TomTom XXL 550-M (Lifetime Map Edition)

Pros: Wonderful when it worked

Cons: "Lifetime Maps" service wants me to pay. I emailed TomTom customer service. Their reply: prove you are entitled (even though I had already registered and entered their lifetime codes, etc.) I do not always keep all receipts for everything I buy.

Summary: Before you buy any TomTom product with lifetime anything, conduct research. If you have lifetime traffic, go to the TomTom site and price the traffic power cord (it costs almost as much as a TomTom on sale). If you leave it in a hotel or rented car, you are out of luck. See http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/products/accessories/chargers-connect-cables/traffic-receiver/

Here is TomTom's reply to me (they automatically close the case within a day or two). I am out of luck because I could not read the serial number (really tiny and not protected from minor abrasion) and cannot find my receipt. This is not a major purchase for me, but my TomTom problems have become a major annoyance. I discovered my Android phone navigation is far better in many aspects.

Dear TomTom Customer,

Thank you for taking the time to contact TomTom Customer Support. My name is Autumn and we are always happy to help.

I understand that you receive message stating that the Latest Map Guarantee has expired.

I understand how frustrating this can be.

<snip>

To obtain the Latest Map Guarantee, please visit:

http://www.tomtom.com/7954

If the above suggestion does not work, then please provide us the following information to compensate the map to your account.

1. Proof of purchase of your TomTom showing the date of the purchase, the model and the dollar amount and the promotion code card stating you are entitled to the Latest Map Guarantee. You can attach it to this incident. For help uploading documents, please click on the link below. If you are unable to click on the link, please copy and paste it into your internet browser.

http://www.tomtom.com/7783

2. The serial number from the bottom of your device. For help with this, please see:

http://www.tomtom.com/5629

3. Your device code. It is at the bottom of the device near the bar code.

4. Your current map and application version. For help with this, please see:

http://www.tomtom.com/6166

It was a pleasure assisting you. We hope you find this information useful. Your satisfaction with the TomTom product is our prime concern.