's discretion" to the lingo above the registers where the return policy is listed.
I've never "abused" the Costco return policy. I don't see this as abuse. If the product stops working as advertised, it's defective and should be returned. Let Costco deal with the manufacturer.
I've never "abused" the Costco return policy. I don't see this as abuse. If the product stops working as advertised, it's defective and should be returned. Let Costco deal with the manufacturer.
I don't know what the risk is. In fact, when I started this thread (and made that post) I didn't have very much of a grasp on what GPS's did and how. If I buy a blender at Costco, there's a risk that it will die in 18 months. Does that mean I'm a dickhead if I bring it back? It's their policy, not mine to accept returns. You are telling me that I'm a dickhead for taking them up on their offer? OK, it's not a blender, it's a GPS, but I don't see the difference.I don't get this. You know this going in that you run that risk, but you hold Costco responsible? That's a dickhead move.
OK, I read what they say it is:Not with how they defined lifetime. It isn't your lifetime, it is the devices lifetime, which is whatever they say it is.
OK, I read what they say it is:
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.
As long as you update at least once every 24 months, your GPS is deemed not defunct in terms of the lifetime. As long as the 3rd party supplier of updates comes through, I'm entitled. As long as the device is working and capable of processing the data as supplied, it is entitled to updates. I interpret that as a fairly long term arrangement, one that should be in effect substantially longer than 2 years. If it turns out it's not, I don't think I'm a "dickhead" to return it to Costco.
As long as you update at least once every 24 months, your GPS is deemed not defunct in terms of the lifetime. As long as the 3rd party supplier of updates comes through, I'm entitled. As long as the device is working and capable of processing the data as supplied, it is entitled to updates. I interpret that as a fairly long term arrangement, one that should be in effect substantially longer than 2 years. If it turns out it's not, I don't think I'm a "dickhead" to return it to Costco.
What's your trip? You're trying to make me feel guilty? You are being my father confessor here? Why don't you save your judgment for yourself, I'll do the same.Hmm. I think that however you interpret it, it will be as long as it is, and no longer. Seeing as you are looking at a model that is couple of years old, I'm assuming that you are getting it for a bit less than it would have been shortly after release. One thing you're likely trading for that reduced price is the length of time that it will be able to install updates due to technical limitations. If you go into the purchase knowing that, yet still return the GPS when the thing you knew would happen happens, that feels a bit disingenuous. It feels like you're going into the transaction looking for a way to get something for nothing. You're talking about potentially using the device for years and then returning it even though it may have done nothing the manufacturer didn't tell you it would do. You can't see anything wrong with that?
You say "they can use GPS navigation offline without a cellular or internet connection." You mean this thing gets communications from satellite without a cell phone plan, without a data plan? Please indulge me, I don't even know what a data plan is. I know it's probably a very simple idea, maybe storage on a server somewhere of data I can access with my mobile device, but I've never had that.As an owner of a Nokia 520 and 521 (they were both on sale), I can confirm they are absolutely the best smartphone bargain available today. What I really like is they can use GPS navigation offline without a cellular or internet connection, the phones don't even have to be activated. I'm considering gifting or selling my Garmin nuvi 2595 and using the Nokia 520 instead but I will miss the awesome HD traffic.
Buy phone
Install maps at home
Use maps without activation, cell phone or data connection.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlkpxKj9V-k
Tom Selleck has the best mustache ever.
First don't worry map updates aren't that necessary, honestly how often do roads change? Map updates started as a way for GPS companies to expand revenue. Next 2-5 years from now you will have other devices that provide GPS, current Nokia windows phones have offline maps and yes they update and at least with ATT they can be purchased on prepaid plans without data required. Finally I am tired of how companies define "lifetime" this is an area where government should be involved to set guidance as to what product lifetime vs lifetime vs useful lifetime vs extended lifetime, ect....
LOLWUT?!?!
There have been many road changes here especially during the housing boom.
This was probably one of the top 10 ignorant things ever said on ATOT.
First don't worry map updates aren't that necessary, honestly how often do roads change?
thats what i thought until i flew into the new Indy airport that i had no idea they were building. I deplane and go into the terminal and im like WTF this isnt the indy airport... i get in the rental car and plug in the garmin and im in the middle of a field and the garmin keeps saying recalculating. lol
The way I see it, the GPS retains some utility for a long period after it can no longer receive maps updates. It will slowly become less and less reliable as roads change, but that would take quite a while to become a significant deterrent for most people. I know some people who have NEVER updated the maps in their GPS, yet it still serves them faithfully years after purchase. I would dare to say that most people are likely to wear the device itself out through regular use before the maps become sufficiently outdated to preclude using it for navigation. If you are able to get a couple of years worth of map updates at the beginning of its life, that likelihood rises to a near certainty IMO.
I watched a few videos about the Nokia 520. All people with rather thick accents (Indian, British), a little hard to understand at times. It seems like a really good entry level smart phone at a great price. I'm trying to get an idea of what it will do, what I'd need or don't need.
Edit: Just read some more info on the Nokia 520...
http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/mobile-phones/nokia-lumia-520-review-50010925/
Assuming I might be satisfied with the Nokia 520's GPS navigation in my car, I'm thinking I might want to return my Costco-purchased Garmin 2595, unopened ... right to the B&M Costco I usually go to! I should receive it tomorrow. I'm going to consider not opening the package until I make that decision. I don't drive much these days, the Garmin's HD traffic might not work for me in this area. Why have an extra device?
Is that app supplied with the Nokia 520/521 or do I need to download it? Do I need to buy that app?-snip-
If you're really hurting for money, get something like Nokia 520/521 phone. You can buy one for like $50 on sale and that has excellent standalone Nokia GPS app you can use offline. I would expect Nokia and Microsoft to keep that app update for longer than any Garmin GPS.