TomTom map updates

[Puggit]

There is a reason this is in SP&L, I promise!

I've just tried to update the maps on my 2009 Tomtom device. I was told by the online screen, that I need to update my map to the latest version (with a generous half price offer of £38), before subscribing for 4 downloads of the latest map, once per quarter for a year (£8.95 per Q).

This is akin to telling me that I bought a 2009 road-atlas, but to buy the 2011 road-atlas I need to purchase the 2010 atlas. Surely this cannot be legal practise?!

[itsnotarace]

If you purchased the map update you would get the latest map and then any further updates that are released over the next 12 months

You are not forced to purchase older maps at all

[Puggit]

Ok then, if I'm wanting to buy the current map - they are forcing me to buy the next four maps also.

[vonhosen]

Puggit said:

Ok then, if I'm wanting to buy the current map - they are forcing me to buy the next four maps also.

You are subscribing to a 1 year contract to supply you with maps over the next year.

[Puggit]

vonhosen said:

You are subscribing to a 1 year contract to supply you with maps over the next year.

Correct, but they are forcing you to buy the latest map AND the map update. They are clearly labelled as 2 separate items that must be purchased in tandem.

It's like forcing you to buy tyres and car separately from a dealership - but at a similar price.

[vonhosen]

Puggit said:

Correct, but they are forcing you to buy the latest map AND the map update. They are clearly labelled as 2 separate items that must be purchased in tandem.

It's like forcing you to buy tyres and car separately from a dealership - but at a similar price.

It's not forcing you to do anything.
You can either purchase the service they offer or not, the choice is yours.
The fact they don't offer a different service that you want is neither here no there.

[marshalla]

It's a civil matter sir. Contract law.

[.:ian:.]

Puggit said:

Correct, but they are forcing you to buy the latest map AND the map update. They are clearly labelled as 2 separate items that must be purchased in tandem.

It's like forcing you to buy tyres and car separately from a dealership - but at a similar price.

You can buy the latest update on its own, it costs more though as they are trying to steer you into paying a recurring fee. The updates are incremental so you need the latest version, once you are up-to-date and keep up-to-date with the quarterly updates (and the quarterly payments..) you dont have to buy the latest version again (unless you let it lapse...)

[98elise]

vonhosen said:

Puggit said:

Correct, but they are forcing you to buy the latest map AND the map update. They are clearly labelled as 2 separate items that must be purchased in tandem.

It's like forcing you to buy tyres and car separately from a dealership - but at a similar price.

It's not forcing you to do anything.
You can either purchase the service they offer or not, the choice is yours.
The fact they don't offer a different service that you want is neither here no there.

Got to agree with that, there are a wide range of SatNav suppliers. You are free to buy the unit that you want, with the aftersales service that comes with it.


The service might be crap, but you are not forced to use it.

[Mill Wheel]

AA road atlas £1.75 in our local filling station.
Google maps are free.

Orange wireless broadband dongle for your laptop, £30 and 5 pence per mb download.

There ARE other options than a TomTom!

[Parrot of Doom]

Exactly. Google maps navigation on my Android phone, free of charge. Comes with streetview, and also has free traffic alerts. Works across the world.

[LeoSayer]

Parrot of Doom said:

Exactly. Google maps navigation on my Android phone, free of charge. Comes with streetview, and also has free traffic alerts. Works across the world.

And the maps are frequently updated free of charge.

TomTom have to make their money somehow and I don't see how in the face of this type of competition.

[HellDiver]

If you'd bought a Garmin, not only would you get a decent satnav and not a toy, you could pay £80 and get lifetime map updates for the whole of Europe.

[marshalla]

HellDiver said:

If you'd bought a Garmin, not only would you get a decent satnav and not a toy, you could pay £80 and get lifetime map updates for the whole of Europe.

"Lifetime" being whatever Garmin decide the useful life of the unit is. I paid for that service and had it withdrawn after 2 updates on the grounds that the unit in question couldn't support the new maps. At least they gave me a refund.

[mcflurry]

AFAIK the "choice" is £50 buys you an updated map, £100 buys a new GPS or £40 + 8.95 a month gets regular updates.

Much as I would want the £8.95 with no £40 upfront that's not on offer from that provider

[redgriff500]

Cough

Torrent Tomtom

Cough

[mp3manager]

redgriff500 said:

Cough

Torrent Tomtom

Cough

Which is fine if you want to use out-of-date maps and navcores.

As I have always said...only n00bs use torrents.

[redgriff500]

mp3manager said:

redgriff500 said:

Cough

Torrent Tomtom

Cough

Which is fine if you want to use out-of-date maps and navcores.

As I have always said...only n00bs use torrents.

And only idiots would pay their excessive prices.

If you have a better option shout up.

I have Google maps on my phone but I still prefer my old Tomtom in the car and whilst I'd be happy to pay a sensible price if they try to rip me off then screw them !

[Gareth79]

Orange San Francisco is £90 and will run Google Maps Navigation nicely, just add a free T-Mobile PAYG SIM and top up with £20 for 6 months data. And you get a free smartphone thrown in!