Comments on: The Truth About OnStar http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/ A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:23:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: gr678537http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-145655 gr678537 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:15:08 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-145655 Onstar only adds $85 to the cost of the vehicle (based on credit for fleet vehicles with Onstar delete). I understand not wanting to pay for something you won't use - but it is only $85. There are other things on GM and other manufacturers vehicles that you don't use and pay for. If you get a good deal on a vehicle you like - I wouldn't think this cost would be a big issue. Onstar only adds $85 to the cost of the vehicle (based on credit for fleet vehicles with Onstar delete). I understand not wanting to pay for something you won’t use – but it is only $85. There are other things on GM and other manufacturers vehicles that you don’t use and pay for. If you get a good deal on a vehicle you like – I wouldn’t think this cost would be a big issue.

]]> By: Chris Burdickhttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-144786 Chris Burdick Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:05:57 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-144786 Yeah, that's really shitty of them - I hope your comments help at least one person avoid this. Thanks so much for sharing Yeah, that’s really shitty of them – I hope your comments help at least one person avoid this. Thanks so much for sharing

]]> By: LaserGuyhttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-144763 LaserGuy Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:58:06 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-144763 I 'Specifically' told them that my card number was for buying these minutes only, this ONE time, and still they put my card on Auto renew.. Just push the Blue Button, and TELL them to remove your card, or you will do a chargeback on any future illegal pillaging of your card. I ‘Specifically’ told them that my card number was for buying these minutes only, this ONE time, and still they put my card on Auto renew.. Just push the Blue Button, and TELL them to remove your card, or you will do a chargeback on any future illegal pillaging of your card.

]]> By: Russellhttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-144741 Russell Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:54:56 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-144741 I just bought a new Chevy and it came with Onstar free for 6 months. I got a come-on for 60 minutes cell phone minutes for $5 or $10 so I gave them my credit card number. They read the script but I don't remember hearing anything about allowing them to auto-renew Onstar just because I gave them my card number. I came across this site, checked the on-star web site and sure enough they had me on auto-renew. There's no way to 'unsubscribe' from the web site, either, so I had to call them.I hate companies that think I have SUCKER written on my forehead. The script they read probably legally covers their behinds, but it's phrased to mislead you into thinking it's only on-file and nothing more. This is very dishonest and I will NEVER subscribe to this service, even if they lower the cost to $5 a month.Large corporations are NOT your friends. I just bought a new Chevy and it came with Onstar free for 6 months. I got a come-on for 60 minutes cell phone minutes for $5 or $10 so I gave them my credit card number. They read the script but I don’t remember hearing anything about allowing them to auto-renew Onstar just because I gave them my card number. I came across this site, checked the on-star web site and sure enough they had me on auto-renew. There’s no way to ‘unsubscribe’ from the web site, either, so I had to call them.

I hate companies that think I have SUCKER written on my forehead. The script they read probably legally covers their behinds, but it’s phrased to mislead you into thinking it’s only on-file and nothing more. This is very dishonest and I will NEVER subscribe to this service, even if they lower the cost to $5 a month.

Large corporations are NOT your friends.

