What Happens With That Sirius Lifetime Subscription?
With the advent of Satellite Radio 2.0, I am frequently asked what this means for those that have a lifetime subscription from Sirius. Lifetime subscriptions were once made available to Sirius subscribers, and depending on how long your receiver lasts, might have been a good deal. The most frequent misconception with the Sirius XM lifetime subscription is the definition of the word “lifetime”.
The first thing readers need to understand is that with Sirius XM and nearly anytime you hear the term lifetime, it does not really mean lifetime. Lottery winners often learn that lifetime is defined as about 20 years. In our legal system “life in prison” does not always mean someone will be behind bars until they die.
Smart companies often clearly define what “lifetime” means. There are occasions where some companies offer “lifetime” subscriptions without very much of a definition. Consumers run the risk of thinking they have a certain level of service without much of any recourse if the party selling a “lifetime” subscription decides to limit their level of service, walk away from the business, or simply coast along giving the subscriber less and less over time. An undefined lifetime subscription can cause mass confusion. Services may get added that suddenly are not included in the lifetime subscription. The consumer is left wondering exactly what they bought.
With Sirius XM the lifetime subscription is clearly defined, but even with that many people are still confused over what they do and don’t get for service. Below are some points that may help people understand what their lifetime subscription will be going forward:
- The first thing to understand with a Sirius Lifetime subscription is that it is for the lifetime of the receiver, not the person. If your receiver lasts you 3.5 years, you are slightly ahead of the game. If not, you paid more than you perhaps should have. Lifetime subscribers can transfer their subscription to a new radio 3 times for a transfer fee of $75 each time. This only applies to a plug and play radio, and not a car radio. The problem is that Sirius XM is moving things over to the XM platform and Sirius branded radios such as the new Starmate 8 do not feature content like Satellite Radio 2.0. This could mean that you will be paying more to get certain content, like Howard Stern if you switch. Lifetime subscriptions come with Internet Radio included. The good news is that you will receive all of the new Internet Radio channels inclusive of the recent channels added via the Satellite Radio 2.0 technology. The bad news is that if you are trying to listen in your car you can not receive Satellite Radio 2.0 over the satellite feed. People who use the Sirius XM app to get their content are typically using the Internet feed (unless you have a SkyDock). The Lifetime subscription gives you versatility, but you are reliant on a data feed.
- Sirius XM only owes you certain content with a lifetime subscription. The user agreement does not guarantee you that you will receive premium content. For example Sirius Premier costs about $4 per month and allows users to access some content available on the XM platform. Lifetime subscribers do not get this content as part of their lifetime subscription. Let’s assume for a moment that Sirius XM lands a deal with Rush Limbaugh. The company can make that a premium channel, or put it on the XM platform, and Sirius subscribers may not receive the channel. Another example is that during the merger process Sirius lost the NBA and it went top XM. The only way a lifetime subscriber now gets the NBA is through paying more money. Sirius XM is not bound to give you all of the specific content that was offered when you signed up. They must only give you similar levels of content. You lost the NBA, but gained some soccer. Sirius XM was well within their rights to make that change, and a Lifetime subscriber must accept it.
- Satellite Radio 2.0 capabilities may never be available to Sirius Lifetime subscribers. The company is under no requirement to make your satellite radio experience the same as consumers with newer and more capable radios. If a new radio offers “On-Demand” features, but is on the XM platform, Sirius Lifetime subscribers will most likely be left out either with all or some of the new capabilities and channels or have to make the switch to the XM platform which will mean some Sirius content will not be available.
The lesson here is that while many received good value for their lifetime subscriptions, they may not get all of the bells and whistles going forward. As frustrating as this may be, it is simply the way it is. Sirius XM is in the business of trying to make money. If they had their druthers they would probably wish that the lifetime subscription no longer existed. One way to pare down the number of these subscriptions is to simply let the “lifetime” receivers die off and have consumers move over to subscription plans that generate revenue on a long term basis.
The bottom line is that consumers need to be a bit cautious anytime they hear the term lifetime. Before buying anything “lifetime” read the terms and understand them. Lifetime typically does not mean until the day you die. Sirius XM may change some of these policies, they have the right to modify them at any time, but I would not hold my breath. There are simply not enough lifetime subscribers to make a material difference in the “complaints” department.
