Best Buy took my Pre-order for the Series 3 to be picked up 9/17/06

[bdraw]

I went by another Best Buy store today to check on the availability of the Series 3 and the they guy told me I could have one this Sunday. I said, "I can order it now and pick it up Sunday?" He said "yeah" and I couldn't wait to give him my credit card.

I believe TiVo.com will have them for sale on Wednesday the 13th, which means I will cancel my order if I can get one sooner than Sunday. I have to say I am not 100% convinced I will have one this Sunday, but this is the best I can do for now. He did say that the Miami warehouse only had 6 in stock!

Here is a picture of my pickup ticket.
http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/09/11/best-buy-is-taking-pre-orders-for-the-series-3-pick-up-date-9-1/

[aztivo]

so was it 799.??

[andydumi]

the ticket says it was 799. any rebates?

[bkdtv]

Congrats!

Though you should have used that BB 10% off coupon going around! Tivos are eligible.

[Bierboy]

Just called the Davenport, Iowa, Best Buy, and they said the date on availability for the S3 just popped up in their system today, and it is Sept. 17. But he couldn't take a pre-order and suggested to me that some stores are taking pre-orders even though they shouldn't be. He said they don't know how many units they'll get, so it's difficult to take pre-orders without that information.

The Moline, Ill., store says I'm the third person who's called today about the S3, but they have nothing in their system at all about it.

Seems strange that some BB stores are taking pre-orders; some are not, but do have the info in their systems; and others have no information at all on the S3. But, of course, this IS Best Buy.

[bdraw]

It isn't too late, I don't pick it up till Sunday.
Bright House is scheduled to come and install the CableCARDs on the 19th.
Lets hope I actually have the Series 3 when they come.

[bearcat2000]

I know that there was a 10% off coupon for BB but to my knowledge it expired on 9/4. If there is another one out there, please post the link. Thanks a ton!

[Gator1]

It isn't too late, I don't pick it up till Sunday.
Bright House is scheduled to come and install the CableCARDs on the 19th.
Lets hope I actually have the Series 3 when they come.

Does Brighthouse know they are installing in a Series 3 and if so were they aware of this new unit? I have Brighhouse in Orlando as well.

[bdraw]

They asked me what the model of the TV was, I explained to them that it wasn't a TV, but instead a TiVo. I told the salesman to have the techs call me if they have any questions.
My friend is also good friends with the Tampa GM formerly the Orlando GM and will escalade the issue if I am given any flack. I don't expect any.

[petew]

will escalade issue if I am given any flack. I don't expect any.

Are you going to run him over in a cadillac or scale his castle using ladders? :)

[DTSDude]

Grats on getting the pre-order in. I guess there's little guesswork left as to whether the availability will be this week. Sheesh, time to go digging around in my pockets and see if I can find $800.

[TiVotion]

All this really makes me think that the S3 is going to be announced tomorrow (Tues) on TiVo.com.

[bdraw]

Are you going to run him over in a cadillac or scale his castle using ladders? :)


The second one!

[moyekj]

bdraw, guess that puts you on the hook to be the 1st to review the S3 if indeed you do get it by Sunday - get ready to be inundated by questions. :) Hope you have time to try it before you install cablecards as well to see if unencrypted QAM can be made to work.

[rainwater]

They asked me what the model of the TV was, I explained to them that it wasn't a TV, but instead a TiVo. I told the salesman to have the techs call me if they have any questions.
My friend is also good friends with the Tampa GM formerly the Orlando GM and will escalade the issue if I am given any flack. I don't expect any.

The TiVo will come with instructions to give to the CC installer so they don't have to know anything before they walk in the door.

[robbins]

I can't believe anyone would spend $800 for a Tivo, it boggles my mind.

[talmania]

I can't believe anyone would spend $800 for a Tivo, it boggles my mind.

I can't believe that people in areas of California spend millions of dollars for 1500 sf homes yet they do. I can't believe that people spend more than 40K for a vehicle yet they do. It's all about the value you perceive from an investment. IMO, it's an investment I can't wait to make.