]]> By: LaserGuyhttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-144567 LaserGuy Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:13:42 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-144567 I had a 6mo free subscription with my new Canyon.. When it was activated, I was asked about minutes. I have a cellphone that I rarely use, and it currently has about 400.00 of unused time. However, I bought 60 minutes for 10 bucks just in case I needed it sometime.. At 5.5 months into the service, I got the email that told me my minutes were low and I only had 58 left.. ha.. In almost 6 months I used 2 minutes of cell time. I had previously asked them to remove the credit card info they had, and they did. When the free 6 mo. was up, and they wanted me to renew, I told them that I had never needed the system during the period, I had a bluetooth phone that worked well with the truck, a Garmin on the dashboard, and the truck info system kept track of oil change time and other required service, as well as 5 years of free roadside assistance, and seeing they do not offer the emergency response as a stand-alone feature, I could not think of a single reason to keep it. If the truck is upside down or on it's side in a ditch the Onstar won't work anyway. I wonder, if you have a accident, and push the blue button to ask for help, and they refuse because your subscription has expired, could you make a fortune on the lawsuit? ;=) I had a 6mo free subscription with my new Canyon.. When it was activated, I was asked about minutes. I have a cellphone that I rarely use, and it currently has about 400.00 of unused time. However, I bought 60 minutes for 10 bucks just in case I needed it sometime.. At 5.5 months into the service, I got the email that told me my minutes were low and I only had 58 left.. ha.. In almost 6 months I used 2 minutes of cell time. I had previously asked them to remove the credit card info they had, and they did. When the free 6 mo. was up, and they wanted me to renew, I told them that I had never needed the system during the period, I had a bluetooth phone that worked well with the truck, a Garmin on the dashboard, and the truck info system kept track of oil change time and other required service, as well as 5 years of free roadside assistance, and seeing they do not offer the emergency response as a stand-alone feature, I could not think of a single reason to keep it. If the truck is upside down or on it’s side in a ditch the Onstar won’t work anyway. I wonder, if you have a accident, and push the blue button to ask for help, and they refuse because your subscription has expired, could you make a fortune on the lawsuit? ;=)

]]> By: No discount from insurance for onstar??? - Page 2 - Chevy Cruze Forum : Chevrolet Cruze Forumshttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-143845 No discount from insurance for onstar??? - Page 2 - Chevy Cruze Forum : Chevrolet Cruze Forums Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:43:30 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-143845 [...] Did I miss something in the brochure? Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app See this article: The Truth About OnStar I would think stolen vehicle tracking and it "helps" keep the eyes on the road preventing [...] [...] Did I miss something in the brochure? Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app See this article: The Truth About OnStar I would think stolen vehicle tracking and it "helps" keep the eyes on the road preventing [...]

]]> By: Chet Zaikohttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-143880 Chet Zaiko Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:34:00 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-143880    I have a 2005 Buick LeSabre with On-Star. I did not want On-Star but an end of the year savings of over $8,000 on the car did sway me. I really have no use o interest in On-Star, but when it was operational I tried it in some locations that I knew cell service was poor. I found that I could drive ten miles from my house and On-Star was useless because the mountains cut off the cell signal. I live in Montana, and I can guarantee you that there are many places within the state that have no cell service. I tried it in numerous other areas of the state and again, On-star was useless. I knowa number of other people with On-Star up here and really nobody really wanted it. Only one out o over 40 people I talked to ever really needed it, and it ended up that again, where they were, On-Star was again useless.    I ahve been buying Gm cars and trucks since I bought my new '65 Corvette, and so long as I as I have no choice about On-Star, I will never buy another GM car. I sure can't see paying for something that I don't want. Others I know have the same feeling. I wonder how many sales GM is loosing over this ?    I have a 2005 Buick LeSabre with On-Star. I did not want On-Star but an end of the year savings of over $8,000 on the car did sway me. I really have no use o interest in On-Star, but when it was operational I tried it in some locations that I knew cell service was poor. I found that I could drive ten miles from my house and On-Star was useless because the mountains cut off the cell signal. I live in Montana, and I can guarantee you that there are many places within the state that have no cell service. I tried it in numerous other areas of the state and again, On-star was useless. I knowa number of other people with On-Star up here and really nobody really wanted it. Only one out o over 40 people I talked to ever really needed it, and it ended up that again, where they were, On-Star was again useless.
   I ahve been buying Gm cars and trucks since I bought my new ’65 Corvette, and so long as I as I have no choice about On-Star, I will never buy another GM car. I sure can’t see paying for something that I don’t want. Others I know have the same feeling. I wonder how many sales GM is loosing over this ?

]]> By: David Fioriohttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-136309 David Fiorio Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:30:09 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-136309 Not a fan of On-Star, it was hit or miss with using the turn by turn. Sometimes they just could not find the location I needed when my trusty Tom Tom could.... And the phone service is a definitely a rip off! Not a fan of On-Star, it was hit or miss with using the turn by turn. Sometimes they just could not find the location I needed when my trusty Tom Tom could…. And the phone service is a definitely a rip off!

