I found a Garmen NUVI 660 GPS for sale on 86th Street Photo and Video's website. Google hit their site when I searched by the product Name. It came out as the lowest price on the Internet - beating well known sites like Amazon.
I should have known better.
I ordered it on-line, they sent me an e-mail confirmation first, and then a second e-mail several days later requesting I phone them to complete the transaction. This seemed a little strange to me - and I was now on guard.
I searched Google again to see if I could find anything out about the company after recieving this second message and before calling them. I found a report here that indicated exactly what I was about to experience.
I called and was asked to confirm my mailing address. He then proceeded to ask me about accessories I might need for the device. I explained that I had everything I needed (nothing). He then asked about extended Warranties - many companies do this so it was nothing new.
He explained that there was a $30 coupon I was entitled to as a first time buyer, and did I want to apply that to a 5 year extended Warranty. No thank you I said after recieving the outrageous pricing for the Warranty (about 50% of the purchase price). I figure if we have it for even 3 years - the technology will be so outdated there would be no reason to fix it if it broke. He tried pitching the 3 year extended warranty - no thank you again. I own many electronic devices that I travel with, I am responsible with them, and do not anticipate damaging this either.
He said Okay - wished me well and indicated I should recieve it within 5 - 7 business days. Within 30 seconds I received another e-mail indicating it was now back ordered for 2 - 3 weeks and the order would be processed when they are available again and I would recieve a tracking number at that time.
There is always a reason the deal seemed too good to be true. It is... I am smarter than that... I thought...
0 comments