Dead battery replacement on the Garmin Foreunner sports watch

Over the past year I've noticed how the battery in my Garmin Foreunner 405 has become more unreliable. But today it failed and died on me after just 51 mins into my 9 mile run.

I have spent some time before searching the internet for battery replacement but with no luck and reading forums with dozens - if not hundreds - of other people experiencing the same problem.

I came across the solution today by pure chance and will explain how to resolve this issue of battery life. First I turned to my handbook looking for clues and found the Garmin Europe Ltd address and telephone number. I decided to call Garmin Europe customer services on FREEPHONE 0808 238 0000 and was on hold for 20 minutes. No matter because when Terry answered the call I explained my bettery wasnt holding charge and I had not idea what to do. 

Terry asked for my serial number on the back of the watch and then told me the watch was out out of warranty - which I already knew. He then explained how I could get a brand new one for £78, with a full 1 year warranty. It was as simple as returning my watch by recorded delivery to Garmin Europe Ltd and include a note with my reference number RMA3546776354898

"Really"? I said... "But I've just bought a brand new wrist strap for the watch and it cost me a fortune". "No problem" he said... "take the strap off and keep it as a spare".

So I'm posting my Garmin off to be exchanged for a new one this week.

NOTE: I did clarify what Terry meant by 'new' and its officially means 'reconditioned' back to new. But with a 1 year warranty, who's complaining?

But here's another benefit from this deal. Lets say you wanted to sell you watch to upgrade to another. All you have to do is return your battered and scratched Garmin Forerunner for a brand new reconditioned one, and then offer it for sale at 'top dollar' to go against the cost of your new upgrade.

Here's the address;

Garmin Europe Ltd,

Liberty House,

Hounsdown Business Park,

Southampton.

SO40 9LR