Amazon Selling S3 for Full $799

[mikesay98]

As you can see here (http://www.amazon.com/TiVo-Series3-Digital-Recorder-TCD648250B/dp/B000I661J0/ref=pd_ys_qtk_rvi/103-3455755-5687806?ie=UTF8) Amazon is now accepting orders for the S3. While they don't have it in stock yet, it seems their price is the full $799. I'm sure it'll go down eventually, but could this mean TiVo is trying to be like Apple and keep their products as strictly priced as possible? I doubt it, but it is strange to see Amazon charge full price...

[bkdtv]

Well, Amazon often charges full price before they get stock.

I suppose it's possible Tivo has set a minimum advertised price (MAP).

[TriBruin]

It could also be that Amazon realizes that the S3 are selling for full price and knows that it can also get full price for it.

The fact is their is little need for price competition on the S3 right now. There is pent up demand for them. Retailers (including Tivo) are looking to maximize their profits until the demand has dried up (bad Capatialist Pigs! :mad: )

[larrs]

I bought the Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player when it first came out. Same story- full MSRP. After about a month, it came down a bit, but as long as supply was scarce, it remained in line with MSRP. Now it is $50 below (5 months after intro).

[classicX]

Explain please why this is thread-worthy?

[c3]

Explain please why this is thread-worthy?

As opposed to many other threads which are less worthy?

[NJChris]

Isn't that a moderator job to determine if something should be moved or what-not?

:rolleyes:

[classicX]

I wasn't asking if it should be moved. I was asking why it is newsworthy.

[DrDravenStone]

Explain please why this is thread-worthy?

Because there has been speculation for the last 4 days that amazon and other online retailers would be discounting the S3, making the requirement to purchase from tivo.com to transfer lifetime harder to swallow.

Anything else you need explained to you?

[classicX]

Because there has been speculation for the last 4 days that amazon and other online retailers would be discounting the S3, making the requirement to purchase from tivo.com to transfer lifetime harder to swallow.

Anything else you need explained to you?

Nope, thx for the sarcasm. It was an honest question, I didn't see why anyone would expect Amazon to discount the price. Especially since Tivo is reporting that they have been slammed with orders.

The email + delayed shipping could be an underhanded tactic to spark interest - if the S3 isn't selling, let's make it look like we can't keep up with the orders to motivate people to buy them or risk not being able to get one (a la HD DirecTivo).

[rainwater]

Wow, Amazon is listing an item at the MSRP before they even have any in stock? What a shocker! :)

[gwsat]

Explain please why this is thread-worthy?
Because Rembrandt paints like Rembrandt and Picasso paints like Picasso? Or could it be for the same reason that there is horse racing? :)

[DrDravenStone]

Nope, thx for the sarcasm.

No Problem, it's my specialty.


It was an honest question

It didn't come across as an honest question at all, in fact IT was dripping with sarcasm itself. Your little quip of a reply to Chris didn't help that... Sorry if that was not your intentions, but it's pretty clear that I'm not the only one who read your posts in this thread as being condescending and rude.

The email + delayed shipping could be an underhanded tactic to spark interest - if the S3 isn't selling, let's make it look like we can't keep up with the orders to motivate people to buy them or risk not being able to get one (a la HD DirecTivo).

It could be, but I seriously doubt it. The tivo distribution centers have probably been running more or less the same way for a couple of years now. I would guess they staffed up for the S3 launch, but the infastructure can only support so much... I would think the initial demand in the first few days is simply unmanageable for them. In another week, things will be back to normal.

[Dan203]

Even if they do sell it for full retail after they get stock I'm still buying from them. I just hope they get stock soon (like by Monday) as I can't hold out much longer.

Dan

[Bierboy]

Even if they do sell it for full retail after they get stock I'm still buying from them. I just hope they get stock soon (like by Monday) as I can't hold out much longer.

DanDan, your self-control is admirable (at least up to this point!).

[Dan203]

I don't have as much as you think.

Dan

[Welshdog]

Wow, Amazon is listing an item at the MSRP before they even have any in stock? What a shocker! :)

On a similar but opposite note: Why does Amazon leave so many products on their site that are not available? You go there and search for something, and you get a page with pictures and details, but it is "no longer avaialble". Why don't they kill these pages?

Just curious.

BTW congrats to Tivo on the apparent success of the S3. How many do we think they will sell this month? 5000? 10,000? More?

[jfh3]

Dan, your self-control is admirable (at least up to this point!).

