OnStar FAIL!

[Kincaid]

So, yesterday I decided to go to Costco to get a cheap lunch and do some window shopping.Got out of the car and found I had locked my key inside, sitting on the driver's seat. The car just passed its one-year anniversary so the free OnStar has expired, but I figured I'd give it a try.Called up and it was just like on the commercials. Except it wasn't. Guy asked me what the deal was. I gave him my name. I gave him the VIN - which was very hard to read thru the windshield! He asked my address. Eventually he confirmed my car. He asked if I had my four-digit PIN. I told him I did not, but if I had reset it (doubtful) it would be XXXX. Well that wasn't it. About this time I asked if my account showed as expired. He said it did, but he reassured me that he would unlock my doors if only he could confirm I was legit. He asked where I bought the car and I confirmed the name, city and state. He asked for my phone number. I gave him the home number, my cell number and my wife's phone number. No go - he says that none of the phone numbers I can give him are correct for the account and he can't help me. Of course he can't tell me what phone number they show - but he did rule out a (360) area code so apparently the number on file is not from the dealership so I have no idea where it's from.I got the feeling he was just trying to find an excuse not to believe it was me. He asked me so many questions that I answered - the kind of questions only someone could know if I'd already broken into the car and gone thru the glove box. So, when there was finally a discrepency in phone numbers, he had his excuse. (In fact, I silently wondered if he had the correct phone and just decided to say it was not the same as I was giving him).Anyway, it's all good. Helped cement for me the decision not to spend the $129 (I think that was what they wanted) for one year's subscription.Had to wait for my wife to come - about 1:15 hours later, and then she forgot my second key, so she just took me back to work and then after work my daughter brought me the key and drove me over to get the car.(edit: I think a year of OnStar is $199 - not worth it to me!)

[Old Tele man]

...and they want something like $5 per minute if you use the "in-car" phone option...on top of the annual subscription costs!

[09vGT]

I love OnStar.. and its completely worth it to me.. Phone and all.. I've locked my keys inside more than once and have had nothing but good service with them.. No problems what so ever.. I will be renewing my subscription when its up.

[vibenvy]

OnStar isn't worth it to me either. When I called to activate the free subscription, the guy that answered was like, "Hello Ms. Bachman! Congratulations on the purchase of your 2009 Saturn Vibe!" (removed)! He didn't even know what kind of car it was and they're supposed to help if you're dying in your car on the side of the road. I think not! I'll take my chances .

[VforVIBE]

Don't want to sound like a hard @$$, but... if you didn't set up your account, that's your fault, you let your account expire, that's also your deal... Why should they give you their services if you don't pay for it? To me, it's worth it, with the push of a button, I can have the Police dispatched to my location (I've used that before) I once was able to call for help after an accident. If I ever lock my keys in my car (never done it before) I know my pin. Quote, originally posted by Old Tele man »...and they want something like $5 per minute if you use the "in-car" phone option...on top of the annual subscription costs!LOL! Your decimal is in the wrong place, it's $.50 to $.39 per minutes depending on how many minutes you buy.

[Blanco_Diablo]

It is weird though, why offer to help even though your account was expired, then come up with a million reasons why you can't help. Too bad the car locks aren't made by Schlage... there's an iphone app for those

[vibenvy]

I remember reading on here that someone knew someone who worked for OnStar and they said if you get in an accident in the country you're screwed because they aren't familiar with country roads and will have a heck of a time dispatching help to you in the country. This is the main reason why I canceled my account. I live in a small town and I typically drive country roads so why pay $20-$30 every month if they wouldn't be able to help me anyway . We as a society are becoming way too dependent on technology and OnStar is just one more thing that proves this. I have been fine without it for 10 years of driving now. I have never locked my keys in a car and I have never run out of gas. That $20-$30 a month is better spent on 3 months of XM. At least if I get in accident or run out of gas, I'll have music to listen to while I'm waiting !

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »We as a society are becoming way too dependent on technology and OnStar is just one more thing that proves this. THIS^^^^Mine expired a little while ago and I'm not renewing it. Anyways... how's OnStar going to help me get my doors unlocked when I don't even have power locks???I have CAA and that costs much much less!!!