I found all of this out the hard way: In early October of 2015, Sirius sent all users of certain radio models an email, as well as notifications on their radio’s screen, that their receivers were about to become obsolete and would not work. The only solution was to upgrade to a newer model of radio. I purchased the Onyx Plus, paid an $80 activation fee and with a Lifetime Subscription to Sirius since the first day of Howard Stern (January 9, 2006) I found that Channels 100 & 101 were no longer available. Instead, I saw a message that I needed to subscribe to them (even though I had been receiving them for almost 10 years).
Several online chats with SirisuXM reps was worthless (Elena even disconnected on me)and I got answers from “my receiver was XM and couldn’t receive Sirius content” to “can I help you with the steps to get the Premium Subscription?” which was an additional $120.00+ dollars over 3 years.
I can see I’m getting nowhere with Sirius and as much as I love Howard, I’m not paying any more money.
I am a 2004 Lifetime Subscriber. What worked best for me was to threaten a Small Claims Court action. A deal is a deal. Sirius also bargained and gave me 3 years more on the stream for my home unit, with an automatic 3 year renewal, however, I paid for Stern. Now that the first 3 years is up, they turned me off and can’t find that there are 3 more years despite my earlier confirmation of it. I am currently waiting for their response to my written complaint as their offshore phone crew seems limited in ability to respond. Stay tuned: Small Claims Court using long arm jurisdiction and service to the Cal. Sect of State is in the offing.
Following my posting: Sirius finally found evidence back in the records that I was promised an additional three years, so now I am back on line. But when that’s gone, it’s back to the litigation threats, justified of course. Sirius believes that the pre-2006 Lifetime Subscribers are more deserving of the true “life” of their deal than post-2006. Evidence? Not easy as Sirius itself has conflicting evidence on my own start-up date.
I purchased an 2006 truck used in 2010. It has the factory radio with satellite feature. It is now January 2016 and I still receive satellite radio! Free! My assumption is that the previous owner paid for a lifetime subscription. He later traded the truck at a dealer, and I purchased it from that dealer. I want to upgrade my radio with a Pioneer full screen aftermarket radio with GPS Navigation and of course, satellite radio. How can I install the new radio and yet have the old radio ESN or number still transmit or receive the code so that my new radio continues to receive “lifetime” satellite service? If I call Sirius/XM to inquire, I am sure they will find that I am not the original lifetime subscriber and cancel my existing service. The remedy lies in a hardware or electrical solution. Please advise.
Thank you.
Hello Carl, You tip off SiriusXM that you aren’t the original purchaser and the lifetime gig on your truck radio will disappear. You have no contract with them, just the original purchaser. Try and sell the radio with the lifetime subscription to someone with a similar truck. Good luck.
Very shaddy business on there part I was told the same thing today about being only able to transfer my radio three times.there must be someone that can shine some light on this unbelievable wrong doing on satalites misleading..I understand the bottom line is making money for them but honor your obligations that you chose to offer for who ever bought lifetime subscriptions
I was informed Sirius is not transferring my life time membership! we should all get together in a class action lawsuit! Does anyone know if there’s one pending?
I purchased my lifetime subscription in the spring of 2009 for my car and was told I could switch it a maximum 3 times for $75. When I enquires recently about switching it to a new car they said I could not. That is not the deal they sold me in 2009!
I just got off the phone with Sirius. I purchased two lifetime subscriptions in 2010 and they are tell me i cannot transfer. I will be writing the corporate office and see what happens.
I too bought a lifetime subscription in 2010 without knowing in 2016 I cannot transfer it to my new vehicle. The word lifetime is misleading. I too will be calling corporate to get some kind of answer.
Ditto here. purchased 2 lifetimes in 2010. told me I could transfer ( car radios too ) 3 times for no fees. Called today to transfer to new car and they said no. so lifetime was only for the specific car. very misleading
I understand everyone’s frustration that is the lifetime sirrius debacle. I share it, but there is some hope!!!
My story took a random turn, in my favor on January 28th 2016.
Just settle back, get a coffee and enjoy the abridged version. Trust me you don’t want the unabridged:
1) got a radio as a gift. (2005)
2) upgraded to the lifetime (2006) in a new jeep grand w/ factory Sirius. All good!
