Request for Buying Advice

[ig88]

I have an existing TiVo Series 2 on lifetime.

I am interested in purchasing a new Dual Tuner TiVo, and am trying to figure out my best options.

As I see them, they are as follows:

1. The pre-release offer available to current subscribers, which gets you an 80-hour unit, with one year of service for $254.00 (this translates to $21.17/month for the first year).
Bottom Line:
80 hour
Upfront Cost $254.00
TL Cost One Year $254.00
Monthly Cost First Year $21.17



2. A retail 80-hour unit for $249.00. As I understand it, having an existing TiVo on lifetime would qualify me for the Multiple Service Discount for $6.95/month (this translates to $332.40, or $27.70/month for the first year). It is also my understanding that I would also qualify for the $150.00 rebate, which would change the first year costs to $182.40, or $15.20/month.
Bottom Line:
80 hour
Wait for rebate
Upfront Cost $249 + $6.95 = $255.95
TL Cost One Year $249 - $150 + (6.95 X 12) = 182.40
Monthly Cost First Year $15.20



3. A retail 180-hour unit for $349. Using the Multiple Service Discount for $6.95/month (which translates to $432.40, or $36.03/month for the first year). After applying the $150.00 rebate, the first year costs would be $282.40, or $23.53/month.
Bottom Line:
180 hour
Wait for rebate
Upfront Cost $349 + $6.95 = $355.95
TL Cost One Year $349 - $150 + (6.95 X 12) = 282.40
Monthly Cost First Year $23.53


It looks like there is no way I can buy a TiVo directly from TiVo (and get the best deal), as they do not offer an unbundled unit. As I qualify (as I understand it) for the Multiple Service Discount of $6.95/month, it does not make sense to order one of the bundled service units (unless I want to avoid the rebate hassle).

My assumptions:
- a new DT would qualify for MSD since I have an existing Lfetime unit
- Paying for the $6.95/month MSD service also qualifies me for the $150.00 rebate
- In order to get the two points above, I must order from a retail store, as TiVo only sells bundles

Is the above logic correct?

Are there better options I am missing?

Does anyone know, can you pay the $6.95 up front for a year’s worth to avoid monthly bills?

I am leaning towards the 180-hour unit with rebate, as I think with two tuners the extra HD space will come in handy.

[davezatz]

My assumptions:
- a new DT would qualify for MSD since I have an existing Lfetime unit
- Paying for the $6.95/month MSD service also qualifies me for the $150.00 rebate
- In order to get the two points above, I must order from a retail store, as TiVo only sells bundles

Is the above logic correct?
I think so...

I am leaning towards the 180-hour unit with rebate, as I think with two tuners the extra HD space will come in handy. Rumor has it that unit won't be for sale until next month.

Best bet is to hit Circuit City or Best Buy later in the week if/when the 80hour DT model shows up and do the rebate drill. :)

[Einselen]

My assumptions:
- a new DT would qualify for MSD since I have an existing Lfetime unit
- Paying for the $6.95/month MSD service also qualifies me for the $150.00 rebate
- In order to get the two points above, I must order from a retail store, as TiVo only sells bundles

Is the above logic correct?

Are there better options I am missing?

Does anyone know, can you pay the $6.95 up front for a year’s worth to avoid monthly bills?

I am leaning towards the 180-hour unit with rebate, as I think with two tuners the extra HD space will come in handy.

Looked like the same calculations I made. Since you have lifetime on the one box the only wise choice is to keep that box and add the new one for $6.95/month.

Problem with the 180 HR DT unit is there are none that are seen anywhere. Supposedly there has been word that it will be due out in June. Now if you don't mind waiting that long then go ahead. Also with that the current rebate end 6/3.

The only place I have heard where you can buy the 80 HR DT unit beside from Tivo is from circuit city and I think with shipping it will arive around the 15th or 16th.

[petew]

Does anyone know, can you pay the $6.95 up front for a year’s worth to avoid monthly bills?


I believe if you buy a subscription gift card the balance is deducted at the MSD rate so 6 month gift card is 6*12.95 = $77.7, deducted at $6.95 will actually last just over 11 months.

[ArizonaJay]

nm

[Olde Fortran]

If I wanted a DT, I would check the prices on lifetime gift cards on ebay. Though it seems like a shame to "waste" one of those on an S2 DT instead of an S3.

[Olde Fortran]

What is a dual tuner unit?

It's a unit with dual tuners. :D

No really, that is the short answer.

Check out the front page of tivo.com or some of the threads here for the longer answer.

[ig88]

Problem with the 180 HR DT unit is there are none that are seen anywhere. Supposedly there has been word that it will be due out in June. Now if you don't mind waiting that long then go ahead. Also with that the current rebate end 6/3.

The only place I have heard where you can buy the 80 HR DT unit beside from Tivo is from circuit city and I think with shipping it will arive around the 15th or 16th.

I see weaknees is shipping a 180 GB model (their modified version) and show shipping May 3rd. Same price as TiVos 180 GB model will be.

Any drawbacks to getting one of these instead?

Especially if the rebate is over june 3rd and no 180 GB TiVo brand is available by then...

