Ridiculous OnStar Prices

[Tylus]

Called and setup OnStar in the 2017 Burb I just got. The OnStar module had gone bad, Dealership replaced today. OnStar gave me a "free trial" for 30 days with LTE and 3gb of data. Offerred a 3 month "free trial" if I gave them my CC # so they could start auto-renew. Yeah...NOPE!

After 30 days they want me to pay $15 monthly to get basic access to my vehicle.

I just got rid of a 2015 Tahoe. For the entire 4yrs I owned it, I had access to my vehicle via the app. I cannot believe how worthless this service has become. And it's even worse because GM forces you to purchase the crap/gizmo's with the vehicle. Instead of giving you an option to OPT out.

I doubt GM monitors the forums, but what a crock of crap. I can't App Unlock, or App Start my vehicle unless I pay them $15? Get out of here, especially since it was a free service for YEARS!

 

[Blueinterceptor]

I’ve been thinking of dropping OnStar for a month now. I don’t use anything but the remote start

 

[swathdiver]

I like it, pay in advance for the year for a discount. You're lucky and get access to the app and its features. You like it, pay for it. You no likey, you no pay.

 

[RST Dana]

The app version is basic and free for the first 5 yearsI believe.

 

[bsch3001]

They recently changed the policy - you no longer get app access (e.g. lock/unlock, start/stop) for free for 5 years. Older vehicles were grandfathered in (at least mine was - '15 Sierra). Our '18 Yukon isn't unfortunately. Seems like a reasonable move - the cost of it was factored into vehicle price, theoretically it is now just being paid by those who chose to use it. Impossible to tell how the saved money is spent (e.g. lower msrp, other features, etc.).

 

[dbbd1]

I would still like to try and figure out where the module is in our rigs, so I can completely disconnect it.

 

[4OFFSHR]

I had just the app when I had my 2011 Burb, and after the trial period expired on my new truck, 17 Yukon I opted not to renew, and in thinking about it, the app was great for my 2011 if the keys were locked inside etc. but with the new truck, it is impossible to lock the keys in it, if the keys are inside the outside door buttons will lock and unlock LOL! As far as remote start, I would only do that from inside the house if I wanted to warm it up or get the air running and the remote will do that, so the app is sort of useless on the new car too. Amazing how they try to rope you into paying that monthly service...kind of a outdated feature now.

 

[Tylus]

I only used the app when we were in a mall, or when we went hiking. I'd lock the keys inside and do my thing. Then use phone to get back inside

Same for mall, remote start about 5 min before leaving the mall so she'd be nice and cold


Not anymore. The service shouldn't cost but $1-2 a month. I'd happily pay say $15 for 1yr of basic service (app access). but no way I'll pay $180 yearly

Especially as the initial cost is amortized heavily due to all equipment already being installed. Its merely server fees after that. And with millions of GM vehicles, the fees per unit are pennies on the dollar

This is simply OnStar being greedy. I sincerely hope the business model fails. Then GM could stop forcing OnStar down our throats. Maybe lower cost of the vehicle a hair

 

[GTNator]

Everything is becoming subscription based, I think its just the way technology is headed

 

[swathdiver]

Everything is becoming subscription based, I think its just the way technology is headed

Yuck! I refuse to buy subscriptions or downloads of software, I want to own it and hold it. So far I've been able to keep doing with few compromises, but it is becoming increasingly difficult.

 

[GTNator]

Yuck! I refuse to buy subscriptions or downloads of software, I want to own it and hold it. So far I've been able to keep doing with few compromises, but it is becoming increasingly difficult.

Yup, I hear you. It's even getting harder and harder to buy Microsoft Office outright. They really want you to buy the monthly "365" version. I don't like it either, but I see it everywhere. I'm in the tech industry and all the corporate enterprise software is almost all subscription based now, whereas 15 years ago it was not.

 

[swathdiver]

Yup, I hear you. It's even getting harder and harder to buy Microsoft Office outright. They really want you to buy the monthly "365" version. I don't like it either, but I see it everywhere. I'm in the tech industry and all the corporate enterprise software is almost all subscription based now, whereas 15 years ago it was not.

That's exactly right! I searched far and wide and found a DVD for the full featured Office 2016. And another peeve, whereas the license granted was for two devices, a pc and laptop, such is rare today as well!

My PC has all the horsepower and latest software and hardware and all the old stuff was used to update my laptop from 2006 which is still humming along on Windows 7 now and my ancient copy of Office 2003. Still have my Office 97 discs! About to put up for sale my old Apple II programs and DOS and Windows 3.0 too. Lots of 5.25" floppies. Surprisingly there's still a market for that stuff on ebay.

