Renew XM Radio for $77 or less for 12 months, Part 7
#1202
just an fyi that I finally cancelled my XM account. It was getting to be too much like regular radio with DJ talking all of the time, plus there are so many other options out there.
Anyway....they did the usual coming back with lower and lower offers. First $200 for year, then $83 for 6 months, then 32 for 5 months, and finally $20 for 4 months. I was tempted to counter offer $20 for a year, but just a pain to call back every 6 months. So just know that you can go real low. (btw I have had the 6 months for $32 for the past several years....$2 for paper invoice...never give them a credit card)
btw I have been a subscriber since 2007 but don't miss it at all
Anyway....they did the usual coming back with lower and lower offers. First $200 for year, then $83 for 6 months, then 32 for 5 months, and finally $20 for 4 months. I was tempted to counter offer $20 for a year, but just a pain to call back every 6 months. So just know that you can go real low. (btw I have had the 6 months for $32 for the past several years....$2 for paper invoice...never give them a credit card)
btw I have been a subscriber since 2007 but don't miss it at all
#1203
Pro
Seems like these guys would be better off to save money by scrapping their entire call center operation and just restructure their pricing to something that makes it a no-brainer to renew each year.
#1204
You would think. But, if modern American businesses were operated that way (honesty/clarity/etc.), then there would be no trillion dollar advertising/marketing industry. The media service corporations are all managed with a similar philosophy: namely, it is more profitable to spend money on advertising & deceptive marketing (hidden add-on fees, selling customer’s personal data, etc.) than to offer a fair value. Can’t really blame them when the bottom line always proves that theory.
#1205
Burning Brakes
So I recently sold my '13 TL Advance and purchased a CPO '16 TLX Advance that came with a 90 day Full Access XM subscription. The subscription on my '13 TL was the XM Select package with Nav Traffic & Weather. I called XM to move the balance of my TL's subscription over to my new TLX. The TL's subscription was good through March of 2019. (Here's where the incompetence started). First, English wasn't the native tongue of the person I spoke with. He/She (never could figure out if I were talking to a male or female but will refer to them as a male from here forward) had such a thick accent, I could barely understand him and had to ask him to repeat himself numerous times. That was frustrating in and of itself.
The person I spoke with would not follow my requests. He kept steering me to ordering the Full Access package at full retail price. I would decline and tell him all I wanted to do was transfer my existing subscription to the new car. He kept going back to the Full Access sales pitch and implied that I was foolish for not choosing that package over the XM Select package. I told him I was not interested in the perks offered by the Full Access package and was content with the XM Select that I currently had on my '13 TL. After declining several times, he then decided to offer me a discount on the Full Access package. I declined again and became more emphatic about what I wanted.
At this point, he said to me that he didn't understand why I wouldn't choose this great deal because it would save me so much money and asked me to explain why I didn't want to purchase the discounted Full Access package he was offering. I told him I didn't have to explain my reasoning and reiterated that all I wanted to do was transfer my old subscription. He finally relented and said that my old subscription which was the $99/year promo wouldn't transfer because he could only offer me XM Select at full retail pricing. Finally, I'd had enough and told him that I had completely changed my mind and now all I wanted him to do was to terminate my old subscription and issue me a refund. I figured when my trial period runs out on 09/22/18, I would call back and simply negotiate a new subscription.
He seemed clueless to the fact that he had frustrated me and was to blame for my demand for a refund. In a failed effort, he again tried to persuade me to purchase the Full Access package at retail pricing. Apparently, he'd forgotten that he had offered me discount pricing moments earlier. I stopped and said as directly as possible while controlling my mounting frustration, "Listen to me carefully. I wish to terminate the subscription on my '13 TL and get a refund. I want nothing else". He finally capitulated and told me he would send out a check. He told me to stay on the phone while he processed the refund. While he's doing that he called me by name, mispronouncing it, and asked what kind of day I was having and asked why I wasn't at work today. I replied and asked what was the status of processing my refund. He finally finished and before we hung up, he reminded me that the call had been recorded for quality assurance purposes. I laughed and hung up.
