Garmin and Lifetime free map updates

Wonder if anyone can shed any light on an issue that I having with my Garmin 1490T that I purchased in January 2011?

I purchased it because it said that this unit comes with lifetime map updates.

So I took the unit home and registered it as instructed.

I even purchased the Australia Topo map for it.

The issue is that whenever I connecedt the unit and search the Garmin site for map updates with my unit connected I am asked for payment. I put this in the too hard basket and didn't bother with updates as the unit runs fine.

I tried again yesterday and still asking for payment.

I rang Garmin up and was told that this was is a promotion and I had to put in a claim for the free updates. (like a cashback)

I disputed this, wasn't given a form to fill in when I purchased and as far as I know all I had to do was register the unit.

Their response was to to email the manager in Garmin promotions.
I'm still waiting for a reply

Can anyone shed any light on what their experience is in getting the free lifetime map updates that Garmin so clearly advertise and promote?

Cheers Dean