XM Problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Westerville OH
XM Problem
Called XM on January 18 to renew the XM subscription using the ZWINBACK renewal code. No problem renewing. On January 22, XM reception restricted to channels 1 and 247. WTF????? So, called XM again and they said my 3-month trial had expired. "But I renewed". "Oh, you are correct, sir, we will activate the radio again." Two days later, the same thing. Another call to XM. Same story. To make a long story short I have had to go through this BS five times. finally I called my credit card company explained the problem to them and asked them to take the charge off for the renewal. Thought for $77 ($82 w/tax) it woulld be nice to have for a year, but not worth the BS. Anyone else had to deal with the morons at XM this way??
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland Illinois
Originally Posted by JSibert
Called XM on January 18 to renew the XM subscription using the ZWINBACK renewal code. No problem renewing. On January 22, XM reception restricted to channels 1 and 247. WTF????? So, called XM again and they said my 3-month trial had expired. "But I renewed". "Oh, you are correct, sir, we will activate the radio again." Two days later, the same thing. Another call to XM. Same story. To make a long story short I have had to go through this BS five times. finally I called my credit card company explained the problem to them and asked them to take the charge off for the renewal. Thought for $77 ($82 w/tax) it woulld be nice to have for a year, but not worth the BS. Anyone else had to deal with the morons at XM this way??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 14
From: Charlotte NC
Did they explain to you that the radio needs to be “programmed” to accept the subscription?
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by Shawn S
Did they explain to you that the radio needs to be “programmed” to accept the subscription?
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
I never did this. I renewed last spring when my 3 month subscription ran out. Never had any trouble.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by JSibert
Called XM on January 18 to renew the XM subscription using the ZWINBACK renewal code. No problem renewing. On January 22, XM reception restricted to channels 1 and 247. WTF????? So, called XM again and they said my 3-month trial had expired. "But I renewed". "Oh, you are correct, sir, we will activate the radio again." Two days later, the same thing. Another call to XM. Same story. To make a long story short I have had to go through this BS five times. finally I called my credit card company explained the problem to them and asked them to take the charge off for the renewal. Thought for $77 ($82 w/tax) it woulld be nice to have for a year, but not worth the BS. Anyone else had to deal with the morons at XM this way??
So.... I kept the money and am enjoying another year of XM (for free)and making $55 profit off of it to boot.
In the meantime... I got my Nav to play .mp3 files and have been very impressed with this. The quality is better than XM. I have had my XM radio on maybe twice in the last month. When my free year of XM expires I doubt I will renew. The .mp3's are the way to go for me.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Originally Posted by Shawn S
Did they explain to you that the radio needs to be “programmed” to accept the subscription?
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
From: Berkeley CA
Originally Posted by Shawn S
Did they explain to you that the radio needs to be “programmed” to accept the subscription?
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
You have got to be puttin me on. I have never had to do any of this "reprogramming" stuff.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 944
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County Pa
There is NO reprograming! The signal from you receiver is highest on channel 1. It takes only a minute or two depending on where the satilite picks you up and the cyle time on the signal. All you have to do is do the "Refresh" on XM's web-site and go back out to your car. When you turn it on - it's done.
I have been down this road several times and the dealers know this too!
After all they're the one's that initially start your XM service!
I have been down this road several times and the dealers know this too!
After all they're the one's that initially start your XM service!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Westerville OH
Originally Posted by Shawn S
Did they explain to you that the radio needs to be “programmed” to accept the subscription?
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: east greenbush ny
just got off the phone with xm . When my free 90 days were up (end of june) i renewed for 90 more (get me to sept 30) just about time to put away for winter. Well they billed my card again for 90 days while my car is in storage and again in jan (without my ok) long story short : i had to fight xm and my bank to rescind the charges because they were not not authorized. not very customer friendly
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,277
Likes: 72
From: Boston's south shore MA
Originally Posted by Shawn S
Did they explain to you that the radio needs to be “programmed” to accept the subscription?
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
I just did this last week.
After subscribing you need to leave the radio on channel 1 for 20 minutes.
Then tune to two other channels (can’t remember #’s right now) for a minute each.
This allows the radio to download the subscription.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
Here's one for ya...shortly after my 3-month trial period expired I called to renew. I got the $77-for-a-year deal, no problem. I went through the same hassle, having to call them back at least 3 times before my reactivation actually took place. To top it off, though, after renewing I was getting phone calls every night for nearly a month telling me that my free trial had ended and asking if I wanted to renew! Every time, I told the caller that I'd already renewed and asked that they stop phoning me. Finally after nearly a month they stopped. Idiots.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
I renewed using ZWINBACK and was told I would get a free year at the expiration of my 3 month trial. 
I didn't argue...but am not counting on it. We'll see what happens in March.
I didn't argue...but am not counting on it. We'll see what happens in March.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by jnx911
wildcatter, how do you get a deal like that?
The part that really amazed me was I kept trying to tell them they were going to refund me $55 more than the TOTAL amount I had ever paid in and they just kept arguing with me! I even offered to fax in copies of my credit card statements, but they declined.
So.... I just decided to keep their money.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 4
From: Northridge California
Would it be safe to say that you dont have to be a rocket scientist to work at XM radio renewal hotline? I did have a minor issue with the re-programming when I renewed but was solved with one phone call. I just wish Sirius and XM were compatible to play with the same hardware. Its always something but when I remember Im driving a new Vette, I get grateful again.
