GS
Garmin South Africa
Unclaimed Business
GS
Garmin South Africa
Unclaimed Business
40 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, Garmin South Africa faces significant criticism around its after-sales service and repair process. Customers repeatedly report that watches cannot be repaired locally, with the only option being expensive replacement units offered at prices often matching or exceeding retail. Communication is a major pain point, with unanswered emails, unreturned calls, and weeks-long delays in assessment and response. Several reviewers express frustration at product durability issues, particularly with screens and batteries failing prematurely. Positive experiences highlight product resilience and occasional excellent in-person service at the Johannesburg centre.
Performance(last 12 months):
TrustIndex
0
Ranking
#9
in Electronics & Technology
NPS Score
-50
Recommended: Unlikely
Review Distribution
1.6|40 Reviews
May '25 - Apr '26
5(10.5%)
4(2.6%)
3(2.6%)
2(0%)
1(84.2%)
5(10.5%)
4(2.6%)
3(2.6%)
2(0%)
1(84.2%)
Frequently Asked Questions About Garmin South Africa
Based on recent customer reviews, Garmin South Africa faces significant criticism around its after-sales service and repair process. Customers repeatedly report that watches cannot be repaired locally, with the only option being expensive replacement units offered at prices often matching or exceeding retail. Communication is a major pain point, with unanswered emails, unreturned calls, and weeks-long delays in assessment and response. Several reviewers express frustration at product durability issues, particularly with screens and batteries failing prematurely. Positive experiences highlight product resilience and occasional excellent in-person service at the Johannesburg centre.
Garmin South Africa has a TrustIndex of 0 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 40 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked Garmin South Africa across 415 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (40)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceA
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 08:13
GARMIN - QUALITY WATCHES AND EXCELLENT SERVICE
After sale service from Garmin is excellent. They respond quickly on emails, maintain or replace watches within one week of submission. Garmin watches are worth their reputation and prices.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 08:13
GARMIN - QUALITY WATCHES AND EXCELLENT SERVICE
After sale service from Garmin is excellent. They respond quickly on emails, maintain or replace watches within one week of submission. Garmin watches are worth their reputation and prices.
0
Replies (0)gT
guy T
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
10 Mar 2026, 09:10
garmin support? really?
I imagine for most active Garmin users, it is important to have their watches functioning. My watch is still under warranty and has a hardware issue. I would have expected Garmin to supply a loan watch whilst it is repaired. No interest from supplier or Garmin jhb office. Really not great. Now ill have to buy another devise to use for training and competitive events while this is getting repaired. It wont be a Garmin I buy. Looking for a new brand.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)gT
guy T
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
10 Mar 2026, 09:10
garmin support? really?
I imagine for most active Garmin users, it is important to have their watches functioning. My watch is still under warranty and has a hardware issue. I would have expected Garmin to supply a loan watch whilst it is repaired. No interest from supplier or Garmin jhb office. Really not great. Now ill have to buy another devise to use for training and competitive events while this is getting repaired. It wont be a Garmin I buy. Looking for a new brand.
0
Replies (0)CK
Cheryl K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2026, 14:56
GARMIN SOUTH AFRICA - UNPROFESSIONAL & UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE (NO SERVICE)
I don't even want to give them 1 star ... Should be zero! I have been trying to get in contact with them over the last two weeks and no matter what day I call on both numbers, or what time of day, the phone just rings and rings!! No-one answers or their automated message recording kicks in and tells you their office hours irrespective of the fact you are calling DURING office hours. 🤦🏻♀️ And goes on to give you options, then after choosing your option, the recording tells you that you are "now in an automated queueing system", but get this.... Then it's just SILENCE .. NO MUSIC, NO RECORDED MESSAGE, NADA!! And you just sit and hold for up to 8 minutes (longer if you wish) or until you fall off the line in sheer frustration! How incredibly unprofessional and unacceptable for a brand such as this. SHOCKING SERVICE!! I am frustrated and hugely disappointed. MAYBE, just maybe Garmin will care enough to respond and get back to me. I will be copying this to Garmin's Headquarters in Olathe, Kansas, USA as well.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)CK
Cheryl K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2026, 14:56
GARMIN SOUTH AFRICA - UNPROFESSIONAL & UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE (NO SERVICE)
I don't even want to give them 1 star ... Should be zero! I have been trying to get in contact with them over the last two weeks and no matter what day I call on both numbers, or what time of day, the phone just rings and rings!! No-one answers or their automated message recording kicks in and tells you their office hours irrespective of the fact you are calling DURING office hours. 🤦🏻♀️ And goes on to give you options, then after choosing your option, the recording tells you that you are "now in an automated queueing system", but get this.... Then it's just SILENCE .. NO MUSIC, NO RECORDED MESSAGE, NADA!! And you just sit and hold for up to 8 minutes (longer if you wish) or until you fall off the line in sheer frustration! How incredibly unprofessional and unacceptable for a brand such as this. SHOCKING SERVICE!! I am frustrated and hugely disappointed. MAYBE, just maybe Garmin will care enough to respond and get back to me. I will be copying this to Garmin's Headquarters in Olathe, Kansas, USA as well.
