Life time maps not available

I bought a TomTom Via 135 and I was made to think that this unit came with life time maps. I was not aware that there were any special circumstances or time limits for me to activate these life time maps as this was not told to me by the retailer. I have recently tried to activate these life time maps but it says it is not available to me.<br> <br> This is outrageous and for over R1000 that it would cost me to buy maps, I could just by a Garmin... No wonder they say: 'I should have not have gone with TomTom as a GPS unit'.<br> <br> I really expected more from this brand.