 

[Miami-Dade]

I will add one thing. Called OnStar today as I got lost in Brooklyn. They sent me to ALL the wrong areas on potholed streets. They used to be good but now they are so wrong the bulk of the time. Took 8 calls to get right directions.

I think the OnStar calls get routed to Nigeria. I would ask them but they probably would route me into a ocean. I am having second thoughts on keeping OnStar.

 

[swathdiver]

I will add one thing. Called OnStar today as I got lost in Brooklyn. They sent me to ALL the wrong areas on potholed streets. They used to be good but now they are so wrong the bulk of the time. Took 8 calls to get right directions.

I think the OnStar calls get routed to Nigeria. I would ask them but they probably would route me into a ocean. I am having second thoughts on keeping OnStar.

Careful, they might "turn by turn" you into an ambush! Back in '06-'08 I used it once while traveling and she used that car more often and liked that feature. Before that I had a GPS mapping program on my big laptop and would lug that around. It always had a knack for bringing me to the back door of our destinations in the middle of the night. Once it brought us to a dead end where the B-n-Bs cannery had been, had to drive ten miles to get 'round front! LOL I think that's when we decided to use the Onstar more. The old Delorme Street Atlas wasn't cutting it anymore!

 

[cbuckeye20]

Yup, I hear you. It's even getting harder and harder to buy Microsoft Office outright. They really want you to buy the monthly "365" version. I don't like it either, but I see it everywhere. I'm in the tech industry and all the corporate enterprise software is almost all subscription based now, whereas 15 years ago it was not.

I actually switched to this for the family plan perks. $99/year for everyone in family to have all products and (most importantly) 1 TB of storage each. Peace of mind just to have all of their files backed up and not have to deal with worrying about it. Compared with dropbox, google, or apple, Office is really a cherry on top. If they do have problems with an office product/onedrive there is phone/chat support for free as well.

I'm also in tech and anything that lets me do less "tech support" for my family is $ well spent

 

[mountie]

When I bought my 2005 Yukon XL SLT a month & a half ago, it has Compustar. It's a remote starter & lock/unlock. The Yukon has that OnStar, but I won't pay as if I have a second cell phone contract. I don't see the need in a GM - owned widget with a scam price.
I have a spare key hidden under the truck...
I have a TOM-TOM GPS, and Google Maps at home...... What's the point of On Star??
Most all reviews of OnStar is "one star", anyway.

 

[No Tyme]

I use to have OnStar when I worked till 2 or 3 in the morning. I drove rural roads to get home and if I would have hit a deer or run into a ditch I would have had help, hopefully. But one night I slipped on the semi truck steps and really scraped up my leg. Parked truck 300 yards from my 14 Silverado and in the rain limped to my truck only to find I left the keys in the bag in the semi truck. Called OnStar because the door would not unlock with the app so I could get to my backup key... No workie.
OnStar told me I did not have service on my truck, and later that day when I complained they admitted the operator made a mistake. Offered me 1 extra free month.
I will never waste another dime on OnStar because they were not there when I really needed them.

 

[Lurch]

I'd had Onstar on every GM vehicle I've owned but dropped it last year on my 15 Yukon. I'd used it never as they sold it, never locked out of the car, never used the minutes which I had to call to rollover, never needed directions with my cellphone in the car..I was wasting money on a service just for the sake of having it.

 

[Shadowchaser]

Called and setup OnStar in the 2017 Burb I just got. The OnStar module had gone bad, Dealership replaced today. OnStar gave me a "free trial" for 30 days with LTE and 3gb of data. Offerred a 3 month "free trial" if I gave them my CC # so they could start auto-renew. Yeah...NOPE!

After 30 days they want me to pay $15 monthly to get basic access to my vehicle.

I just got rid of a 2015 Tahoe. For the entire 4yrs I owned it, I had access to my vehicle via the app. I cannot believe how worthless this service has become. And it's even worse because GM forces you to purchase the crap/gizmo's with the vehicle. Instead of giving you an option to OPT out.

I doubt GM monitors the forums, but what a crock of crap. I can't App Unlock, or App Start my vehicle unless I pay them $15? Get out of here, especially since it was a free service for YEARS!

The basic access to my vehicle is free.

 

[Tylus]

Check it again. May 01 2018 ONSTAR revised their policy.

I get email updates, but all the other services are gone after the "FREE" 1 MONTH trial