Garmin SA really are worse than useless.

The screen on my Garmin Drivesmart is cracked. I was hoping to get it repaired in cape Town - turns out, no one in cape Town is allowed to repair Garmin devices anymore. All Garmin repairs must be sent to JHBG.

so I phone Garmin South Africa to try get a ball park figure on the price of a new screen. They tell me that Garmin do not actually repair any devices, they will only offer a replacement device at a reduced price.. I asked what is the reduced price replacement going to cost me - they dont know a technician needs to look at my broken device FIRST !!

I ask that if they have no intention of repair the broken device, why do that have to look at it??? I can send them a photo of the broken screen...

but no, this doesnt work for Garmin.. I have to incur the costs of couriering a broken device to Jhbg, that will be thrown in the bin, and then wait to see how much they will charge for a replacement.

I explained that that makes no sense, as I want to work out whether its financially worth while doing that, or just going to buy a new device today locally in cape town.

and again - no, sorry they dont work like that.. I must send the broken device before they tell me what they will charge for a replacement.

I have now ordered a Tom Tom.