Note: The lifetime sold me was, 3 transfers no restrictions (verbal) conversation. Warranty replacements do not count.
3) Internet streaming limits invoked (2007)
4) Internet streaming revoked (2008), I complain… They extend a few times, then crack down and want money. I pay for a while.
5) 2010 I sell the jeep that had the lifetime radio. I offer to pay for all the bells a whistles in the new car past the 1year. Nope…
6) 2010 Sirius won’t won’t transfer service to a sirrius/XM unit or even to a Mobile radio if I buy one. As there are no more Sirrius radios, they are all Sirrus/XM. I call about once a month. I move to China for a year…
7) 2011 they loose my account and I do not exist. I can’t log in. I complain and eventually wash my hands of sirrius.
8) 2013 I trade in the lease, on another. I call just to see, still no transfer option and I still don’t exist. They apologize and say a fix may be coming? I continue to share my story and convince as many as possible to avoid Sirius completely
9) in Jan 2016 I trade in the lease and buy a jeep, used 2015 wrangler with basic Mopar 430n w/ factory Sirius, no subscription no bells and whistles.
On the drive home I explain my Sirrus debacle to my girlfirend. She crys foul and we bet that she cannot change the situation. In a five minute conversation my girlfriend exains the history to the agent and the used Mopar radio was on. It was as if it were a completely different company. Although they still didn’t have my account, the agent put on a 30day trial while she worked in it.
1 hour later the agent finds my accounts all the dates and whatnots. Says she will escalate for resolution and In the morning sirrius called to confirm my lifetime has been transferred.
But Wait! On the ride home I find out The factory Nav unit in is from another country. The whole car is Canadian (this is another long story) and the Nav won’t work though the radio is fine. After a fight with the dealer they replace the whole unit, they call sirrius transfer over subscription and I am have been made whole. Didn’t cost a dime. It took 6 years, but At least I have what I paid for.
Moral of the story:
There is no moral! There are no morals with Sirrius/XM, the whole situation is BS, I just got lucky. Yes perseverance paid off as it almost always does. I have my SAT radio again, without Internet streaming. I should be grateful? But I just don’t think I see the value in the service and it will be hard to trust the company again.
Streaming and Bluetooth have surpassed what Sirrus/XM has become. I went 6 years without my lifetime and never missed it. Now that I have it again I listen to Howard, a little but… 2 old problems still remain.
1) poor sound quality on most music channels
2) limited playlists on the 5-10 stations I listen too.
Had sirrius/XM just taken care of the few thousand people with lifetimes, from the beginning, I am certain we would all be in a better place.
I purchased the lifetime package back before XM merged with Sirius. There was no 3 transfer limit specified – that came later. I want what I paid for – I can understand (but not like) a fee (relay – $75.00?) but that came later as well. It was a classic drive for subscribers, and now that they have them they changed the rules – that’s call “bait & switch”..
I received a letter back last year telling me my Stiletto would no longer stream SiriusXM from the internet but I could download the free App and stream that way and, I quote,
“This has no effect on your account and the billing of your SiriusXM Internet Radio subscription package. This also has no effect on listening to SiriusXM by satellite. If you have any questions please call us at 1-888-601-6296 and reference your device.”
I have the lifetime subscription and the Stiletto still works great. I have a home dock connected to my stereo that I would plug the Stiletto in and stream from my internet. Well of course that stopped working and when I tried to access the application on my phone, it wouldn’t log in. After a 45 min back and forth conversation I was told to “disregard the letter they sent me and that I have to pay $4 for the streaming.” It’s at that point I told them I’m not disregarding the letter and I paid for a service that included the internet streaming. I also asked to speak to a supervisor, which of course they will have to email someone back in the states to give me a call. I’m still waiting to hear back and I also told the rep that I had no problem contacting the attorney general and getting a lawyer about this. I have 2 other cars that have Satellite radio in them and I can guarantee they won’t be getting renewed. Apple Music is $14 a month and all my family members can access it and bluetooth to their cars. See SiriusXM, you aren’t the only game in town…
I found that by being persistent Sirius eventually gives in. I purchased two lifetime subscriptions June 2015 (I know because I heard Howard’s first show on Sirius). Somewhere along the way they changed my purchase date to 2007 and then limited me to 3 transfers. There were no transfer fees mentioned in the beginning. Recently bought a new radio, argued about paying a transfer fee and was told they would waive it. When received & I transferred they now wanted $75. The first rep lied to me and told me my radio was all setup, it didn’t work. The second rep was firm in wanting the $75. The supervisor first said she unable to look up those records as they were from a different department. Got to another Supervisor and she activated without a transfer fee but told me it was my final one. What a pain in the ass, so much wasted time.
