Sirus Subscriptions

[Beachboy]

My six-month free Sirus subscription is almost up, and I haven't decided whether or not to renew it or just let it drop. I was curious how many other owners let Sirus drop once it ceased to be free. I don't like the way Sirus tosses you somewhat attractive prices, then somewhere on down the renewal, adds the various taxes and copyright fees. Why don't they just price the whole package upfront, rather than this "bait and switch" tactic? I also don't like the way they say you have to notify them if you want to terminate service; you can't simply just quit paying your renewals. I've heard Sirus has a less than admirable customer service reputation, so I don't know if I want to enter into a contract with them or not.

 

What's everyone else's experience with paying for Sirus after the freebie period has expired?

[dabige]

My 6-month trial expiration came and went, and I chose not to renew. Satellite radio only seemed to come in handy when taking long trips by myself, and even then, I'd be listening to my MP3 player more often than anything else. All I can say otherwise regarding the renewals is that the deals kept getting sweeter the closer the date came (don't know about the fine print though--never read it since my mind was already made up). If you plan on keeping it, if you can, let it expire and wait. A day or two after it expires is when they come out with the best offers, but there will be only one, possibly two deals after D-day passes.

[Beachboy]

I've heard from others that the closer you get to the expiration date, the sweeter the offers are. Sirus has been trying to call me about every day, but their automated dialer hangs up after the second ring, so I'm missing the calls, since I usually can't get to the phone in just two rings. The one time I did talk to a representative, she said there was a $15 reinstatement fee if I renewed after the expiration date. I guess I'm going to have to decide fast, since the subscription is up next Wednesday.

 

I don't listen to CD's, MP3's, or ipods, so FM is my only media choice after Sirus goes away. I guess I need to run a CD through the system at least once, to make sure the player works, although I think I'm past the 12,000 mile warranty for accessories.

[merchjo]

I've heard from others that the closer you get to the expiration date, the sweeter the offers are. Sirus has been trying to call me about every day, but their automated dialer hangs up after the second ring, so I'm missing the calls, since I usually can't get to the phone in just two rings. The one time I did talk to a representative, she said there was a $15 reinstatement fee if I renewed after the expiration date. I guess I'm going to have to decide fast, since the subscription is up next Wednesday.

 

I don't listen to CD's, MP3's, or ipods, so FM is my only media choice after Sirus goes away. I guess I need to run a CD through the system at least once, to make sure the player works, although I think I'm past the 12,000 mile warranty for accessories.

 

Mine expired lastweek and this week I received a deal for get 12 months for the price of 6 (basically 1/2 off).

[Grey]

I let them give me a "deal" for 6 months and found after that time they billed my credit card for a renewal at full price. So if you don't want to pay full price, call and cancel before your renewal date. On another vehicle(after the first 6 mo0nths) , I got 3 months for half price but told them up front no-automatic renewal. It died in 3 months and I havn't heard from them again. Don't miss it a bit.

[jtb3]

My six-month free Sirus subscription is almost up, and I haven't decided whether or not to renew it or just let it drop. I was curious how many other owners let Sirus drop once it ceased to be free. I don't like the way Sirus tosses you somewhat attractive prices, then somewhere on down the renewal, adds the various taxes and copyright fees. Why don't they just price the whole package upfront, rather than this "bait and switch" tactic? I also don't like the way they say you have to notify them if you want to terminate service; you can't simply just quit paying your renewals. I've heard Sirus has a less than admirable customer service reputation, so I don't know if I want to enter into a contract with them or not.

 

What's everyone else's experience with paying for Sirus after the freebie period has expired?

 

I let my "free subscription" expire and then they notified me that I could buy a full year at $6.70 a month and then at the end of the year it would jump to full price.

So I've taken it at the "special offer" price and will I will cancel it again at the end of 12 months. Then we shall see if they offer a "special deal"......I will not

pay the regular price. Sirus told me " low profit is better then no profit.........lets see how Sirus they are in 1 year.

[Snowshoe]

I let mine expire and waited almost a year before I signed up again.

Sirius had a six months for $20 deal.

It expires in February and I doubt I'll renew it again

[raisin]

How do they know your address or phone number? Do they get it from Ford or do you sign up for something? I also don't see it as something I'm willing to pay much for. thanks.....