[Sixto]

I can't believe anyone would spend $800 for a Tivo, it boggles my mind.Considering that a nice Plasma may be $2k-$3k, nice A/V Receiver $400-$800, DVD players were once >$500, nice speaker systems may run another $500-$1k ... paying $799 for an HD TiVo to be the Video hub doesn't seem all that bad.

Have had DirecTV HDTiVo for a few years ... was great investment ...

[andydumi]

bdraw, guess that puts you on the hook to be the 1st to review the S3 if indeed you do get it by Sunday - get ready to be inundated by questions. :) Hope you have time to try it before you install cablecards as well to see if unencrypted QAM can be made to work.

perhaps we should go ahead and form a list of questions so he is prepared going into it...
off to diner, but ill be back and edit this to add my questions.

[sommerfeld]

I went by another Best Buy store today to check on the availability of the Series 3 and the they guy told me I could have one this Sunday. I said, "I can order it now and pick it up Sunday?" He said "yeah" and I couldn't wait to give him my credit card.

I tried this in the Watertown, MA Best Buy today. Took the (otherwise very helpful) sales supervisor a while to figure out that he couldn't order it and neither could any other Best Buys in the area; apparently there were zero in their regional warehouse as none of the other stores he tried calling could place an order, either.

And, even better, while I was waiting, someone else came in trying to pre-order.

[Bierboy]

Stopped at the local (Moline, Illinois) BB tonight, and had a clerk look up the S3 on their system (and I watched closely). Price listed at $799 "as of Sept. 11" (whatever that means). The only availabilities he saw were at BB stores in Ames, Iowa, and Des Moines, Iowa. Said he couldn't pre-order because it showed no availability at this store.

[cap]

Stopped at the local (Moline, Illinois) BB tonight, and had a clerk look up the S3 on their system (and I watched closely). Price listed at $799 "as of Sept. 11" (whatever that means). The only availabilities he saw were at BB stores in Ames, Iowa, and Des Moines, Iowa. Said he couldn't pre-order because it showed no availability at this store.

Really? That's only 2 hours away. Are they available now or on the 17th?

[Bierboy]

Really? That's only 2 hours away. Are they available now or on the 17th?I'd suggest caling one of those stores. I clearly saw Des Moines and Ames listed on his screen. But make sure you get a cooperative clerk....one who will take the time to plug the S3 into their system's search function. He should be able to tell you if it will be available, and possibly even for a pre-order. If you do, please post what they tell you. Don't know on availability, but I'd be surprised if it's before the 17th given all the other posts here.

[cpucrash0]

I just preordered my tivo series 3 at bestbuy in mcallen tx. The guy looked it up and it said they are suppose to get it in by the 15 but not sale it untill the 17th of this month. I can't wait......

[PKurmas]

I can't believe anyone would spend $800 for a Tivo, it boggles my mind.

Original Philips 30Hr TiVo... $999 before a 10% frequent customer discount, plus the lifetime charge. (At least this is still working after one disk replacement...)...

Original Philips DirecTiVo... I think that was a comparative bargain at $399. Of course, months later they were half the price. Oh yeah, plus the obsolete lifetime service on the unit/account.

Original HD-DirecTivo... $999 from Value Electronics 'cause I had to have it... (and I'm not even on DirecTV any more!)

Being an early adopter stinks... but at least it keeps the economy healthy. :( My wife will kill me if I do it a fourth time... otherwise I'd be at BB right now... I guess I'll have to live the Moto p-o-s for a while longer.

[aaronwt]

No go at my local BB. They told me no preorders. They also have a promotion for $999 and up on combined HT purchases(TiVo included) for 3 years no interest financing. If I could have preordered I would have got 3 since I could have spread it out over 36 months. The promotion ends on Saturday, so I guess I''ll have to try for one at 12% with my coupon and just get more later.

[ingenue007]

Question: those of you that have pre-ordered, do you have a current lifetime tivo? Will buying a Tivo at retail store qualify it for transfer?? cause if so, you can combine that 12 percent coupon.

FYI, I called the VIP number and the automated recording said something like "thank you for calling tivo VIP. to transfer your lifetime subscription to your new series 3, please have your series 3 service number ready and your existing tivo service number"

[cap]

I'd suggest caling one of those stores. I clearly saw Des Moines and Ames listed on his screen. But make sure you get a cooperative clerk....one who will take the time to plug the S3 into their system's search function. He should be able to tell you if it will be available, and possibly even for a pre-order. If you do, please post what they tell you. Don't know on availability, but I'd be surprised if it's before the 17th given all the other posts here.

