Ugh, time to renegotiate Sirius XM radio

[mdsouth]

If you say no to the $89/year, they'll offer a better, but shorter deal. Most report $25 for 5 months, but there have been reports of $20 or $30 or six month deals.

24.99 for 6 months

Our free trial period from our new car just expired on Monday. We received notices through the radio and a letter in the mail. I think my husband also got email messages. The letter gave two options: six monthis for $29.94 or twelve months for $99.00.

I used to get it 6 months for $25. That was a few years ago, and then they went to 5 months for $25 which was fine. I bought a new car in December '14 that came with a years subscription, so I won't have to worry about it until next December. I'm curious to see if their tactics will change by then, or if I will still be able to "snaggle" them down to $25 for five months.

For those using Pandora through their phone, how much data does that eat up? I've considered it, but didn't want to use too much of our plan on just streaming music.

My trial subscription on my new car ends in 42 days. How far in advance should I call in order to be invoiced $5 per month ($25 for 5 mos.) and pay by check? And is that price that people have negotiated for All Access? or limited?

Our free trial period from our new car just expired on Monday, June 8th. Prior to that date we received notices through the radio and an actual letter in the mail. The letter was in a yellow envelope and the letter itself is yellow. I think my husband also got email messages. The letter gave two options: six months for $29.94 or twelve months for $99.00.

There is also a number to call for the Early Bird discount - 1-855-305-6067. The letter also lists a website: siriusxf.com/savenow5

 

[Belle0101]

I'm a little disappointed. My 2-month free trial ended Thursday, June 25. I hadn't received any offers via radio, phone, snail mail or email at anytime so I called today. I don't recall exactly what offers #1 and 2 were but I said no to them, the rep said the 3rd, best and last offer they had was a basic package for 12 months for $99 plus tax and misc. fees. I said no thank-you to that also and he said there weren't any other offers and to call back if I changed my mind.

My sister has had Sirius for at least 2 years now, and like other posters, she's never paid more than $25 for 6 months. She advised me to wait a month, or until I get sent offers, before I call again.

 

[Jimsig]

I'm a little disappointed. My 2-month free trial ended Thursday, June 25. I hadn't received any offers via radio, phone, snail mail or email at anytime so I called today. I don't recall exactly what offers #1 and 2 were but I said no to them, the rep said the 3rd, best and last offer they had was a basic package for 12 months for $99 plus tax and misc. fees. I said no thank-you to that also and he said there weren't any other offers and to call back if I changed my mind.

My sister has had Sirius for at least 2 years now, and like other posters, she's never paid more than $25 for 6 months. She advised me to wait a month, or until I get sent offers, before I call again.

Did you try mentioning your sister was getting the $25 for 6 deal and you would like that too?

 

[Belle0101]

Did you try mentioning your sister was getting the $25 for 6 deal and you would like that too?

I considered it but she said she heard that if you ask for that discount they will act like they don't know what you are talking about. Now in hindsight I realize I may as well have mentioned, I wouldn't be any worse off than I am now. I'll call back later this week and try that.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I called this weekend to cancel, and she asked why. I told her my promo rate was almost up and I wasn't willing to pay full price. So she said to me, "so you are cancelling, because your rate is too high?" and I replied yes.

She then offered another six months for $29.95 and I accepted and asked them to bill me, so I paid $2 for an invoice fee. All in all with taxes, fees and invoice fee I am at about $36.00, and that is the most I will pay. I don't use it much, but my kids do.

 

[Jimsig]

I considered it but she said she heard that if you ask for that discount they will act like they don't know what you are talking about. Now in hindsight I realize I may as well have mentioned, I wouldn't be any worse off than I am now. I'll call back later this week and try that.

A few times I have said I heard about the rate and have gotten it, figure the worse they can say is no. Let us know how you make out.

 

[tami82]

I'm a little disappointed. My 2-month free trial ended Thursday, June 25. I hadn't received any offers via radio, phone, snail mail or email at anytime so I called today. I don't recall exactly what offers #1 and 2 were but I said no to them, the rep said the 3rd, best and last offer they had was a basic package for 12 months for $99 plus tax and misc. fees. I said no thank-you to that also and he said there weren't any other offers and to call back if I changed my mind.