[jtb3]

How do they know your address or phone number? Do they get it from Ford or do you sign up for something? I also don't see it as something I'm willing to pay much for. thanks.....

 

In my case, I registered my radio with them.....there should be a booklet with you owners manual that explains how to do it. If you do register your radio, they

will send you emails with various offers. If after you register and your "free subscription" runs out, they will email a "one time special offer" at a reduced

price. You should be able to (as I do) get a 1 year subscription for about 1/3 price. After 1 year you'll have to be sure to cancel or they will automatically

renew the plan at the FULL price. If they do renew it ,then you will have to pay a $70. penalty to cancel it. So, I have to call them and cancel the last month

on my 1 year special rate. In order to get you back the cycle will start over again. The secret is to mark it on you calendar so you won't forget....if someone

forgets.....they got you! ( I might add, they will wave the $15. reactivation fee with the "special offer.)

'.

Edited January 23, 2011 by jtb3

[raisin]

Thanks for the info, I understand now.....

[Beachboy]

Thanks for everybody's input. I think I'll let my subscription end this Wednesday, then see how badly Sirius wants my business. They've been calling me almost daily and sending me endless junk mail, always with the same (full price) offers. I dislike the way they show one price, then in small print they add the taxes and royalties, making it about 25% higher than they initially advertised. There are definitely some aspects of Sirius that I like, but another $16/month charge in this economy is hard to justify.

[DaDD]

Thanks for everybody's input. I think I'll let my subscription end this Wednesday, then see how badly Sirius wants my business. They've been calling me almost daily and sending me endless junk mail, always with the same (full price) offers. I dislike the way they show one price, then in small print they add the taxes and royalties, making it about 25% higher than they initially advertised. There are definitely some aspects of Sirius that I like, but another $16/month charge in this economy is hard to justify.

 

Mines up in Feb also and they just started calling. Offered me 2 years with 3 months free. I laughed at the guy cause that's the deal anybody gets for buying two years...great incentive. I said they had to do better like 1/2 price renewal. Like the service but it's only worth 6 or 7 a month. They transferred me up the chain, and the next guy made me the same offer, unless I had a promo code giving me more. I asked how to get one and he said they are mailed out at the end of your subscription. So they don't try to keep you until you're gone! Did offer me 3 months for the price of one, but it rolls over at full price unless you stop it. I don't like their billing practices. I'll wait for a promo.

[Beachboy]

Well, in less than a week after my Sirius subscription expired, they've offered me a one year deal at $6.42/month plus royalties and taxes. Half the usual price (but the royalties and fees I'm sure are continued at full price). At the end of the one year special offer, it automatically renews at full price unless I cancel it. I might have to consider this offer carefully, since I do miss Sirius.

[DaDD]

Well, in less than a week after my Sirius subscription expired, they've offered me a one year deal at $6.42/month plus royalties and taxes. Half the usual price (but the royalties and fees I'm sure are continued at full price). At the end of the one year special offer, it automatically renews at full price unless I cancel it. I might have to consider this offer carefully, since I do miss Sirius.

 

Wasn't aware of the royalties fee...have to check that out in Canada. Too bad they wait till the sub expires to lower the price. No logic, unless business is that good. I argued too that subscribers with proprietary built-in units from car manufacturers should get a lower price because they can't transfer the unit indoors to use with a sound system, like store bought portable units. Lost that one too. I like the service but it's only worth half price, especially with a built in unit. BTW did they waive the re-connection admin fee?

[Beachboy]

Wasn't aware of the royalties fee...have to check that out in Canada. Too bad they wait till the sub expires to lower the price. No logic, unless business is that good. I argued too that subscribers with proprietary built-in units from car manufacturers should get a lower price because they can't transfer the unit indoors to use with a sound system, like store bought portable units. Lost that one too. I like the service but it's only worth half price, especially with a built in unit. BTW did they waive the re-connection admin fee?

 

The "advertised" special deal was shown to be $77, but by the time they add the royalties, state and local taxes, it came to $93 for the year. Yes, they waive the $15 reconnection fee. One thing that's different is that you have to leave your radio turned on to channel 184 while they "ping" it to re-establish the connection. Since at the moment, my car is stuck in the garage due to blizzard conditions, I'll have to get online or call them when I'm ready to have it pinged. When I first established Sirius service, they had me connected while I was talking to them on the phone, so I'm not sure why re-establishing service is any different.