The person I spoke with would not follow my requests. He kept steering me to ordering the Full Access package at full retail price. I would decline and tell him all I wanted to do was transfer my existing subscription to the new car. He kept going back to the Full Access sales pitch and implied that I was foolish for not choosing that package over the XM Select package. I told him I was not interested in the perks offered by the Full Access package and was content with the XM Select that I currently had on my '13 TL. After declining several times, he then decided to offer me a discount on the Full Access package. I declined again and became more emphatic about what I wanted.
At this point, he said to me that he didn't understand why I wouldn't choose this great deal because it would save me so much money and asked me to explain why I didn't want to purchase the discounted Full Access package he was offering. I told him I didn't have to explain my reasoning and reiterated that all I wanted to do was transfer my old subscription. He finally relented and said that my old subscription which was the $99/year promo wouldn't transfer because he could only offer me XM Select at full retail pricing. Finally, I'd had enough and told him that I had completely changed my mind and now all I wanted him to do was to terminate my old subscription and issue me a refund. I figured when my trial period runs out on 09/22/18, I would call back and simply negotiate a new subscription.
He seemed clueless to the fact that he had frustrated me and was to blame for my demand for a refund. In a failed effort, he again tried to persuade me to purchase the Full Access package at retail pricing. Apparently, he'd forgotten that he had offered me discount pricing moments earlier. I stopped and said as directly as possible while controlling my mounting frustration, "Listen to me carefully. I wish to terminate the subscription on my '13 TL and get a refund. I want nothing else". He finally capitulated and told me he would send out a check. He told me to stay on the phone while he processed the refund. While he's doing that he called me by name, mispronouncing it, and asked what kind of day I was having and asked why I wasn't at work today. I replied and asked what was the status of processing my refund. He finally finished and before we hung up, he reminded me that the call had been recorded for quality assurance purposes. I laughed and hung up.
Last edited by a35tl; 08-02-2018 at 09:35 AM.
#1207
Burning Brakes
Another year, same song and dance. Called the day before my subscription was set to renew at full rate. Asked to cancel the services. They ask why. I tell them I don't want to renew at the full rate. They immediately offer the promo rate. I accept. 10 minutes of my time and another year's subscription at promo rate.
#1208
So True!!!
Been renewing now for 7 years at the promotional rate... I was UPSET that they moved the NFL network, channel 88, to the premium service package!! But I have Mad Dog Sports and Fox Sports so that is fine! I think the $77 rate is long gone now, more like $99 plus royalty, but I have 3 radios with XM,, so the reduced rate is nice!! Also just a reminder to not call on weekends or late in the day as XM transfers calls over to INDIA, and they are less likely to help you out, call during normal M-F hours to get a USA representative!! Enjoy!!!
Robert
San Diego
Robert
San Diego
#1209
Another year, same song and dance. Called the day before my subscription was set to renew at full rate. Asked to cancel the services. They ask why. I tell them I don't want to renew at the full rate. They immediately offer the promo rate. I accept. 10 minutes of my time and another year's subscription at promo rate.
I know they got the message since every call is recorded, but they ignored it. They keep sending me bills for the full-price auto-renewal, as if I hadn’t cancelled before that deadline. I sent them a reminder note re: how no payment would be forthcoming without the one-year/$100 invoice I requested, and then they shut off my service. They keep sending me overdue notices for the full-price rate (which I ignore), so it should prove interesting whether they ever decide $100 a year is better than zero. Meanwhile, I’m actually hearing more of the type music I really like on free Bluetooth/internet radio. All though, I do miss the ZDX dashboard’s big screen readout of song titles/artists. I have to put on my reading glasses to see that info on my tiny iPhone.
#1211
Developer & Car Fan
Well... I sure didn't miss this hoop jumping. After 10 minutes with CS and another 15 with supervisor...
Got them to add All-access for 6 months by invoice for $72.84 with no auto-renew (invoice) to my XM Tuner.
Going to try it out and see if the value is still there, then drop down to the Select Lite plan.
Got them to add All-access for 6 months by invoice for $72.84 with no auto-renew (invoice) to my XM Tuner.
Going to try it out and see if the value is still there, then drop down to the Select Lite plan.
#1212
Moderator
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
iTrader: (6)
Just a reminder 1-866-635-2349 is the number - say that you are renewing and if it's not
going to be what it was last year, you can go ahead and cancel me. It helps to mean it if they don't budge.
