Satellite radio and TeleAid confusion
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Paradise (a.k.a. Austin, TX)
'09 S63 AMG
Satellite radio and TeleAid confusion
I have not had the time to explore these 2 items but at the time I purchased my car 2 weeks ago - the salesman took my credit card info. down and I guess signed me up for the satellite radio service.
I have a few questions:
1) He told me that XM radio is free for the first 6 months and thereafter, I'll have to pay. I guess that's why he took my CC info. Is that true? Does that mean I now have to keep track of when the 6 months elapses and then make a decision.
2) I noticed that my XM radio service does not work! I get a message asking me to call the 800# and give them my vehicle info. Doesn't the dealership set that up? I mean, isn't that why they took my CC # and all that stuff? WHY do I need to call in to have it activated?
3) TeleAid: I thought this was free!! Looks like that also is subscription based
Again, does anyone know what exactly is involved here? Does this also have a free trial period? Do I have to activate anything to get it to work (short of pressing the "SOS" button)? 
.......... I also remember the salesman telling me that if I decide not to pay, then the concierge function does not work and only the 911 function works... or something to the effect that if I'm in a crash, then it will only dial out the emergency SOS.....
I have a few questions:
1) He told me that XM radio is free for the first 6 months and thereafter, I'll have to pay. I guess that's why he took my CC info. Is that true? Does that mean I now have to keep track of when the 6 months elapses and then make a decision.
2) I noticed that my XM radio service does not work! I get a message asking me to call the 800# and give them my vehicle info. Doesn't the dealership set that up? I mean, isn't that why they took my CC # and all that stuff? WHY do I need to call in to have it activated?
3) TeleAid: I thought this was free!! Looks like that also is subscription based
Again, does anyone know what exactly is involved here? Does this also have a free trial period? Do I have to activate anything to get it to work (short of pressing the "SOS" button)? .......... I also remember the salesman telling me that if I decide not to pay, then the concierge function does not work and only the 911 function works... or something to the effect that if I'm in a crash, then it will only dial out the emergency SOS.....
Last edited by AustinGuy; Apr 23, 2008 at 04:42 PM.
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2007 S600
Mine is under Sirius radio. Now that one bought out the other, I don't which is the name to go by.....XM or Sirius. Who bought who?? Regardless, I really wish the music was better. About 80% of the stations are worthless junk and of the ones I like, they play the same s*it over and over again.
We need more variety of music that is worth listening to. I despise those stations that are named with punk names like buzzsaw
We need more variety of music that is worth listening to. I despise those stations that are named with punk names like buzzsaw
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From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
it is sirius. not xm.
1. correct. they will send you a letter reminding you that they will hit your card in six months' time.
2. the dealer should have activiated before you left the dealership. go back and make them do it ... and give you a tutorial.
3.. one year free. then $240/yr unless you sign up for an extended period then the lump sum is due and is discounted like $50/yr for two years and then the discount goes up for every year you choose to lock into an extended period. you'll get a letter on this one as well.
btw - you can stream sirius for free via your on-line computer with the benzo (or any?) subscription. so you can have it in your car and on your computer for the same price.
1. correct. they will send you a letter reminding you that they will hit your card in six months' time.
2. the dealer should have activiated before you left the dealership. go back and make them do it ... and give you a tutorial.
3.. one year free. then $240/yr unless you sign up for an extended period then the lump sum is due and is discounted like $50/yr for two years and then the discount goes up for every year you choose to lock into an extended period. you'll get a letter on this one as well.
btw - you can stream sirius for free via your on-line computer with the benzo (or any?) subscription. so you can have it in your car and on your computer for the same price.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Paradise (a.k.a. Austin, TX)
'09 S63 AMG
it is sirius. not xm.
1. correct. they will send you a letter reminding you that they will hit your card in six months' time.
2. the dealer should have activiated before you left the dealership. go back and make them do it ... and give you a tutorial.
3.. one year free. then $240/yr unless you sign up for an extended period then the lump sum is due and is discounted like $50/yr for two years and then the discount goes up for every year you choose to lock into an extended period. you'll get a letter on this one as well.
btw - you can stream sirius for free via your on-line computer with the benzo (or any?) subscription. so you can have it in your car and on your computer for the same price.
1. correct. they will send you a letter reminding you that they will hit your card in six months' time.
2. the dealer should have activiated before you left the dealership. go back and make them do it ... and give you a tutorial.
3.. one year free. then $240/yr unless you sign up for an extended period then the lump sum is due and is discounted like $50/yr for two years and then the discount goes up for every year you choose to lock into an extended period. you'll get a letter on this one as well.
btw - you can stream sirius for free via your on-line computer with the benzo (or any?) subscription. so you can have it in your car and on your computer for the same price.
So, what part of TeleAid works if you decide not to subscribe after a year?
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From: Paradise (a.k.a. Austin, TX)
'09 S63 AMG
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From: Paradise (a.k.a. Austin, TX)
'09 S63 AMG
Just in case you didn't notice, it was meant as a JOKE!
This is what a smiley looks like:
Oh, and it's not "arrogancy", it's "arrogance"
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Your salesmonkey was wrong about the SAT radio; what makes you think he is right about the teleaid?
