XM Satellite Radio Consumer Reviews - Page 5

WASHINGTON -- In Sept. I bought a new 08 HHR that came with XM radio installed and a free three month trial. When the trial ran out I went online to their site and created an account that I chose to be billed every month. However the next day I contacted my bank to find XM had charged my debit card for a quarterly billing of $36.76 and not a monthly of $12.95. I also found out my service had been disconnected. This was on 12/17/07.

On 12/18/07 I called XM support to find out that the online account I had set up was not really a choice for monthly billing since their site does not recognize monthly billings only quarterly or more. This seems to me a big case of misrepresentation to customers, but all I got from XM was a 'sorry mama'. I was instructed that the over charge would be refunded in 72 hours and that my service would be updated. I was informed that my car was to be 'running' while the update was going on.

On 12/19/07 I again called them due to no service. I was again told 'sorry mama' and that the service would be up and running. NOT! It is now 12/21/07 I have contacted XM for 5 days running now in regards to over payment, not getting my email information correct and not having service. Today I spoke with someone who informed me that no, my car did not need to be running to update the radio. Nice to know since it was running for over 2 hours at $3.48 a gallon for gas. I will say the service is now on again. If it were not for the area I live in and not being able to receive radio from any other place I would have told XM to keep its service.

I have since made a formal complaint to Chevy/GM about XM since they do offer this service in their cars. I feel as a customer they should be aware of all the headaches XM customer support clients will experience. Would I recommend this service - well the radio stations are great but the customer service scores a big fat 0 with me. Unless you live where there is no other radio service available I would say do not waste your time with XM.

I've been a loyal XM subscriber for a few years. Without warning, my service was terminated. With no available info on the website, I called the Customer Service number. I was told my credit had expired. (It would have been nice if they sent me a remainder.) I paid the bill online, and still no reactivation. I tried the online activation, followed the instructions...still no activation.

After 3 or 4 failed attempts, I finally called the 800 number. After 50 minutes on hold, I was told I had a balance due. I provided them the confirmation number from my online payment. They said it "took a couple of days" before this would register (huh???) and they would reactivate my radio in the meantime. OK, thanks. 2 hours later, still no activation. I tried online again...nothing.

I called the 800 number AGAIN. Same story, same promise to activate. (I've activated many of these radios and know the procedure well. My car is turned on, tuned to the preview channel, and awaiting the signal.) Anyway, 4 hours later, STILL no activation. I give up for the night and start again in the morning. A third call to the 800 number, same story. I ask again they send the activation signal. They assure me they will, and you guessed it!!! 2 hours later, NO ACTIVATION. I'm now on hold for the 4th time.

I paid the bill 2 days ago, and honestly, this is the last time I'll call them. My car is factory-installed XM, but THIS ISN'T WORTH IT. Over 8 hours of my time, and still no simple result. The website, 800 number, and all other attempts at contact (I did write e-mail 48 hours ago) are just worthless.

XM, are you reading this? Is this how paying customers should be treated? Update: Call #4 is a success! The rep did say some unspecified "problem" had prevented the signal from going through and he had rectified the problem. 5 hours of my time. Joy.

While reviewing my credit card statements, I noticed a monthly charge for XM radio and a quarterly charge. My account was being billed quarterly and my spouse had noticed the 2 previous charge card statements had a monthly XM radio charge also. She had assumed we were on a monthly payment plan. I assumed that one of the kid's cars had the XM radio package (we have 5 cars). It turned out we only have 1 XM radio account and that XMSIRIUS had added a stranger's account to our credit card.

We spent over 2 hours and talked to 7 people and 2 months later we still had not received any credit. Called in again (another hour) and discovered that the mystery person had his radio plan adjusted to a yearly bill (with a 3 month credit-yes the credit was from my charge card). So it was almost 3 months, 3 hours of calls, and 8 separate people and I still had the disputed charges on my credit card. It seems like the first few people you get when you call, just want to talk you into upgrading your plan.

XM Radio. My favorite stations are the 50s, 60s, and 70s. There was way too much talking by the DJs such as Cousin Brucie (evenings) and the morning guy. I called XM on numerous occasions, sent certified letters to the president of the company and a couple of board members, and made online complaints. I even called several times but the customer service reps said they could not do anything. No one ever responded to the complaints. I pay for XM for the music not to hear "has been DJs" talk about insignificant events (insignificant because most of the nation doesn't really care about the happenings in Smalltown USA) but to actually listen to the music I like.

These DJs carry on for several minutes at a time on a regular basis. Most of their "callers" are little children. This is my opinion but it seems odd that these DJs spend so much time with little children. How many children really like oldies? While I do not have any evidence to suggest any inappropriate actions of the DJs with children, I am concerned. There is an alternative called "Slacker Radio". I have an iPhone but I am concerned about "data charges". An AT&T lady told me that Slacker does use data when not using WiFi but a Slacker review said that it does not.

They do offer a radio for purchase and that undoubtedly would not incur data charges. I think I am going to give it a try. I will gladly pay to listen to my favorite music. I will not, however, pay to listen to DJs talk for than a few seconds at a time.