Hey, Dan's STILL going to get it faster than those of us who placed a day one order with Tivo.com.

[rainwater]

On a similar but opposite note: Why does Amazon leave so many products on their site that are not available?

Because Amazon also makes money on 3rd parties selling items though their site. So by leaving items they no longer sell on their site, they can still make money off of them through 3rd party sells.

[skaeight]

On a similar but opposite note: Why does Amazon leave so many products on their site that are not available? You go there and search for something, and you get a page with pictures and details, but it is "no longer avaialble". Why don't they kill these pages?

I'm pretty sure it's so people can sell the item used via the Amazon Marketplace. Sometimes you'll go into a product and they no longer offer it new, but there are people selling it used.

[classicX]

BTW congrats to Tivo on the apparent success of the S3. How many do we think they will sell this month? 5000? 10,000? More?

I don't think more than 10,000, and I'd be surprised if it actually got that high.

[Dan203]

Hey, Dan's STILL going to get it faster than those of us who placed a day one order with Tivo.com.

Ha, that might end up being true! I have Amazon Prime, so for $4 I can have it shipped overnight when it becomes available and I will have it the next day guaranteed. Although I'm thinking Tuesday or Wednesday is going to be my cut off point. If they don't have them in stock by then I'm breaking down and ordering from someone else.

Dan

[SoBayJake]

I have Amazon Prime, so for $4 I can have it shipped overnight when it becomes available and I will have it the next day guaranteed.

DanCareful with that line of thinking. It came back to bite me in the backside. It states on their website under "Conditions" in the "Amazon Prime Terms & Conditions" the following: "we do not guaranty delivery of products within the estimated transit time or by the estimated delivery date."

Granted, I've been able to complain and get my $4 back (wow, $4), but they are under no obligation to do so. :-(

What I dislike, if I ABSOLUTELY need something and they seem to be the only one that has it, you pay more for "Guaranteed Delivery." I haven't run into that situation yet, but its possible.

[Dan203]

I've had prime for over a year now and I always get everything within two days, or overnight if I pay, as long as I order by the time listed on the little green count down clock.

Dan

[eisenb11]

Hey, Dan's STILL going to get it faster than those of us who placed a day one order with Tivo.com.

Sad, but true.

That's why even though I ordered on the morning of day 1 w 2 day shipping I scheduled my cablecard install for the 22nd.

Product launches seem to always blow up these days... but if it's not here by the time the cable guy comes on the 22nd I'm gonna be steaming...

[SoBayJake]

I've had prime for over a year now and I always get everything within two days, or overnight if I pay, as long as I order by the time listed on the little green count down clock.

Dan
I know...I usually do too. I'm just saying, technically they can deny a refund of shipping charge since its no longer guaranteed.

[Dan203]

no longer guaranteed.

What do you mean by this? Did they recently change their policy or something?

Dan

[SoBayJake]

What do you mean by this? Did they recently change their policy or something?

Dan
I don't know how recent, but to my knowledge, its never been guaranteed for as long as I've been using it. See here (I hope this works): http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=13819201

About halfway down, the last bullet under "Conditions" says this: "we do not guaranty delivery of products within the estimated transit time or by the estimated delivery date."

-Jake

[greg_burns]

Amazon finally has a photo up.

http://www.amazon.com/TiVo-Series3-Digital-Recorder-TCD648250B/dp/B000I661J0/sr=8-2/qid=1158291351/ref=sr_1_2/002-3142466-0520841?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/c1/a8/5422820dd7a095a64a2bd010._AA280_.L.jpg

[mikesay98]

I'm not sure if this is just a standard date they use or whatever, but I noticed Amazon shows 2 sellers for this box. Well, if you click on it (here (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000I661J0/ref=dp_olp_1/103-3455755-5687806?ie=UTF8)) you'll see that Amazon now says "Back-ordered. Due in stock December 31 -- order now to reserve yours ." While I'm doubtful it would actually come in that late, there is a possibility it would, or, at the very least, it means they are extremely backordered compared to how many S3 they plan to get in. Guess they won't be lowering the price anytime soon?!

[SoBayJake]

If you try to order, on one of the checkout pages, it will list the following:

Estimated ship date for this item: September 26, 2006 - October 3, 2006

[Dan203]

If they don't have them in stock by the end of the week I'm going to bite the bullet and just buy it somewhere else.

