This call may be recorded for quality purposes. Please tell me the phone number on your account including the area code."
Reasons consumers might call the Sirius XM 800-998-7900 customer service number include signing up for a new subscription, learning about pricing plans or getting help for a problem with the service. I called Sirius to find out about their pricing plans and if a customer can cancel the service anytime.
The automated voice welcomed me and offered an option to hear the information in Spanish. It also told me I was calling from a number that matches a Sirius XM account, which is true because when I purchased a vehicle several years ago, I had Sirius XM for a brief period. However, I did not keep the subscription because, at that time, I mostly listened to local and regional radio stations.
The automated system wanted to know if it should use the phone number on record to look up my information, and my response was “no.” I identified myself as a new customer and the voice asked me if I wanted to sign up for service, receive an activation signal, or get help with my radio. My reply was, “Ask a question.” Then the voice asked me to tell it my eight-character radio ID, say or enter my 12-digit ESN, say my 12-character wideband radio ID or say I don’t have it, which was my response. They offered a text message option, and I did not accept it.
The system asked me to hold on and said that it was transferring me, and after several seconds, it told me my call may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance. It then told me that my estimated wait time was ten minutes. The voice told me they were working hard to take care of all their customers, appreciated my patience and would be with me as soon as they could. Then, music played for about a minute, and the voice came back to tell me I could go to the website to send a signal to my radio, make a payment or manage my account. It also said I could listen to Sirius XM on my smartphone and other devices. The music resumed and after about five minutes, I decided that I would either call back or visit the website.
Unlike a human, automated systems are not flexible in how they react when a customer responds in a way that doesn't fit the script. Waiting and not getting to speak to an associate was disappointing. A callback option would have been nice. On a positive note, I Iearned that I can listen to Sirius XM on devices outside my car, which might be worth a try. I didn’t have to listen to a lengthy menu and press a lot of numbers only to eventually have to hold for an associate. However, I would have appreciated the opportunity to opt out of the music while waiting, as the sound quality was not good.