SHARCNET-USA: Out-of-Warranty GPS & Digital Camera Repair Center

Click [HERE] to read about my first time being ripped off on eBay.

For those of you considering purchasing a new/refurbished GPS product through eBay;

Here is some info taken directly from a manufacturer's website (FAQ section - search under ebay) See my comments at the end.

Question #1. Does the unit I purchased on EBAY have a warranty?

Answer:
Products that are purchased from online auctions such as EBAY are not covered by warranty. Online auction confirmations are not accepted for warranty verification and [GPS brand] will not replace any missing components from any package purchased through an online auction.

Question #2. Does [GPS brand] have any authorized dealers on eBay or any other online auction site?

Answer:
[GPS brand] does not have any authorized dealers that sell new products directly on online auction sites. Any purchases made through online auction sites are on a "buyer beware" basis. A copy of the original sales receipt is required as the proof of purchase for warranty repairs. Online auction confirmations are not accepted for warranty verification and [GPS brand] will not replace any missing components from any package purchased through an online auction.

There is always the possibility that products purchased through eBay or other online auction sites could be stolen merchandise. You assume this risk when you buy through these auction sites. If you buy a [GPS brand] product through an online auction site and later send it to [GPS brand] for service, if the product is determined by [GPS brand] to be stolen merchandise upon receipt at [GPS brand's] facility (through a serial number match), [GPS brand] reserves the right to return the product to its rightful owner or send it to the investigating law enforcement authorities.

Question #3. I purchased a unit through an online auction and [GPS brand] has just informed me that the unit is stolen. What can I do?

Answer:
If a unit is purchased through an online auction, such as eBay, and that unit is found in our stolen-units database, [GPS brand] is not obligated to release any registration or unlock code information. Also, please be aware that [GPS brand] can request that the stolen unit be returned to [GPS brand] without compensation and report this information to law enforcement authorities.

If the product has already been returned to [GPS brand] for service and is determined by [GPS brand] to be stolen merchandise upon receipt at [GPS brand's] facility (through a serial number match), [GPS brand] reserves the right to return the product to its rightful owner or send it to the investigating law enforcement authorities.

** My Comments **

I purchased my GPS on eBay through a so-called [GPS brand] "Authorized Dealer". Three days later when my unit broke, I found out that [GPS brand] would not honor the warranty and they told me that my refurbished unit was already registered to someone else. [GPS brand] also told me that they had never heard of the "eBay dealer" that I had purchased the unit from (ebestdeals4u). This is how I got into fixing the GPS's on my own.

Now, I'm not saying that the sellers on eBay are going to rip you off. In my case, my GPS worked fine except that the power switch broke 3 days later.

As for stolen units: I'd be cautious of anyone selling a unit with just the GPS and no accessories or just the GPS and car adapter alone. Be more suspicious if they claim the unit is locked with a PIN and that they have forgotten it. If a seller has the original box and all of the accessories, it's less likely that it was stolen from a vehicle. However, ask them if the deal includes the yellow manufacturer's registration card. You'll need that to register your unit with [GPS brand] and obtain future updates. It has specific information unique to each GPS. No two cards are alike. Newer models no longer are shipped from the factory with these cards.

However, just because you have the card, doesn't mean your unit hasn't already been registered to someone else. If thats the case, you're out of luck, unless the seller can give your the ID & password that it was registered with through the manufacturer.

You can be assured that if you purchased your unit through a well-known retail chain, your GPS WILL have a warranty recognized by [GPS brand]. No, I don't work for a major retail chain. I am an Engineer in the Electronics field (not any other GPS manufacturer).

Please feel free to fill out a Repair Request/Quote Form, which is located at the bottom of the left-hand menu. I'll be more than happy to discuss your GPS problem with you and attempt to offer a possible solution to have the problem resolved.

Above all... Be careful out there! :)

Good luck & safe travels,
- Jim

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