Your Remote Connect Trial is expiring...

[PDPete]

I just want to reiterate that my main objection is the fact that we, apparently, cannot just renew the remote connect -- but rather are forced to add either the plan with GPS/Navigation or the ability to stream Apple/Amazon music (the latter of which isn't even a subscription for those services, just gives you the luxury of being able to access your own separate subscription if you have one).

What also "scares" me is that, given the fact that both navigation and audio streaming are easily achieved using CarPlay or Android Auto (which is why I don't want to subscribe to Toyota's version of either one), that this is a move in the same direction that Chevy announced it will be making, where it will be completely removing mobile phone integration in favor of providing those capabilities into their own infotainment system (and subsequently charging subscription fees to access all of it)...a sign of more greediness to come...

Now, Android Auto cannot remote start my car, or give me alerts about my doors being unlocked, or monitor my tire pressure (etc), so I was reluctantly considering paying a few $/month for that... but damn right I'm gonna complain about them nickel-and-diming us every chance they get with stuff like this.

 

[chris_in_phx]

I just want to reiterate that my main objection is the fact that we, apparently, cannot just renew the remote connect -- but rather are forced to add either the plan with GPS/Navigation or the ability to stream Apple/Amazon music (the latter of which isn't even a subscription for those services, just gives you the luxury of being able to access your own separate subscription if you have one).

What also "scares" me is that, given the fact that both navigation and audio streaming are easily achieved using CarPlay or Android Auto (which is why I don't want to subscribe to Toyota's version of either one), that this is a move in the same direction that Chevy announced it will be making, where it will be completely removing mobile phone integration in favor of providing those capabilities into their own infotainment system (and subsequently charging subscription fees to access all of it)...a sign of more greediness to come...

Now, Android Auto cannot remote start my car, or give me alerts about my doors being unlocked, or monitor my tire pressure (etc), so I was reluctantly considering paying a few $/month for that... but damn right I'm gonna complain about them nickel-and-diming us every chance they get with stuff like this.

I'm with you

 

[AlexGates]

I did look at Subaru’s website and they charge about the same per month per similar functionality. I think Honda does too. Ford gives 5 yrs free (or at least they did when I had my F150) but o don’t remember how much they charge after 5 years. So they all do it :/.

10yr for Ford, iirc. I think they are banking it won’t make it past 7.

 

[Scajaquada]

Have about a month until I hit one year anniversary, so I knew this was coming, but just saw the email from Toyota reminding me

What I noticed, however, is that it seems the only option for keeping "Remote Connect" (RC) service is to bundle it with other services? Looks like it's "Go Anywhere" (RC + GPS/Nav), "Music Lover" (RC + Music Streaming), or "Premium" (RC + GPS/Nav + Music Streaming).

Is there no option to just keep remote connect? Since I use Android Auto pretty much all the time, I don't see a need to add navigation or music streaming (and I don't use Amazon or Apple music anyway).

I was already on the fence about renewing after my initial year was up, but if this is the case, it pretty much seals the deal that I will NOT be renewing it...I park in a garage so remote start isn't all that valuable to me...I'm definitely not spending $15/month for the rare times I do use it or to be able to lock my vehicle remotely.

I pay the 15/mo, it's worth it to me. And I like using the map, it's better than the google maps imo.

 

[LC in the LOU]

I pay the 15/mo, it's worth it to me. And I like using the map, it's better than the google maps imo.

Maybe the Toyota Nav accuracy varies by market, in St.Louis, with about 3 million people, it was useless. It never displayed traffic jams at all while Google/Waze and Apple did.

I was going to re-up for the remote start at $8/mo to use to warm up my car parked at the airport garage in winter after being parked for a few days, but at $15, nope.

My local Toyota dealer just sent my wife an email saying they will add 3% for credit card payments on service work on her Prius. I’m thinking of ordering 150 rolls of pennies to hand them for her next service, just for the fun of it.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I have never experienced a consumer vehicle that had a navigation system anywhere near as capable as Apple’s or Google’s navigation apps.

 

[HammerTheWall]

My local Toyota dealer just sent my wife an email saying they will add 3% for credit card payments on service work on her Prius. I’m thinking of ordering 150 rolls of pennies to hand them for her next service, just for the fun of it.

Restaurants and other service industries (at least around southcentral and northwest PA) have been doing this for many years. The payment processing facilities started charging this to the companies using their services. It's not the dealership's fault, it's payment processors deciding that they want bigger profits. Software as a service isn't free. Expecting a local business to eat the cost and still be cheap isn't realistic.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I understand when my local bookstore with annual revenue of $80k and 2% EBITDA margin charges me an extra fee to cover their payment processor fees.

If my dealership with annual revenue of $150M and 6% EBITDA margin starts nickel and diming me on payment fees I’m absolutely walking out. That’s absurd and businesses running those numbers negotiate far better rates with their payment processors.

 

[PDPete]

My local Toyota dealer just sent my wife an email saying they will add 3% for credit card payments on service work on her Prius. I’m thinking of ordering 150 rolls of pennies to hand them for her next service, just for the fun of it.

Restaurants and other service industries (at least around southcentral and northwest PA) have been doing this for many years. The payment processing facilities started charging this to the companies using their services. It's not the dealership's fault, it's payment processors deciding that they want bigger profits. Software as a service isn't free. Expecting a local business to eat the cost and still be cheap isn't realistic.

I'd argue that if it's a business that primarily handles credit transactions and very little in cash, they should just adjust their prices accordingly...and not advertise one price only to actually change 3% more when you get the bill

 

[Shorty]

Is that then price that you were quoted when you purchased the car? I was quoted $9.90 here in Australia.

 

[HammerTheWall]

I'd argue that if it's a business that primarily handles credit transactions and very little in cash, they should just adjust their prices accordingly...and not advertise one price only to actually change 3% more when you get the bill

Most businesses don't adjust their prices that way because it's overhead for them to maintain multiple price lists. Can you imagine in advertising having to list multiple prices for everything listed?

You're not getting charged more from the dealership, you're getting charged more from the payment provider. Some places have signs that state what the percentage is, some have it on the machines themselves, some let you know. Most places used to eat the cost, but digital wallets changed that.