Onstar discussions (continued from SS shipment hold thread)

[Brady_SS]

Originally Posted by fastball

The stories are great, and I do agree OnStar has some value, but I think the price is still too high to renew after a year. All I would want is the response to airbag deployment or service if the car broke down, since I have a cell phone (with bluetooth), I would not want the telephone function of OnStar. So I believe there should be two packages offered - one for all the functions, and one just for safety for like $10.00/month or less.

Everything is negotiable.....When your renewal comes up, tell them what you are willing to pay, you might be surprised how willing they are to work with you

[jonm38]

Originally Posted by Matt'sSS

I never really considered OnStar as anything much more than a gimmick, but the more I hear about it the more I like it! Especially after getting stuck between Tampa & Ft Lauderdale waiting for probably 4 hours for our insurance to get a truck to us!

Onstar is great to have. Last year I was traveling down to Florida, when I was leaving South Carolina on I-95 entering GA line, transmission goes out. For 15 minutes I didn't know what to do. I had a great 2006 Silverado 1500. I pressed the Blue Button and was in contact with Onstar getting my truck towed to a dealer. But then the first Onstar Operator didn't get me to the right dealer, (Silverado 3500) and up to big trucks. I had to press the Onstar button again, was taken to (Dan Vaden Chevy). The dealer said it would be a week before getting the parts in. I though how and why does it take so long to get those parts. I end up buying a new truck, a bigger truck to pull a trailer. I have to thank Onstar for being there when I needed them. If I bought a Ford, I would not get someone like that to take you to a dealer.

[wullger]

Originally Posted by 56chevywagon

OK, so you just showed me that OnStar is compatible with Verizon and that you can share minutes...that does not tell me that Verizon is the provider for the OnStar phone service; just that you can match the two. After reading through it...OnStar is not provided through Verizon but you can use your Verizon minutes with a specific plan through you Verizon family plan.

Again, a little search pays off:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnStar

The OnStar service relies on CDMA mobile phone voice and data communication, primarily via Verizon Wireless in the United States and Bell Mobility in Canada, as well as location information using GPS technology.

[mfr1950]

If your Camaro is stolen Onstar can track it with GPS, they can also shut the engine down, no high speed chase on the interstate....

[Treadstone]

Verizon "roams" through out the united states, but primarily uses Verizon. They do not have a contract with anyone but Verizon. SO when you are not in a verizon area, and say on another CDMA carriers location, that call is $$$ for onstar. That's why onstar is fairly expensive.
Anyone who owned a cell phone before there was "no roaming/nationwide" plans should remember how expensive roaming was.

[fastball]

Originally Posted by wullger

A little search pays off http://solutions.vzwshop.com/onstar/

Well why don't they advertise this more and why didn't they bring this to my Mom's attention when she told OnStar to shove it (and if you know my Mom, that's exactly what she said too)?

I'm going to talk to her about this..... perhaps she will one again use OnStar

[HeatherR]

Originally Posted by fastball

Well why don't they advertise this more and why didn't they bring this to my Mom's attention when she told OnStar to shove it (and if you know my Mom, that's exactly what she said too)?

I'm going to talk to her about this..... perhaps she will one again use OnStar

I think it is a fairly new offering. I remember receiving information from Verizon and Onstar about 6 months ago detailing the "new" offerings. I know one was using your Onstar phone number as an add a line to your Vrizon account (about $10) and the minutes would be drawn from your Verizon account. As soon as I trade in my Saab as a daily driver (no Onstar available on Saab's then) and switch to a new GM car I will be adding a line!

[wullger]

They've offered this for a while. If I remember correctly, that was already an option when I bought my Sierra in summer 2007.

Not sure why they don't make more mention of it, though. It's a great option.

