Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products!

HumVee · 07-03-2009, 2:11 AM

I searched the forum, and didn't see anything on this topic, so I thought I'd bring it up. One of the biggest complaints about Garmin that I see on the forums is the cost of Garmin GPS units and maps. Well, I just found out that by joining the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), you can get significant discounts on many Garmin GPS units and maps!

I had attempted to purchase a zūmo 660 from ProVantage - but after two months of waiting for it to ship, I gave up. I chose them because the price was only about $670 - but they never delivered, and after I cancelled my order and checked back on their price, they were now listing the z660 at full MSRP! I heard that you could get discounts for Garmin products by joining the AMA, and so I did. I got a member number immediately, and got access to the AMA login screen on the Garmin site. It turns out that the discounts are variable by what product you select, and sometimes the pricing is better elsewhere (like Amazon.com), but other times you can great discounts. I found my z660 direct from Garmin for $672!

The maps are also less expensive to purchase. There are some limitations. I think you can only make two purchases per year through the AMA site, and not all products are available (Avation units are specifically excluded, but I didn't see handhelds or boating units either) for purchase. So that pretty much leaves the nuvi's and zumo's (though the software can be used for different devices as long as they're on the compatibility list).

Check out the attached screen captures as some examples. Perhaps other club memberships such as AAA offer similar discount opportunities for Garmin products - but my experience is with the AMA, so I thought I'd share it with you!

membership-ama-gives-discounts-garmin-products-ama-z660-discount.jpg

membership-ama-gives-discounts-garmin-products-ama-topo-us-24k-west-dvd-discount.jpg

membership-ama-gives-discounts-garmin-products-ama-topo-usa-100k-dvd-discount.jpg

HumVee · 07-03-2009, 2:42 AM

Okay...I was still logged in to myGarmin, and was browsing around the handheld GPS site. I found an 11%/$38 discount listed for the new Dakota 20! There was still no discount on the GPSMAP 76CSx - but clearly once you log in with your AMA credentials, you might find more discounts than you think! I also found 11% discounts on the Oregon models, and a 21%/$64 discount on the eTrex Vista HCx (but it was still alot less expensive on Amazon)!

Andy · 07-03-2009, 8:59 AM

Very nice! I wonder when they started doing this. I may have to renew my AMA number.

HumVee · 07-03-2009, 11:09 AM

According to the Press Release date, 11/11/2008! So only 8 months ago! I was desperately searching the web for any other place to order my z660 for less than full retail price, and ran across a tiny little mention in another GPS forum (I don't remember which) where a guy was talking about how he got a lifetime map update for his nuvi for a lot less than other forum members were complaining about. I immediately went to the AMA website, and kept digging until I found the press release - then I signed right up! The free Roadside Assistance (if you agree to automatic membership renewal) and other benefits of AMA membership didn't hurt either!

Andy, what do you think about making this thread a sticky in the Garmin GPS subforum, so that new forum members can find it easily?

HumVee · 07-05-2009, 3:03 AM

I see that this discussion thread is now a sticky. Thanks!

Andy · 07-05-2009, 11:15 AM

Yep, good idea!

shadow98 · 07-19-2009, 3:43 PM

Thanks HumVee...

I will check it out - I am an AMA member

, but didn't check there, just went on internet...
I was put on a wait list in May at Harbor Audio

.... content to wait it out.
I emailed them about delivery in June before going on PCH trip in CA in July.... they told me "in two weeks"... which became 4 weeks. After a few more emails - giving me even more hope, I called and wound up speaking to the most short, nasty, sob of an owner i have ever encountered. If I got 1 sentence in during his diatribe, it was alot.

I took him up on his offer and cancelled the order.

Last time i checked, some sellers say Garmin is shipping in August?? That's ok, i'll wait till they get it right - or closer anyway!

The Shadow....

HumVee · 07-22-2009, 9:08 AM

Yeah, sounds alot like my story! I'm very pleased with the response from Garmin so far! I get my z660 direct from Garmin today! They actually attempted delivery last Friday, but I was on vacation. I'll let everyone know how my motorcycle install & other experiences go....

shadow98 · 07-22-2009, 3:26 PM

ARMIN shipping.... good news!

.... I'm (we're) all waiting - in anticipation - for your review!

Good luck!

