[mitigator]

After cancelling my Xm last week when they wouldn't negotiage a reasonable deal, I renewed after the $4.99 per month Deal was offered this week. Imagine my surprise when I checked my credit card balance today and discovered that Xm Canada had Illegally charged a $84.00 fee to my Card. I phoned them today and asked what this was all about and they said that I had been charged a $84.00 "CANCELLATION FEE". I asked them to remove it, especially since I had been 8 days without Xm service. They said they would, but it would take up to 72 hours to credit back my card??

Not really sure why the Xm Guy didn't mention this $84.00 charge yesterday when I renewed at the $4.99 charge per month for 6 months, but he must have seen that charge on my account.

Hope this info helps others in case they try to pull off this very dubious / illegal practise with you. That is, when you cancel make sure you haven't been charged a Cancellation Fee.

 

[chillonhill]

I resigned with Sirius, for 130.00 for 1 year in November, Now on my CC statement they refunded the 130.00 and now are taking 18.00 a month, WTF, I have to call them to see what the heck is going on with these people. a deal is a deal, but it seeems they can just go and change it without notifying anyone. Will get rid of them if they dont
give back the original deal, of 7.99 / month first 6 then whtever the balance ws for the next six.

 

[mrbean5411]

That's why it is best to just "bite the bullet" and get the Lifetime. After 3 years, you are getting FREE satellite radio and you get NO bills and never have to worry about paying a penny again.

 

[hugh]

I bought my lifetime in July 2006 so I've had it for about 56 months (4 and a half years). As I recall, I paid about $550 so its worked out to just under $10 a month so far.

That's higher than the $4.99 or $7.99 a month, a lot of users have been renewing at

In hindsight, I'm not sure I've saved anything after more than 4 years so I definitely wasn't ahead after 3.

 

[cfloyd]

I had the same cancellation fee from XM Canada after I cancelled service. I called them and the charge was removed. Wonder how many people just pay it without noticing?

 

[Blackburst]

I as well took the Sirius Canada "Lifetime" offer back in early 2006. It may appear that I didn't get the best deal if people are getting $7.99 a month deal nowadays. But, you have to take into account that in the earlier years, the monthly charges were almost double. It comes out to a good deal. And over time, the lifetime package just gets better and better. I don't think they offer this package anymore though.

As for the cancellation fees that are being mentioned, check with your provincial government concerning consumer protection. They may have a department that deals with such complaints. Also contact your credit card company and tell them that you are being charged for non-authorized charges when you believe this is the case.

 

[mrbean5411]

Even at $4.99 a month, it would take about 9 years to start getting free satellite radio. My 3 year figure was based on paying full fare monthly rates.

But still, even taking 9 years is better than paying $4.99 a month forever.

 

[scrooloose]

I paid for the year by cheque because I didn't want them (XM) to have my credit card number.

-Mike

 

[hugh]

What is the rationale for these cancellation fees? Are people trying to cancel early or something?

 

[mitigator]

Hugh, there is no rationale. I cancelled a week ahead of my March 3 date, and they terminated my Car Radio on March 1,(2 days early) and yet they still added on the Cancellation Fee.

 

[cfloyd]

I don't know the rationale either. I called to renew a month before expiry and I did not get a good deal. So I told them I would not renew when the term was over. A month later I get the termination fee. They removed right away when I phoned but how many pay it?

 

[Costa]

To help prove the point of Sirius/XM's deception/lies. When I first purchased the lifetime plan, I was told that I could transfer my service from one receiver to another, three times, at no cost. I didn't ask, they stated this as part of the agreement.

I had spoke to them recently after misplacing the tuner, and they apparently were going to charge me around $75 per move, and i was limited to 3 moves. They would cancel the service, if something had happened to the last unit.

I'm just glad I found the tuner (lost it after moving the equipment from one vehicle to another). I got the rep to note down the first agreement terms on the account.

 

[hugh]

When I first purchased the lifetime plan, I was told that I could transfer my service from one receiver to another, three times, at no cost. I didn't ask, they stated this as part of the agreement.

I think you are mistaken.

I just checked my post from 2006 and found this comment by me

Yes but if your unit dies you can transfer it to a new unit for $75 (to a maximium of three times).

 

[Blackburst]

I remember being told that I could transfer my Lifetime package up to three times only. This was in case I wanted to update to a newer radio model, or if something had happened to my old radio. I can't remember anything about a $75 charge though. I could be wrong. Perhaps they had mentioned a activation fee with each new radio I transferred to, but a specific $75 figure I think I would have remembered that.

 

[mr weather]

I paid for the year by cheque because I didn't want them (XM) to have my credit card number.

-Mike

When I signed up in 2006 the only payment option was via credit card.

 

[amd64now]

I set up a cancellation of an XM radio six months in advance for when my year was up. I was still charged the cancellation fee. Got it back because it was end of my term.

They charge the fee on any plan as a early termination fee. Only monthly plan is not subject to this fee.

I ask at the time why I was charged when I setup in such an advance. I just got a reply that the system does the charge.

It is a hassle to be charged. When I got a "come back" deal, I used a prepaid credit card so I do not get this issue again should I wish to not renew.

 

[moira]

Avoiding XM Cancellation Fee

So I got the $4.99/mo deal until the beginning of Sept. I set up my account on the Net with XM today, and noted that they had my credit card information on it.
If I remove my credit card information off of my account after I get my 2nd quarterly bill from XM, do you believe that it's gone from their records?
E.G. If they try to start billing me in Sept at the regular monthly rate, and I've removed it from my account, how can they bill me?
I will call them at the end of August, and advise that I am discontinuing after the 6 month deal, and make sure there is no cancellation fee.
Just spoke with XM Radio Cda (after being on hold for 13 minutes) and spoke with MICHELLE. She says that I won't be charged any cancellation fee if I call them and cancel before my 6 months is up.
I asked are you sure you won't charge $84 on my VISA, and Michelle said absolutely not.
I mentioned that several people have been charged the $84 after their 6 months was up. She said that won't happen as long as I contact them before my 6 months is done.
Michelle also said that if I remove my credit card # from my account, that is is only place they record it.
I am posting this now, so when it hits the fan in September, I will have some back up!
Thanks everyone!
Moira

 

[vango44]

On Sirius, it won't let you remove your CC online.

I just tried to update my Sirius account with a pre-paid Visa card online but it wouldn't accept it(no reason given).

Let me know if anyone has a specific card that works for this as my contract ends in just over a month and I'll be calling soon to cancel/re-sign for better deal and I'd like to avoid the cancellation fee issue if possible.

 

[amd64now]

I could change it on Sirius Canada. Try registering your address/postal code with the prepaid card. I used Vanilla Mastercard at the time. I think the prepaid visa only requires a valid postal code to
register. Card will not work at some places without doing it.

 

[mitigator]

Moira, I can tell you that I cancelled a week ahead - when Xm Canada wouldn't negotiate a fair deal (at that time) and they Still tacked on the $84.00 Cancellation Fee, AFTER my Service was finished. When I inquired as to how this illegal charge got on my card, they said it was a mistake. Yeah Right! Makes you wonder how many other people are being scammed like this. On top of that they cancelled my subscription 2 days early. So don't believe everything they tell you, and watch your Credit Card Balance if you do cancel at a later date.