I've been a happy Sirius subscriber for 8 years. I've recently received a new company vehicle with an XM radio. I received a call from XM to activate my new radio at $77 for 1 year with the best of Sirius added. I jumped on this offer. When I turned on the radio the best of Sirius was not added. I checked my account online and found not only did I not have the BOS but the $77 was for a 6-month subscription. I got a hold of XM customer service, in India, and they had no authority to honor the sales pitch. This is clearly BAIT AND SWITCH tactics.

There seems to be no way to get ahold customer service in the U.S. It took longer to cancel my subscription than I was actually a member. Bottom line, this company has been merged for over 2 years now and they are still a separate company at the account level. There should be no Best of XM or Sirius. All packages should be the same. The consumer has been hurt by this merger.

My new car had XM and after my 90 day trial, I decided to purchase it. I ordered one year at $142 and was billed $321. When I complained I was told that I had ordered 2 years (posted at $245) and that the additional charges were "fees". They promised to reduce my order to one year and make a refund which was to take 10-15 days. 4 weeks later, no refund so I called again and was told that they had decided to issue a credit for future purchase instead of a refund. I protested and they said they'd issue a refund in 10-15 days.

At that point (having spoken with 4 people), I opted to cancel -- which would take, you guessed it 10 - 15 days. At that point I called my credit card company only to learn that they were loath to intervene because I had "enjoyed" the service for over a month. I pushed it, they credited; shortly thereafter, XM gave a partial reimbursement; shortly thereafter, my credit card company recharged so we balanced.

5 months later, I get a call from a collections agency that XM has handed my account to trying to collect the $320! In this time, I've had 10 calls from XM asking me to buy the service again, nothing to indicate that they had any issue with the accounting. Now I'm faxing credit statements to XM and the collections agency. Buyer beware... This company is abusive, duplicitous, and not forthcoming on their charges. They advertise 2 years for $245 and it costs 40% more than that because of "fees". Give me a break.

I tried XM Radio in 2007 on a trip to the Bahamas. I couldn't get good reception and cancelled the service. They billed me the next year in 2008 and I called and tried to cancel the bill since I wasn't using the service. Now I get another pending bill and looking back realize they did charge my credit card for 2008 despite my call, I have asked them to stop the billing yet again, and asked them to remove all my records including credit cards from their system. Time will tell... They don't allow you to cancel your account from the website. You have to call, and then they don't keep records of calls... DON'T GET INVOLVED WITH XM RADIO!!!

I purchased a new vehicle, 4/2009. On 6/2009 I cancelled the service (within my 90-day trial period). On 11/09/09, I received a statement for billing in the amount of $63.46. I called AGAIN and spoke with Trudy in the Customer Care Billing Department and informed that this was cancelled. She said she would take care of the cancellation as well as the bill.

Today (11/19/09) I received a collection letter and also noticed that this is now on my credit file. I called and spoke with a representative and supervisor in the Customer Care Billing Department, and explained the situation but without resolution because they informed that I NEVER called to cancel. If I had known with a free trial I would have had this many issues with XM Radio, I would have NEVER accepted the trial offer. I have also filed a complaint with the BBB and FTC!!

DETROIT, MICHIGAN -- I bought a new Honda in April. It came with free XM radio for 3 months. We decided to save the money and not use it after it stopped. It stopped at the time expected. I received numerous offers in the mail, never accepted them. I DID call about one in early Oct. I decided not to do it, the sales pitch was getting shady. The offer never said anything about automatic renewal at the regular rate, I found out later in the call. (I am in sales and can smell a scam.) So I said never mind, I am not interested.

I just got a bill in the mail for $98 for service from July to October (never had or tried to use the service). I was told that we didn't get service because the car was probably in a garage! (Ex-Navy pilot here - I know how satellite works.) After he could not explain why I had a bill for service during a time was receiving offers in the mail to reactivate, and overlapping a new billing period, they said I called and waited; he finally credited my bill. Well he says he did, after reading here, it probably won't.

I did complain to the FTC, everyone here should, and I have already notified Equifax in advance. I will be complaining to the BBB next. Everyone join in. They are going out of business because people can't afford the service, so I believe they are doing anything to get a keep a buck. In my opinion they seem to be very incompetent or criminal - neither is good.

I have been with XM for over 4 years and love the radio and never had any problems until now. My husband bought a radio about 1 year ago and we received an invoice payment in August. I wanted to have the payments set up electronically which would be easier right? Wrong! First they offered me a lifetime package for $399.99 for my radio $92.24 for 5 months for my husbands. Well, they took out of my account $92.24, $22.97, & $501! Then as of today they took out another $550!

I had canceled the lifetime plan because I was not paying what I was told and went to the year plan for both yet I cannot get them to refund my money! I have called every day since 8/30 and keep getting the runaround, told different things by everyone I speak to, been lied to, hung up on, you name it! This is the most crooked, unethical company I have ever dealt with. I will be filing complaints with every government agency I can find!