Just received the 2008 Map Update (and for free)

Called Garmin last week and they said they changed the policy to send out the update for free if you can show you bought it after a certain date. They said I would get mine in the middle of August but I got it today!!!!!!!!!!!

Currently loading. It takes a lonnnnnnnnnng time

I faxed my receipts in (I have two C340's)on 7/22/07.

I didn't get a confirmation that they will or won't send, so we'll see.

On 7/24, I spoke with Garmin tech support - Paul - and he ordered the NT2008 update for me; even though I registered my GPSr the day I bought it, I emailed my receipt to him to verify my c340 was less than a month old. What was supposed to arrive in mid-August ahowed up today! The update is loaded and working great. It took just under an hour to download. Thanks to Paul and all the folks at Garmin for their terrific efforts.

I received my DVD today and loaded it. It took me about 1 1/2 hours but it worked without any trouble. Seems to be working fine and all my favorites and POI's are still there. I will try it tomorrow.

Do you have to call to get the update? or, will they notify you? I just loged on at garmin & checked for available updates. It has a link for the 2008 but it is 69.99.

I got free map update CD today

It tooks exactly 2 weeks

My v2008 maps arrived today in a brown padded envelope, just a little bigger than the DVD itself. "From Garmin" on the return address label on the outside. Only the DVD in its case inside. A missed "customer satisfaction opportunity" from Garmin. A simple letter or note inside, saying "thanks for buying Garmin" or something, would be the way to do it.

The DVD installed perfectly. I turned off the password and did a hard reset first. Ran the DVD and in 1 hr and a couple minutes, a PERFECT install.

FYI, if you have a Nuvi 680, there is a bluetooth and msn antenna update. Run the updater and get it. For the first time ever, I get a msn signal in my house. Awesome! Thanks Garmin.

Garmin is #1. I made the call almost two weeks ago and got the FREE update today, I just told them the serial # and that it was registered on the Garmin site (purchased May 15), I did not even have to fax anything...

Must be my good looks...

I also got my update today. Guess Garmin shipped everyones update at around the same time since i see so many posts with people saying the got it today/yesterday...

ups, fedex, or usps?

Call them if you purchased your unit after May 1, 07. They are not capable of sending out auto update yet.

I have read a number of posts where members report needing to send in their receipt to prove date of purchase, and I had to do so as well. At first I did not understand why they needed the receipt since I had already registered the unit. But then it hit me. I could buy a new GPSr today, and then wait until just before the next update to register it with Garmin. That way I would get the 2009 (or whatever) update free. Without the receipt, they only have my word as to when I purchased the unit.

Personally, I think it's bad business to be so picky about this. I would lean towards being more consumer friendly. Free updates for at least 6 months, and for ALL buyers, refurbished, discontinued, or new/retail. Or how about: one free upgrade per unit serial number, period. As it is now, they seem to be splitting hairs, looking for reasons to refuse a free upgrade to someone.

• Too old (more than 90 days)
• Bought refurbished unit
• Model discontinued
• Purchased from non-authorized dealer

In each of these cases, the BIG picture is: you selected and purchased a Garmin product, and that loyalty should be rewarded. Garmin should realize that few GPSr buyers stop at their first one. Once "bitten" by the bug, we keep upgrading as new features come out and prices drop. By treating the customer with more respect, they have a better chance of selling them the next one, and the next.

So here's my situation below. Looks like I'll try to get on the phone and be on hold for 30 minutes and try to get the update that way...
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for contacting Garmin International, I would be happy to send you the update at no charge if the unit was bought after June 1st (2007). I checked and saw that you bought the unit at the beginning of the year and unfortunately that wont fall under the guidelines to receive an update for free. You will have to purchase the update for a fee of $70.00.

Charles D
Product Support Specialist
Automotive Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Charles D
www.garmin.com

The reason for needing the receipt is simple. We, as you said, get people that have had the unit for a year, then want updates. This is expensive and the cost gets passed on to you.

The other problem is, a lot of the mapping that is "free" ends up on eBay. Again, this adds cost to doing business and gets passed on to you. Garmin doesn't want to charge any more than necessary, and actually the cost of updates has come down, maybe only $5, but it is down.

The cost of digital maps is extremely expensive. If you think of hte cost of a GOOD paper map, the cost of an update is cheap. To get all of North America for around $70, that is simply dirt cheap, but I know we think as expensive as the GPSrs are, it is too much. If we built the cost of mapping into the price of the GPSr, most people couldn't afford it.

Hope this helps explain things.

Mine came today via UPS Ground service.

delikid,

Your Subject line is misleading and contradicts Garmin's response to your request. The e-mail you received clearly states that an update is being offered at "no charge if the unit was bought AFTER June 1st (2007)."

I purchased my 660 on June 5, 2007, faxed my purchase receipt to Garmin on July 25, 2007, and received the Map Update 2008 today at no charge.

You are correct. 'after' is the correct tense.

However, I got that 'after June 1' line in the last email... all the previous ones had stated 'in the last year'.

I'm still P.O. about it...

Bought three Nuvi 350 on May 29 as a Fathers Day gift. One for me, my dad, and gf's dad. Registered the units mid June. Sent inquiry about map updates July 23. Received my map update couple days ago and my dads a day after. Gf's Dads update is on the way.

I inquired via email. Customer Service who replied didn't ask for anything and just put the order. Request for my Dad and Gf's Dad (individually registered) were asked to email/fax receipt. After sending the receipt, Garmin replied that the updates were on the way and will arrive 3-4 weeks or until they are available. Didn't wait too long. They arrived about a week and a half. Thanks Garmin! for providing the free updates and to POI-Factory and it's users, which without them, I would not have known about the free map updates.

