Equipment: A Tech Wreck
They disrespected me by not insisting equipment manufacturers support the expensive equipment and accessories I invested in. I purchased a pair of antenna headphones for my MyFi XM2GO portable radio receiver and they barely lasted a year. And trust me: I work with audio equipment everyday so it’s not like I was rough on them. Finding a second pair was tedious because by the time I had to look again the XM website didn’t even sell them anymore. Considering I had a $500+ investment in my radio, it was a bit maddening that XM would move on to other models so quickly, leaving some of the original supporters sort of - twisting in the wind.
Broken Promise: Commercial Free Music
XM disrespected me when their commercial-free promise was bastardized because of a legal settlement with Clear Channel Radio. Clear Channel entered into a programming agreement with XM back in 1998. Unfortunately for XM, abiding by this settlement meant it had to break the promise of all its music channels being commercial-free. Talk about a credibility problem. To pacify listeners, XM was forced to make clones of these channels without the commercials. Unfortunately, the damage was done when they made a promise and couldn’t deliver.
The Purge After the Merge
XM and SIRIUS disrespected me when they combined the programming of both services without even attempting to ask the subscribers what channels or personalities they had a preference for. Maybe they used some sort of internal metrics to make these decisions but the least they could have done was make it LOOK like they cared how subscribers felt. At least put on a show! They could have surveyed us and made us at least FEEL like they cared what we thought.
Customer Care: An Oxymoron?
I’ve been disrespected by Customer Care. It’s usually been a nightmare. Maybe it’s just coincidence that every time I’ve had to deal with them I’ve hung up nearly nauseous. I don’t even know how many times I have been disconnected while trying to either get something done with Customer Care or their Cancellation Department. I don’t know which country the people I’ve spoken to are located in and more than a couple of times I could have used an interpreter. Thanks, that’s really looking out for me.
Recently, I canceled a radio that was in my wife’s leased vehicle that was being turned back into the dealership. The man on the other end of the phone made it sound like that wasn’t a very good reason to cancel…! Hello: I don’t own the car or radio anymore! Why are you wasting my time?
Just My Opinion
Look, just to be clear: these are the opinions of one customer. As the Radio Guide at About.com I am not suggesting to anyone they should cancel their account. I am telling you how I feel after spending several thousand dollars over the past five years for a service which, in the end, has just disappointed me. You may be very happy with your subscription and if so, great.
I don’t wish any ill-will on the employees at SIRIUS XM Radio. I hope the company survives its latest financial problems and somehow turns things around. But, I’ve done my part and can do no more.
I will still report on developments at the company and try to bring readers keen insight when I can. But, as far as my wallet is concerned, you guys are on your own.
