SPOT alert! - Bad business practices

[pierre smith]

...$99 per year. If you want to add the tracking feature so your friends and family can track you, I recall the whole shebang is then $147.00.

Regards,

[bergroup]

I had a similar experience when I canceled my SPOT account. They said it would take 3-4 weeks to get my Visa card refunded. 4 weeks went by with no refund. Called SPOT again and they said it would be another few weeks. Called my credit card company and got an immediate credit.

I really liked using the SPOT service but their deceptive billing process really left a bad taste in my mouth. Would probably not buy another unit unless they clean up their customer service issues.

[mdredmond]

Originally Posted by terrykohler

I told the service guy this was not reasonable as no alert had been sent to me. His response - Too late for a refund. Read the contract. Just a warning to anyone using this product.

Terry -

Dispute the charge with your CC issuer. Merchants hardly ever win these disputes, especially on recurring charges or 'card not present' purchases.

Now...

If you do dispute it SPOT might make your device unusable on their system (making it worthless for you to sell).

[RV10Man]

Originally Posted by pierre smith

...$99 per year. If you want to add the tracking feature so your friends and family can track you, I recall the whole shebang is then $147.00.

Regards,

Pierre:
Thanks. When I retire and start cruising the country, I'll propably subscribe. I'll use it while on the Goldwing too.
Marshall

[glfrdug]

I have not been able to fly much this summer due to work issues.
I signed up and purchased my spot at Osh last year. So I used it once this summer on my flight to Osh and back. I forgot as well about the renewal and checking on line one day, I saw the charge hit my debit card account.
It was likely 2-3 weeks after the charge.
I called them and they did refund the charge as I do not plan on using it again this year.
They said about 5 days to see the refund and it was about right on.
So I did get my refund and they did remind me when I set up my account again, it will be an auto renew.
So, my mistake but they made good. Maybe I called within the 30 days.
Doug

[Ron Lee]

Spot can be used hiking, traveling, boating, etc. I go a lot of places where the cell phone has no coverage.

My 406 MHz PLB does. While the PLB does not have the tracking capabilities of a Spot, if I need it, I have no doubt that it will work.

You just have to compare capabilities versus cost. Either one of these may save your life.

[BrentHumphreys]

Use it for Hiking.... No, didn't work their. week in Costa Rica sending out beacons every 10 minutes the entire time. Only 7 made it through.

Use it driving .... No not really. About a 50% success rate on the ground.

Slow to update. Takes about a half hour for beacons to make it to the web site.

Useless in my opinion.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by BrentHumphreys

Use it for Hiking.... No, didn't work their. week in Costa Rica sending out beacons every 10 minutes the entire time. Only 7 made it through.

Use it driving .... No not really. About a 50% success rate on the ground.

Slow to update. Takes about a half hour for beacons to make it to the web site.

Useless in my opinion.

Then put it in an airplane with a clear view of the sky (an RV glare sheild for example). Doesn't seem to miss a beat, and can be a real life saver!

It updates immediately if you log on to your or someone else's website with password. It's only the "share" page that takes a half hour. This has been previously discussed.

Mine will be on for a four day cross country beginning this morning. New batteries just in case, and wouldn't think of going without it. Family members track our progress, and we already know that the 911 button works! Based on looking up previous flights, I seriously doubt that it will miss even one ten minute beacon.

L.Adamson ---- RV6A

[rv8ch]

If you are not planning to use the spot for a year, and you've already paid for it, why not donate it to a local flying club?