Band Broke

[kwasserman]

I've had my Alta since April and the band broke at the connector to the actual fitbit part. I can't wear it as it does not stay on, at all. Is there any way this can be fixed?

[froggedyann]

Sorry to hear that. Since original bands are no longer available in my country and they are way too expensive anyhow, I have purchased bands online from a third party supplier. And you know what? They are sturdier and cheaper. I can purchase about 3 or 4 bands at the price of the original band. And there are different styles to choose from.

Hope you find this helpful.

Sent from my iPhone

[Choppy123]

Thank you but it isn't the band that is the problem, it is the metal piece
that holds the band in. It will not stay in.

[audboy]

my band broke a month after warranty - 1 year and 1 month after purchase. So disappointed - and was told via online support my only option was to purchase a new band. I'm currently trying some superglue. If this doesn't last I'm not sure I will purchase another. It seems to be an ongoing issue. I prefer to wear my fitbit almost full time. Not in the shower or pool. For the price of a unit it should last longer than 13 months. 

[froggedyann]

I tried the glue but after a few weeks it comes off again. The original bands are too expensive and not available in shops here even at the store where I bought my Fitbit. I bought bands from 3rd party suppliers online and they are a whole lot cheaper and sturdier. There are a lot of choices too from stainless steel, rubber and leather.

Sent from my iPhone

[audboy]

thanks for that info, I've ordered  one and I will let you know how I like it . It was MUCH less than the genuine fitbit model - as it should be for a piece of rubber. 

[Dissatisfiedcus]

In 3 years I have had 3 broken bands. Bad product!!! And now they want me to invest my money in a 4th band! I will look at other options to fitbit.

[audboy]

I’m interested to see how the 3rd party replacement band works. It’s a minimal investment and I’m willing to take the chance. I like the concept of the fitbit, but the bands just don’t last. The replacements should be a lot less than what they are charging. It shouldn’t be hard for a company to reverse engineer the bands to work and charge less. I get how the bands don’t last long given that the are worn daily and the sweat must be tough on them. Maybe fitbit needs to provide an extra band with each purchase, and not charge more.

[Temba]

I have 2 FitBits. Both broke in the same spot. They told me to buy a replacement band. I am done! I am not buying a 3rd. I have not confidence at this point. 

[audboy]

So far I’m very happy with my replacement band, it only cost $6, so we’ll see how long it lasts. I don’t want to buy anymore from Fitbit at this point.

[froggedyann]

Glad to hear you got your replacement band. Yipee. Wish I could attach a picture here and show you my fashionable replacement bands. Hope the replacement band lasts longer.

Sent from my iPhone

[dexterd]

Sorry to hear about everyone's issues. Save yourself time and headaches and move on from Fitbit. They will not take blame nor will they help you once you're out of warranty. With all the money you'll be spending on replacement bands you can buy something of better quality. 

[irwebb]

I moved on last November and I'm never looking back. I've been very happy with the replacement I found. Not only is the band durable but I can read the time in bright sunlight.

[audboy]

That's a great option to be able to read it in bright sunlight. That's been an issue for me.

Sent from my iPhone

[dexterd]

Agreed, you're definitely not alone here. 

[Bigg901]

I just called with the same issue and told them they know this is a known defect but they kept denying it and insisted that all they could do was provide a replacement band up until my 1 year warranty end

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@gptkach wrote:

I am very disappointed that FitBit is knowingly mailing out replacement bands that they know will not last. I was just online with a rep who acknowledged that there are known issues with the original bands that Altas come with. She issued me a replacement one (this is my second replacement in < 10 months of having the alta) because I was within the 1 year warranty. But what happens when my band breaks again (because they are knowingly problematic and it is inevitable it will break - and quickly) after my year of warranty. Then I have to keep buying bands over and over again.

So my question is, why don't they offer customers the option of getting another cheap band for free (and risking it'll not break like it did the first time) or offering a credit amounting to the cost of the plastic band, to be used towards one of the leather or metal bands which ideally last longer? I would much rather spend the money up front now to buy a more sturdy band than have to go through the hassle over and over again of warranty or buying new bands every 5 months. If you want to offer good customer service, be up front about the fact that you know it's an issue and give customers a chance.

Otherwise, I think it's irresponsible and deceptive that they offer such "great customer service" by replacing these really cheap items for customers, but knowing they are going to break anyway. They know if someone is using their fitbit that much that they are probably addicted and wll probably do anything to keep it. So of course they will keep buying faulty bands and the company keeps making money. Kind of like blade and cartridge except only FitBit knows that is their true business model but the customer just thinks because they were so great the first time, they want to keep supporting them.

Next time my new plastic band breaks, I'll consider a whole other device that is more sturdy now. My investent in FitBit is a sunk cost that I don't want to sink anything else into!

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[Bob11]

I’m on my fourth Fitbit Alta vinyl band in under two years. Since I wear my Fitbit 24/7, the vinyl bands just don’t last that long, and I don’t want a leather band. I did get my first replacement band for no charge since I was still in the first year of warranty on my Fitbit Alta. I’ve just resigned myself to buying additional Fitbit vinyl bands about every 6 to 12 months. They are available pretty inexpensively on EBay, and also on Amazon, at a a fraction of Fitbit’s prices. Good luck!

Sent from my iPad

[Miowntime]

I adored the burgundy color of my original Alta HR band! Then the plastic portion of the wristband that slides up over the sides of the actual tracker cracked and won't hold.

They don't make that color anymore so I ordered one in the black. This time the entire hard plastic connecter slid right out of the flexible band and I lost the fitbit. 

I waited too long to call customer service (hoping I'd find it). When I complained about the band, customer service sent me a link to purchase another alta at 25% off and, after an additional call, an extra band as a courtesy. 

I still have the burgundy band and hoping to fix it!

[audboy]

My $6 off brand replacement band has now outlasted the original band that came with my Fitbit. I think Fitbit could do much better if they really wanted to.

[Bigg901]

Well the replacement band that I received in February just broke.  Now they want me to take a picture and reply to the email with the damaged band.  This will be my 3 replacement band but Fitbit doesn't want to consider this a defect.  All of the bands have broke in the exact same place. 

[LloydPenfold]

The ultimate fix is.... Other makes of tracker are available. I won't buy Fitbit again.