[treeswarper]

Until recently, it was very difficult to get radio reception in our valley. Now we have Radio Free Glenoma, which has NO news. We also just got NPR from somewhere that comes in kind of OK here. They are all talk. The NPR radio waves cannot penetrate my shop building. I can't get any AM stations until after dark.

[Matt Lemke]

If you live in the deserts of Utah or the Mountains of Colorado or the hicks of Montana or anywhere where farms dominate.....you need satellite radio. I'd say it's worth it and Sirius has much better music. If you like talk (for whatever reason) then XM is your choice.

[FootHiker]

[509]

[FootHiker]

[509]

Now in bold print they state they will automatically roll over your account, if you do not cancel before the renew date. Here is how to cancel your XM account. This came from an RV group with the same problems. "When I went to discontinue my subscription, I had to talk to three different representatives. The first person you talk to isn't authorized to end your account - you have to transfer to a "customer retention specialist". He'll want to know why you're quitting and will keep hitting you with offers to keep you on board. Their standard offer is $8 per month for 3 months. Keep saying no and they'll increase the kitty to providing a free replacement radio and up to three months free service. Knowing perfectly well you'll either forget to cancel after the free period or simply won't want to go through the hassle again. Eventually you will reach a point where the "specialist" agrees to cancel your subscription, and gives you a confirmation number. If there's any time remaining on your subscription they'll also post a credit for that amount to your credit card. Keep the confirmation number and amount on file in case there's any dispute." I believe the process takes only an couple of hours. In my case, I though I had cancelled after the second person. The third person was busy and was going to call me back, but never did. So I never did get a confirmation number. So that's why my account ended up at a collection agency. Most people on the RV forum said it would be a good idea to tape your conversations with XM/Sirius. How bad do you want satellite radio??

[FootHiker]

That answers it, they're still crooks. Guess they blew off the Attorney General and nothing happened. This would be an ideal class action suit. But wait, there's an arbitration clause in the contract that bars class actions.

[FootHiker]

My suspicion is confirmed. They're apparently ignoring the state attorneys general and continuing their dishonest practices. Found this: http://ctwatchdog.com/finance/sirius-xm-consumer-complaints-continue-despite-attorneys-general-investigation "One would think that after Connecticut and six other states 18 months ago launched an investigating SiriusXM satellite radio company’s billing and consumer practices, the firm would clean up its act." "You would not know it from the complaints I and the Connecticut Attorney General’s office still receive."

[FootHiker]

It took 44 state attorneys general to tackle these frauds. The Arizona Republic, December 5, 2014 SiriusXM fined $3.8 million in consumer fraud case SiriusXM radio has agreed to pay back customers who complained they were deceived by the satellite radio company. SiriusXM Radio Inc. will pay $3.8 million as part of a settlement agreement with attorneys general from across the country who accused the company of engaging in misleading advertising and billing practices for the past six years. Attorneys general in 44 states, including Arizona, said the company violated consumer protection laws by failing to cancel contracts, misrepresenting the terms of service, sticking consumers with unapproved fees and steep rates. "It's important for us to hold national companies like Sirius XM accountable for business practices that mislead, deceive or are unfair to consumers," Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne said in a statement Thursday. "This settlement is an example of the measures this office takes to protect consumers. I encourage Arizonans to file a complaint with our office by April 1st if they believe they have been harmed by Sirius XM's misleading advertising and billing practices." Lawyers from the Arizona attorney generals office served on the executive committee of this investigation. According to the statement, the investigation looked into a host of consumer complaints, including: "Difficulty canceling contracts; cancellation requests that were not honored; misrepresentations that the consumer's Sirius XM service would be canceled and not renewed; contracts that were automatically renewed without consumers' notice or consent; unauthorized fees; higher, unanticipated rates after a low introductory rate; and Sirius XM failing to provide timely refunds." Sirius XM is one of largest radio broadcasters in the world. Sirius XM Holdings Inc., is a publicly traded company. Its stock price midday on Thursday was down about 2 cents, reflecting almost no change in its three month average. SiriusXM states has 26.7 million subscribers, according to its website. "SiriusXM is also one of the world's largest pure-play audio entertainment companies and is among the largest subscription media companies in the United States," the website states. As part of the settlement, SiriusXM agreed to significantly change business practices. It will: ■Disclose all terms and conditions at the point of sale, including billing frequency, term length, automatic renewal date and cancellation policy. ■Make no misrepresentations about the available plans in advertisements. ■Provide advance notice of automatic renewals for plans lasting longer than six months. ■Make it easier for consumers to cancel. ■Stop paying bonuses to customer service representatives for "saves," or talking customers out of canceling. In addition to the $3.8 million fine, SiriusXM will provide restitution to eligible consumers. "To be considered for restitution under this settlement, consumers must file a complaint concerning conduct from July 28, 2008, to Dec. 4, 2014, involving an identifiable loss that has not been previously resolved with their state attorney general," the Arizona Attorney General's statement said. Consumers who have not already filed complaints have about 150 days to file one with the attorney general's office.

[moonspots]

[boot up]

My latest car came with 3 months free XM(or maybe Sirius). After reading all this, I am glad I let it expire, without ever giving them my credit card, and just put a bunch of tunes on a cheap thumb drive and hit random play. I think I am out $7 or so if the drive gets stolen from my car, if they can find it in the first place. I never liked the selection of music either. Seemed like pretty crap playlists in all the genres I tried.