Gifted a Faulty Garmin Watch and Can't Get It Replaced Because I Don't Have Proof of Purchase

Thranrond on 04/06/2018 - 14:27

I was gifted a Garmin Vivosmart watch in October last year. I charged it once and used it for about 2 hours at home before putting it away. It was fully functional at this time.

Took it out in March this year and the display didn't work. I can only see a very small fragment of the screen in one corner. I googled this issue and it turns out it's quite common in this model. I read that the display warranty was even extended to 2 years because it's a known issue.

I called Garmin Australia and they won't replace it because I don't have proof of purchase. I can't get proof of purchase (it was given to me as a gift and I feel morally wrong to ask for it). I understand why they require proof of purchase but I find it absurd they can get away with not replacing the unit (a clearly faulty unit) because I don't have the receipt. The serial number should be enough in this case.

The watch was purchased overseas (from an authorised Garmin seller).

What are my options here, if any?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • 87percent on 04/06/2018 - 14:30
    +6

    why do you feel "morally wrong"? its basically the same as a gift receipt when you buy clothes for someone. If you feel so "morally wrong" as the person who bought it for you to lodge a claim

    • Thranrond on 04/06/2018 - 14:37
      -5

      I'm not very close to this person at all. I don't see them often, or even talk to them often. They live overseas. Do you really expect me to call them out of the blue to ask for a receipt?

      • AdamFury on 04/06/2018 - 14:42
        +6

        Nothing morally wrong with it mate. You either ask for the receipt and get it replaced or don't and keep the faulty watch.

        • Thranrond on 04/06/2018 - 14:45
          -4

          Morals are subjective. It may be fine for you but it's not for me. Perhaps it's a cultural difference.

        • EightImmortals on 04/06/2018 - 14:56
          +2

          @Thranrond: It's not a moral issue, it's your personal issue. Either you politely explain to the person what the situation is and ask them for a copy of the receipt OR you ask them if you can send them back the gift so that they can get it repaired and sent back to you OR you chuck it in the bin.

      • 87percent on 04/06/2018 - 15:01
        +3

        geez for someone that you don't talk to or see often, they gift you a pretty expensive watch…

        • CyberMurning on 04/06/2018 - 15:21

          maybe exchanged for something….

  • follow on 04/06/2018 - 14:32

    That's just how it is unfortunately.

    • Thranrond on 04/06/2018 - 14:37

      Are statutory rights relevant to me if the watch was purchased overseas?

      • 87percent on 04/06/2018 - 14:59

        nope… otherwise all those people that buy greyphones would be celebrating

      • Randxyz123 on 04/06/2018 - 15:02
        +3

        Nope. Consumer laws don’t apply to O/S purchases.

        Just message your friend.
        Eg

        Hey mate
        Hope all is well. Thanks again for that watch it’s been really useful. Unfortunately it’s developed a known issue with the display. Garmin have agreed to replace it but they want a receipt.
        If you still have it and could send it to me that’d be great. No stress if you don’t.

      • bongom on 04/06/2018 - 15:06

        https://www.garmin.com/au/support/warranty

        If you seek warranty service outside of the original country of sale or purchase, Garmin cannot guarantee that the parts and products needed to repair or replace your product will be available due to differences in product offerings and applicable standards, laws and regulations. In that case, Garmin may, in its sole discretion and subject to applicable laws, repair or replace your product with comparable Garmin products and parts, or require you to ship your product to a Garmin Authorized Service facility in the country of original purchase or to a Garmin Authorized service facility in another country that can service your product, in which case you will be responsible for complying with all applicable import and export laws and regulations and for paying all custom duties, V.A.T., shipping fees and other associated taxes and charges. In some cases, Garmin and its dealers may be unable to service your product in a country outside of the original country of purchase or return a repaired or replaced product to you in that country due to applicable standards, laws or regulations in that country.

      • Ughhh on 04/06/2018 - 17:19

        It states that proof of purchase is a reasonable request for warranty from seller- at the minimum for warranty anyway. Nothing absurd on sellers part.

  • 87percent on 04/06/2018 - 15:18
    -1

    could you find someone with the same watch, ask them for a copy of their receipt and use that?

    • CyberMurning on 04/06/2018 - 15:21

      that is fraud, my saiyan…

  • Elppa8 on 04/06/2018 - 17:27
    +1

    You didn’t have a watch, then you got a watch free (gifted), you essentially haven’t used it since you got it and now it doesn’t work. Can’t see that you’re any worse off than before ownership to after ownership.

    You could send it back to the who gave it to you and see if they can get it repaired from the place of purchase to save embarrassment of asking for the receipt.

  • Baysew on 04/06/2018 - 17:35
    +1

    An option could be to regift it to someone that you are "not very close to, don't see them often, or even talk to them often".

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