I think the key is to call before the year is up.
$99 for the year plus fees and taxes -
$137.25, I guess I had a credit since I was a week early.
Here's the other hack if you aren't hellbent on having the display on your car...
I put the account on my gf's Odyssey...then I stream from my phone on my work
truck and home bluetooth speakers and S2000 and S4 and Jeep and....you get the
idea.
Pay for streaming...pay for one account.
Take care, all.
J.
going to be what it was last year, you can go ahead and cancel me. It helps to mean it if they don't budge.
I think the key is to call before the year is up.
$99 for the year plus fees and taxes -
$137.25, I guess I had a credit since I was a week early.
Here's the other hack if you aren't hellbent on having the display on your car...
I put the account on my gf's Odyssey...then I stream from my phone on my work
truck and home bluetooth speakers and S2000 and S4 and Jeep and....you get the
idea.
Pay for streaming...pay for one account.
Take care, all.
J.
#1213
Instructor
$30 for 6 months. Been doing this since 2011. It's a pain every 6 months but at $30 per year, it's worth it. I have it on 2 cars so just renew both at the same time. Also, - don't give them your credit card. They will renew you at the full rate.
#1214
Pro
On the phone now going through the "dance" again. Last year got the XMSelect and NavTraffic $142 which was okay for me and was about the same as what I was able to easily get for several years prior to that.
I have been on the phone for a while now going back and forth with the call-center person and have been offered all sorts of "promotions" -- $40 for 6 months or $12 a month or $148 per year if I give them a credit card. I told them I want a paper bill and that I want an entire YEAR agreement. I don't want to go through this nonsense every few months (once a year is bad enough) and I do NOT want them to have my credit card.
The person seems to be at a loss since most "promotions" ask for a card on file. I insisted that I want a hard copy invoice that pays for 12 months and pricing similar to last year or cancel. After another few minutes she came up with another "promotion" for 12 months that includes XM Select, (about $96 by itself), NavTraffic, and streaming for $139.71. Obviously they do everything they can to get your credit card on file but they finally came up with what I have been doing for the past several years since I have been such a good "loyal" customer.
I have been on the phone for a while now going back and forth with the call-center person and have been offered all sorts of "promotions" -- $40 for 6 months or $12 a month or $148 per year if I give them a credit card. I told them I want a paper bill and that I want an entire YEAR agreement. I don't want to go through this nonsense every few months (once a year is bad enough) and I do NOT want them to have my credit card.
The person seems to be at a loss since most "promotions" ask for a card on file. I insisted that I want a hard copy invoice that pays for 12 months and pricing similar to last year or cancel. After another few minutes she came up with another "promotion" for 12 months that includes XM Select, (about $96 by itself), NavTraffic, and streaming for $139.71. Obviously they do everything they can to get your credit card on file but they finally came up with what I have been doing for the past several years since I have been such a good "loyal" customer.
#1215
Another 6 months for $33. One benefit of COVID - entire process was automated. It was the first prompt they gave me and even processed the refund to my credit card. They obviously know this game.
#1216
Almost Time To Renew, AGAIN!!!
Well, next week I* go through the song and dance again, 7th year, for me.. I guess the Covid-19 is a good reason to tell them to drop the service.. But if you tell them you cant afford it, why spend any money!
I rather just use the excuse that it is to expensive, Senior Citizen on a fixed income, at the regular renewal price.. I always call on a Tuesday, in the mid morning, to be sure I get a USA customer service representative, not someone in another country.
I read that the process is now Automated???? Not sure what that means but I guess I will find out!! Stay Safe, Be Well!!!
I rather just use the excuse that it is to expensive, Senior Citizen on a fixed income, at the regular renewal price.. I always call on a Tuesday, in the mid morning, to be sure I get a USA customer service representative, not someone in another country.
I read that the process is now Automated???? Not sure what that means but I guess I will find out!! Stay Safe, Be Well!!!
#1217
Racer
I called this morning and spoke to a rep. I didn't even have to mention cancel. She told me that that All Access plan is $99/yr + fees. I currently had XM Select which is good enough for me, but their promotion was slightly more then the All Access. So I took the All Access deal. Im ok with it. No hassle at all. Might depend on what number you call for automated. Today I called 1866-635-7764. The deal for $33/6mo is good, but I don't want to call every 6 months.
