The XM NavWeather saga continues

I got this email from Garmin this morning in response to my query from Wednesday:

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.Try connecting your Zumo 550 to a PC via the USB cable and run the following program.........when prompted check the box for XM receiver update........Garmin releases system/operating software updates throughout the year. We would recommend running the WebUpdater program at least once every month to ensure that your device is up to date with the system software. If the WebUpdater program has not been installed on the computer please use the
following link to start the download process for the program: http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp
With Best Regards,
Brian K
Product Support Specialist
Automotive Team
Garmin International

I wrote back, saying:

I ran Updater over the weekend as I indicated in my original message.
Nevertheless, I ran it again this morning and at no time was I offered an option to update the XM receiver.
You really don't know the answer to my problem, do you?

I signed up yesterday for the ZumoForums in hopes of finding an answer there. Instead, I found posts from other people struggling with the same issue. Here’s a sampling:

ZIGGY, Corydon, Iowa - Got a zumo 550 got the weather and xm on it. Weather quit working,then the xm quie working. Garmin sent me another gxm antenna. Installed it called xm so i could get the antenna up and going. The xm works but i still do not have the weather. They have refreshed 3 times and still no weather. I am just about to the end of the rope. As it takes up to 2 to 3 hours to get any body on the phone that can help you or speak English so i can understand them. Need advice or help  thanks

DAVE, St. Charles, Ill. - The XM agent told me to switch to channel 1 for when they sent out the authorization signal. But with my Z665, that does not work. I have to be at Tools>XM Subscription>Next and follow the instructions to get the authorization saved by an intentional XM power off/on.
It doesn't appear the Z550 has a similar menu. Have you tried leaving it at the first <<XM>> menu where you see the buttons for the XM Radio, Weather, etc.? If your subscription online shows the correct weather product, you can try using the web reauthorize when your Z550 is ready to try it. If no success, try it with the Media Player set to XM Radio and channel 1.

BRUCE, Kansas City - I keep reading that Navweather will not work alone...you need Navtraffic for it to work.  They also say that Navtraffic comes with weather for free. I haven't been able to activate Navweather either.  I'm thinking about switching to Navtraffic and see if it works…XM gave me a free test of Navtraffic and Navweather from May 28th to June 7th...so it does work on the Zumo 550.

BRUCE, Kansas City (Dated June 29) - Well, I called XM this afternoon and had them change my NavWeather subscription to NavTraffic.  Got home, pulled the bike out of the garage, set up a refresh signal online and bingo I've got traffic and weather.  Looks like this may be the only way to get weather on a 550. I'll let you know how I like after I've had it for awhile.

What comes through most clearly in all of this is that neither XM nor Garmin customer support people know what they’re doing.