Cheers!

P.S.
It took approximately 1 hour 35 minutes to update the maps on my computer and the gps unit.

I just got my Nuvi 350 yesterday and it already had the 2008 maps installed on it. I was glad I didn't have to go to the hassle of having a DVD shipped.

I just recieved my update DVD last night. I contacted customer support the week before last about upgrading and asked if possibly I was eligible for a free update (purchased the unit the begining of July). The woman asked me to email/fax her the information and she'd see if she could do anything. To be honest, I wasn't totally expecting an upgrade, and would have purchased the DVD. I recieved an email back after a day or two saying that I did qualify, although she was sorry to say they were back ordered on dvd's, but I would recieve one by the middle of August. Well last night there it was. The install took some time, but went without a problem.

Garmin has yet to let me know in terms of customer service, which is why I've been with them as long as I've had GPS units.

Hey all- first post so if this well known appologies.

I hit the my.garmin site and clicked Map Updates. It asked for my serial number and once submitted allowed me to request the update for free...

Cheers,
-tartag

I purchased & registered my Nuvi 350 on 4/29/07. After reading this thread I went online and asked for the free upgrade. I received the following e-mail back from Garmin e-support.

Thank you for contacting Garmin International,

I will be happy to assist you with this. Based on the registration date of this unit, you are not eligible for a free update to the 2008 City Navigator North American NT maps, however; if you would like to order the map update, you can purchase it at the Garmin Map Update website: http://www.garmin.com/unlock/update.jsp Just type in the serial number of your Garmin device and click on FIND (do not hit Enter).

Click on the City Navigator North American 2008 NT Update option and you will be taken to our online shopping page. The 2008 City Navigator North America NT updates require payment prior to shipping. The cost is 69.99 (USD) plus shipping method of your choice and possible state taxes. If this needs to be shipped to a Canadian address, we do recommend that you purchase this update through a Canadian dealer. This will help hold down costs to you.

Another option for purchasing this update is to locate a Garmin dealer and make your purchase from them directly. The link to locate a Garmin dealer is: http://www8.garmin.com/dealers/.

Please note that this is a DVD so you will need a DVD drive. You will also need internet access in order to update this unit. Other requirements are displayed on our website.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this email, please feel free to email me back.

Not giving up I called Garmin Tech Support and told them my story. They told me that any unit purchased before 5/1/07 did not qualify for the free upgrade and that I'd have to purchase it for $69. I nicely asked that since I missed the deadline by only 2 days couldn't I still qualify for the free upgrade? The tech said he could do that for me and went ahead and set up for my DVD delivery. He told me it would take 2-3 weeks to get it in and then another 5-7 days to ship it to me. I dealt with Landis who was very helpful and polite.

I told a friend of mine who purchased the same unit a week later after seeing mine. She went in online & since she registered after 5/1/07 she was granted the free upgrade without escalating it to a tech.

They sent me my update as well and I had purchased the refurb model, they did not even ask for a copy of my receipt, I had registered it previously.

I have no complaints

Hi,

I live in Canada, what will I do to ask for an update (garmin Nuvi 360) can I ask their phone number. thanks

Available at www.garmin.com then click support, then contact support. Phone number: 1-866-429-9296 (Canada) or (913) 397-8200.

where can I download it?? I can't seem to get any suport people who would help me. Really don't want to pay the $$$$

As has been repeatedly discussed, you cannot download it.

If you purchased your unit after May 1, 2007, you MAY be eligible for a free update.

But since you have previously indicated that you didn't, you aren't eligible.

Sorry, but there is really no way around it.

If you want the updated maps, you must purchase them. You can get it for less than $60.

http://www.provantage.com/garmin-010-10989-00~7GRMM01N.htm

OK, faxed my C580 receipt copy to Garmin on 7/24 (as directed by e-mail) but have heard nothing in return. Then I used "My Account"--which had an order link for the upgrade--a couple weeks ago and still haven't heard a thing (that upgrade link isn't there now, so I figure the order must have gone through). Anyone get some sort of confirmation from Garmin after submitting his/ her update request by either method? My original email from Garmin's support informed me I would get an email "order confirmation."

Garmintech said...

The cost of digital maps is extremely expensive. If you think of hte cost of a GOOD paper map, the cost of an update is cheap. To get all of North America for around $70, that is simply dirt cheap, but I know we think as expensive as the GPSrs are, it is too much. If we built the cost of mapping into the price of the GPSr, most people couldn't afford it.

I don't think anyone would disagree -- but your reply skipped over a major source of dissatisfaction, to wit, those of use who purchased within the last six months or so and learn that their maps are outdated already. Personally I just bought a c330 (a week ago) and the maps are noticeably out of date -- but Garmin refuses to ship the update "because it won't fit the c330." First of all, these units are marketed as updatable -- no one ever suggested to me prior to purchase that there would be restrictions on the update -- and in any case Garmin seems perfectly willing to provide the update if I send another $70 (so they're willing to sell me an update that won't fit?)...
All products should be delivered with up to date maps, or up to date maps should be provided free within a reasonable time after purchase.

However, a reasonable time is not more than 30 days (maybe 60 days max) prior to the release of the new maps, in my opinion.

People expecting an update when they've owned their units for 6 months is not reasonable. Especially not when the maps updates are released yearly. Six months is a long time in that timeframe.

I would like to see Garmin sell the maps pro-rated on the amount of time you used the 'OLD' maps. In my opinion, half-price wouldn't be unreasonable for 6 months use. From the sound of several posts, pro-rating would also improve customer relations. This may sound like a lot of paper work; but a simple computer program would solve that problem.

RT

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