question re: lifetime certificate purchased with TiVo

[jshorr]

Good Evening,

Quick question someone must have the answer to. I am going to be purchasing a S2 TiVo with lifetime certificate from a friend of a friend who got it as a gift, doesn't want it and never opened it. Is the code in any way tied to that particular box, or can I use it down the road on a S3 ;) . I've heard rumors in the past that they were actually tied together but that isn't true, is it?

Also something I'm wondering about, when I was on the phone with a TiVo CSR the other day he told me that the lifetime subscription codes will actually not ever expire, because in at least one state (I think he said Nevada) it's a law that gift certificates never expire or go down in value. So rather than have different expirations for different codes for different states they won't really expire.

Any information would be appreciated.

[ChuckyBox]

Good Evening,

Quick question someone must have the answer to. I am going to be purchasing a S2 TiVo with lifetime certificate from a friend of a friend who got it as a gift, doesn't want it and never opened it. Is the code in any way tied to that particular box, or can I use it down the road on a S3 ;) . I've heard rumors in the past that they were actually tied together but that isn't true, is it?

Also something I'm wondering about, when I was on the phone with a TiVo CSR the other day he told me that the lifetime subscription codes will actually not ever expire, because in at least one state (I think he said Nevada) it's a law that gift certificates never expire or go down in value. So rather than have different expirations for different codes for different states they won't really expire.

Any information would be appreciated.
Your gift card is no good. Send it to me for proper disposal.

[gorba916]

jshorr I'm not sure if this relates to your situation but TiVoPony (their Product Marketing) posted this (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3880835&&#post3880835). Basically you have until the 15th of this month to activate that lifetime subscription. Except I believe you have to do this over the phone. So if your friend wants to sell you his TiVo with lifetime sub he should probably do it TODAY.

I think TiVo is in their legal right to have different restrictions state-to-state. Yes it's probably okay for TiVo owners in Nevada but for the rest of us in other states they can probably kill the lifetime subscription.

Makes you wonder how well they're financially doing if they have to kill the lifetime service... ?

[jshorr]

LOL, very helpful.

One other question I would like to add is, if you have a subscription certificate but don't know the original date of purchase is it even possible to call up and find out when it needs to be activated by, if there is such a real expiration date.

[jshorr]

jshorr I'm not sure if this relates to your situation but TiVoPony (their Product Marketing) posted this (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3880835&&#post3880835). Basically you have until the 15th of this month to activate that lifetime subscription. Except I believe you have to do this over the phone. So if your friend wants to sell you his TiVo with lifetime sub he should probably do it TODAY.

I think TiVo is in their legal right to have different restrictions state-to-state. Yes it's probably okay for TiVo owners in Nevada but for the rest of us in other states they can probably kill the lifetime subscription.

Makes you wonder how well they're financially doing if they have to kill the lifetime service... ?

Whoah, I thought all gift cards/certificates would remain valid and are good for 2 years from purchase?

[gorba916]

http://www.tivo.com/2.9.1.3.asp

1. TiVo service gift subscription values expire 2 years from date of purchase if not activated with TiVo Inc.*

[jshorr]

Cool. I also see

" Expiration date does not apply in California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Washington, and where expiration date may be extended by law. Applies in New Hampshire only for gift subscriptions over $100."

But NY is not on there. I wonder if without being the original purchaser I can find out what the expiration date is. I probably can call TiVo but it might take a few escalations, it seems like 1st level support has lost the tools to look up or activate lifetime subscriptions

[gorba916]

1st level support has lost the tools...

That's not all they've lost. :p