 

I agree that Sirius is only worth half price and that was the only reason I re-established it. In the week without Sirius, I did come to realize how bad local FM programming had become, with more ads than music! You do have to be careful to cancel the service a few days before the expiration date, or else they'll automatically bill your credit card next time for the full subscription fee. The Sirius sales rep seemed somewhat upset that my credit card will expire just before the next subscription is due, but I told her the credit card company only issues them for two year periods, and I'll have a new card with the same account number next year. If you cancel service AFTER they renew it on your credit cars, there is a $75 disconnect fee. It seems like satellite radio companies are as sleazy as satellite TV providers.

[petras52]

The "advertised" special deal was shown to be $77, but by the time they add the royalties, state and local taxes, it came to $93 for the year. Yes, they waive the $15 reconnection fee. One thing that's different is that you have to leave your radio turned on to channel 184 while they "ping" it to re-establish the connection. Since at the moment, my car is stuck in the garage due to blizzard conditions, I'll have to get online or call them when I'm ready to have it pinged. When I first established Sirius service, they had me connected while I was talking to them on the phone, so I'm not sure why re-establishing service is any different.

 

I agree that Sirius is only worth half price and that was the only reason I re-established it. In the week without Sirius, I did come to realize how bad local FM programming had become, with more ads than music! You do have to be careful to cancel the service a few days before the expiration date, or else they'll automatically bill your credit card next time for the full subscription fee. The Sirius sales rep seemed somewhat upset that my credit card will expire just before the next subscription is due, but I told her the credit card company only issues them for two year periods, and I'll have a new card with the same account number next year. If you cancel service AFTER they renew it on your credit cars, there is a $75 disconnect fee. It seems like satellite radio companies are as sleazy as satellite TV providers.

 

although I like siriius, i'm not in the car long enough to justify the full price..I found that if you are uncomfortable with giving them a credit card number, you can pay with either a gift card, found a best buy or other big stores, or pay by check...

[Ray]

Thanks for everybody's input. I think I'll let my subscription end this Wednesday, then see how badly Sirius wants my business. They've been calling me almost daily and sending me endless junk mail, always with the same (full price) offers. I dislike the way they show one price, then in small print they add the taxes and royalties, making it about 25% higher than they initially advertised. There are definitely some aspects of Sirius that I like, but another $16/month charge in this economy is hard to justify.

HI, use your smart phone and stream music . I have a EVO4g and I use the tune in application. I can choose any streaming station . On the media page change device to BTST from the usb setting if your phone is synced it will start playing through the sound system and it is free. Tell Mel he can keep his Sirius!

[cdswebinc]

HI, use your smart phone and stream music . I have a EVO4g and I use the tune in application. I can choose any streaming station . On the media page change device to BTST from the usb setting if your phone is synced it will start playing through the sound system and it is free. Tell Mel he can keep his Sirius!

 

 

Agreed. I run Pandora on my android LG Optimus and stream it to the sound system. Certain Sirius stations are almost an exact match to your custom stations on Pandora. For example, for Sirius 40s on 4, create a Pandora station and "seed" it with Tommy Dorsey. For Siriusly Sinatra (75), Pandora "seed" Frank Sinatra. For Sirius Real Jazz (72), on Pandora enter your jazz artist of choice. And so on... Think about using the AC jack (I have the FFH) and keep your phone charged while it performs some of these battery-draining activities.

 

All of this said, keep in mind that a 6 month trial Sirius subscription is really two subscriptions, Radio and Travel Link. Travel Link includes your traffic overlay, weather, and other info available through Sync. This thread has been talking about radio, but Travel Link also hangs in the balance of the decision about whether to keep Sirius or not.

[QuarkMeister]

All Sirus needs is your credit card number and you'll be a customer under THEIR terms from then on. They are ruthless in their dealings so will give a sweet deal to reel you in then you will have a genuine HOA task getting rid of their service. We called, canceled and they continued to charge us even after we stopped the credit card. They threatened me and my credit rating! We do not need Sirus and have reason not to EVER use their service again! BEWARE THE GOOD DEAL - it winds up in their favor to your anguish.

