XM Radio Rip Off

[daryl]

Good to know. I got the $77 deal last Nov. after my 3 month trial was up. I was afraid they wouldn't do it the second time around, when I threaten to cancel.

 

[gtbigup01]

I had XM for 3+ yrs for free because of XM screw up when I bought an 04 Infiniti G35 in March 05. It came with 3 months free, and I paid for only 3 more months because i was getting stationed overseas for a year and couldn't take my car with me. So In dec 05 I called and cancelled it, when I returned in the US in Nov 06 and got my car out of storage XM was still working. Instantly I checked my credit card, and no charge so I kind of went with the flow. 1 yr passed no charge, 2 yrs passed no charge, 3yrs no charge. Then in June this yr I decided I needed a truck to be able to tow my bike and traded my G35 in (lucky buyer whoever it is) so now I paid for 3 months again in my Denali since that all I was willing to pay for. Those 3 months went and these fkers automatically renewed me for another 3 months without even asking if I wanted it, so I just updated my profile with and debitcard that's been closed for months. Lets see what happens when these 3 months are up, maybe I'll get luck and get more free radio. Thanks XM. BTW it's not worth it for me they play the same shit everyday all day long.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

lol

u guys and your bills! $400 gets you lifetime XM... i did that paid once and done! never again! I plan to keep this tahoe for 14 years + like my old one...

 

[gtbigup01]

u guys and your bills! $400 gets you lifetime XM... i did that paid once and done! never again! I plan to keep this tahoe for 14 years + like my old one...

The lifetime member is worth it, problem is, if this is not transferable (IDK) then you'll run into a prob when you sell or trade a vehicle. You said you'll keep your for 14 yrs and that's good but what about the folks who change vehicle every 4-5 yrs

 

[Denali132]

why won't they transfer it to a new vehicle? That's BS if they don't because I do not keep cars for that long

 

[daryl]

I never gave them my credit card when I took the initial 3 months free. I somehow got a month free out of them from when I signed up to when my paid subscription started. Yes, they do repeat music, but not to the extent regular radio does. I'll take the XM any day.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

lifetime

The lifetime member is worth it, problem is, if this is not transferable (IDK) then you'll run into a prob when you sell or trade a vehicle. You said you'll keep your for 14 yrs and that's good but what about the folks who change vehicle every 4-5 yrs

I would not suggest lifetime then... although $120/year vs $400 = pays for its self in 4 years... (3.3 to be exact)... so even at 4-5 its cheaper...

and, no unless the unit fails through no fault of your own (not a crash), possibly stolen, etc it is not transferable...

 

[Mauro]

Those of you who called and got a cheaper rate, do you have multiple radios? I have 2 and they just sent me a letter saying my renewal was coming up and it would be $273 for both radios Was anyone able to get a better rate for 2 radios? Or will they actually cancel me if I say that I'm really considering cancelling if they won't cut the price, its just too much

 

[jerryp]

XM renewal for multiple radios

I have 2 XM radios, 1 in my Yukon and another in my wife's Honda Odyssey. Just went through this process a couple of weeks ago--it's the same game every time you come up for renewal.

Just call (800) 967-2346 and tell the automated system that you want to cancel until you get to talk to a live person. When you do, they'll ask why you want to cancel. Say “It’s too expensive. I don't listen to XM often enough to make it worth [insert whatever the list price is].” They’ll offer something like $23.05 per radio for 5 months of service, so it works out to less than $5/month per radio.

I'm sure that they'll have a similar offer in 5 months--previous ones have been for a year of service for $77. The whole thing takes 3 or 4 minutes if you say the right things--the people on the phone need to hear that you want to cancel because the price of service is too high--that's their cue to offer a lower-priced service plan.

Good luck.

 

[randyfaz]

My XM experience

Guys,
This was my experience with XM radio. I got the 1st 3 months free with as will most new car purchases. So when that was up I renewed it somewhere in the $70 range. When that years was up I used the not happy and too much argument and got another years for $77. That years was up this back in June and I decided it wasn’t worth it any longer. So I just let it run out. Service stayed on for a couple of months. I received a couple of call from a 888 number asking to call the about my account (never stating what the account was for) just to call a 1-888 number. Then a couple of months later I get a letter in the mail from a collection agency stating they were collecting for a past due amount of about $40.
I called and asked what the collection was for and was told it was XM radio.

Supposedly the agreement is that I must cancel the subscription. And since I ignored the vague calls about my mystery account number, I’m liable for the amount. They said they automatically extended my subscription for 3 months as a “Courtesy”. I told them I never agreed to that and it’s a subscription is not a contractual agreement. Just like a magazine. If I don’t want it after subscription expires, I don’t renew and I’m not obligated to notify anyone. The person on the phone got nasty and I hung up. I’ve checked my credit report a couple of times since then and nothing has shown up. I Google the credit agency and found pages of complaints for the same thing.

So I would be cautious of XM radio, seems the only way they can get or keep customers is by deception.

I use my Ipod regularly and would never consider XM again.