0
Replies (0)DC
David C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
19 Feb 2026, 09:27
Poor after sales from Rosebank Garmin
Poor repair center service. I took my Garmin 935 in because it would give inaccurate readings and switched off during an activity. Garmin checked it and agreed it was faulty but was out of warranty. They do not do any repairs in South Africa and offer me an upgrade for more that what my watch cost. They offer 30% off a new watch they is actually from 2 years ago and is selling cheaper on TakeAlot. So they actually don’t do repairs and they try **** me by selling outdated stock they sell else where for the same price. I went and bought an Apple Watch and the heart rate monitor is far more accurate. Such a pity as Garmin use to be a good brand with great sports watches but now they treat customers like idiots.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)DC
David C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
19 Feb 2026, 09:27
Poor after sales from Rosebank Garmin
Poor repair center service. I took my Garmin 935 in because it would give inaccurate readings and switched off during an activity. Garmin checked it and agreed it was faulty but was out of warranty. They do not do any repairs in South Africa and offer me an upgrade for more that what my watch cost. They offer 30% off a new watch they is actually from 2 years ago and is selling cheaper on TakeAlot. So they actually don’t do repairs and they try **** me by selling outdated stock they sell else where for the same price. I went and bought an Apple Watch and the heart rate monitor is far more accurate. Such a pity as Garmin use to be a good brand with great sports watches but now they treat customers like idiots.
0
Replies (0)RdlF
Robin de la Feld
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
13 Feb 2026, 14:17
Garmin Vivosmart 5
I bought this December Garmin smar****ch Vivosmart 5 for my son for his Christmas present. He has been using it since and been very happy with it with its function on his sport activities. Unfortunately doing surf, that he does 4/5 times a week, looking at the smar****ch he realised it was not there anymore, it just popped out from the wristband. The wristband still there but no watch!,How is it possible? I find it quite unreasonable that a sport watch is not secured to the wristband. I wrote to Garmin, after a few day requested a reply but no answer at all, very bad service.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)RdlF
Robin de la Feld
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
13 Feb 2026, 14:17
Garmin Vivosmart 5
I bought this December Garmin smar****ch Vivosmart 5 for my son for his Christmas present. He has been using it since and been very happy with it with its function on his sport activities. Unfortunately doing surf, that he does 4/5 times a week, looking at the smar****ch he realised it was not there anymore, it just popped out from the wristband. The wristband still there but no watch!,How is it possible? I find it quite unreasonable that a sport watch is not secured to the wristband. I wrote to Garmin, after a few day requested a reply but no answer at all, very bad service.
