My ique ordering NIGHTMARE

[Atlrodeopup]

Hey folks..

I ordered my ique last week (tues) from a vendor (retail4wholesale.com) who guaranteed to have it and guaranteed to have it shipped the next day. I thus paid for 3 day shipping so I could have it for Friday and play over the weekend.

I received an email saying there was a goof-up in the shipping dept and my order didn't go out wed, but more likely thurs - fri at the latest. So with 3 day shipping I should have had it Wed.

Obviously I didn't. I sent the company an email. The reply I got was that UPS damaged a shipment. So they had to send them back and get more from garmin - or something like that.

Needless today they "should" be shipping today and I was told that it would be 2nd day which puts me to monday (ups doesn't work on weekends - how nice).

I am waiting to hear back from the vendor to see if they can get UPS to overnight it to me - I think that is the LEAST UPS can do.

Also I asked repeatingly for the tracking number and never got it. PLUS the vendor knew about this but didn't inform me until last night AFTER I sent a detailed email demanding to know what happened.

My question is: What is a RELIABE online shipping place to get one? Or do any retail stores (best buy etc) have them yet? Its Thurs.. I would like to get one by tomorrow or sat so I have the weekend to play/learn.

I had asked - for my inconvenience - if an accessory (ie cigarette charger ($22) could be throw in for free. The reply was " I give nothing for free, but will knock off 10% off your next order". My next accessory is a 256mb card and/or cig charger (~$100) - so this would save me a whole 10 bucks.

Second question, am I out of line by asking for a bit more after all the inconvenience I was put through and kept in the dark.

Paul
p.s. sorry for the long post

[OWG]

GPSCity.com has them in stock right now, and will ship overnight.

[opusxcigars]

Sounds like another case of a shady company selling items on eBAY before they are in stock. Next time buy from a authorized retailer like SafetracGPS, TVNAV, GPSWorldSupply, GPSCity, etc.

I wuld personally never make a purchase of significant electronic equipment on Ebay. Live and learn.

[PDA Paul]

How about this for bad dreams. Knowing I would pay a bit more, but figuring it was worth it for the service of a larger comapny, I bought an IQue from West Marine. I also bought an extended warranty. This was over 2 months ago. At that time, the delivery date was unknown, and may be in the next day or so.

After just a few days, I got email confirming that my order had shipped. Yipee. I called home and my wife confirmed that I had an overnight package from West Marine. When I got home, I found that the idiots at West Marine had shipped me the extended warranty overnight for a product that they didn't have in stock. When I call West Marine they say they won't have any orders in until the end of this month, yet there are lot's of of other retailers that have shipped many units and I can get the unit sooner for significantly less.

This morning I canceled my order. I was anxious to be a new user, but after the problem that my retailer has in getting stock, and the complaints of slow GPS lockup and PDA crashes, maybe it is all for the best. Garmin is fond of releasing a new model shortly after the first so I may just wait for the IQue 3600 Plus which if Garmin follows the trend with their G45->G45XL, GPS II->GPS II+, GPS III->GPSII+ should be by the end of the year ;) with shipping from West Marine hopefully it will be in my hands by Easter.

Paul

And then he woke up and canceled the order anyway. Where's Daryl's phone number again...

PJ

[ssaibal]

With iQue, it was my first experience with any GPS vendor. TVNAV doesn't have a good online ordering process, but they work very well like an old "mail-order" company. Excellent pricing and shipping terms. I have ordered the Garmin Topo map from them now.

[tecman]

Go to or call www.gps4fun.com. You will find good price and fast reliable service.

paul

[PDA Paul]

I will probably buy one in the end, but after reading all the crash reports, I might just sit tight and see how owner satisfaction is. I am not so enamored with the unit that I will tolerate a poorly performing unit. The fact that it took so long to get to market makes me wonder what obstacles Garmin had to overcome and whether or not they overcame all of them.

Paul

[reinbeau]

Originally posted by PDA Paul
I will probably buy one in the end, but after reading all the crash reports, I might just sit tight and see how owner satisfaction is. I am not so enamored with the unit that I will tolerate a poorly performing unit. The fact that it took so long to get to market makes me wonder what obstacles Garmin had to overcome and whether or not they overcame all of them.

Paul
Try to keep in mind that, just as in newsgroups, the people who post here asking questions and reporting stories are in the minority. Most seek out these forums for help on a problem they're having, the representative sample here isn't indicative of the whole Garmin iQue experience. There are many out in the real world who are having a fine time with their iQue, no problems at all. While it's good to be cautious, don't accentuate the negative. The impression I've got is that Garmin is a quality company that will fix any problems, and that did plenty of QA testing before they even released the product. I feel safe ordering mine, which by the way

HAS FINALLY SHIPPED OVERNIGHT TODAY TO ME!!! Whoo Hoo!

Sorry, couldn't contain myself! :p

[Stymyx]

Congrats, Ann! I know you've been waiting a long time! :D

[PDA Paul]

Anne, congrats on the GPS. I agree, a handfull of people who crash makes the entire product look bad. I have gone through the same thing with semi-pro photo gear. If I believed all the negative reports I would still be shooting film. Many of the problems are the result of inexperience with the unit. OTOH, I have read a number of crash reports that sound like the crash occured out of the blue. I have had several Garmin GPS units in the past and each has locked up ( crashed ) at one time or another. Very infrequent and not a problem. In any case, I wanted the unit for a trip that I am taking today. Having no Ique for the trip, now I can wait for several months till my next road trip.

During that time, I will be able to check out more of the reports. Your's Anne, perhaps. Have fun with your new toy.



Paul