#1219
OK Thanks for the info! That is a different phone number then the ones I have, I have 1-888-601-6302 and 1-866-635-2349, but yours may be a more direct number??? Where did you get the 7764 Number from???
#1220
Thank You!!!
OK, I went on line and logged into my account! I have 3 radios, My Acura MDX, my wife's TSX and a portable Pioneer used on my home treadmill! I started with the Pioneer, clicked on want to cancel and a pop up appeared asking me if I wanted to see special offers!! $99 for all Access and $60 for Select! Those are good prices!!, So for my Pioneer and my wife's TSX I got Select, but for my Car I wanted the FOOTBALL games so I got all Access!!! Last year it cost me $99 for Select for my 3 devices... This was definitely a better deal for my life in Retirement!!! Hopefully I can start to drive my car on long trips soon!! Need to get back over to Las Vegas from San Diego!!! LOL, or should I say "777" Jackpot,,,
#1221
Racer
#1222
Racer
#1223
Instructor
You can now go online and select your account to cancel - they then give you options to renew. $30 for 6 months or $60 for 12 months. However, if you use that to renew you then have to give your CC so they can automatically renew you when it expires. Just call them and tell them what you are looking at. I was going to go with the 12 month but they wanted my CC so just renewed for 6 months. $30 plus fees. I don't pay for other streaming services and now have an Amazon Alexa so I use it a lot at home. Glad I found this forum in 2011 - been saving money ever since.
#1224
I decided life was just too short to endure another 10 minutes of dealing with them. Before my one-year/$100 period was up, I called, and once I was sure they had correctly ID’d me, I told the sales hustler to either send me an invoice renewing me at the same rate, or cancel my service, and then hung up!
I know they got the message since every call is recorded, but they ignored it. They keep sending me bills for the full-price auto-renewal, as if I hadn’t cancelled before that deadline. I sent them a reminder note re: how no payment would be forthcoming without the one-year/$100 invoice I requested, and then they shut off my service. They keep sending me overdue notices for the full-price rate (which I ignore), so it should prove interesting whether they ever decide $100 a year is better than zero. Meanwhile, I’m actually hearing more of the type music I really like on free Bluetooth/internet radio. All though, I do miss the ZDX dashboard’s big screen readout of song titles/artists. I have to put on my reading glasses to see that info on my tiny iPhone.
I know they got the message since every call is recorded, but they ignored it. They keep sending me bills for the full-price auto-renewal, as if I hadn’t cancelled before that deadline. I sent them a reminder note re: how no payment would be forthcoming without the one-year/$100 invoice I requested, and then they shut off my service. They keep sending me overdue notices for the full-price rate (which I ignore), so it should prove interesting whether they ever decide $100 a year is better than zero. Meanwhile, I’m actually hearing more of the type music I really like on free Bluetooth/internet radio. All though, I do miss the ZDX dashboard’s big screen readout of song titles/artists. I have to put on my reading glasses to see that info on my tiny iPhone.
P.S. Solved the tiny-screen/title & artist issue. Found a suitable glass magnifier that I keep handy to ID something really special.
#1225
I am thankful that I found this post.... I was thinking of giving them a try and went to their website. Looked like a ‘gippo outfit’ how they organize their website making it a PITA to see the actual cost. Had a lunch break talk with the co workers... they liked the service but hated how they do the billing, all had canceled or not renewed after their trial periods. I will stick to the radio, Bluetooth, or load up the hard drive instead.
#1226
Maybe those city drivers who rely on traffic data might need to renew THIER package, but I would never do business with the hardcore Sirius hustlers again. Even though I am spending more now (I only do ‘prepaid’, so must buy phone data), I love listening to only the music I WANT TO HEAR (free internet radio) during the limited time I drive these days. Hundreds of channels on XM, and they almost never played what I was interested in.
P.S. Solved the tiny-screen/title & artist issue. Found a suitable glass magnifier that I keep handy to ID something really special.
P.S. Solved the tiny-screen/title & artist issue. Found a suitable glass magnifier that I keep handy to ID something really special.
#1227
Pro
What just happened???
