Spot

[Ron Snedecor]

I just received the message below, March 25, 2011. Wondering if anyone else has received a similar message from SPOT, the satellite tracking system?

Dear Customer,

We are writing to inform you that you have an outstanding unpaid balance with Spot, LLC for service provided for the year 2010. During the week of March 28th, we will attempt to charge your credit card on file for this unpaid amount.

As a valued customer, we are informing you of this matter beforehand and look forward to your continued loyalty. We are committed to offering the industry's best satellite messaging services. Please call SPOT Customer Service at (866) 651-7768 if you have any questions.

Thank you.

SPOT Customer Service


I purchased SPOT in May of 2009 and paid for a one year subscription. When it was time for renewal, May 2010, I called SPOT and told them I didn't want to renew for the next year. They told me to not renew it with them on their website and it would be OK. I just received the above message, telling me I owe for the past year and they're trying charge it to my credit card. I've never received any messages from SPOT prior to this one. Looking at my account on their website it states that my subscription for 2010 was to be automatically charged to by credit card but it never was. Any similar experiences?

[Webmaster]

Hi Ron

The biggest problem with SPOT is their website. It is really, really bad. I just got a SPOT 2 (gift) and decided to activate after skipping a year (like you). All seemed to work fine. However, my credit card bill just came through with 3 charges on it, appearing like a mistake. I have sent in a complaint to get it rectified over the weekend. If satisfaction doesn't occur in this manner I will use my credit card company to cancel.

I will keep XOPA posted on getting this squared away.

Steve

[Ron Snedecor]

Hi Steve and all,

Talked to SPOT today. They operate their business in a very different manner from what I'm accustomed to and it's apparently in the fine print of the contract you "sign" with them when you activate your SPOT on their internet site.

The primary thing I would say is be sure you are getting or not getting what you want from them even if your credit card information is not up to date or non existent. Also check on them at renewal time every year primarily to be sure your credit card is current. Back in April 2010 I told SPOT I didn't want to renew for 2010. I assumed because my credit card information wasn't up to date that there would be no renewal. Well, you know what to assume means. Some how they didn't get the word to not renew. Never got any messages from SPOT until now, March 2011. As you read in my previous message they want to charge me for the past year's 2010 service and apparently the only reason they sent me this message was because it's time to renew for 2011! Huh?

According to a SPOT supervisor because SPOT is an "SOS/911" service they have to continue service even without payment. I asked, "if I make no further payments I can continue to use the SOS/911 service indefinitely?" Her answer was, "no, with between one and two years of usage without payment we would send your account to 'collections' and can send a negative credit report to a reporting agency." Is this a scam? You can use any old unsubscribed/not paid for cell phone to call 911 without any charges. I was requesting that instead of charging me they credit my 2010 for non usage. They kept refusing to do this so I said, "well, if I sell or just throw away my SPOT and buy a new one instead of paying the $99 for 2010 I'd be close to a break even starting over." Her answer was, "no you can't do that. We would track you by your Social Security Number and wouldn't allow it".

Over an hour on the phone with SPOT. First with the initial operator which got me nothing but the run around of prepared answers so I asked for a supervisor. She gave me the same run around for a while until I guess she could see I wasn't going to give up. She finally gave in and said that if I showed no activity on my SPOT for the 2010 service period she would credit me for that period but I had to put in my up to date credit card information for her to do this. Why I don't know as my card has never been charged? She "promised" she would take care of it. Do I believe this or am I just back to the 'assume' position again?

[Webmaster]

I got word they would credit me for the over-charges. Yes, it's tough working with them.