Connect+.... I call bullshit

[zachstodd]

I understand that providing data service to cars costs money, and I think it's appropriate to charge a nominal fee for that. Some of the Connect+ features should cost extra if Rivian incurs additional costs to provide them. I think Rivian made the right move in enabling some data features to continue if the user chooses to use a mobile data connection.

However...

Satellite maps uses existing data that is provided by Google. Rivian doesn't have to create this content, they merely forward it on. Not allowing satellite image data to come through is akin to not allowing music streaming through Alexa, which works just fine with a mobile hotspot.

I call bullshit.

Absolute BS, and a petty way to treat your early adopter customers who, like me, probably had nothing but good things to say about Rivian. But now, I am not going to recommend. I wish they'd send an NPS score before and after the Connect+ BS. Mine would have gone from 10 to 0. To have features taken away after purchase with no plan for legacy members its utter scheme to monetize. The good ole' bait and switch. I would have probably paid for it if they rolled it out the right way.

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[mcollins2618]

The only real thing that bothered me was the loss of Spotify. Yes, I understand it's a 'streaming' service and that I can also use my phone, but I just bought my Rivian a few months ago and that was sold as a value add ("Hey btw you get Spotify to stream music, and 'Soon' you will have SiriusXM") NICE! Those are the only 2 music programs/apps I use. Now come a few months later, they pulled a 'LOL Sike!' on Spotify streaming app and SiriusXM is still no where to be seen and they are running out of 2024 runway. 99% of Connect+ is useless to me, but now I feel I have to buy it to regain a feature I once had for free.

On a side note. After seeing the Halloween screens, it would be cool if they put in like customized or 'themed' type driver gauges that could permanently be used during driving (Like the night rider and back to the future ones). That would be a cool feature I would buy Connect+ for.

 

[godfodder0901]

Absolute BS, and a petty way to treat your early adopter customers who, like me, probably had nothing but good things to say about Rivian. But now, I am not going to recommend. I wish they'd send an NPS score before and after the Connect+ BS. Mine would have gone from 10 to 0. To have features taken away after purchase with no plan for legacy members its utter scheme to monetize. The good ole' bait and switch. I would have probably paid for it if they rolled it out the right way.

What features, exactly, did they take away from you? The limited time free internet access that everyone knew was limited and would go away? What else?

 

[godfodder0901]

The only real thing that bothered me was the loss of Spotify. Yes, I understand it's a 'streaming' service and that I can also use my phone, but I just bought my Rivian a few months ago and that was sold as a value add ("Hey btw you get Spotify to stream music, and 'Soon' you will have SiriusXM") NICE! Those are the only 2 music programs/apps I use. Now come a few months later, they pulled a 'LOL Sike!' on Spotify streaming app and SiriusXM is still no where to be seen and they are running out of 2024 runway. 99% of Connect+ is useless to me, but now I feel I have to buy it to regain a feature I once had for free.

On a side note. After seeing the Halloween screens, it would be cool if they put in like customized or 'themed' type driver gauges that could permanently be used during driving (Like the night rider and back to the future ones). That would be a cool feature I would buy Connect+ for.

They didn't take away any features. You had free internet, now you don't (and you knew it was a free trial). Provide your own internet connection and, bam!, all the apps work like they did.

 

[zachstodd]

What features, exactly, did they take away from you? The limited time free internet access that everyone knew was limited and would go away? What else?

The native Spotify App, Alexa and Google Satellite map were available when I purchased in April. Connect+ was announced in June. I dont recall any mention of any functionality being "limited time only" when I bought it. Very rent-a-center vibes...

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Absolute BS, and a petty way to treat your early adopter customers who, like me, probably had nothing but good things to say about Rivian. But now, I am not going to recommend. I wish they'd send an NPS score before and after the Connect+ BS. Mine would have gone from 10 to 0. To have features taken away after purchase with no plan for legacy members its utter scheme to monetize. The good ole' bait and switch. I would have probably paid for it if they rolled it out the right way.

