XM subscription pricing

I think you're right Tom... I also didn't realize how much of a hassle it is to get it set up again. The bright side is they have an invoice option so I didn't have to share cc info.

I put an event on my cal. reminding me when to call and cancel to avoid the renewal too.

 

I think thats what I got.......

 

My introduction period is still months away but I called XM anyway to see if I could subscribe any of their packages for just a month at a time and then cancel. They said I could cancel any time and get a refund of any unused protion BUT each time I subscribed I would have to paid a ~$15 activation fee. That won't work...

Beyond the fact that XM can do whatever they like can the $15 activation fee be justified? Does a different human from who I place the subscription with push some other buttons relative to that subscription? I would have thought the whole thing was automatic and activation just part of the charges?

 

When I reactivated they waived the fee. Good thing... I had to do all the work to reactivate it and then it didn't take the first time. I had to call the next day and go through the whole leave the car on, in clear view of the sky for 20 minutes thing again. They also made me confirm ALL my account information before they would even help me try to get it to work! I had been an official customer for less than 24 hrs.

Some policies are just stupid.

 

XM ran out today

Have to remember to carry the Ipod with me

 

Yep - the 21st-century business model works like this:

1) give it away
2) give it away, but with ads
3) make people pay for no ads
4) make people pay AND have ads

 

Yes, I fear it is going to be a piece of deactivated electronics in my car. The only thing I asked XM last time I called was whether I could subscribe for just a month to cover a trip for instance and then discontinue but you can't get your stations ala-cart nor am I likely going to exscape the activation fee but one time. Where are they making money off of me if I only run XM for a couple months in the course of a year? I think it is a tough industry. Did I mentiuon that I hate commercials too?

 

Just a note that the $77.00 per year promotion is alive and well. Received the initial subscription letter from XM in the mail earlier this week. I was able to research based on this thread and forum. When I called ,my experience mirrored JDcollins5's. I asked for $77.00 promotion that others were receiving and got it with no issues. One time charge for the year of $95.09. Taxes vary a little based on your location.
Thanks to all who posted (positive and negative).

 

Mine is over at the end of the month. I don't we should pay for something that should be free. Like some members have indicated, they get paid from commercials.

 

I wish the car had (free) HD radio instead of satellite....

 

Just curious about the XM technology. Besides receiving the satellite signal, is there any kind of uplink from your car to XM?
If so, it would be a great feature if they could use that for the Safety Connect instead of the cell phone. You would never be out of the coverage area. And for that matter, offer an extra cost sat phone option using the same system.
Now that would make having XM more valuable.

 

The XM feature is only a receiver. The XM satellites are probably like the satellite TV satellites (Direct TV et al) and are one way only.

 

I didn't read thru all replies so I am sorry if I have repeated. XM offers lifetime subscription for $499 (Xm + best of Sirus) I am no fan of Howards but NFL is nice. If you drive a lot you'll enjoy NO commercials and no changing channels

 

I did that five years ago on my retro Thunderbird. I don't think I would ever do it again. First, I don't know if I intend to keep a car that long again. Second, I don't know if Sirius XM will be around that long. Third, they change the rules all the time. When I bought my lifetime, it was for Sirius and they "said" that you could transfer the lifetime two times. Yeah, if you pay them some extra money and it doesn't include XM on my car.

Do the math. If you can get a years service for $77?

In short, I just flat out don't trust these guys.

 

I had a lifetime Sirius subscription on a car and when I wanted to transfer it to the car's replacement they acted like I was asking them for something free. After during some arm-twisting in a courteous manner I ended up transfering it to the car for a nominal $75 "transfer fee". What a crock .

 

To avoid full price auto renewal XM subscription charges, I called(800-967-2346) about a week in advance of my expiration date. I opted for "cancellation" via the computerized voice menu and was promptly routed to a CSR. She pulled up my account, asked me why I was canceling, and I told her the continuing regular annual renewal rate of $142.45 was just too costly considering my very limited current use of XM Sirius programming.

Since the expiration of my new owner 3-month trial period I have been on the $23.05 (Code:ZWINBACK) "XM Everything" 5-month promotion and the CSR instantly offered to simply renew this promotional subscription for "loyal customers". When I hesitated a bit she then asked if I would possibly be interested in an annual rate of $88.78($77 + artist fees) via their "half-off promotion".

I chose to continue the cheaper 5-month plan and opted to pay by check instead of by credit card. To me that's worth the extra $2 invoice fee. YMMV. The entire renewal process yesterday took less than 5 minutes.

It would be nice if this topic was 'stickied'....

 

I just got a letter from Sirius/XM offering me five months for $20 including free re-activation.

Yep, they're hurting for business.

 

Just an FYI, I got just called them at the end of my trial subscription today and specifically asked for the $77 plus royalty fees promo and the CSR gave it to me without hesitation. The promo is still alive!

 

They just offered my 5 months for 20 bucks.... they also turned mine back on without asking but I don't have all the channels, .. must be a promo thing they are doing.

I have never responded to them.

 

Just curious about the technology...how do they enable/disable your radio, if there is no up-link from your radio?

On further thought, I think I've figured it out.....they must send an encrypted signal in their broadcast that is directed to the electronic serial numbers of the radios that they want to enable/disable. The "switch" is actually internal in each unit.