Sat radio - time to bail? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

**jwight** · 01-31-2009, 03:58 PM

Just got an e-mail from XM notifying subscribers of another rate increase. To be honest I like XM on the road, but around town listen to CDs or FM radio. I'm thinking it's time to leave XM and move on to something else (maybe mp3 but I'm not a big fan of the "sampled" music formats.) Anybody else leaving sat radio behind?

Gortok · 01-31-2009, 04:02 PM

I went to log on to xmradio.com today and the site says they're gonna start charging for online use... WHAT??

Only those that have a lifetime membership will enjoy free online service...and they aren't selling the lifetime service anymore...

You may be right...It might be time...

Orphan-Beggar · 01-31-2009, 04:06 PM

SIRIUS Satellite Radio - Terms and Conditions
Lifetime Subscription Plan: A "Lifetime Subscription" is one that continues for the life of the receiver equipment. A Lifetime Subscription is not transferable if it is associated with a receiver installed by an automaker or an automotive dealer in a vehicle, except in the event the original receiver associated with that Lifetime Subscription is stolen, accidentally damaged or if, in the sole discretion of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc., it is defective. A Lifetime Subscription associated with a home, portable, or plug & play receiver is transferable from one receiver to another receiver, up to a maximum of three (3) times. Each permitted transfer of a Subscription is subject to a transfer fee. If you transfer a Lifetime Subscription from one receiver to another or from one person to another, you will be charged a transfer fee ($75?). The current transfer fee is set forth in these Terms. No transfer fee will be charged for the transfer of a Lifetime Subscription associated with a receiver installed by an automaker or an automotive dealer if, in the sole discretion of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc., the receiver is defective. Lifetime Subscriptions are nonrefundable. You may cancel a Lifetime Subscription but if you cancel during the first year of service you will be charged a cancellation fee set forth in these Terms

hughallen · 01-31-2009, 04:15 PM

In addition to the planned price increase they combined San Francisco and Seattle weather/traffic stations, so you have to listen hard and long to get the info. Less for more. I sent them the same comment on their feedback section of the XM website, and got an automated reply from them telling me how great they are....

jetfuel · 01-31-2009, 05:42 PM

...J..do you konw what the rate increase is going to be?

jetfuel

Kermit · 01-31-2009, 05:54 PM

I got an email from Sirius the other day and it is around $2 per unit. I'm pretty much p-ed off about it - I knew this was going to happen after the merger..../...monopoly. They say it is a higher quality....

. I have two or more units as they mention. I won't be firing up my third unit anytime soon now - I have a third unit in an INOP car that has been sitting for almost 2 years now. I plan to get it running soon now that I have a Tractor Supply Store nearby to get parts for it....but that's another OFF-TOPIC (smart) thread.

The email I got:

Dear *******Customer/Sucker*******,

We are offering select subscribers like you, who have multiple subscriptions, a special opportunity to lock in the current low rate on their additional radio subscription.

On March 11, 2009, the monthly rate for your discounted subscription will increase from $6.99 per month to $8.99 per month upon renewal.* You can lock in the special discounted rate of $6.99 a month by choosing a longer-term plan at *********- but only if you act quickly.

And if you renew now, you can continue to listen online FREE for the entire length of your subscription. Effective March 11, 2009, online listening will be upgraded to a higher quality digital audio and no longer included as part of a base subscription at no charge.

Save with Longer Subscription Plans.
Depending upon the Subscription Package and Plan you choose for each radio, you could enjoy an average annual savings of more than $90.00 with two radios on an Annual Plan. Save even more with two- and three-year plans. Any credits on the account from earlier payments made will be applied to your renewal – you'll only be charged the difference.

It's Easy to "Lock In" & Save.

jetfuel · 01-31-2009, 06:03 PM

...thanks for the info ..bling-bee....I'm an XM subscriber and only use that sucker but 6 month a year.....oh well...back to 8 tracks....

jetfuel

Kermit · 01-31-2009, 06:10 PM

I use mine for a MINIMUM 2-3 hours a day, EVERYDAY....but that $2 is like the $ amount that sets me off. I guess "Better Off Dead" made me hypersensitive to the $2 threshold.

I may look into the extended time "lockin" but I only plan on using mine at the rate I do now for another year and a half until I retire. After that will be a part time job closer to home where I'll have to decide if it is a need or want. That $2 is really helping me push it towards a want which I can live without.

Sirius' Customer Retention Team has dealt with me enough before as I have called screaming and I'm normally quite calm. Some of their antics in the past have pushed me over the edge.

smart fortimo · 01-31-2009, 06:38 PM

I renewed my XM 3-year deal last fall only because I was on auto-renew and they had my CC number and I was unaware until after the fact. Otherwise I would probably have been hesitant, not knowing how this Sirius deal would roll out.

Well it's rolling out. One new twist that does not thrill me is the idea that you can only swap your service among receivers three times before incurring service charges. I think that's nuts!

I listen online at work (where I get most of my listening in, actually) and wasn't aware of the upcoming change in policy.

Time will tell how this all works out...

jefferios · 01-31-2009, 06:48 PM

Well I lowered my plan to $10 per month, so its alright. I wouldn't be surprised if they went bankrupt in the next year. Their shares are at 11 cents each now!