So you would have been fine paying an extra 150 a year for the past two years and continuing to pay it, but the fact that you got two years free chaps your ass? I’ll tell you what, Venmo me 300 bucks and pretend you had to pay for connectivity from the start. You’re welcome.

Responses like this highlight how petty these complaints really are so thank you for strengthening my argument. You have zero satisfaction now that you have to pay for data?

 

[Donald Stanfield]

The native Spotify App, Alexa and Google Satellite map were available when I purchased in April. Connect+ was announced in June. I dont recall any mention of any functionality being "limited time only" when I bought it. Very rent-a-center vibes...

If you stop paying for your home internet turns out you can’t use the internet there either.

 

[godfodder0901]

The native Spotify App, Alexa and Google Satellite map were available when I purchased in April. Connect+ was announced in June. I dont recall any mention of any functionality being "limited time only" when I bought it. Very rent-a-center vibes...

As discussed many times, if you didn't know it's your fault for not reading about your purchase. All of the information was available and published as far back as March 2022...

 

[ndmiller]

I understand that providing data service to cars costs money, and I think it's appropriate to charge a nominal fee for that. Some of the Connect+ features should cost extra if Rivian incurs additional costs to provide them. I think Rivian made the right move in enabling some data features to continue if the user chooses to use a mobile data connection.

However...

Satellite maps uses existing data that is provided by Google. Rivian doesn't have to create this content, they merely forward it on. Not allowing satellite image data to come through is akin to not allowing music streaming through Alexa, which works just fine with a mobile hotspot.

I call bullshit.

You analysis is 100% wrong, It's not free for Rivian, so it's no longer free for owners. This was very clear when I bought I was getting data for free for a limited time.

 

[mcollins2618]

They didn't take away any features. You had free internet, now you don't (and you knew it was a free trial). Provide your own internet connection and, bam!, all the apps work like they did.

LOL I knew someone would jump down my throat for my response. Didn't think it would be in .0125 seconds.

Calm down, I understand what I lost is internet connection. The limited time internet was conveniently left out during the purchasing process. And yes, I should've done more research.

 

[zachstodd]

If you stop paying for your home internet turns out you can’t use the internet there either.

My house didn't have internet when I bought it so.... Apples and Oranges friend...

 

[shap]

You analysis is 100% wrong, It's not free for Rivian, so it's no longer free for owners. This was very clear when I bought I was getting data for free for a limited time.

You are correct, but the issue is - I have this on my phone (so I already pay for this feature this way or another). But because Rivian decided to not use car play, we are forced into paying for this feature again. BTW, I am not using this feature, so personally I do not care. But all this complexity with built-in apps, tethering, etc. - why the hell do I need to work this out if I could just have a car play in the first place !? But this will be another discussion...

Just for context - I have no problem with the Rivian plan, it is priced well. But I would buy it only if I wanted to have internet tethering. As I do not need a tethering, I am not going to buy it.

For reference - my X5 2021, provides free mobile app access for the whole life of the car and as it fully supports a wireless car play, I run all my apps on the car screen w/o need for any subscription. This is how it should work IMHO.

 

[Redline]

Absolute BS, and a petty way to treat your early adopter customers who, like me, probably had nothing but good things to say about Rivian. But now, I am not going to recommend. I wish they'd send an NPS score before and after the Connect+ BS. Mine would have gone from 10 to 0. To have features taken away after purchase with no plan for legacy members its utter scheme to monetize. The good ole' bait and switch. I would have probably paid for it if they rolled it out the right way.

WTF are you talking about?

My God entitled people are taking over the world.

 

[Redline]

My house didn't have internet when I bought it so.... Apples and Oranges friend...

WHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!

 

[Cbristow]

They didn't take away any features. You had free internet, now you don't (and you knew it was a free trial). Provide your own internet connection and, bam!, all the apps work like they did.

No, many features now only work with Connect+, and if you bring your own connectivity, they still don't work. That is the point of this entire thread.

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