Garmin has some of the most popular watches for runners. This includes the Garmin Forerunner line, from the 110, 210, 410, 610 and 910. Of course, there are older models in the 05 series, such as the 105 and 405. In addition to the Forerunner series, Garmin watches for running include FR 60 series of GPS watches.
Read our Garmin GPS watch reviews if you are in the market to buy a new GPS watch for running.
When your Garmin watch is broken, or not working properly, there are a few steps you can take to fix it. Garmin has a fairly good reputation in service and support, and contacting them directly is always an option. That said, before you delve into contacting Garmin, we advise that you do a little troubleshooting of your own. Troubleshooting Your Garmin is a great resource.
Your watch battery may also be causing a problem. Check out my page on How many years will the battery in my Garmin Forerunner last? if you think this might be your problem.
When you need your Garmin watch fixed, you need to determine whether your watch is still under warranty or out of warranty. Remember, the 1 year warranty is a limited warranty. So, if you damage the watch by smacking it against a tree on a trail run, they will not fix it.
Covered by Warranty Garmin GPS Watch
If your watch is covered by warranty, the process is simple and Garmin provides clear instructions on their site at:
http://www8.garmin.com/support/warranty.html
You can request a repaid by calling their customer service number at 1-800-800-1020 (U.S. only). At that point, they will provide you with instructions on what to do. They will also provide you with an RMA number and a docking number to ship the watch back with. Make sure you include this information. You don’t want to be the one with your watch lost while already at Garmin. And, omitting this information can result in a delay of your repair.
Out of Warranty Garmin GPS Watch
If you are out of warranty, well, it will cost you to repair the watch. However, repair will be a lot cheaper than buying a new watch for running. To get repair service, you complete the request on the Garmin site at:
http://www8.garmin.com/support/outofwarranty.html
One nice thing about Garmin is that they will provide you with a price for repair before you ship the watch back to them. So, you know exactly what it will cost you to repair.
A Note on Shipping
When sending your GPS watch to Garmin for repair, please package it in a box and not an envelope. It may be cheaper, but you may end up having the watch damaged even further due to shipping. So, any small box with a little crumbled up paper for padding would be ideal. Make sure to include insurance as it is required by Garmin for shipping. Unfortunately, you may be required to pay the shipping cost to Garmin, depending on your situation.
Repair Warranty
Garmin provides a 90 warranty on their repair work. They also have a 1 year warranty on the product if you purchase it new. If you have a problem covered by your warranty, the good folks at Garmin will let you know how much time is left on your warranty.
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