[ozman2005]

As a former Verizon Wireless employee, I can tell you that you have been able to add your OnStar line as a "$9.99 Add-a-line" to an existing Verizon Wireless Family Share account since at least 2005 (when I started there). I've pulled numerous customer accounts with OnStar added, and as convenient as it is for customers to have it as an additional line, it is a pain in the ass for the VZW rep. There is a department in VZW customer service that handles all OnStar activations and trying to get a hold of them is next to impossible. I can't tell you how many customers I had come to me and say they called OnStar, OnStar told them to call VZW, then VZW said they couldn't do anything but call OnStar and they will help you . So they come to see a real person and try to get it sorted out. Then I tell them that there's nothing I can do but help try to get the OnStar department located within the Bermuda Triangle of VZW departments on the phone to assist. Anyhow, those days are finally gone for me

OnStar is awesome. I couldn't remember once if I had locked my Denali at the airport, called OnStar, they sent a signal to have the doors locked, I had a relaxing and stress-free vacation

[ozman2005]

Originally Posted by 56chevywagon

As far as the phone sharing Verizon's network...I really do not think that is true. I have seen nor read anywhere that supports this. I can't say that they don't. I would have to say that they wouldn't be sharing considering no matter where you are you can always make calls through the car phone which tells me that it is a satelite supported phone carrier not a tower to tower. Just my $.02.

While I wasn't a network engineer for VZW, I do have a basic knowledge of how the technology works. What you are describing is possible because the hardware used with OnStar is much more powerful than the little antenna that is in a cell phone. Cell phones are designed for maximum battery life and therefore are not able to generate the kind of power needed to sustain a good signal even in low signal areas. There are also the hardware limitations of smaller cell phone devices to consider as well, whereas with limitless power and storage space in a vehicle, OnStar doesn't have nearly as many hurdles to clear in the signal department. As I said, I'm no network tech but I've been in the biz for several years and this is my understanding.

[respect is earned]

one of the main reasons i was looking into chevy and more specifically the camaro is because that it does have onstar. its a great feature and as fbodfather said, it saves lives

[SleepWarz]

Originally Posted by fastball

The stories are great, and I do agree OnStar has some value, but I think the price is still too high to renew after a year. All I would want is the response to airbag deployment or service if the car broke down, since I have a cell phone (with bluetooth), I would not want the telephone function of OnStar. So I believe there should be two packages offered - one for all the functions, and one just for safety for like $10.00/month or less.

If GM/OnStar was REALLY creative in marketing, since they already use Verizon Wireless' network, any Verizon Wireless existing customer (like me) should get a substantial discount on the OnStar, or the OnStar minutes be part of the customer's existing cell phone plan.

In either case, most people do not have the desire (or financial means) to pay $40.00/month for their cell phone and another $30.00/month for what amounts to a very safe but nonetheless frivolous car phone.

My Mom absolutely loved the turn-by-turn and restaurant locater when she bought her 2007 Lucerne. My parents travel alot. But when it came time to renew and they told her $300.00 for the year, she told them to shove it and bought a Garmin with bluetooth to sync to her phone.

I wonder how many accidents are caused by that turn by turn garbage. I've seen more than one tool who couldn't read a map eat a car up their tailpipe. One day I hope its a smart vs a semi.

Read maps more thanks.

Its to bad there is no onstar delete option. Don't train people to be so dependent in emergencies or were going to have a lot of useless people. Even more than now....

Especially the fact that they include this feature that affects the interior of the car that requires a upkeep cost for something that isn't a fluid and that's probably going to be outsourced in a year if it isn't already ect.... Sucks....

[Jim Thompson]

Originally Posted by SleepWarz

I wonder how many accidents are caused by that turn by turn garbage. I've seen more than one tool who couldn't read a map eat a car up their tailpipe. One day I hope its a smart vs a semi.

Read maps more thanks.

Its to bad there is no onstar delete option. Don't train people to be so dependent in emergencies or were going to have a lot of useless people. Even more than now....

Especially the fact that they include this feature that affects the interior of the car that requires a upkeep cost for something that isn't a fluid and that's probably going to be outsourced in a year if it isn't already ect.... Sucks....

just a big negative this morning

[SoloSK71]

39.90/month in Canada.

24.95/month to go to Safe & Sound.

- SK