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »I remember reading on here that someone knew someone who worked for OnStar and they said if you get in an accident in the country you're screwed because they aren't familiar with country roads and will have a heck of a time dispatching help to you in the country. !I've kept Onstar on my 09 Vibe mainly because I may have teenagers driving it soon .......... well it's a possibility anyways! So each & every time I spoke to these Onstar reps, the first thing I ask is "what country are you calling from"? Surprisingly I only had TWO calls where I had to hang up on them because they were outside of the US. Surprisingly, one of the calls was coming out of Michigan somewhere and the guy spoke fluent English Anyways I totally agree with Carrie about the fact that "Abu from India" doesn't have a clue as to OUR roads, terrain, world, over HERE in the US! Thus I would NOT feel comfortable or assured of safe service. When someone other than myself is in the Vibe, I at least feel somewhat assured that the vehicle & Onstar (if ever needed) will take care of those occupants for me. Also I renewed for $147/year instead of the $200/year that they try to get from you. Summing up Onstar, for me anyways, is like an added insurance policy! I have the basic "Safe & Sound" plan

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »I remember reading on here that someone knew someone who worked for OnStar and they said if you get in an accident in the country you're screwed because they aren't familiar with country roads and will have a heck of a time dispatching help to you in the country. This is the main reason why I canceled my account. I live in a small town and I typically drive country roads so why pay $20-$30 every month if they wouldn't be able to help me anyway . We as a society are becoming way too dependent on technology and OnStar is just one more thing that proves this. I have been fine without it for 10 years of driving now. I have never locked my keys in a car and I have never run out of gas. That $20-$30 a month is better spent on 3 months of XM. At least if I get in accident or run out of gas, I'll have music to listen to while I'm waiting !I also heard Onstar charges $5 per minute if you use the "in-car" phone option.

[09vGT]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »I remember reading on here that someone knew someone who worked for OnStar and they said if you get in an accident in the country you're screwed because they aren't familiar with country roads and will have a heck of a time dispatching help to you in the country. This is the main reason why I canceled my account. I live in a small town and I typically drive country roads so why pay $20-$30 every month if they wouldn't be able to help me anyway . We as a society are becoming way too dependent on technology and OnStar is just one more thing that proves this. I have been fine without it for 10 years of driving now. I have never locked my keys in a car and I have never run out of gas. That $20-$30 a month is better spent on 3 months of XM. At least if I get in accident or run out of gas, I'll have music to listen to while I'm waiting !But any type of technology that improves safety, especially in a vehicle, is worth depending on. You DEPEND on your airbags deploying if you are in a crash, and depend for you home security alarm to go off if an intruder breaks into your home. Other new technologies such as heated and cooled seating, any type of smart phone, or anything else that does NOT improve safety is not worth having.. Just my thought.

[vibedrivermatt]

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »But any type of technology that improves safety, especially in a vehicle, is worth depending on. You DEPEND on your airbags deploying if you are in a crash, and depend for you home security alarm to go off if an intruder breaks into your home. Other new technologies such as heated and cooled seating, any type of smart phone, or anything else that does NOT improve safety is not worth having.. Just my thought. yeah but, this thing is too frustrating to be spending money on it. The emergency button should work to dial 911 for free in emergency situations only. The prob is that the government doesn't regulate these types of onstar corporations. They should force that type of free 911 capability to increase safety for the general population. The prob with onstar is that they're more concerned about putting profits first and safety second. I turned mine off long ago, I did see an auto dimming rear view mirror being sold on TRDsparks, thought that would make a cool replacement for my onstar mirror.

[Wolfman213]

Quote, originally posted by vibedrivermatt »yeah but, this thing is too frustrating to be spending money on it. The emergency button should work to dial 911 for free in emergency situations only. The prob is that the government doesn't regulate these types of onstar corporations. They should force that type of free 911 capability to increase safety for the general population. The prob with onstar is that they're more concerned about putting profits first and safety second. 911 isn't free though. If you look on you phone bill, regardless of landline or cell, there is a fee for 911. I don't know if that's a state to state thing though, but I know here in Indiana, when I had a landline and currently my cell, there is a charge for 911. I think it's less than $2 though.

[Esteban]

I agree with " VforVibe." They cannot be too careful when unlocking a paid-up client's car, much less one whose account has expired. I check & update my Onstar acc't quite regularly. Although I live a very simple life & am not into technology that much, I like Onstar & will keep it.

