Teleaid
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Teleaid
Having never owned a car with concierge service, I'm wondering how the teleaid system is billed. I understand that it uses the cellular phone network and the gps network. Therefore does MB charge you for airtime on the cellular network? I believe it's about $200 a year for service with the first year included. Does that include airtime or is it just to keep the service activated? If airtime is extra, how is it billed (per minute, at what rate)?
Thanks,
Rob
Thanks,
Rob
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 58
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From: new york
2000 E 430
In the first year there is no annual charge and you get 30 minutes of cellular airtime included for the concierge ("i" button) service. I believe the airtime is also charged if you use the wrench button to ask mechanical questions about the car. If you don't use the 30 minutes in the first year they carry over to year 2. The cost of the service is more like 260 or 280 in year two and it goes up from there. Personally I don't think it's worth it and didnt' subscribe after the second year.
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From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Thanks bcapp. Based on your use during the first year, is 30 minutes a lot of airtime based on the length of the average connection/speed of service, or is it more akin to cell phone usage time and therefore 30 minutes would go pretty fast.
Also what types of things did you use it for or didn't you and maybe that's why you don't think it was worth it?
Also what types of things did you use it for or didn't you and maybe that's why you don't think it was worth it?
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 58
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From: new york
2000 E 430
For me, 30 minutes was plenty. You call them up, ask a question, they give you an answer and you hang up. The call goes thru like a typical cellular call. As far as useage goes, I don't live in a big city so I don't need a lot of help with driving directions or restaurant reservations etc. Unless you get in trouble with the car (like you can't shift it out of park - which happened to me) I don't know why you'd call them. Just use your cell phone.
The only reason I considered keeping it is if you don't subscribe then if you get in an accident that causes the airbags to deploy it will no longer contact MB thru the teleaid system. You need to subscribe to maintain that feature. So if you drive in the middle of nowhere or your wife drives the car and you want that peace of mind, keep it. But as far as paying upwards of $300/yr for the "i" and wrench buttons, save your money and use your cell phone.
The only reason I considered keeping it is if you don't subscribe then if you get in an accident that causes the airbags to deploy it will no longer contact MB thru the teleaid system. You need to subscribe to maintain that feature. So if you drive in the middle of nowhere or your wife drives the car and you want that peace of mind, keep it. But as far as paying upwards of $300/yr for the "i" and wrench buttons, save your money and use your cell phone.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 215
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From: Seattle
2001 ML320
I think it is a very overpriced option, close to a scam. They get you by feeding on insecurities about a near fatal accident with the automatic tele-aid system summoning help in the nick of time. I read an article somewhere indicating just how rare an occurrence this actually is. Doesn't everyone buying a MB have a decent cell phone and doesn't just about every type of gold or platinum credit card also offer free conceirge services which most of us never use?
You are basically paying a lot of money each year for this 'just in case' insurance. Once you go over your airtime allotment, the per minute charges are quite high but I forget exactly how much.
You are basically paying a lot of money each year for this 'just in case' insurance. Once you go over your airtime allotment, the per minute charges are quite high but I forget exactly how much.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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i'm pretty sure the accident coverage is there whether you buy the yearly service or not. the yearly service is for the *questions* or *reservations* that one could make. the wrench & accident coverage is for the life of the car. i could double check my manual but i remember reading that.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 215
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From: Seattle
2001 ML320
Would you guys mind double checking on that? If that is the case, and you have the emergency component whether you pay to subscribe or not, that would be fantastic and I'd stand corrected. It makes even less sense to pay all that money just for the wrench and info buttons.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 924
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From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Originally posted by Barney
Would you guys mind double checking on that? If that is the case, and you have the emergency component whether you pay to subscribe or not, that would be fantastic and I'd stand corrected. It makes even less sense to pay all that money just for the wrench and info buttons.
Would you guys mind double checking on that? If that is the case, and you have the emergency component whether you pay to subscribe or not, that would be fantastic and I'd stand corrected. It makes even less sense to pay all that money just for the wrench and info buttons.