Dan

[aaronwt]

Careful with that line of thinking. It came back to bite me in the backside. It states on their website under "Conditions" in the "Amazon Prime Terms & Conditions" the following: "we do not guaranty delivery of products within the estimated transit time or by the estimated delivery date."

Granted, I've been able to complain and get my $4 back (wow, $4), but they are under no obligation to do so. :-(

What I dislike, if I ABSOLUTELY need something and they seem to be the only one that has it, you pay more for "Guaranteed Delivery." I haven't run into that situation yet, but its possible.

Amazon Prime next day is the cheapest available. Which is around 4:30Pm or later delivery, not guaranteed. It's just easier to do the free 2 day for me. 50% of the time I get it in day anyway without paying extra.

[c3]

It looks like Amazon is almost ready to ship the orders already placed. However, shipping estimate for new order is about one month, so maybe the initial allocation is all sold out.

[BlackBetty]

BTW congrats to Tivo on the apparent success of the S3. How many do we think they will sell this month? 5000? 10,000? More?


All I know is that if they had 100,000 units available at launch to sell, they would have sold them all! I hope their manufacturer is busting its butt right now!

[Gregor]

It looks like Amazon is almost ready to ship the orders already placed. However, shipping estimate for new order is about one month, so maybe the initial allocation is all sold out.

VIP page at Tivo now says "shipping in 7-10 days".

And don't bother whining "it should have said that up front" :p

[Dan203]

It looks like Amazon is almost ready to ship the orders already placed.

How can you tell that? I noticed they put up their own pictures, but I don't see anything that indicates when the units might actually ship.

Dan

[c3]

I have one order that says shipping estimate 10/2 and delivery estimate 10/4-10/6 (free super saver shipping). Shipping estimate used to be a range instead of a single date. Maybe I'm reading too much into this.

EDIT: The original shipping estimate was 10/9-10/16 when I placed that order a couple of days ago.

[ChuckyBox]

There seems to be a bit of a Series 3 drought right now, but it will probably ease up in a week or two. In the meantime, I have an extra unit (new, unopened box) that I'm planning to ship back to TiVo. If someone in the Pasadena area wants one right away, PM me and we'll set it up. You can have it for my cost.

[Dan203]

Quick question. If you pre-order through Amazon, then after they get them in stock they decide to lower the price, do they have any sort of price protection? Or are you just SOL?

Dan

[sharding]

The official policy on pre-order pricing is available here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?ie=UTF8&nodeId=468502

[TomRaz]

Dan I have had price changes with products I ordered with Amazon and they do not have a official policy concerning price protection but I have found by calling their customer serivice number at 800-201-7575 and explain the situation and they have issued me a credit for the difference in the past.


classicX what is wrong with a post notify other people of another retailer that is going to be selling the S3 ?

Amazon usually has pretty good prices and as Dan mentioned their prime shipping is a great deal.

[c3]

As long as it's within the return period, I've never had any problem asking Amazon to match their own price.

[SoBayJake]

Quick question. If you pre-order through Amazon, then after they get them in stock they decide to lower the price, do they have any sort of price protection? Or are you just SOL?

DanI've gotten refunds of price changes up to 20-some days later. A while back, they had it in their help section, but its no longer there. I always just send an email, and get the credit email back in a few hours.

[Dan203]

Cool. I think I'm just going to pre-order then. I've been holding out on ordering cause I didn't want the price to change when they actually had stock and me to get stuck with full MSRP because that's what it said when I ordered.

I know it's $20-$25 more the Circuit City and ABT but I have a couple hundred in Amazon.com gift cards from my birthday, so for me Amazon is actually $175 cheaper even if they don't change the price. :)

Dan

[HomieG]

Quick question. If you pre-order through Amazon, then after they get them in stock they decide to lower the price, do they have any sort of price protection? Or are you just SOL?
Dan


While it wasn't a pre-order, I did seet a price adjustment from Amazon on a TV I had purchased about 45 days earlier (about $200 less). They wrote back that they would only do that within the first 30 days.

[Dan203]

I understand that. I was just worried about it dropping within a few days of becoming "in stock". 30 days is plenty of protection for me. If it drops after that then oh well, such is life.

Dan

[TiVotion]

FWIW, I've had Amazon prime for a while now, and haven't so far had an issue receiving anything ordered 2-day or overnight within the specified time frame. For the amount of garbage I buy online, Amazon Prime is paying dividends for me.

