Where will you buy your next gps?

I have so little confidence in USPS, UPS & FedEx to deliver a package to the correct address and on time, that for a pricey item like a GPS unit, I'll pay the sales tax at a local B&M store rather than spending days waiting and fretting over delivery.
We frequently get someone else's mail, and I'm sure that someone else has gotten our mail.
My daughter just ordered a vacuum cleaner and FedEx delivered it to her next door neighbor, who used it before the mix-up was discovered.
We have had a package stolen from our front door this past year.
Returns are easier when the item is purchased at a B&M store.
Even though we have Amazon Prime for free shipping on many items, I just don't have the confidence in the various delivery services and would rather pay a few extra bucks in sales tax.

Amazon, best prices around

Amazon, best prices around

I like Costco when buying certain items because they have good prices and their customer service is outstanding.

I do a search and after seeing who has the best total, item, tax, shipping, I then research the safety of the store and see who wins. I buy a lot on line and nearly always Amazon wins, even with the tax.

Amazon and WalMart site to store.

Just a thought in light of the recent disclosure of NSA snooping. Internet sellers are not yet required to collect sales tax from Maryland residents. (laws are pending to change that). But Marylanders are required to pay the tax (as a "use tax") of anything they buy on the Internet (9% on alcohol, 6% everything else), reporting it on their state tax returns. I doubt that many do. Would the government of Maryland have the audacity to compel Internet sellers such as Amazon to turn over their records of all purchases by all Marylanders, and go after their citizens for back taxes and penalties on Internet purchases?

This. Top that with a liberal return policy, and it's a great combo.

Amazon for sure. Especially since I would order it from our house in the Phoenix area and even picking the free 3-5 day delivery, it would usually arrive in 2 to 3 days because they have a distribution center just down the road. That usually saves us at least a day on deliveries.

If I had one GPS and it broke, I'd buy another and it'd most likely be from Amazon, hopefully during the late Nov-Dec sales. I would also make sure that I'm buying directly from Amazon or a Fulfilled-by-Amazon seller. I do a lot on eBay but would avoid getting a GPS, especially a used one, from there.

But since it's hard to see how the above situation could happen to me, I tend to look at the daily-sale sites (Woot, 1-Sale-a-Day, Daily Steals, Yugster, Groupon) and look for a really great deal on a GPS, even a refurb. That's how my 2460LMT arrived--and where one relative and two friends got theirs when I told them about it. I don't need the latest/greatest/most-expensive, so a wait for a massive sale of deeply discounted refurbs works for me.

Although I purchased several Garmin devices from Amazon in the past, including the current one I am using. I have doubts whether I will buy another standalone GPS device ever again.

Sorry to hear that you have had such a bad experience with home delivery. Without a doubt, if I had experienced the problems that you have encountered, I to would be reluctant to use mail order. Over the last several years, I have purchased many items delivered by UPS, FEDEX, USPS and other independent shippers without a glitch (some rather expensive such as home generator and HD TV’s). Unless you need it right away, mail order is a great way to shop and save money. Hopefully for you, this can one day be corrected.

Prob not buy another PND especially a garmin after being repeatedly blown off by their tech support over my BT problem with the 2797. I plan to look at the new Tom Tom GO units or just go with a new Smart phone like the galaxy S4. I would look first at GPS City since at least now they don't charge tax or shipping.

PC richards.. At that time they had a sale and was good deal..

There re4ally are many places to get a great deal i my opinion.

Prices and EXCELLENT customer service.

Don't rely on Costco's return policy too much cause they keep track of your returns and if you have too many returns they cancel your membership. BTW, Wal-mart also tracks your returns.

From whoever has the cheapest price.

Amazon or craigslist.

What customer service ? (Amazon) - have you tried to call them.
I buy a lot from them due to free shipping and price but their customer service is not so great ( ie return policy & return shipping & live support)
Nothing compares to Costco for CS.
Just my 2 cents.

In all the years that we've had Costco, we've only returned an item once, with no issue. I guess we're being taught as consumers that if you buy something that's broken from the get go, that's your fault, so either live with it, or be blacklisted..

