Garmin Edge 800 - Not so Waterproof

Boopop

Greetings all,

I bought a Garmin Edge 800 in October 2012, and I've been happy with it until now. It's advertised as waterproof but now has condensation inside the screen after cycling in the rain last weekend. That was tolerable until today the power button decided to stop working (while it was already on) and now it won't connect to my speed/cadence sensor.

I had a look on the Garmin website and it turns out it only comes with a 1 year warranty. I phoned them up and they told me it'd cost £74 to get it replaced. I quoted the EU 2 year warranty directive and they told me it didn't apply here.

Anyway I'm left feeling pretty p***ed off as I've spent £250~ on a device sold as waterproof and within two years I'm having to pony up a further £74. It doesn't seem very fair to be completely honest! I'm contemplating contacting the Citizen's Advice Bureau. What do people think? Do I have any hope of getting a free repair/replacement?

Thanks, Tom.

Ectophile

There is no "magic" 2 year EU warranty in the UK. We have the Sale of Goods Act instead.

Since the goods are over 6 months old, you would have to get an independent inspector to see what has gone wrong with the sat nav. If it is faulty, then you can make a claim (and include the cost of the inspection). If it has failed due to misuse or normal wear and tear, then you're stuck.

ThumbRemote

Who did you buy it from? If not Garmin directly, talk to the retailer first and see what they say.

Buzby

Did they actually state it was 'waterproof' ? I recall it was resistant, nothing more and that has a much lower level of resistance.

I have a Garmin Zumo for motor like use - it has rubber seals and protected panels but it was never sold as waterproof - and it cost £550!

Spank

Should be ok
Looking at their website it should be fine in rain


IPX7


Withstands incidental exposure to water of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes


Indoor/outdoor use in the presence of rain, snow or brief splashes of water


Any immersion of more than 1 meter, regardless of duration of immersion, or any immersion of more than 30 minutes, regardless of depth of immersion


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




Have you tried sticking in dried rice/airing cupboard to dry it out?

rustyboy21

Why is it that loads of people voted UKIP to get us out of Europe, but keep talking about the EU 2 year rule? You cant have it both ways!


SOGA covers more than EU 2 year thingymebob, so you have better protection here than elsewhere.


Some newspaper or website must have brought up the EU stuff recently, the amount of people spouting about it on here. Any ideas where it has come from?

keyser666

Condensation and waterproof are two different things

Boopop

keyser666 wrote: »

Condensation and waterproof are two different things

I know that, but I don't think it's a coincedence that it happened immediately after I'd been on a ride in the rain! I've tried putting it in a bag of rice a couple of times but it doesn't seem to help that much. Perhaps I'll try again this weekend.

I didn't vote UKIP! I found out about the 2 year EU warranty thing after the litigation with Apple, and this is the article that describes how it works. On closer inspection I'd have to be able to prove that the fault was there when I bought it so that being the case I don't have much chance.

I bought it from Handtec, I can't see them being too helpful but I'll give it a shot.

Thanks.

George_Michael

keyser666 wrote: »

Condensation and waterproof are two different things

If something was dry inside when manufactured, (and I think that it's safe to assume that this is case of the OP would have had a problem long before now) then it would be impossible for condensation to form unless the waterproofing of the unit was no good.

No moisture inside=no condensation possible.

unholyangel

Boopop wrote: »

I know that, but I don't think it's a coincedence that it happened immediately after I'd been on a ride in the rain! I've tried putting it in a bag of rice a couple of times but it doesn't seem to help that much. Perhaps I'll try again this weekend.

I didn't vote UKIP! I found out about the 2 year EU warranty thing after the litigation with Apple, and this is the article that describes how it works. On closer inspection I'd have to be able to prove that the fault was there when I bought it so that being the case I don't have much chance.

I bought it from Handtec, I can't see them being too helpful but I'll give it a shot.

Thanks.

The "2 year eu warranty" directive is not what people think it is. The term warranty in the directive does not mean a 2 year guarantee (ie a manufacturers warranty) on all goods. It just means that you should have a minimum of 2 years to take action against the seller for breach of contract.

Since english law already gives you 6 years in which to bring a claim, the 2 year rule wasnt implemented.

Just goes to show how easy it is for one person to misunderstand and all of a sudden its quoted as a "little known fact" or the likes.

wealdroam

Boopop wrote: »

I bought it from Handtec, I can't see them being too helpful but I'll give it a shot.

Have you read MSE's Consumer Rights guide?

Particularly this bit:

Know who's responsible

When returning items, beware shops trying the oldest trick in the book: saying they're not responsible for the shoddy goods and you must call the manufacturer. This is total nonsense!

If a company fobs you off by saying “go to the maker instead”, it's wrong. It's the retailer's job to sort it.

It doesn't matter if it's an iPod from a high street shop or a designer frock from a department store. If something's broken, torn, ripped or faulty, the seller has a legal duty to put it right as your contract is with it.