07-03-2009, 2:11 AM	#1
HumVee Join Date: May 11 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,258	Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! I searched the forum, and didn't see anything on this topic, so I thought I'd bring it up. One of the biggest complaints about Garmin that I see on the forums is the cost of Garmin GPS units and maps. Well, I just found out that by joining the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), you can get significant discounts on many Garmin GPS units and maps! I had attempted to purchase a zūmo 660 from ProVantage - but after two months of waiting for it to ship, I gave up. I chose them because the price was only about $670 - but they never delivered, and after I cancelled my order and checked back on their price, they were now listing the z660 at full MSRP! I heard that you could get discounts for Garmin products by joining the AMA, and so I did. I got a member number immediately, and got access to the AMA login screen on the Garmin site. It turns out that the discounts are variable by what product you select, and sometimes the pricing is better elsewhere (like Amazon.com), but other times you can great discounts. I found my z660 direct from Garmin for $672! The maps are also less expensive to purchase. There are some limitations. I think you can only make two purchases per year through the AMA site, and not all products are available (Avation units are specifically excluded, but I didn't see handhelds or boating units either) for purchase. So that pretty much leaves the nuvi's and zumo's (though the software can be used for different devices as long as they're on the compatibility list). Check out the attached screen captures as some examples. Perhaps other club memberships such as AAA offer similar discount opportunities for Garmin products - but my experience is with the AMA, so I thought I'd share it with you!

07-03-2009, 2:42 AM	#2
HumVee Join Date: May 11 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,258	Re: Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! Okay...I was still logged in to myGarmin, and was browsing around the handheld GPS site. I found an 11%/$38 discount listed for the new Dakota 20! There was still no discount on the GPSMAP 76CSx - but clearly once you log in with your AMA credentials, you might find more discounts than you think! I also found 11% discounts on the Oregon models, and a 21%/$64 discount on the eTrex Vista HCx (but it was still alot less expensive on Amazon)!

07-03-2009, 8:59 AM	#3
Andy Survey Says? Join Date: Dec 29 2006 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 1,576	Re: Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! Very nice! I wonder when they started doing this. I may have to renew my AMA number. Last edited by Andy; 07-03-2009 at 10:07 AM.

07-03-2009, 11:09 AM	#4
HumVee Join Date: May 11 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,258	Re: Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! According to the Press Release date, 11/11/2008! So only 8 months ago! I was desperately searching the web for any other place to order my z660 for less than full retail price, and ran across a tiny little mention in another GPS forum (I don't remember which) where a guy was talking about how he got a lifetime map update for his nuvi for a lot less than other forum members were complaining about. I immediately went to the AMA website, and kept digging until I found the press release - then I signed right up! The free Roadside Assistance (if you agree to automatic membership renewal) and other benefits of AMA membership didn't hurt either! Andy, what do you think about making this thread a sticky in the Garmin GPS subforum, so that new forum members can find it easily?

07-05-2009, 3:03 AM	#5
HumVee Join Date: May 11 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,258	Re: Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! I see that this discussion thread is now a sticky. Thanks!

07-05-2009, 11:15 AM	#6
Andy Survey Says? Join Date: Dec 29 2006 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 1,576	Re: Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! Yep, good idea!

07-19-2009, 3:43 PM	#7
shadow98 Join Date: Jul 18 2009 Location: Central NJ Posts: 7	Re: Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! Thanks HumVee... I will check it out - I am an AMA member , but didn't check there, just went on internet... I was put on a wait list in May at Harbor Audio .... content to wait it out. I emailed them about delivery in June before going on PCH trip in CA in July.... they told me "in two weeks"... which became 4 weeks. After a few more emails - giving me even more hope, I called and wound up speaking to the most short, nasty, sob of an owner i have ever encountered. If I got 1 sentence in during his diatribe, it was alot. I took him up on his offer and cancelled the order. Last time i checked, some sellers say Garmin is shipping in August?? That's ok, i'll wait till they get it right - or closer anyway! The Shadow....

07-22-2009, 9:08 AM	#8
HumVee Join Date: May 11 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,258	Re: Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! Yeah, sounds alot like my story! I'm very pleased with the response from Garmin so far! I get my z660 direct from Garmin today! They actually attempted delivery last Friday, but I was on vacation. I'll let everyone know how my motorcycle install & other experiences go....

07-22-2009, 3:26 PM	#9
shadow98 Join Date: Jul 18 2009 Location: Central NJ Posts: 7	Re: Membership in the AMA gives discounts to Garmin products! ARMIN shipping.... good news! .... I'm (we're) all waiting - in anticipation - for your review! Good luck!

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