When Howard retires from Sirius so do I.
Would like to transfer life time Sirius to newer car. Said it can’t be done but it had already been done from 2010 to a2011 one time some far a company to be in good standing with the public and to be in good order they should be in order to do so even if you do got to pay a transfer fee it’s just good for business there is such a thing as grandfathering a loyal customer
This is not accurate. a lifetime subscription is tied to an account. I bought a lifetime subscription in 2004, and just had it transferred to my vehicle for a $75 fee.
depending on when you bought the Lifetime package your options vary. It would be helpful to understand their policy based on time of purchase.
Sirius does not publish this information, and their reps just quote the current policy regarding lifetime subscriptions
Here is the policy they have published:
———
https://listenercare.siriusxm.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4555/~/is-my-lifetime-subscription-transferable%3F
If you purchased your Lifetime subscription
Before June 20, 2005: Yes, it is transferable from one radio to another any number of times.*
From June 20, 2005 until September 7, 2007: Yes, your Lifetime subscription is transferable a maximum of three times.*
On or after September 8, 2007: Lifetime subscriptions associated with home, portable or dock & play radios can be transferred a maximum of three times.* Lifetime subscriptions first associated with or transferred to radios installed in vehicles by automakers or dealers are NOT transferable unless the radio is stolen, accidentally damaged or defective.
Once a lifetime subscription associated with a home, portable, or dock & play radio is transferred to a radio installed by an automaker or dealer, the subscription becomes non-transferable. Otherwise, Lifetime subscriptions associated with a home, portable or dock & play radio can be transferred a maximum of three times, for a fee.*
Please call 1-866-635-2349 to make the transfer. Read more about Lifetime Plans in our Customer Agreement. Please note that Lifetime subscriptions are no longer being offered to new subscribers.
*There is a $75 fee for each permitted transfer. Each of the fees which you may be charged will be subject to applicable taxes.
Curious, I’ve read the comments on this page (I haven’t routed through older comments) and I haven’t seen one mention of the desktop/portable units sold in a deal with Circuit City when Howard stern went satellite. Those all had lifetime subscriptions and can be found at ham radio fests and on eBay, usually between $100 & $150. I have three xact xtr3 units that are thoroughly satisfactory. I am not a Howard Stern fan so I can’t tell you if he’s on there, but I get my 80s stations and my big band, my NPR and might BBC. True lifetime! Sirius XM can walk East till their hat floats.
I also have experienced the unethical practices of sirius/xm. If they are going say lifetime to get your money they should back it up. What a bunch of crooked corporate low lifes. They should be politicians.
Just now asked for my first transfer after lifetime subscription with a Starmate 4 was purchased in January 2007. Phone support shared that my account is not eligible for any transfers… This would be my first time requesting a transfer!
Funny interaction with the supervisor on the phone. “Sir your lifetime subscription purchase is in our system for January 2010… and you are not eligible to transfer…” My response – ” My notes and a 2007 purchase with a promise of 6 transfers from your agent then or your current data of 2010 with a limit of 3 published on the support web site… this is still my first request, please just set up the lifetime subscription on the new radio and let me hang up the phone…”
Mind numbing that I paid up when Sirius was trying to get cash in bound and make the numbers look good as a business. 3 subscriptions for me currently – with a mix of lifetime and multi-year. How do you not give people on the phone the authority to solve customer satisfaction issues when there is clearly a problem with the company data and information. This type of interaction will drive me to cancel the other two subscriptions and pursue refunds.
Sure, but many of us bought these subscriptions when Sirius was going bankrupt. We took a risk giving them $350 – $500 upfront b/c there was a good chance they would be out of business soon.