0
Replies (0)LH
Lindi H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
5 Feb 2026, 08:09
Paid on Time, Sent Back Anyway. Garmin takes no ownership of the process
I’m disappointed by Garmin South Africa’s handling of my repair and the clear breakdown in internal process and communication. My watch was sent in on 26 November 2025. After receiving no updates for weeks, I followed up and only then received a quote by email on 20 January, despite the quote being dated 2 December. The invoice states a 14-day validity period, and I paid within 6 days of actually receiving the quote, sending proof of payment on 26 January to the debtors email address I was instructed to use. There was no acknowledgement of receipt — not even an automated response. After following up again on 1 February, I was informed on 4 February that my watch had already been returned, without tracking information, because the order had “expired,” and that I would need to restart the process entirely. At no point was I notified that the watch was about to be sent back, and it is currently still in transit. My case has been handled by multiple staff members, and I am now receiving communication from an unnamed contact, which suggests a lack of ownership and continuity. I have a full paper trail showing that payment was made correctly and on time, based on when the quote was actually received. I’m concerned not only about resolving my own case, but about how this process functions more broadly if a paid repair can lapse without customer notification or internal confirmation of payment. I would appreciate clarity on how this occurred and confirmation that the invoice already paid will be honoured, so this matter can be resolved without further escalation.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)LH
Lindi H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
5 Feb 2026, 08:09
Paid on Time, Sent Back Anyway. Garmin takes no ownership of the process
I’m disappointed by Garmin South Africa’s handling of my repair and the clear breakdown in internal process and communication. My watch was sent in on 26 November 2025. After receiving no updates for weeks, I followed up and only then received a quote by email on 20 January, despite the quote being dated 2 December. The invoice states a 14-day validity period, and I paid within 6 days of actually receiving the quote, sending proof of payment on 26 January to the debtors email address I was instructed to use. There was no acknowledgement of receipt — not even an automated response. After following up again on 1 February, I was informed on 4 February that my watch had already been returned, without tracking information, because the order had “expired,” and that I would need to restart the process entirely. At no point was I notified that the watch was about to be sent back, and it is currently still in transit. My case has been handled by multiple staff members, and I am now receiving communication from an unnamed contact, which suggests a lack of ownership and continuity. I have a full paper trail showing that payment was made correctly and on time, based on when the quote was actually received. I’m concerned not only about resolving my own case, but about how this process functions more broadly if a paid repair can lapse without customer notification or internal confirmation of payment. I would appreciate clarity on how this occurred and confirmation that the invoice already paid will be honoured, so this matter can be resolved without further escalation.
0
Replies (0)LB
Lo-Ann Botha
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
27 Jan 2026, 12:46
Indestructible Garmin
My husband and I walk every morning on the beautiful beach of Plettenberg Bay. This morning, 27 January 2026, my husband found a Garmin Forerunner 935 on the beach. It was clear that the sea had washed the watch out, as the strap was broken. After charging the watch — yes, it can still be charged and is fully working — we discovered that the owner last played golf on 5 December 2025. Our guess is that the watch had been in seawater for approximately 6–7 weeks. It is truly amazing that it is still functioning. Although the watch is slightly eroded from the sea, the bottom line is that it still works. If you are uncertain about buying a Garmin, don’t be — it is practically indestructible. Our entire family proudly wears Garmin watches.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)LB
Lo-Ann Botha
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
27 Jan 2026, 12:46
Indestructible Garmin
My husband and I walk every morning on the beautiful beach of Plettenberg Bay. This morning, 27 January 2026, my husband found a Garmin Forerunner 935 on the beach. It was clear that the sea had washed the watch out, as the strap was broken. After charging the watch — yes, it can still be charged and is fully working — we discovered that the owner last played golf on 5 December 2025. Our guess is that the watch had been in seawater for approximately 6–7 weeks. It is truly amazing that it is still functioning. Although the watch is slightly eroded from the sea, the bottom line is that it still works. If you are uncertain about buying a Garmin, don’t be — it is practically indestructible. Our entire family proudly wears Garmin watches.
0
Replies (0)CB
Clive B
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
21 Jan 2026, 22:06
Useless Garmin Fenix 3 watch
The fenix 3 is a complete waste of a watch - same route every day and distance can very by up to 450 meters!! In 1990 USA could put a scud missile into a door way - Harmon 35 years later with all the new technology etc can’t get a location right to within 100 metres! What a waste of money
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)CB
Clive B
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
21 Jan 2026, 22:06
Useless Garmin Fenix 3 watch
The fenix 3 is a complete waste of a watch - same route every day and distance can very by up to 450 meters!! In 1990 USA could put a scud missile into a door way - Harmon 35 years later with all the new technology etc can’t get a location right to within 100 metres! What a waste of money
0
Replies (0)