No dice. Talked to 2 best buys just to be sure and no one has them in stock now, but they do have an instock date of the 17th.
The guy in Des Moines looked all over from Omaha to Illinois to Kansas City and Iowa.

Guess I need to wait some more.

[musicforme]

Add me to the list of people that pre-ordered tonight.

I went to the Best Buy in Grapevine, TX. Customer Service directed me to the Magnolia part of the store since they didn't think they could do a pre-order. The guys back there tried to talk me out of it since they weren't certain they would get them this weekend.

They said "you can go ahead and pre-order it and the best we can promise is we'll call you once we have it". I told them I was fine with it and we proceeded with the transaction.

When I told the salesperson the technical specifics about the S3, he commented that it is going to be a popular item. I smiled real big and said "That's why I'm in here tonight". :)

[ingenue007]

OK great news. i called again and got another CSR that was more helpful. after being on hold for like 10 mins, he said it was OK to buy in store and then transfter. so you can save with BB 12 percent coupon.

[m_jonis]

Too bad you can't pre-order online from BB.

Guess it may be a trip to the mall (argh)

[Greeby]

I can't believe anyone would spend $800 for a Tivo, it boggles my mind.

I paid $1250 for my first HD DirecTiVo. I had to have one of the first.

I'll have 2 S3 as soon as I can get my hands on one :)

[bdraw]

I can't believe anyone would spend $800 for a Tivo, it boggles my mind.

Mitsubish Diamond TV: $5000
HD DirecTiVo: $1000
Samsung Blu-ray Player: $1000
Series 3 TiVo: $800

HD Nirvana: Priceless

[bdraw]

Not sure if this makes a difference, but the store I ordered mine from wasn't planning on having it in stock, it was a special order only item and the warehouse was showing as in stock.

[jeffrypennock]

Too bad you can't pre-order online from BB.

Guess it may be a trip to the mall (argh)
I would do it if I were you. I don't wanna create a rush or a stampede, but I was pretty glad I went an pre-ordered today, if for no other reason than that, while the local BB warehouse has 84 S3's in stock, the BB that I was at had zero of them on order. So I would have been really disappointed on Sunday when I went to go buy an S3 and was told they could order one for me from the warehouse that I'd have to wait a few days for (that is if there were still any left in the warehouse). I have NO CLUE how fast 84 $800 TiVo's would get bought up in the 4th largest city in America.

[bdraw]

bdraw, guess that puts you on the hook to be the 1st to review the S3 if indeed you do get it by Sunday - get ready to be inundated by questions. :) Hope you have time to try it before you install cablecards as well to see if unencrypted QAM can be made to work.

No problem, I have been planning to write a review for HDBeat since I saw the Series 3 in Vegas.

*Warning: shameless plug ahead**
If you want to check out any of my other reviews
http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/04/19/hd-dvd-review/
http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/03/15/moviebeam-review/
http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/08/09/review-samsung-bd-p1000/
http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/04/14/review-hd-downloads-via-akimbo/
http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/03/02/macbook-pro-the-ultimate-portable-hd-machine/


I expect this to be my most comprehensive review yet.
I am sure I will post here before the review comes out so you guys can help me out. ;)

[ufo4sale]

What is the return policy for the Series III Tivo?

[jeffrypennock]

What is the return policy for the Series III Tivo?
I'm not going anywhere near that one this time. :o

[jfh3]

What is the return policy for the Series III Tivo?

If you don't like it, return it to me ... :)

[Craig S]

jeffrey, which Houston-area BB did you pre-order from, if you don't mind saying.

I'm going to hit the Clear Lake location on the way to work tomorrow...

[TechDreamer]

I paid $950 for my first Sony DirecTV system and it was worth every penny. I'm sure the Series 3 would be worth it if I had the money. I just can't afford to be an early adopter anymore and I'm sure a lot of people here are in the same boat. I'm just glad to have a new product to lust after.