They didn’t, largely because of loyal customers like us. Now, they change devalue our old subscriptions and changing what content is included and not included. Not a very good move IMHO.
What’s to stop them from devaluing our lifetime subscriptions even further? The next time I transfer radios, will I only get Sports and Rap?
Really maybe they should have trained the rep. I ask him point blank does this mean i never have to pay for Siriusxm radio in my car again even if i change my car which i always do every three years.
The answer was YES!!!!!
Why would pay for life time if that was not the cause. I am a business man and i alway stick to my word. I am in business way longer than SuriusXM. Hopefully the internet radio or maybe another company like google will a satellite radio. After all this satellite is the only one in town isnt that call a monopoly?
If asked a Sirius representative when he explain the lifetime that once I order and pay for my lifetime subscription do ever have to pay for Sirius again no matter what car I own
And he said yes! Why would anybody agree to the term lifetime and pay for it if there was a restriction on the car I drive since I alway lease new Cara every 3 years !
who wants to listen to that jerk anyway? not me
I regret purchasing a lifetime subscription. Considering the transfer fees and limitations, the additional cost wasn’t justified. My current subscription is dead due to a transfer maximum of 3! This is more of a bait and switch scam.
I agree David but the good news is there is a class action lawsuit, Paul Wright v. Sirius XM Radio that may be our savior. I too have a lifetime membership and am pissed that now the company is trying to redefine lifetime.
I think we lifetime subscribers have great standing in the lawsuit though. I’ve had my service since 2005 but after June, 2005. Actually once Howard Stern is no longer on the radio I don’t care about the service. BUT when I signed up it was for lifetime and I want it whether I use it or not. It’s the principle.
Same here!! I have had my service since 2005 and my Stiletto Radio SL100 was advertised still to this day as “Enjoy portable audio entertainment wherever you go. Listen to SIRIUS radio live, stored or via WiFi – plus enjoy your own personal MP3 library. Add optional accessories for customized performance in your vehicle, home or office.” and not only did they pay howard stern to join Sirius but they also had him in their advertising back then talking up this device that you are supposed to be able to use around your house as you please and that’s exactly what I thought I was paying for when I joined and bought the lifetime subscription on this device and never have switched it once. My Satellite part works but the main features and selling point on this device was taken away from me when I should be “grandfathered in” as one might say until I switch my device my features shouldn’t be allowed to be taken away from me. Even though they reserve the right to blah blah blah. They are breaking the contract I had with Sirius radio and now I can’t use my stiletto radio around the house streaming off of wifi. They have no right to take away the main functionality of my device. I don’t want to have an online streaming account but I do expect them to honor my device by letting just my device id stream off the wi-fi if my signal sucks just like i always used to. They knew what they were getting into when they merged and they should honor the subscriptions as they were sold if its on its original receiver just like it said when I paid the $499.99 and said as long as i have that radio I’ll always have the service and if I wanted i could switch up to 3 times for a $75 fee. If I switched devices then I wouldn’t expect them to honor that same exact plan but I don’t see how they can reserve the right to kill the features of my radio because I’ll just never be a customer ever again and I just bought a new vehicle that I was going to add onto the account so its their loss unless they make it right. Otherwise I want in on this lawsuit.
You need to be persistent and keep calling. Depending on who you reach you will get very different service. I’ve been lied to by multiple reps and then later told the truth and helped by other reps in different departments. Very shady business practices.
I purchased my original Sirius radio 2006. My father paid as a gift for me a “lifetime subscription” Over the years I was allowed to transfer to new radios with the $75 fee waived (I may have gotten luck there).
Fast forward yesterday, I purchased a new car Sept ’17 with a 6 month free Sirius trial. I attempted yesterday to transfer my lifetime to this car only to be told that I (LOL) cancelled the lifetime sub (a lie), that I purchased the lifetime sub in 2010 (another lie). My dad paid for my lifetime sub in 2006 or early 2007, he passed away in 2009, yet they are telling me I purchased it in 2010. I asked if my dad came back from the dead to buy it for me?”
I was speaking to one rep for nearly 55 minutes, caught her in a lie asked her to explain why she gave me one answer earlier & gave me another answer later in the convo. Coincidently the phone call dropped.
