"Import Model with 1 Year Limited Warranty"

[+user13371]

Shopping online for a Garmin GPS, I find the subject text listed by some vendors. What does this mean? Grey market product? Something different from usual warranty?

[+coggins]

Well, I guess all Garmin handhelds are made in Garmin's Taiwan factory, making them imports. They all come with a limited 1 year warranty. You can purchase from a vendor such as REI to get a better warranty.

 

Here is a link to a Garmin unit on REI's website (note it says Imported): http://www.rei.com/product/752635

Here is a link to Garmin's page (note the Non-Aviation Limited Warranty): http://www8.garmin.com/support/warranty.html

Here is a link to REI's 100% satisfaction guarantee policy: http://www.rei.com/help/guarantee.html

 

Now does this sound like a grey unit?

Edited September 14, 2008 by coggins

[+wkmccall]

Shopping online for a Garmin GPS, I find the subject text listed by some vendors. What does this mean? Grey market product? Something different from usual warranty?

 

You see this a lot with cameras. They're called "Grey" camera or Grey area cameras. The product was originally designated for another country - thus having (in some places) a different retail price.

This Can be a problem when it comes time to have warranty work done on the GPS from the factory.

 

There is plenty of information on the internet about these types of purchases.

 

Just for an example; here is a link to such a discussion on another set of forums:

 

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