Engineered Obsolescence?

[Phaedrus]

Two of my VIRBs recently crapped out and Garmin won't entertain repairing them (even if I pay) as they're discontinued. My three other (younger) VIRBs still work fine.

My Sena 10C also recently crapped out. It's out of warranty, so they won't replace or repair it - perfectly fair, but they won't repair it even if I pay.

I now resent giving either Garmin or Sena any more of my money for replacements, despite that I like the VIRBs and the 10C. Will any other products from Garmin or Sena be declined paid-for repair outside a particular timeframe?

Grrr. Grrr I say.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

That is a little frustrating. But it may cost more to repair them than it would to replace them, can you not get a secondhand one? that way the manufacturers don't get your money and you get a product you know you like!

 

[LoneWally]

I think that's pretty much the case. I remember when my S8 came after of the handle bars after I didn't secure it on properly a screen replacement was £280. To this day I live with a cracked screen. As Hippo suggests a second hand one isn't a bad idea

 

[LoneWolfer]

Pretty sure any and every maker of an electronic device has similar policies. I would suggest poking around the interwebs for someone who might actually work on those older devices. You might find someone who will work on them at a cost that is better than buying new or even a used one (caveat emptor).

 

[WheelyPerd]

I understand the frustration, been there. From the companies side of view it is difficult, you might have lost that department or their too busy working on the new thing.
Having said that I've heard incredible stories about Cardo headsets, other companies are also good at supporting old products.

 

[HRMV]

Mate that is highly frustrating.

In terms of replacing for alternatives I cannot recommend Cardo Pactalk enough. Previously had Sena 20S Evo then for a very short period the new one (4K??) but both had issues... 20S speakers were tinny and unusable above 50mph. Contacted Sena to get them to see if there was an issue and all I got back was an email say the device had a critical failure and a full refund was being issued. They wouldn't entertain just fixing mine (broken one was part of dual set).

I could wax lyrical about Cardo (maybe in another thread).

Unfortunately as others have said department's close, new projects start and it can work out less economical sound for companies to do repairs (either in or out of warranty) so they either refuse regardless of customers willingness to pay or the issue new items (if they are forced by warranty conditions).

Hope this makes sense and I haven't put you to sleep half way through reading.

 

[WheelyPerd]

Something similar happened to us at work recently. Really out of employee hands.

 

[HRMV]

Something similar happened to us at work recently. Really out of employee hands.

Yeah absolutely.

Slightly off topic but I am still amazed day to day that you can buy a fully loaded printer with cartridges for under £40 but the day you need new ink your over £20 per cartridge... So your almost better off financially buying a new printer everytime.

PS I appreciate there are cheaper cartridges and refill options but is it any wonder we are such a throw away generation.

 

[WheelyPerd]

Yeah absolutely.

Slightly off topic but I am still amazed day to day that you can buy a fully loaded printer with cartridges for under £40 but the day you need new ink your over £20 per cartridge... So your almost better off financially buying a new printer everytime.

PS I appreciate there are cheaper cartridges and refill options but is it any wonder we are such a throw away generation.

Checkout "Ink cartridges are a scam" on YT. It literally is the worst thing, we tried to buy replacement cartridges and it was literally more expensive than another printer.

 

[HRMV]

Checkout "Ink cartridges are a scam" on YT. It literally is the worst thing, we tried to buy replacement cartridges and it was literally more expensive than another printer.

Will have a look. Yip absolute scam.