My brother had used my account to add his cars in over the years & paid for annual subs. After the subs expired & the cars turned in (leased cars) they continued to charge his credit card for several months after being told to terminate service.
I am not done contacting them, but I think talking to a 4 reps from their company in 2 days is a bit much for my BP today.
Paul Wright v. Sirius XM Radio was tossed out by the CA Ninth District.. (WTG 9th)One COULD argue the interoperation of “lifetime subscription is not per the lifetime of the person OR radio, but the lifetime of the service itself. As long as the service exists, the contract should be upheld. He needs to try that route.
I purchased a lifetime on my 2008 vehicle which we still drive. I was talked into purchasing the lifetime on my 2015 and told that I could transfer up to 3 times for $75 each time. I traded my vehicle in and bought a 2017. NOW they don’t want to honor the plan!
I bought a used grand cherokee back in 07, and i ordered the lifetime subscription. when i was originally talking to customer service about it, i had asked if i could transfer it if i bought a new car, they said yes. so i just bought a new explorer, and when i called to transfer the subscription, they said i had to wait until the trial expired. ok, that’s fine. so my trial is about to expire, and i go to transfer it, they tell me i can’t since it’s from one factor radio to another. No i was basically told twice i could transfer it. once back in 07, and once recently. Do i have any recourse?
Our SiriusXM Car Radio stopped working at the beginning of April. The car is a 2010 model and the lifetime subscription was bought when the initial free subscription ran out. We still own the car, and the subscription has never been transferred to another radio (although we have paid for more subscriptions). When I called the first time, they claimed it was because Ford had marked the car as used. I called our Ford dealer, and they have no idea what that means. My wife called and they are trying to tell her that Sirius XM discontinued that program. That seems like BS. They aren’t selling it, but have they cut anyone else off?
Has ANYONE with a lifetime subscription had their radio stop working in the past month? Does anyone believe that they have the right to simply turn off the radio after 7 years because they no longer want to honor the lifetime subscription?
My radio went into a freeze on the start up screen. I don’t know if this represents Sirius turning the unit off, or a failure of the radio. Since they provide the radio, I wonder if they are designed to fail so that they can get out of their lifetimes service agreement.
How old is your radio? They certainly don’t last forever.
Some people in customer service had tried to trick me into buying a new radio when my old one wasn’t working well, this would count against my lifetime subscription (it was a bad antenna both times). Others have outright lied to me about details of my service. Later I call back, talk to someone else and get a different answer. Someone higher up is setting a very dishonest policy. Low level employees don’t have much incentive to lie unless they are instructed to do so. If I were you I would just use the app (which is included with lifetime subscription) and don’t use your radio. Also, don’t tell them if you get a new car, they count that against you also.
Yes, my 13 year old starmate stopped. Hmm.
Doug I got the Lifetime subscription in 2009 in my 2009 mercedes benz C-350. I still have my car and I still have my xm radio no problems. it has been 11 years. love it.
I purchased the lifetime back in late 2004. $499.00 plus a $50.00 rebate. I never had any issues. I sold my car w the old sirius replay in it. I bought a new car and installed a simple player in 2009. I had to pay $75.00 to move the over the lifetime subscription. I should have 2 more transfers left. Eight years and 145,000 miles later me and my camry and device are still kicking.
I also had pug and play radio, did the same thing back in 2010 for about the same amount of money. My radio went out and got a new one, and I still have my lifetime membership. I have friends that have the radios now and stated to them to get the life time memberships, they state they don’t have them anymore. I don’t think I would pay for the radio yearly if i had to, So I guess I am lucky so far, new radio XM
I never had a problem with my “Lifetime” Sirius account until today. I my subscription in December of 2005. At the I inquired about how the lifetime subscription works. I was told I would be able to swap my subscription to three different devices, but after the third swap it would cost $75 to swap the account to a new device.
I swapped at least 4 or 5 of the handheld devices. Then to a factory Volkswagen navigation unit and a few Volkswagen touchscreen navigation units.
Never had a problem until today. I was trying to swap in new touchscreen navigation unit in my 2015 Passat TDI. My old unit was having issue. Now I’m being told by Sirius the max number of swaps is 5. This was NOT what the original contract was!!! I’ve already swapped the account at least ten times!!!