[Chicago Sandy]

I have a sort of unusual problem. I have been a long-time XM subscriber--I had an aftermarket XM receiver in my 2002 Taurus SEL (and my husband has one in the 2005 Five Hundred he still drives). I am a professional touring folksinger, and my favorite channel is XM 62, The Village--the only folk music channel (it's the only one on which I sometimes get syndicated airplay). I traded in the Taurus yesterday when I bought my Fusion Hybrid. Now, Sirius & XM are co-owned, most channels are on both (even the artist-specific ones like the Elvis and E Street Radio channels), and some have the same channel numbers. So imagine my chagrin when I found that the Sirius listings card doesn't mention The Village, and channel 62 is something else entirely (I think it's Christian music--I'm Jewish and have no use for it). I went via search to Sirius' website; the dedicated channel for The Village doesn't mention a channel number, only how to get it online for a $13 monthly subscription. The general channel guide on Sirius' homepage lists it as "SIR-8." When I tune to that, I get "'80s on 8" instead.

 

So, anyone know how and if I can get The Village on Sirius using my SYNC system? Voice commands aren't cutting it--I get either "invalid channel" or the channel name that sounds closest, whether I say SIR-8, 62, or The Village (the latter takes me to Catholic Radio, which also does me no good). Assuming I can't get The Village on Sirius (it isn't in their "Best of XM" add-on either), I will probably have to continue my XM subscription. (I already found out I can't convert the XM subscription to Sirius). I left the connector dock, cables and antenna back in my Taurus--they can probably remove it for me, or I can get new connection equipment at an audio installer. I think there might be a stereo-out minijack on the dock; if so, can I plug it into the mp3 player jack in the console and treat it as a User Device? My only alternative is to cancel the XM subscription and listen to The Village via my HTC Evo 4G's Web browser (thank God for unlimited Sprint data plans). I'd use my iPhone, but that's synced to SYNC as a handsfree phone.

 

Does anyone here who re-upped their Sirius subscription after the trial period also listen online? If so, does that come free with the car's subscription or do you have to pay the thirteen bucks a month (which option is also available to those without a Sirius account)? I know it sounds silly to be concerned about one channel, but it's the one I listen to most often. The Coffee House is NOT the same thing, as it's basically major-label acoustic pop/rock. The Americana and Bluegrass channels also won't do--although there's some crossover with folk, neither one plays folk music nor the few shows on which I get played. And I do take VERY long drives between gigs--which is why I bought a hybrid.

[RedneckRoyalty]

I always use either a gift card, or a pre-paid card when I sign up for these sorts of deals. By the time the renewal comes up, the card is long gone and they can't just "bill me".

[acdii]

I pay month to month for music only and travel link. Good thing too, since I sold my F150, it was easy to cancel and not lose anything.

[erichFla]

There is Soooooo much stuff to learn even about the type radio programing you want. I really need to dig into my Owners Manual and other books & papers to find out which Sirius Sub. I have. I'm thinking it's probably only the 6 months Trial but I'll try and find the paperwork on it. I like the ideal of renewing with gift card or pre-paid card, I will not use my Credit Card, IF I renew it. That would cut out the re-billing automaticly whether you wanted it or not. I'm looking at my iPod with All that Music ( 6 Days worth uninterupted ) and NO commercials on it at all, sounds like a better plan from what I'm reading about the Sirius Pkg. and hassels.

Seems I have lots to learn in everything about this car including the Sirius Radio Pkg.

Thanks guys for all the Info.

[GrySql]

If I subscribe it will be the simple package, their 'A La Carte' package with 50 stations priced at $7.99 @ month.

You have to dig a little to find it on the Sirius website.

It is nice for music when we travel on our longer trips but certainly don't need traffic, weather, news, sports, Howard Stern or Martha Stewart.

I have a two Nav systems with traffic and all the other location & POI services, an iPhone with lotsa music and even some of those old things, hmmm, oh yeah, CD's.

 

I even have maps for when the Nav fails and a book and deck of cards when the Kindle doesn't work, how did we even survive in the past??

Sometimes we look out the side windows too. :superhero:

[acdii]

I think the only thing to renew on mine is the Travel Link. Its the only thing I use on a regular basis. Weather, Movies and gas prices. To date I have yet to even turn Sirius radio on in the 13.