OT -- Where to buy a GPS

[bellarella]

Ok, I'm kicking myself here. I decided that I want to get DH a GPS for his birthday next month and after much research, decided on the Garmin Streetpilot c550. Costco had it for a good price (about $469). I was (stupidly) waiting until the end of my CC billing cycle so DH wouldn't run across the purchase before his birthday. Well I went to buy it and Costco is no longer selling that model (they must have dropped it over the weekend).

Anyway, Costco is now offering the c580, which is great, but about $90 more and the features aren't really important to us. The big box stores are all selling the c550 for the same price or higher than the c580 at Costco, so I may end up getting there anyway.

I do see some online retailers have it in the $450 range, but I'm hesitant with a bigger purchase like this -- especially with electronics. Has anyone bought online with a vendor they really like? Since I'm buying this without DH's input, I need a good return policy (no restocking fee). I'm 99% sure I'm getting the one he wants (since I am infinitely more picky than he is), but do want to make sure it's one he likes.

Thanks!

 

[tyedye]

Don't know what the c550 had but costco does have other ones including one $250 off. Maybe that one will be ok. We have a Garmin 330 and find it's great.

 

[Chicago262]

We bought ours from 4runnersports.com for about $485.00 plus shipping. Had no problems at all. Very quick shipping and excellent customer service. I just love the c550 and don't know how I ever drove without one.

 

[bellarella]

Don't know what the c550 had but costco does have other ones including one $250 off. Maybe that one will be ok. We have a Garmin 330 and find it's great.

Thanks, I have looked at the others. I really want the text to speech function and the bluetooth. For the streetpilot that limits me to the c550 or c580.

 

[bellarella]

We bought ours from 4runnersports.com for about $485.00 plus shipping. Had no problems at all. Very quick shipping and excellent customer service. I just love the c550 and don't know how I ever drove without one.

I'll look into that place. Thanks!

 

[Lisa_M]

What about Amazon? I have always had good luck buying things from them (when it's shipped from them or a major manufacturer). I think I found the model you're looking for
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Street...3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176402422&sr=8-1

$468.99 free shipping

 

[kathi29]

Amazon has it for $469

 

[familyfirsttimer]

I am jumping on your thread here and if you don't mind, can you tell me how/where you researched it and came ot that decision. I know my DH would love one and his 40th bday is in June so I woud like to start looking into it. We are not having a party or anything because we have our DD Communion party and a sibling wedding in June that myself and both DD are in so big bucks being sepnt this year. I'd really like to get him a big gift that means somthing.

Thank you so much for any info you can give me.

 

[bellarella]

I am jumping on your thread here and if you don't mind, can you tell me how/where you researched it and came ot that decision. I know my DH would love one and his 40th bday is in June so I woud like to start looking into it. We are not having a party or anything because we have our DD Communion party and a sibling wedding in June that myself and both DD are in so big bucks being sepnt this year. I'd really like to get him a big gift that means somthing.

Thank you so much for any info you can give me.

I did a lot of research on Cnet as well as a bunch of other sites (that I don't remember now).

My main concerns were reliability, ease of seeing the screen while driving, text to speech, and bluetooth. Garmin get high marks on reliability and accuracy of it's maps. The Streetpilot seemed to get good ratings for being able to be read in different lighting conditions. Text to speech means that the audible directions will say "turn right 500 ft on main street" rather than just "turn right 500 ft." And the bluetooth will allow DH's phone to synch up with the GPS so he can be hands free.

The Garmin Streetpilot c550 has both the text to speech and the bluetooth. The c580 adds in MSN support so it will tell you gas prices, movie times, real-time traffic, etc.

 

[pilgrimage]

My husband bought from an ebay store for about 35% off
msrp.

 

[bellarella]

Thanks everyone. I think I might try amazon. I missed that one in my search -- it had come up as over $500 there when I looked once. I'm not comfortable with eBay stores for electronics. They are too temperamental. Ideally I like a store that has a brick and mortar store I can do returns through, but Amazon might be good enough.

I'm still toying with the c580 though, since I really like dealing with Costco!

 

[tinan]

This is just another idea......is there another Costco nearby that may still have the old model? I know one time we were buying an item that only Sam's club carried and our local Sam's did not have the item. They were able to do a search and found it about 45 min drive away. If you are stuck on getting that particular model and want to buy it through Costco it's worth a shot. Sam's will usually clearance out older models just because they have the new ones in stock and may be able to find an ever better deal.