If all else fails you could always STFF one of the numerous teleaid questions.
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Wrong as far as I know.
CC was for TeleAid - not for Sirius. Sirius activation does not require CC for first 5 months. Just the ESN of the unit. They'll also ask for some other info, but not CC.
They will send you a letter but will not charge you unless you want them to and give them a method of payment.
This is based on my experience taking delivery a month ago.
CC was for TeleAid - not for Sirius. Sirius activation does not require CC for first 5 months. Just the ESN of the unit. They'll also ask for some other info, but not CC.
They will send you a letter but will not charge you unless you want them to and give them a method of payment.
This is based on my experience taking delivery a month ago.
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
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S550
Hey Austin, I just wanted to add something here...don't know if it helps, but I just activated my sirius today and I didn't have to give any credit card info...i called in and gave my sirius ID (the one that pops up on the screen in your car when you click on sirius) and called the 888 number...the guy took my name, email address, home address and phone number and that was it...he said that the service will automatically cancel itself in 6 months from today, unless i subscribe before the 6 month period where ill get a promotional rate for the next 6 months...if after those additional 6 months (this is assuming i did extend my service for those 6 months) the next year would then go back to the normal rate...
Its all working now and i did not have to give any credit card info...I think the credit info may have been taken by your salerperson in the dealership for Teleaid and not Sirius...i have not done anything with my teleaid so im not sure if mine is activated or not, but i definitely did not have to give anything to the sirius guy...
Also...the guy said that the additional 6 months would be at a rate of $64.75 (thats the promotional rate) and if i then decided to go further for another year the price for the full year would be something like $142 (something like that) or $77.70 for an additional 6 months.
Its all working now and i did not have to give any credit card info...I think the credit info may have been taken by your salerperson in the dealership for Teleaid and not Sirius...i have not done anything with my teleaid so im not sure if mine is activated or not, but i definitely did not have to give anything to the sirius guy...
Also...the guy said that the additional 6 months would be at a rate of $64.75 (thats the promotional rate) and if i then decided to go further for another year the price for the full year would be something like $142 (something like that) or $77.70 for an additional 6 months.
Last edited by BlackMamba24; Apr 25, 2008 at 12:41 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Paradise (a.k.a. Austin, TX)
'09 S63 AMG
Hey Austin, I just wanted to add something here...don't know if it helps, but I just activated my sirius today and I didn't have to give any credit card info...i called in and gave my sirius ID (the one that pops up on the screen in your car when you click on sirius) and called the 888 number...the guy took my name, email address, home address and phone number and that was it...he said that the service will automatically cancel itself in 6 months from today, unless i subscribe before the 6 month period where ill get a promotional rate for the next 6 months...if after those additional 6 months (this is assuming i did extend my service for those 6 months) the next year would then go back to the normal rate...
Its all working now and i did not have to give any credit card info...I think the credit info may have been taken by your salerperson in the dealership for Teleaid and not Sirius...i have not done anything with my teleaid so im not sure if mine is activated or not, but i definitely did not have to give anything to the sirius guy...
Also...the guy said that the additional 6 months would be at a rate of $64.75 (thats the promotional rate) and if i then decided to go further for another year the price for the full year would be something like $142 (something like that) or $77.70 for an additional 6 months.
Its all working now and i did not have to give any credit card info...I think the credit info may have been taken by your salerperson in the dealership for Teleaid and not Sirius...i have not done anything with my teleaid so im not sure if mine is activated or not, but i definitely did not have to give anything to the sirius guy...
Also...the guy said that the additional 6 months would be at a rate of $64.75 (thats the promotional rate) and if i then decided to go further for another year the price for the full year would be something like $142 (something like that) or $77.70 for an additional 6 months.
I just left a message with my sales rep. to clarify that he took my CC# for teleaid and not for Sirius.
I'm going to call them up today and activate.
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From: Southern California
2007 CL550
Sirius lifetime subscription
Mercedes only offers Sirius, not XM. With the merger with XM appearing likely to occur, the programming content will likely merge also. Sirius has offered lifetime subscriptions for $399 and $499. These permitted up to 3 or 4 transfers to different radios at a fee of about $75. This equivalent to the cost of about 3 years at the annual subscription price and protects against future price increases which will likely occur.
Member
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S550
^^^does it protect against if the company goes out of business?? Sirius/XM isn't doing all that great...i worry that if you go for the lifetime subscription you may be out a bit of money assuming this company goes out of business due to weak sales...anyone have any thoughts on this?...
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From: Orlando, FL
2008 E350
^^^does it protect against if the company goes out of business?? Sirius/XM isn't doing all that great...i worry that if you go for the lifetime subscription you may be out a bit of money assuming this company goes out of business due to weak sales...anyone have any thoughts on this?...
Last edited by GGM; Apr 27, 2008 at 02:16 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 315
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From: Orlando, FL
2008 E350
Mercedes only offers Sirius, not XM. With the merger with XM appearing likely to occur, the programming content will likely merge also. Sirius has offered lifetime subscriptions for $399 and $499. These permitted up to 3 or 4 transfers to different radios at a fee of about $75. This equivalent to the cost of about 3 years at the annual subscription price and protects against future price increases which will likely occur.