Great prices and excellent customer service!

Amazon or Crutchfield would be the primary place I would look. Crutchfield currently doesn't charge tax and if they can come close in price have fantastic customer service when you needed it, and would be worth a little extra.

Amazon or Costco. When I am in he market next time, I will get it at Costco if they have the one I want in stock or Amazon, which will most likely have it in stock. I have never had a problem with either retailer and the prices seem to be the best unless you find a special sale somewhere else.

... providing the local seller has 1. the inventory 2. is practicing "matching the lowest on-line sellers price."

(I feel that Amazon's "one click ordering" is a step backward in transparent commerce given that the true cost of the impending order [shipping/taxes] is now hidden from view. No Amazon; it is not a 'smart phone world' ...yet).

For Canada, I think GPS CITY has very competitive pricing.. I bought my last 2 from them..

I signed up for their credit card. They gave me a $50 instant credit. Checkout is easy. Rewards = 3% for Amazon, 2% for gas and dining, 1% on everything else.

I also have a Amazon Chase card and the nice thing is you do not have to wait to get to a certain amount to use the cashback. You can use any amount of the cashback available on any purchase.

Many years ago, I heard that Maryland sent an investigator in person to a Virginia piano store and demanded the names of all Marylanders that purchased pianos. Apparently that was a big enough ticket item to justify it.

Illinois, and Massachusetts have been know to the same thing. Matter of fact Massachusetts wants New Hampshire stores to collect Mass sales tax for them.

Craigslist generally. But, if it were to be new, probably Amazon.

I like Amazon but it's hard for me to resist Costco, with their return policy.

My new Garmin was purchased through Crutchfield's. I'm happy with it and don't ever expect to buy a replacement! Well, maybe...

bought my last 2 at Wal-Mart and if I need one will will buy at wal-mart

I never puchase any electronic devise online I prefer the regular store if somehow the idems does not work very well I just take back and have replaced with a new one.if you buy online first if you are lucky they will give a order number then you got to send it back in the original package, to me is not worth it the cost and the aggrevation.

But then that's just my opinion

The internet is still great for price shopping - even with the overeach of collecting state sales tax - I find Amazon and ebay offer the best prices.

Most of the time, Amazon have the best price.

and I'm going to try Costco first, then Amazon if necessary.

Good result with Best Buy.

Amazon.

I've never had a problem with Amazon. However, I always get expensive items delivered to the office, never at home.

Best Buy has been the total pits with my buying experiences, including the last GPS with issues. Best Buy ain't for me.

On the help page there is a 'contact us' link. Once you say what you need (can be pretty vague) you can opt to 'call me back now'. You enter your number and they call back pretty much right then.

I've done this many times and spoken to a live person. I've also never had a problem returning anything, or getting credit. One they even contacted me when some one from around Asia was trying to buy a computer with my credit card.

I have NO personal affiliation with Amazon, but have never had any problems with them and only have good things to say.

YMMV

My personal experience with customer service at Amazon and Costco has been outstanding with both of them. I do not hesitate to recommend both of those companies to other people.

As far as shipping and delivery are concerned, my personal experience with FedEx has been excellent, my experience with UPS has been fairly good - but with a couple of MAJOR issues over the years, and my experience with the Postal Service has been mediocre at best.

Your Mileage May Vary.

With best wishes,
- Tom -

My sis buys stuff from QVC. They have a "no problem" policy for returns. She returned a TomTom after a few weeks.

Amazon or Costco

I'll buy it at Costco because they have a no questions return policy for 90 days. That's better than having to deal with an online seller when the chips are down.

Fred

Whoever sells me the model I want for the best price!!!

Who minds paying sales tax???
When an item sales for 50$ on amazon. And at local store sells it for 75$
What sales tax got to do with it iam saving 25$ bucks and don't even have to consider sales tax!!!!
If local store would sell item for 50$ i would gladly pay the sales tax.......
Its about PRICE.... Not freakin sales tax!,

I'm fortunately in Oregon. No sales tax yet!

Costco, return Policy is easier without problem