The great FREE 80 Hour Tivo Package err... RIP-OFF!

[dlh]

Sorry for the length of this post. Don't get me wrong - I love Tivo but am suprised at the price hike they are trying to disguise. I have read the sticky thread from TivoOpsMgr. See more after the quote I'm including here from email that I received from Tivo the other day:

--Begin Quote:
Letter from the Editor

You meet me at a party. You learn I work for TiVo. The inevitable question that follows: "Can you get me a free TiVo box?"

Well, from here on out, YOU can score yourself a deal that's close enough. Starting today, when you buy direct from tivo(dot)com, you can get "The Whole Package" - an 80-hour TiVo Series2 box with service included - for as low as $16.95/mo with 3-year plan.* I repeat: The box is included. At no extra cost. You can read all about this new pricing plan here, and yes, we've got all the FAQs for you Need-to-Know-It-Alls (so no need to e-mail me!).

Oh, and just to be clear: Subscription fees on your current boxes will NOT change (you'll continue to pay only $12.95) - this applies to new purchases only.

BloopBloop!
Shanan
--End Quote

I don't think I'm reading this correctly. In this "Letter from the Editor" Shanan says I can have an 80 box and service for $16.95/month and that my plan price on current box "will NOT change". I thought that if I got another one via a package/term deal, then the existing box would only be $6.95/month. If not, then all I have to say is "why would I do that?"...

Do the math:

Costco (add $10 bucks for Best Buy):
-----------
80 hour Tivo Box $209.99 - $150 rebate = $ 59.99
3 year's service $ 12.99/month * 36 = $ 467.64
existing box service discount $ 6.99/month * 36 = $ 251.64
Total $ 779.27

Tivo offer:
---------------
80 hour Tivo Box: Free!!! (yah right)!!!
3 year's service: $16.99/month * 36 = $ 611.64
existing box no service discount $12.99/month * 36 = $ 467.64
Total $1,079.28


OK, maybe I'm not reading it right - BUT, even if there IS a multiservice discount with a bundled offer, it's still more than going out and getting one from retail (3 yr package = $611.64 + 3 yrs of discounted service = $251.64 for a total of $863.28.

Why not just admit that Tivo IS RAISING PRICES?

Thanks for thinking of your loyal customers.

dlh

[filburt1]

They're only raising prices if you buy from their web site at the tiered pricing model. If you buy from a retail store, it will be cheaper in the short term with the $150 rebate available. You can get an 80-hour DVR for $30 after rebate. I got my 40-hour DVR a year or so ago for free after rebate.

[mdscott]

The TiVo box in the package plans is considered to be full price -- so you DO get a reduction to $6.95 0n your existing subscription. Take a look at the sticky post from TiVoOpsMgr at the top of this forum.

Michael

[jmoak]

Let's redo the math:

Costco (add $10 bucks for Best Buy):
-----------
80 hour Tivo Box $209.99 = $209.99 (you'll get a $150 rebate later)
3 year's service $ 12.99/month * 36 = $ 467.64
existing box service discount $ 6.99/month * 36 = $ 251.64
Total $ 929.27

(six to eight weeks later)
-$150.00 rebate
Total $ 779.27

Total out-of-pocket expence at purchase - $229.97
(2nd tivo cost + service on both)


Tivo offer:
---------------
80 hour Tivo Box: Free!!!
3 year's service: $16.99/month * 36 = $ 611.64
existing box w/service discount $6.99/month * 36 = $ 251.64
Total $863.28

Total out-of-pocket expense at purchase - $23.98
(2nd tivo cost + service on both)


It looks like you're getting a $84.01 discount for letting Tivo borrow $150 for a month and a half. (maybe two, but they're good for it, right?;))

This seems to be an offer for those who might not be able to come up with 230 bucks upfront. For those who can and don't mind the short term personal loan to tivo, you get to save 80 bucks.

[HDTiVo]

DLH:

Don't feel you are mistaken. The economic cost of owning a TiVo has gone up significantly under most scenarios of ownership. There are a couple special cases where the total cost might be about $1-3 less, and a couple where it is essentially the same.

[classicsat]

My math shows 789.20 for either two purchased boxes, less rebates, plus the best deal for 3 years service each, or one prepaid bundle plus one purchased box less rebate, plus 3 yrs MSD at 6.95

Yes, the monthly bundle plans are for those that cannot outlay the retail purhase outright, but can consistantly scrape together $16.95 a month or more together together.

[jfh3]

Do we really need another thread talking about the same pricing complaints?

The great rip-off is the guy on eBay selling information on how to get a Tivo for $16.99/month if you pay him $9.99.

Want to be that's just a link to tivo.com?