[mick66]

so 6 month gift card is 6*12.95 = $77.7

No such thing.
Gift cards are 3 or 12 month only.
http://www.tivo.com/2.9.1.asp

[Einselen]

I see weaknees is shipping a 180 GB model (their modified version) and show shipping May 3rd. Same price as TiVos 180 GB model will be.

Any drawbacks to getting one of these instead?

Especially if the rebate is over june 3rd and no 180 GB TiVo brand is available by then...

How do the Weaknees rebates work?

[classicsat]

Does anyone know, can you pay the $6.95 up front for a year’s worth to avoid monthly bills?


There are currently no non-montly options for the 6.95 MSD fee.

[Joeg180]

How do the Weaknees rebates work?


Weaknees doesn't offer the rebate, you have to submit the TiVo Rebate form.

One thing, they will do is give you your TSN and Receipt by e-mail so you can register/activate the unit right away. You can meet your deadlines for purchase/activation then you have to send in the copies of the UPC etc. You usually have several weeks to get that sent in.

[fregienj]

I see weaknees is shipping a 180 GB model (their modified version) and show shipping May 3rd. Same price as TiVos 180 GB model will be.

Any drawbacks to getting one of these instead?

Especially if the rebate is over june 3rd and no 180 GB TiVo brand is available by then...

I would just get the 80 HR model and then spend the extra $100 that you would have spent on upgrading to 180 HR on a new 300GB drive. Then you would still have the original 80GB drive as a backup as well.

[Einselen]

Weaknees doesn't offer the rebate, you have to submit the TiVo Rebate form.

One thing, they will do is give you your TSN and Receipt by e-mail so you can register/activate the unit right away. You can meet your deadlines for purchase/activation then you have to send in the copies of the UPC etc. You usually have several weeks to get that sent in.

Thanks I was wondering how the rebate worked as it would be buying from a retailer that would not be recognized by TiVo. So essentially they buy TiVos from Circuit City or another like vendor and put in larger harddrives and then resell them for the cost of equipment and labor to format the new harddrive. When you puy it you buy it all that cost and they send you the receipt from Circuit City and your process the rebate through Tivo. Any chance they are hiring? lol j/k. They could have distribution centers all around the US and that would save on shipping time and cost :) Man why did I not think of this first...

[weaknees]

Thanks I was wondering how the rebate worked as it would be buying from a retailer that would not be recognized by TiVo. So essentially they buy TiVos from Circuit City or another like vendor and put in larger harddrives and then resell them for the cost of equipment and labor to format the new harddrive. When you puy it you buy it all that cost and they send you the receipt from Circuit City and your process the rebate through Tivo. Any chance they are hiring? lol j/k. They could have distribution centers all around the US and that would save on shipping time and cost :) Man why did I not think of this first...


Actually, we don't buy at retail, but from distributors. Your receipt is from us - and that's exactly what you need for the rebate.

Considering our prices are the same as Circuit City's and we offer free shipping, we wouldn't be around too long if we bought our units from them . . .

[Einselen]

Actually, we don't buy at retail, but from distributors. Your receipt is from us - and that's exactly what you need for the rebate.

Considering our prices are the same as Circuit City's and we offer free shipping, we wouldn't be around too long if we bought our units from them . . .

The rebate would even work on the modified TiVos? Or is there some modification on the receipt, such as:

80 hr DT 249.99
Internal HD 100.00
-----------
Total 349.99

or does it just not matter as the terms are new activation on a S2 and the Motherboard houses the TSN and therefore an upgraded harddrive means nothing in the rebate process.

Edit: Ok Ok, got it now... Per terms on rebate:

(6) Valid only for new or certified factory renewed, TiVo Series2 or TiVo Series2 DT Digital Video Recorders (including designated DVD products) purchased from an authorized TiVo retailer or through our
website (www.tivo.com).

So how did Weaknees become an authorized TiVO Retailer and are these units sill considered new even though they have been modified? They are new in the sense they have no subscription on them.

[jfh3]

They are new in the sense they have no subscription on them.

That's the key - the rebate applies to a box that was previously unactivated.

[PMPTHATROX]

So has anyone had any luck with what "ig88" is asking? I am in the same boat and I really want another Tivo. Who here is the Guinea pig?

Bottom line is:

New tivo bought at Best Buy with $150 mail in rebate. Paying $6.95 a month for it because I have lifetime on my current tivo.

[Einselen]

So has anyone had any luck with what "ig88" is asking? I am in the same boat and I really want another Tivo. Who here is the Guinea pig?

Bottom line is:

New tivo bought at Best Buy with $150 mail in rebate. Paying $6.95 a month for it because I have lifetime on my current tivo.

If you get the MSD then I would go buy retail, personally I would go to CC over Worst Buy, but then again I have boycotted Worst Buy for almost 5 years now. Now I know it was discussed about the 180 hr drive, but go buy the 80, put in for the rebate and buy a larger drive for $100 or maybe even cheaper and you come out further ahead. No need to wait until TiVo officially releases the 180, make your own 200+ TiVo.

[jlb]

The sad thing is, that I would rather pay the $5+ more per month in the first year to not have to bother with the rebate. But, that being said, I would also rather have bought the box at retail so that I would not have to remember to call TiVO at the end of the first year to get the new box shifted to "service only".