]]> By: tomhttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-136187 tom Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:21:48 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-136187 received letter from on star to update credit card info received letter from on star to update credit card info

]]> By: gr678537http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-135285 gr678537 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:19:35 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-135285 Hmm - I can lock and unlock my doors - AND - remote start my GMC Terrain with Onstar app on my Motorola Droid (or Onstar app on Iphone if you prefer) without ever talking to anyone. All jabs aside - it looks like the major advantage to Driveit is the ability to track your vehicle on demand (which Onstar will not allow) along with other position and speed monitoring features. The big question is - what is the cost??? Hmm – I can lock and unlock my doors – AND – remote start my GMC Terrain with Onstar app on my Motorola Droid (or Onstar app on Iphone if you prefer) without ever talking to anyone.

All jabs aside – it looks like the major advantage to Driveit is the ability to track your vehicle on demand (which Onstar will not allow) along with other position and speed monitoring features. The big question is – what is the cost???

]]> By: Joehttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-135283 Joe Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:10:50 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-135283 If you want to disable it pickups remove trim around cluster and radio remove the cluster and take out the onstar box it will say motorola on the black box did it to mine (2004 silverado) If you want to disable it pickups remove trim around cluster and radio remove the cluster and take out the onstar box it will say motorola on the black box did it to mine (2004 silverado)

]]> By: Alexhttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-135278 Alex Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:24:01 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-135278 hey everyone new player on the market Cellutrak Device. Available in Canada and in the U.S. as Driveit. If Onstar and Boomerand had a baby and that baby took steroids then you would get Cellutrak. And hey they have an Iphone App. And hey I can unlock my car doors myself i don't need to call anyone. hey everyone new player on the market Cellutrak Device. Available in Canada and in the U.S. as Driveit. If Onstar and Boomerand had a baby and that baby took steroids then you would get Cellutrak. And hey they have an Iphone App. And hey I can unlock my car doors myself i don't need to call anyone.

]]> By: Ronhttp://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-134922 Ron Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:42:32 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-134922 My CTS came with the one year free subscription as you mentioned. My 2011 Avalanche only had a 3 month subscription. And that's exactly what was stated on my window sticker. I've dealt with OnStar customer service a couple times over the last year and a half. I am completely satisfied with their service. At one point, probalby through my own fault, I had trouble with my navigation system. I spent an hour on the phone with OnStar getting it straightened out. After we were done they credited my phone account for an additional 100 minutes, just because it took so long. I'm sold on OnStar. No, I do not work for GM or Onstar. Ron My CTS came with the one year free subscription as you mentioned. My 2011 Avalanche only had a 3 month subscription. And that's exactly what was stated on my window sticker.

I've dealt with OnStar customer service a couple times over the last year and a half. I am completely satisfied with their service. At one point, probalby through my own fault, I had trouble with my navigation system. I spent an hour on the phone with OnStar getting it straightened out. After we were done they credited my phone account for an additional 100 minutes, just because it took so long.

I'm sold on OnStar. No, I do not work for GM or Onstar.

Ron

]]> By: gr678537http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-134834 gr678537 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:45:49 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-134834 I understand your frustration. I can't say I have ever had them call me or my wife on any Onstar equipped vehicle we have had. Which is surprising because her hands free calling minutes are expiring in two days and they haven't tried to sell us more although I know other people have had the calls too. I think they make it hard to disable because of the stolen vehicle feature (tracking and ignition disable). It wouldn't be much of a feature if it could be easily disabled. Would be nice to have a secure method of doing it through the vehicle settings, though. I understand your frustration. I can't say I have ever had them call me or my wife on any Onstar equipped vehicle we have had. Which is surprising because her hands free calling minutes are expiring in two days and they haven't tried to sell us more although I know other people have had the calls too.

I think they make it hard to disable because of the stolen vehicle feature (tracking and ignition disable). It wouldn't be much of a feature if it could be easily disabled. Would be nice to have a secure method of doing it through the vehicle settings, though.

]]> By: gr678537http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/comment-page-1/#comment-134833 gr678537 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:40:51 +0000 http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/13/the-truth-about-onstar/#comment-134833 The Onstar volume is independent of the radio volume - having music cranked will not make the Onstar too loud. The Onstar volume is independent of the radio volume – having music cranked will not make the Onstar too loud.

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