My old Garmin 298 plotter had evolved a problem with finding the satellites and would search for several hours. Sometimes it would start working eventually, but most of the time it was unusable. After some searching on the web, I found out that updating the system software would fix the problem. But unfortunately, it was not as simple as downloading the software and installing it, because the plotter is from 2006 and doesn't have an SD card. It uses the special Garmin data cards, which are impossible to buy.
So I called Garmin to see if they could help. I got hold of a really nice supporter who knew what he was dealing with. We agreed that he would see if he could find a data card that he could send to me for the update, and he promised to call back. Normally this is something that you don't want to hear fro large companies - I have certain experiences with both telecommunication companies and other companies, where they forget all about you as soon as you hang up the phone. But that was not the case with Garmin.
He called back shortly after as promised, but unfortunately, he could not find a data card, so the device had to be sent to Garmin to be updated. He gave me an RMA number and I put the Chartplotter into a box and sent it.
A week later it came back with updated software, free of charge! This is what I call good service - the plotter is after all 6 years old.
Many companies could learn from this, good service will pay off in the long run: My next plotter will with 100% certainty be a Garmin (in addition to the fine service, it is also good equipment), and I will recommend the brand to others as much as I can, which is hereby done.