My sister has had Sirius for at least 2 years now, and like other posters, she's never paid more than $25 for 6 months. She advised me to wait a month, or until I get sent offers, before I call again.

Call back and speak to someone else if you don't like the answer. Imwent through this last month, I forgot two weeks prior my radio had expired, I talked to someone who was a complete idiot. I mentioned I always got the 6 month deal for $30 and kept trying to,sell me a $160 package. I kept saying I couldn't afford to pay a big amount at once and he basically gave me no options at all. I finally got tired of arguing with this guy and hung up very mad. A few minutes later called back and spoke to someone very nice, who actually knew what he was doing. Told him I usually do the 5 or,6 month deal, after he tried to sell me on a 89 dollar one. he happily gave it to me and also after siriusm,started me on a regular subscription after my expiration date because I never called before the last day, charged my credit card, I actually got it prorated from what they charged me from that so I really didn't lose anything.

In a nutshell if you don't like the answer from one person, move onto the next.

 

[Belle0101]

Here's my update:

I called today and before the rep. started offering packages I politely, but firmly, said that my after my trial ended I was talking with my sister about her subscription and she had said that when her trial ended she was offered 6 months for $25. I said that if he could give me that same deal I would reactivate right then otherwise I wasn't interested in reactivating. He said that because I specifically asked for that deal he could give it to me.

What he couldn't do was send me an invoice and let me send in a payment. I said I didn't want my credit card saved anywhere because of hackers and most importantly, I didn't want them to be able to charge my card in January for a full price package. I ended up paying $32.59 (6 months for $25.00 plus taxes and misc. fees) right then but he said they won't charge my credit card for the next renewal. I'll get an invoice in December that will be due January 1st for a full price package. However, if I'm not happy with that I should call back before the due date and talk to someone.

I'm really glad I listened to all of you instead of my sister! That's our secret though.

ETA: I have the Select package. And, I was talking to my sister. She said her last package was 5 months for $25.00. I really thought she told me 6 months when I first talked to her.

 

[bluezy]

Here's my update:

I called today and before the rep. started offering packages I politely, but firmly, said that my after my trial ended I was talking with my sister about her subscription and she had said that when her trial ended she was offered 6 months for $25. I said that if he could give me that same deal I would reactivate right then otherwise I wasn't interested in reactivating. He said that because I specifically asked for that deal he could give it to me.

What he couldn't do was send me an invoice and let me send in a payment. I said I didn't want my credit card saved anywhere because of hackers and most importantly, I didn't want them to be able to charge my card in January for a full price package. I ended up paying $32.59 (6 months for $25.00 plus taxes and misc. fees) right then but he said they won't charge my credit card for the next renewal. I'll get an invoice in December that will be due January 1st for a full price package. However, if I'm not happy with that I should call back before the due date and talk to someone.

I'm really glad I listened to all of you instead of my sister! That's our secret though.

ETA: I have the Select package. And, I was talking to my sister. She said her last package was 5 months for $25.00. I really thought she told me 6 months when I first talked to her.

I've had trouble getting them to invoice me sometimes,too, and when I said I didn't want to use my credit card because I didn't want them to automatically renew at any time, they said they could do just a one-time charge to the card and not keep it on file. Needless to say, I didn't believe them. I had them make the "one time" charge and then about a week later I called to have my credit card information removed from my account. Much to my surprise, there was no credit card information on file (or so they said).

 

[Belle0101]

I've had trouble getting them to invoice me sometimes,too, and when I said I didn't want to use my credit card because I didn't want them to automatically renew at any time, they said they could do just a one-time charge to the card and not keep it on file. Needless to say, I didn't believe them. I had them make the "one time" charge and then about a week later I called to have my credit card information removed from my account. Much to my surprise, there was no credit card information on file (or so they said).

I'm glad yours wasn't on file, hopefully mine isn't either.

 

[Jimsig]

Here's my update:....
What he couldn't do was send me an invoice and let me send in a payment. I said I didn't want my credit card saved anywhere because of hackers and most importantly, I didn't want them to be able to charge my card in January for a full price package. I ended up paying $32.59 (6 months for $25.00 plus taxes and misc. fees) right then but he said they won't charge my credit card for the next renewal. I'll get an invoice in December that will be due January 1st for a full price package. However, if I'm not happy with that I should call back before the due date and talk to someone..