[michaelgt]

Quote, originally posted by vibedrivermatt »yeah but, this thing is too frustrating to be spending money on it. The emergency button should work to dial 911 for free in emergency situations only. The prob is that the government doesn't regulate these types of onstar corporations. They should force that type of free 911 capability to increase safety for the general population. The prob with onstar is that they're more concerned about putting profits first and safety second. I turned mine off long ago, I did see an auto dimming rear view mirror being sold on TRDsparks, thought that would make a cool replacement for my onstar mirror.If Onstar is required to call 911 for FREE, should Sync be required to improve its capabilities to know when you crash and call?

[michaelgt]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »I remember reading on here that someone knew someone who worked for OnStar and they said if you get in an accident in the country you're screwed because they aren't familiar with country roads and will have a heck of a time dispatching help to you in the country. This is the main reason why I canceled my account. ...I love the "someone knew someone" and I listened to them! I suppose that nobodys GPS unit works in your area.

[Kincaid]

When I did a quick search for OnStar on GenVibe I did come across somebody's post about the OnStar rep not having the correct names for some road.Anyways, I'm not upset about the deal, I just figured I'd give it a shot (this late in the month I was pretty sure the year was up - but I was not certain). Would have been nice if the guy had just said from the get go that he couldn't help me because it had expired.Weird to have to jump thru all those hoops and of course I'm dying to know what phone number they show. Love to know whose number is on there.I posted this same thing on another forum of mine and someone posted a funny OnStar moment - as a joke the driver called OnStar to say he was "lost" and wanted directions - while he was on a ferry. That apparently threw the operator for a loop. She asked the driver to hold while she got her supervisor.

[scherry2]

i guess i don't understand how you can say Onstar FAIL! when YOU locked YOUR keys in the car and YOUR contract with them was expired. the way i see it they guy was going above and beyond to try and help you. sounds like the title should read:Kincaid FAIL!!

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »sounds like the title should read:Kincaid FAIL!! Slaaaaammmmmmm ........ I love the humor this site gives us and without ANYMORE bashing taking place, I think the message was sent loud & clear. Yes, another example of constructive criticism takes the stage I love it

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »THIS^^^^Mine expired a little while ago and I'm not renewing it. Anyways... how's OnStar going to help me get my doors unlocked when I don't even have power locks???I have CAA and that costs much much less!!!I would much rather pay for AAA than OnStar. At least AAA can bring you gas or tow your car if it dies whereas OnStar can't/won't. AAA also gives you deals on hotels/motels, etc. Quote, originally posted by tpollauf »Also I renewed for $147/year instead of the $200/year that they try to get from you. Summing up Onstar, for me anyways, is like an added insurance policy! I have the basic "Safe & Sound" plan I was offered a cheaper price to renew, but declined. I would have re-subscribed if the Vibe had all the "cool" features like the monthly diagnostic emails, engine immobilizer, etc. but since it's a Toyota it only has the basic stuff which to me aren't really worth it.Quote, originally posted by VforVIBE »I also heard Onstar charges $5 per minute if you use the "in-car" phone option. Yeah... I heard that too...Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »But any type of technology that improves safety, especially in a vehicle, is worth depending on. You DEPEND on your airbags deploying if you are in a crash, and depend for you home security alarm to go off if an intruder breaks into your home. Other new technologies such as heated and cooled seating, any type of smart phone, or anything else that does NOT improve safety is not worth having.. Just my thought.I don't depend on air bags to deploy. When I first had my license I drove our '94 Sunbird which didn't have any air bags. Remember cars never used to have air bags, ABS, even seat belts and people survived. I also don't have a security system in my house. I definitely agree with you about fancy phones, etc. though.Quote, originally posted by michaelgt »I love the "someone knew someone" and I listened to them! I suppose that nobodys GPS unit works in your area.I never said that was my main reason for not re-subscribing, it was simply a factor. And as a matter of fact, GPSs do not work very well out here where the roads don't have names, only numbers. A friend/co-worker of mine lives out in the country. She has had people come to her house to do work on appliances, etc. They end up on the wrong side of the river/town because they were following their GPS. I'm sorry but when it comes to certain things, i.e. directions, call me old school, but I would rather use a map.Quote, originally posted by Kincaid »When I did a quick search for OnStar on GenVibe I did come across somebody's post about the OnStar rep not having the correct names for some road.Told ya!

