Sirius phone app v. car radios and other sirius budget questions . . .

[RadioFanatic]

So, we have sirius radio in our cars right now. In february, we have to pay the annual fee which is too much in my opinion (about $250?). I want to reduce but still have sirius, so a couple of questions for those in the know:]

1. anyone have the sirius phone app? how much does it cost? do you use it in the car? do you have to already have the radio system before you can get the app?

2. anyone gotten rid of the car radio system bc you now have the app? any problems?

3. anyone able to reduce the annual rate for the radio system? how and what rate did you get and when did you do this?

thanks!

 

[Disneychix]

Honestly, we were able to reduce our rate for 2 receivers by simply cancelling 1 (My DH was laid off and we were cutting back). We cancelled the 1 receiver and within 2 weeks they were calling us with offers to add it back on and sign up again. They even gave us a good offer on a new reciever since we needed one.

Sorry, can't answer questions about the new App.

 

[tlbwriter]

You can get a discount without canceling - just tell them you're going to cancel ("I like it but I don't listen to it enough to justify the cost") and they will offer you a discount.

 

[ssawka]

So, we have sirius radio in our cars right now. In february, we have to pay the annual fee which is too much in my opinion (about $250?). I want to reduce but still have sirius, so a couple of questions for those in the know:]

1. anyone have the sirius phone app? how much does it cost? do you use it in the car? do you have to already have the radio system before you can get the app?

I have the app on my Droid. It works OK, but not as good as a dedicated radio. I'm starting to use it in the car, but I just bought a new KIA and the bluetooth lets you stream audio to the stereo.

You can get the app without having another radio, however if you do not have another radio the price is the same as the first radio. If you have another radio, the cost for the internet version of sirius is $3/month. Also, you would need to have unlimited data on your phone for it to be cost effective.

2. anyone gotten rid of the car radio system bc you now have the app? any problems?

I'm considering not renewing the sirius in the new car once the trial runs out. The second radio will cost me $10 a month, and since DW already has Sirius in her car, I can do the app for the $3/month. Also, I'm thinking about adding a subscription for Slacker Radio, which IMHO does a much better job of selecting music. I will probably only keep sirius for a few talk shows I listen to.

3. anyone able to reduce the annual rate for the radio system? how and what rate did you get and when did you do this?

I was not successful in reducing my rate the last time I had a new car and the trial ran out, but it could be because I never paid for that radio in the first place. When that car was totaled, I had to drop the radio. Well, ever since then, Sirius keeps sending me a deal to reactivate the radio for $20 for 5 months.

 

[csharpwv]

We just allowed out 6 month free trial to expire without subscribing in hopes that they will offer a better price.

We really would not get $12.95 a month out of the service with the exception of maybe two months around the holidays - and the few trips to Disney that we make each year.

The only trip we have planned right now we are flying down for.

So, we are hoping that they will offer a better deal to us down the road a little.

We considered doing the lifetime membership (lifetime of the radio - not the owner) but I think it's too much as well.

A friend also brought up the interesting point about using our iPhone as a radio in the house.

It really stinks that the A La Carte is not available on In-Car units.

I called customer service to try to negotiate a lower rate, and they were transferring me to a manager and the phone disconnected on their end which made me really mad - so I didn't call back.

My DW really wants to renew it - but I'm not so sold.

I'd rather spend $13.00 a month on iTunes - at least I will have something to keep for $13.00!

We will renew - but we are waiting on them to make the move.

 

[jeni1072]

I have always called to cancel at renew time, and ALWAYS gotten half off.

 

[angierae]

Yup, call and tell them it's just costing you too much and isn't really worth it, and you'd like to cancel. They'll transfer you to account retention who will offer you a really good deal. I was paying $45 every 3 months and I called to cancel and they offered me a year for $88, which was half price.

 

[drinkme]

I let my free trial expire. Every time they called, I was waiting for a good deal. I finally took it when I was offered the $20 for 5 months. I really only listen to 2 channels, so I can't see paying much more than that.

I just did this last week. And they first offered me the $88 for the year. I told them it was too much...lol. I'm not sure if after the 5 months what I'll be offered. So, maybe the $88 would have been the better deal in the long run.

HTH