Well a few days ago I got my renewal invoice with the usual ridiculous price (almost $300). I have gone through the "dance" about 10 times now and was prepared for the usual bulls**t of calling, asking to cancel, being passed along to the "agent", yada yada yada. So I called the same number I did last year (866-635-2349) which of course starts out automated and I said reason for call was "cancel". The automated system found my account and stated instead of waiting for an agent to get back to me, they can offer a great deal automatically which was $99 for 12 months for the Select plan. This is about the same price I ended up getting last year after 15 minutes with a live person so I was surprised at how quick this was. So it looks like I am good to go for another year. The only thing I will need to do is somehow add in the Nav/Traffic that I have always opted for but I suspect I might be able to do that online or, at worst, with another call to Sirius.
#1228
Burning Brakes
iTrader: (1)
Well a few days ago I got my renewal invoice with the usual ridiculous price (almost $300). I have gone through the "dance" about 10 times now and was prepared for the usual bulls**t of calling, asking to cancel, being passed along to the "agent", yada yada yada. So I called the same number I did last year (866-635-2349) which of course starts out automated and I said reason for call was "cancel". The automated system found my account and stated instead of waiting for an agent to get back to me, they can offer a great deal automatically which was $99 for 12 months for the Select plan. This is about the same price I ended up getting last year after 15 minutes with a live person so I was surprised at how quick this was. So it looks like I am good to go for another year. The only thing I will need to do is somehow add in the Nav/Traffic that I have always opted for but I suspect I might be able to do that online or, at worst, with another call to Sirius.
#1229
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Age: 57
Posts: 8,983
Received 1,241 Likes
on
1,028 Posts
#1230
VERY SOON!!! My Turn To Renew
Mine is due on the 24th of April, so hopefully I can just go on line, tell them I want to cancel, and like last year the $99 offer will pop up again... Now that I am retired I am in my car about 50% less time, but still worth it for me, especially during NFL Season!! I know that requires extra $$$, but I only get that on one of my 3 radios...
#1231
April 2021 XM Update! Some Changes!
Mine is due on the 24th of April, so hopefully I can just go on line, tell them I want to cancel, and like last year the $99 offer will pop up again... Now that I am retired I am in my car about 50% less time, but still worth it for me, especially during NFL Season!! I know that requires extra $$$, but I only get that on one of my 3 radios...
The following users liked this post:
Ant$ (02-19-2023)
#1233
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Age: 57
Posts: 8,983
Received 1,241 Likes
on
1,028 Posts
^^^^
I still do the yearly dance with them. I renewed back in August for $76.28 for a year inclusive of taxes.
I still do the yearly dance with them. I renewed back in August for $76.28 for a year inclusive of taxes.
#1235
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Age: 57
Posts: 8,983
Received 1,241 Likes
on
1,028 Posts
Same here - but no letter for me.
Believe I have been at this for ~18 years going back to my 04 TL.
Believe I have been at this for ~18 years going back to my 04 TL.
#1237
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Age: 57
Posts: 8,983
Received 1,241 Likes
on
1,028 Posts
Yeah, it doesn't seem like they push back too much. I had an issue where I had a radio replaced under warranty and they wanted to charge me a fee to transfer the service from the old radio ID to the new radio ID. I said, either transfer it or close out the account. Waited while they spoke to their supervisor - boom, all changed no charge.........
The following users liked this post:
e30cabrio (02-27-2023)
#1239
Drifting
The key to maintaining leverage with these birds is not to give them a cc number. They'll charge you $2 for an invoice, but it's how you maintain leverage over them in the yearly dance. They will push you hard for your cc, but if you just refuse, they'll give in. Stay strong! You'll still get a yearly, ridiculous renewal rate, but they know they can't make these stick when a customer objects. But, if a customer authorizes auto renewal with a cc number, they are banking on a good number of customers just forgetting about it and paying the ridiculous renewal rate.
#1240
Pro
I also just went through it for the umpteenth time. The renewal bill this year came in at something like $420 for the XM plus the Nav/Traffic. I did the usual call and when I told the guy I need to go through this dance every year he chuckled. He suggested I could lock in a special rate now going forward if I provide my charge card. I said no way but he was still able to get me a total that was actually better than last year--I ended up at $180 for the year. I really didn't want to lock in any longer anyway since I expect to be selling the car this year (wife wants an SUV Hybrid).