Anyone have any idea, the is NOT right!!! Like someone else said, I’m going to contact the PA attorney general office and file a complaint. It’s not the money, it’s the principle!!!
Brian
I purchased a lifetime subscription when XM was still a separate company in 2008. I fretted when they merged with Sirius that the lifetime would end. Not so and I have changed radios at least 4 times for each of my two lifetime subscriptions. Do I miss “premium” content, no. I get to stream music from the website and it works for me. They do not have a Windows app so I am not missing out here either. So as I come up on 10 years, the money has been very well spent. I am going to see if they still have this offering and it will go on my hubby’s car.
To Doug B, I have had my radios just stop, I did a reset and followed the other trouble shooting on the SiriusXm website. The radios both started working again. My Skyfi died and I have yet to figure out how to change the battery. But that is not the fault of SiriusXM.
that’s not how lifetime was marketed. but whatever, the consumer always get screwed.
Everybody need to pull together. I’m tired of loss of service. They promised all of us something. I got mine when it was only XM. I asked specific questions. Stolen broken sold the car. 3 transfers period. I paid. The courts will side with them. Get on face book twitter word of mouth. Tell everyone to stop.
We have other ways to hear what we want. Common. Howard Stern should pull oil if that’s why you signed up. Shut them down!! ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF AN OUTSOURCED COMPANY TAKING AWAY JOBS WHILE RAPEING AMERICANS FROM QUALITY SERVICE.
Everyone needs to stop being selfish. We don’t get quality service anymore. FTC needs to stop allowing buyouts. AT&T Diectv. Look it’s happened before Pacbell. There is no competition in this country. Their winning folks. We’re screwed.
What happens if I was given a Sirius xm receiver with a lifetime account as a gift and I have no paperwork 13-14 years later? Can I still transfer it to another radio for $75?
I’d like more information on the class action lawsuit. Anyone?
I have had lifetime radio since 2005 and have change radio only 1 time since then and when i called siriusxm they told me that i still had 5 more radio transfers and asked if i needed another radio for free since mine was old and i took the radio and they updated my subscription to the new channels and now i have way more then before. And also the guy waived my fee for transfer.
When I signed up for XM many years ago, I purchased two lifetime contracts on pioneer innos… There was no maximum transfers… I then purchased a 2010 mercury mariner and put a lifetime subscription on it, was told it could not be transfered,as it activated that factory radio for life…. we sold the car to my Mom, and they shut it off…. you believe that… they said it could not be tranfered to another person… I was looking at my xm inno contract, and NOW it says I could tranfer it to a vehicle for $75.00…. They are getting no more of my Money…Internet radio will run them out of business intime anyway…
And please tell me why does it cost $75.00 to tranfer a life time subscription and $15.00 for transfer on non lifetime… its simple, they wish to force lifetime subscribers out…
Persistance paid off for me. I was told the same thing. I kept calling and talking to different people until I got the answers and help I wanted. I think Sirius directs its employees to lie to their customers in order to extract more money. I’ve transferred my lifetime subscription 3 times now with NO fee. Each time they says its the last time.
They also tricked me into paying extra money to listen online. After a year I decided to shut it off and they were threatening that if I cancelled it would alter my lifetime account and I could no longer hear Howard. More BS. I got it cancelled and then found out that he lifetime package already has internet listening built in. Wow, they are so dishonest.
I wish I would have kept paperwork to show my lifetime subscription. It is bs that they can deactivate me and sorry your out of luck. Pretty much spit in your face. I recommend that everyone should cancel any subscriptions. Maybe we should join together and lawyer up and sue them for misleading the lifetime subscription. Shame
Just another corporate ploy to line their pockets by offering a good deal followed by figuring out a way to weasel out of it. Most consumers when they hear the term ‘lifetime’, think of a human lifetime……not a piece of electronic equipment. They’ll offer a lifetime deal again, only next time (small print of course) it’ll be the lifetime of a fruit fly. Congrats, you’re another marketing sucker.