[thayes55]

Dan,

I don't know if this makes a difference, but if you click on the "used and new" buying options list on the TiVo Series3 page at Amazon, next to Amazon's shipping option, it states: "Back-ordered. Due in stock December 31 -- order now to reserve yours"

Personally, I don't trust the "estimated" ship dates that Amazon gives you when you pre-order. They actually took pre-orders on an edition of a book (saying in-stock in 1-3 weeks) and kept on pushing the shipping estimated date back, saying it was "due soon." I called the publisher and they swore that the 3rd edition of the book is not due until July, 2007! Granted, we know Tivo Series3 exist, so the analogy is a bit weak, but who knows when Amazon will get them in stock.

Tim

[TriBruin]

I understand that. I was just worried about it dropping within a few days of becoming "in stock". 30 days is plenty of protection for me. If it drops after that then oh well, such is life.

Dan

Any time I have preordered anything from Amazon (mostly DVDs) and they drop the price prior to shipping, they have automatically adjusted my price. I have never needed to contact them.

[LostCluster]

I detect affiliate link by the OP...

[sharding]

I detect affiliate link by the OP...

There's no Associates tag in that URL. But if it makes you feel better, here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I661J0

[mikesay98]

I detect affiliate link by the OP...

LOL, oh yeah, cause there weren't already enough opportunities when people first discovered the page amazon was using for pre-orders. Gimmie a break - you should learn to check URLs before acting like you know something about them.

[Dan203]

I went ahead an pre-prdered one through Amazon. I already have one S3, so this will actually be #2 so I'm not in dire need right this second. If they push it back more then a few weeks I might reconsider, but for now one is holding me over.

Dan

[DCIFRTHS]

There's no Associates tag in that URL. But if it makes you feel better, here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I661J0

You know how Amazon has the section below the item titled "What do customers ultimately buy after viewing this item?"...well it's listing that 40% buy TMX Elmo. :D

I never would have guessed Elmo...

[c3]

$100 for that? I think the $800 S3 is a bargain. :)

[XBoogie]

I guess we know that we have a good resale value! :-)

[c3]

Shipping Soon :up:

[Dan203]

I just checked my order and it says that it's being prepared for shipping and can no longer be cancled or changed. That means it should ship real soon. :up:

Dan

[sjcbulldog]

For those in the Portland, OR area (if anyone is) that is looking for a Series 3 Tivo, there is one on the shelf at Fry's in Wilsonville. At least it was there yesterday.

Sjcbulldog

[c3]

Amazon has discountinued the A9 discount program. Your Amazon account may still be eligible for the A9 discount until it expires soon.

[sjcbulldog]

For those in the Portland, OR area (if anyone is) that is looking for a Series 3 Tivo, there is one on the shelf at Fry's in Wilsonville. At least it was there yesterday.

Sjcbulldog

Ok, as of today it is no longer on the shelf. Hope someone reading this forum got the one that was there :D

sjcbulldog

[Dan203]

Mine shipped! For some reason they shipped it 3 Day Select even though I have Amazon Prime, not sure what that's about. The only thing I can figure is that I ordered it Gift Wrapped so that I could ensure that it was double boxed.

Dan

[DCIFRTHS]

Mine shipped! For some reason they shipped it 3 Day Select even though I have Amazon Prime, not sure what that's about. The only thing I can figure is that I ordered it Gift Wrapped so that I could ensure that it was double boxed.

Dan

I have received packages from Amazon Prime that were marked as UPS Ground, on the Amazon site, but were actually shipped overnight. Hopefully that is the case with yours too.

[Dan203]

It must be because even though it's marked as 3 Day Select it says it's out for delievery right now just two days later. Although the weird thing is it's marked as 3 Day Select on UPS's own website as well. :confused:

Whatever I'm happy to just have another one. Although my CableCARD appointment isn't until next Thursday, so for the next week I will only be able to record the 3 stations I can get via my OTA antenna.

Dan

[c3]

Prime doesn't mean Amazon has to use 2nd day air delivery. They can use ground service if the package can be delivered in two days.

[Dan203]

It shipped from Kansas and I'm in Nevada, so if they would have used Ground it would have taken a full week to get here. What's confusing is that it's labeled as 3 Day Select, even on the box itself (just got it), but it only took 2 days to get here.

Dan

[c3]

Kansas to Nevada should be 2-3 days via ground. "3 Day Select" just means 3 days or less, depending on the distance. One of my S3s is being shipped from Ohio to California for 4-day ground delivery. I already got my first one because Amazon offered me another Prime 3-month trial. :)