[09vGT]

I sure do depened on mine.. I hate when I get "People used to survive when there was no such thing.. so I'm not going to buckle up and airbags hurt more than help and blah blah.." But compared to now.. very, very few people survived..

[star_deceiver]

Got my "Final notice" to pay before they cut it off in 2 weeks. My yearly total (if I was keeping it): $323.68For the directions and connections plan: $490.56And as I drive the base model, only half of the OnStar features will work. Besides, as OnStar relies on a cell signal (I believe), what good will it do me here where there's no signal?Go over the edge outta site and you're on your own!

[Kincaid]

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »i guess i don't understand how you can say Onstar FAIL! when YOU locked YOUR keys in the car and YOUR contract with them was expired. the way i see it they guy was going above and beyond to try and help you. sounds like the title should read:Kincaid FAIL!! ya got me there! lolOn a serious note - anyone have to use OnStar but not have your PIN and get asked all these questions?

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »Got my "Final notice" to pay before they cut it off in 2 weeks. My yearly total (if I was keeping it): $323.68For the directions and connections plan: $490.56And as I drive the base model, only half of the OnStar features will work. Besides, as OnStar relies on a cell signal (I believe), what good will it do me here where there's no signal?Go over the edge outta site and you're on your own!I didn't think you could get the directions and connections plan with the Vibe... Onstar uses satellite signals rather then cell signal.

[wt2ga]

[Esteban]

http://www.onstar.com/web/portal/plansservices

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »I sure do depened on mine.. I hate when I get "People used to survive when there was no such thing.. so I'm not going to buckle up and airbags hurt more than help and blah blah.." But compared to now.. very, very few people survived..I always wear my seatbelt, however, ABS, air bags, etc. are just one more thing to go wrong with a car. I could case less if I have them or not. It's not a deal breaker for me which is why I didn't bother keeping OnStar either. Much better things I could spend that money on.Quote, originally posted by wt2ga »http://wiki.ucalgary.ca/images/c/ca/Onstar.jpegLMAO!I'm also not a fan of the whole "big brother" feel of OnStar .

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY » ABS, air bags, etc. are just one more thing to go wrong with a car. And it gives the driver the ability to think that he/she's a better driver then they actualy are or that if something happens someone/something else will take care of the problem!And nice to see that Canadian onstar pricing is a good 33% more expensive then the states... Now, if they could offer their handsfree calling without having to purchase everything else and make it a reasonable price (33 cents a minute is fine but not when you have to buy 1000 minutes to get it)!

[09vGT]

Quote, originally posted by VforVIBE » I didn't think you could get the directions and connections plan with the Vibe... Onstar uses satellite signals rather then cell signal. Yeah you can get it.. but rather than them downloading the directions to your car, you just get a live person to tell you where to go.. and I think they can record it so you can listen to it later on.. Which is NOT worth the extra cash.. LOL.. just buy a GPS for cheaper..

[ou.grizzly]

Can't even get diagnostic reports for the Vibe, yet they charge full price.

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT » just buy a GPS for cheaper.. buy a map even cheaper. nothing like depending on electronics too much.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »buy a map even cheaper. nothing like depending on electronics too much.I agree! I used a map/atlas to figure out my route to and from the Indy meet. GPSs aren't always as great as everyone thinks they are. Plus, I can leave a map/atlas out in plain view in my car and no one will steal it ! LOL!

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »i guess i don't understand how you can say Onstar FAIL! when YOU locked YOUR keys in the car and YOUR contract with them was expired. the way i see it they guy was going above and beyond to try and help you. sounds like the title should read:Kincaid FAIL!! X2 ^^^^ How can you blame a company for not helping if you haven't paid them to do so?? IF my AAA expired two months ago and I needed a tow I certainly would not call them. IF they were smart they would have said "Kincaid, give me your credit card #, I'll sign you up for another year" and after it was all verified and approved, unlock your car.Plus you should have set up your account a year ago with passwords and such valid information.Don't go dissing OnStar for your short comings.Dave

[Kincaid]

A careful re-reading of the post would, I hope, lead you to understand that:1. I wasn't 100% sure if the one year anniversary had passed.2. Doesn't hurt to give it a shot.3. I am only complaining about answering a bunch of questions only to be told at the end that they could not help and4. I already accepted the more proper thread title of "Kincaid Fail".Jeez, why so serious?