SPOT Tracker Renewal Fees - Being Gouged?

[Mariner]

I had my dealings with Spot regarding cancellation and I might be in a minority but I'm a happy bunny

I sent an email on Monday saying it was too expensive to renew so reluctantly I was going to cancel, I got the standard reply telling me to ring them or ask them to ring me. I did the latter and someone phoned me last night, I said it was too expensive so they offered me the "std $50" but I said no, same to their $65 offer and then they came back with a bigger discount that will only cost me approx. £75 including all the taxes. I even got them to email me confirmation which they did instantly.

I know Spot's divide opinion on here for non-long distance trips but for my personal circumstances (I have a disability) it gives my wife reassurances so she doesn't mind if I want to go out and play!

Next time someone gets a deal like this remember to mention that you could get half a dozen others to sign up for that price.

[Richard G]

They've not even bothered mailing me back, so I have no idea of the status of my renewal right now. I'm assuming they've got the sense to do as I asked, but who knows?

[Bearbonesnorm]

I don't use a SPOT but have nothing against them or their use ... but this thread does highlight how quickly we can turn something we never had, so obviously never missed into a necessity. I understand peoples reasoning for having them - I'm simply looking at the bigger picture.

[Mart]

To throw another option into the mix - the new OS gps devices, now with ‘see me’ live tracking (no SOS though)

https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/about/ ... vices.html

https://info-seeme.twonav.com/en/

The units are made by a spanish company, known in Europe apparently as ‘TwoNav’

Edit that .... there could be SOS message and email facility to some pre designated details

[Richard G]

Just got the $65 offer. IDGAF.

[rich.mike]

I don't use a SPOT but have nothing against them or their use ... but this thread does highlight how quickly we can turn something we never had, so obviously never missed into a necessity. I understand peoples reasoning for having them - I'm simply looking at the bigger picture.

It's hard to go back once you have a new technology. I rented out an InReach for my last long tour (sorry!), it saved my arse on a few occasions, I don't think I could go back now

[AlasdairMc]

Anyone else had luck with the $75 offer then? I deliberately didn't update my card so I could find out how much they attempted to charge me, and my account is showing as renewed even though I've not paid it yet.

I want to use my Spot this weekend so I'll wait to see whether they contact me about the payment, but after that I'm sorely tempted to just cancel and then renew later on when I actually need it.

[burty]

i had a look in the small print and it says , they will continue the service and chase you for the payment after ,
so the service is not interrupted apparently ,

[Asposium]

Seemed a fairly sensible location to post this.....

re-activated my inReach after having been suspended since September.
Can now take screen shots of the inReach app useful features.
any other questions feel free to ask.

App has a last track page, here is Moors and Shores sportive
Tent and car icons are waypoints I added
Mail symbol is location from which messages were sent
Distance and time is fairly accurate compared with Fenix 5 and Edge 1000
#Garmin #inReach by Asposium, on Flickr

To send a text simply type as one would with a smart phone.
Phone connects to inReach via Bluetooth, so possible to leave inReach somewhere with a view of the sky; say inReach outside a bothy whilst inside
Recipient(s) simply reply as if to a standard text message. Location is included in the text message.
Untitled by Asposium, on Flickr

Weather forecast (by darksky) for current location, or waypoint.
Data received via satellite
#Garmin #inReach by Asposium, on Flickr

[Mariner]

Looks a more functional device than a SPOT but does it connect and track with SPOT tracker type pages?
Or to put it another way will it show up on HT tracker page?

[whitestone]

Looks a more functional device than a SPOT but does it connect and track with SPOT tracker type pages?
Or to put it another way will it show up on HT tracker page?

From the first line of the device registration page on trackleaders:

Please complete the below form to add a tracker (SPOT or inReach) to the live map

[Ollyrowe]

It seems like a few people have decided not to renew there SPOT Tracker subscriptions. I'm looking to buy a SPOT Tracker if anyone fancies selling one I'd, the cheapest I can see one online for is £107.

Thanks

Olly

[Mariner]

Looks a more functional device than a SPOT but does it connect and track with SPOT tracker type pages?
Or to put it another way will it show up on HT tracker page?

From the first line of the device registration page on trackleaders:

Please complete the below form to add a tracker (SPOT or inReach) to the live map

Thanks that makes a decision easier.
Next time my window cleaner is passing through the US I will get him to pick one up.

[Scattamah]

Just heard from a mate over in the US that he's picked up a renewal for $50USD but only after letting it lay for 18 months.
Seems the UK gets the raw end of the stick.

Greetz

S.

[Asposium]

Posting here as seems the best location

Received an email from OS that has a 20% discount code
Worked on the Garmin inReach making it £360
Also Quidco cashback available for OS

[dlovett]

Assholes saying I need to call to cancel. I assume that EU law isn't any good when it comes to being forced to call EU call centres?

I just emailed SPOT and said it was inconvenient to phone the US of A and they were fine. First they offered discount and I politely declined, so they cancelled the contract. Quite an easy process really

I suspect that's why they've given me some sort of Euro phone number.

I'm going to quote GDPR at them, see if that works.

I just emailed them and they emailed back saying ok, but they would offer me a discount if I renewed in the next 5 days.

[Dovebiker]

I've just got rid - even though my credit card company refunded last year's fees on the basis of it being an unauthorised payment, my subscription remained live but I didn't use it. I eventually called them to cancel as didn't want to go back to my creditcard co and they even offered me the discount. UK subscriptions are managed through a Spot EU subsidiary based in Ireland, but clearly that doesn't apply to distance selling regs and GDPR!

[ScotRoutes]

https://globalstar-spot.uservoice.com/f ... ck-with-us

[Richard G]

Out of interest, what are the alternatives these days? I don't really mind paying a decent amount up front if I can save money later.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Out of interest, what are the alternatives these days?

The cheapest is to perhaps ask yourself - why do I need a tracker? If it's for an ITT then fair enough but if it's simply for some perceived peace of mind or because 'it keeps he / she happy' then cast your mind back 10 years. We didn't have them and we're not all dead and very few of us spent 3 weeks in a ditch waiting to be found by a passing sheep

[Asposium]

Out of interest, what are the alternatives these days?

The cheapest is to perhaps ask yourself - why do I need a tracker? If it's for an ITT then fair enough but if it's simply for some perceived peace of mind or because 'it keeps he / she happy' then cast your mind back 10 years. We didn't have them and we're not all dead and very few of us spent 3 weeks in a ditch waiting to be found by a passing sheep

.....and where riding

If in the UK get an old Nokia phone and a Manx telecom SIM card.

Manx telecom will roam on any UK network

[ScotRoutes]

.....and where riding

If in the UK get an old Nokia phone and a Manx telecom SIM card.

Depends where in the UK.

[Richard G]

We didn't have them and we're not all dead and very few of us spent 3 weeks in a ditch waiting to be found by a passing sheep

Yeah, but you don't crash as much as I do.

[boxelder]

I'm contacting my credit card co to try to reclaim. Spot gave me the €50 discount, but it still comes out at £160+

[ScotRoutes]

I've just had the renewal dialogue. After a couple of emails, one of which included the magic word "Inreach", I got the subscription back to £140 and a commitment to discount next year too. That's back to what I originally paid a few years ago (allowing for inflation).