How can i get a lifetime membership with an existing service…the company says they stopped lifetime memberships in 2012. Help me save a few pennies. thanks
So we bought a lifetime subscription for my 2010 Escape. In October of 2017, I bought a new Explorer and asked if I could transfer. I was told no. Ok no problem. We kept our escape as well to give to our daughter and they turned off the lifetime subscription. I called and they said because I traded it in. I said no, the vehicle is in my garage, I have the title in hand, and still pay insurance on it. They assumed that we traded it in, I talked to a supervisor and now have to wait at least 3 business days for it to be escalated. Not happy with Sirius right now…
My wife purchased my lifetime back in 2005 for Father’s day. I just don’t drive the truck very much anymore. But the last time I did every time I stopped and restarted my truck it would just say waiting. Sometimes it would start playing and others it would not has anyone else had this problem. As for my subscription I have not had any problems. But then again I have not called them for about 10 years for anything. I do have the app on my phone and listen to it all the time on my Harley or in my car on trips and have not had a problem.
I did try to buy my uncle a lifetime subscription and they told me they do not offer it anymore. Is this true.
Thanks
Michael
It is true, the lifetime subscription is no longer an option.
If the membership was lifetime for the device then how come they transferred my membership to four different devices as I switched cars over 14 years. Then when I went to switch it again I was told that four transfers was the limit.
They sure were begging for subscribers back in 2004 just hoping to make it. We help them out and this is the thanks we get.
I’ve never heard of anyone getting 4 transfers on one Lifetime account, you did well!
I feel the pain from all of you. I purchased the “lifetime” subscription in 2005. I had it switched once before with a bit of haggling. I’ve now bought a new Tacoma, called to get it transferred and, surprise, it’s not MY lifetime they were talking about. I’m not as angry about the money, (doing the math my monthly rate for 13 years has been $2.25), as I am the principle. I would love to hear more about the class action mentioned above. Best of luck to all of you, I’m going to call them some more.
I can’t remember the exact year I received my sirus receiver. It was bought at a Circuit City long before 2005. I’m still on the same receiver, it’s docked into a boom box option in my home. It sounds great in the boom box, but always sounded like crap plugged into the car. I just bought a 2016 Nissan with Nissan Connect, xm, apps(?), Bluetooth streaming.
Should I even bother to try and transfer it to the car? I don’t care about Howard or premium options.
If the Nissan Connect will use my iPhone unlimited data for streaming I guess I should just leave well alone.
You gotta read the contract. Lifetime is Lifetime with the BoomBox. Transfer BoomBox subscription to your Nissan and it stays with the Nissan. Sell the Nissan and the subscription goes bye bye with the “Connect” whatever that is. Read the contract….
Bought lifetime in 2004. Radio broke three years later. Still using the internet app on my laptop and Roku devices.
I’m seeing this article for the first time, but its still a hot and raw topic. Lifetime was NEVER defined as the life of the radio. It was defined, at the time of purchase as my lifetime.
Interestingly, I just read that I’m being charged for streaming when it’s supposed to be included. and i’ve been paying this for how many years.
who is spencer anyway? He writes a lot of pump and dump articles for seeking alpha extolling the benefits of sucka**xm but says he’s not being compensated for doing so.
I had the same thing happen to me. i purchase a life time for around $500.00 back 2005 now the want honor it keep telling me i have to sign up being i have purchased a new car. I feel what everyone is saying but i notice we can’t get an answer on how to sign up on this law suit. If anyone can help us we would really appreciate it.
I bought my “Lifetime” in 2003 or so; put it in a 2002 Passat on an aftermarket radio. Transferred it to a 2014 Subaru installed radio with the full understanding that I won’t be able to transfer it again. (I could have transferred it to another portable and kept transfer rights). I expect the Subaru to be with me until 2024 or later. That’s 20+ years of Sirius for $400 or so? $20 a year? I get free streaming on the app on my phone as well. I bear no ill will to Sirius/XM.
I have a Sirius XM Lifetime subscription. It works find to this day? One person can listen to it on the satellite radio, while a second person can listen to a different channel at the same time on the internet. I am listening to my lifetime subscription on my computer right now. It also works good on Apple TV. My lifetime subscription was never associated with or transferred to radios installed in vehicles by automakers or dealers. I would never listen to a commercial AM/FM radio station unless the have play no commercials like Sirius XM Satellite Radio.