To be safe in a couple days (after you see the charges on your CC) sign on to you account and make sure the CC info did not get saved. If it did you can always delete it.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

They will also waive the $2 invoice fee if you ask them to.

 

[Belle0101]

To be safe in a couple days (after you see the charges on your CC) sign on to you account and make sure the CC info did not get saved. If it did you can always delete it.

Thanks! I'll be sure and do that.

They will also waive the $2 invoice fee if you ask them to.

Wow! I'll have to remember and ask for that to be removed too when I renew.

 

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

I received an offer this week for 5 months at $25. This sounded tempting, but every time I sign up, something is messed up with the billing and I am overcharged. Then it takes hours on the phone to sort it out. They have the worst customer service. I'm done with Sirius XM.

 

[DisneyHeather]

I did 6 months for $25 two days ago and I gave them a card that will expire in October so it won't work when they try to charge me again in January so if I forget to call I'll just lose the radio until I get another offer in the mail.

 

[Jimsig]

I did 6 months for $25 two days ago and I gave them a card that will expire in October so it won't work when they try to charge me again in January so if I forget to call I'll just lose the radio until I get another offer in the mail.

The charge still may go through even though the card expired if the card number stays the same. Sometimes when you give a card for reoccurring subscriptions, such as Sirius/XM- Virus protection- etc. the charge will go through (or at least they used to) so you are not without your subscription. They will up your expiration date by say 2, 3, 5 years and run it through the CC system. You may have agreed to allow them to do this through the TOS agreement

If they do not try and run it they will probably e-mail you and let you know your CC/debit card did not work. At least that's what they did for me. My bank sent me a new card with a new number. Got an e=mail saying my payment option did not work etc.

 

[supersnoop]

I did 6 months for $25 two days ago and I gave them a card that will expire in October so it won't work when they try to charge me again in January so if I forget to call I'll just lose the radio until I get another offer in the mail.

That's not quite how it works. First of all, the charge could still go through. Second, since you've agreed the the renewal, they'll leave the service going and send you a bill in the mail. You'll be responsible for the full charges until you call to cancel.

 

[RainSW6]

Wow, we were overpaying... we were paying about $200/year for ONE car, yikes!! We had decided to cancel even before seeing this thread, because we hardly even use it anymore, and then there was no question after I saw this! When my husband called, they tried to get him to renew for $25 for 6 months or something and also offered to give us a refund on some of what we'd paid them the last couple of years. We declined and just cancelled it. I saw yesterday that the customer service person still refunded us $40... I guess they're hoping that will make us reconsider them in the future, but no way! Still, I'm glad to have some of our money back, though I feel like an idiot for not questioning the price sooner

 

[lynnfitz]

We had a special for 5 months-2 cars are ending the 22nd of this month, my DH expires in Sept. I called to see if they would extend it, and he said I had to call back closer to the expiration date (around the 20th). I did ask him to take my cc information off the account so I wouldn't get billed automatically for a full price renewal. Any thoughts if you think they would extend my offer for another 5 months when I call back? the rep made it sound like once you're given an offer like that, you might not get another. I never who to believe with Sirius! I did tell him I would cancel if I didn't get the offer extended when I call (he didn't really seem to care about that). Anyone get the same offer more than once? We do have 3 cars on the account though.

 

[Belle0101]

We had a special for 5 months-2 cars are ending the 22nd of this month, my DH expires in Sept. I called to see if they would extend it, and he said I had to call back closer to the expiration date (around the 20th). I did ask him to take my cc information off the account so I wouldn't get billed automatically for a full price renewal. Any thoughts if you think they would extend my offer for another 5 months when I call back? the rep made it sound like once you're given an offer like that, you might not get another. I never who to believe with Sirius! I did tell him I would cancel if I didn't get the offer extended when I call (he didn't really seem to care about that). Anyone get the same offer more than once? We do have 3 cars on the account though.

My sister had 6 months / $25 and she thought it would automatically renew at that rate. Wrong. It renewed at full price. She called the next day and said she wanted the same price as she had before or she would cancel. They refunded the difference between the full price and the 6 months / $25 she's always had.

So based on her experience, I think it's likely they will give the special you've had but you will have to ask for it.