Buying from Tivo vs. Best Buy

[wildcatdez2]

I apologize ahead of time if this is a dupe, but I am really confused right now :confused: . And maybe I'm an idiot for not knowing the difference... but here goes. I am interested in the Series 2 80 Hr. Tivo. From the Tivo website, it says it's only $30 for the box. From the Best Buy website, it $250!! :eek: Can anyone tell me if there is some reason the prices vary so greatly for the same box? Thanks.

[alansplace]

I apologize ahead of time if this is a dupe, but I am really confused right now :confused: . And maybe I'm an idiot for not knowing the difference... but here goes. I am interested in the Series 2 80 Hr. Tivo. From the Tivo website, it says it's only $30 for the box. From the Best Buy website, it $250!! :eek: Can anyone tell me if there is some reason the prices vary so greatly for the same box? Thanks.first off you are talking about a 'Series 2 80 Hr. Dual Tuner Tivo'.

the best buy price is before a $150 manufacturer's rebate. the service when you activate this TiVo is $12.95 per month.

the TiVo website deal is comprised of a $30 upcharge (from 'free' for a single tuner) and a 1, 2 or 3 year contract for service at $19.95, $18.95 and $16.95 per month respectively. so you pay either $10, $9 OR $7 per month extra (beyond the normal $12.95).
--
Alan :D

[bpurcell]

the best buy price is before a $150 manufacturer's rebate. the service when you activate this TiVo is $12.95 per month.

Except, I haven't seen a new rebate form for retail boxes. I believe the last one expired in September. I believe they'll probably come out with another rebate by Thanksgiving, but I wouldn't buy a S2 Tivo retail until the rebate comes back.

In the mean time, the best option is to do a search on S2 deals online, or go ahead and buy straight from Tivo. If this is your first Tivo, then Tivo-direct is a good option.

[rainwater]

Except, I haven't seen a new rebate form for retail boxes. I believe the last one expired in September. I believe they'll probably come out with another rebate by Thanksgiving, but I wouldn't buy a S2 Tivo retail until the rebate comes back.

The current $150 rebate is valid from 09/17/2006 – 11/04/2006. You can always view the current rebate on http://www.tivorebates.com.

[wildcatdez2]

Thanks for the help. It's my first Tivo and I think I'm going to buy it directly from the Tivo website. My mother has one and every time I visit I fall in love with her Tivo all over again. Thanks again!

[omni555]

I bought my first TiVo this fall from Best Buy, and I liked it so much I looked into getting another one. After a little research, I discovered that the best deal was to get the unit online with a pre-paid 3-year contract (got a year for free).

I think it worked out about the same as the Best Buy deal with the rebates, but I just HATE those mail-in rebates!!! Usually have to spend HOURS on the phone trying to get things about them straightened out. And even when there are NO problems, the rebate takes so long to get back!!! :cool:

[bpurcell]

The current $150 rebate is valid from 09/17/2006 – 11/04/2006. You can always view the current rebate on http://www.tivorebates.com.

Thanks for the info rainwater. I just relied on the retail companies to tell me there's a rebate available. Neither Best Buy nor Amazon mention the current rebate. I wonder why they don't, since it would definitely encourage someone to buy the product.

[sundancer_270]

A friend of mine bought a Tivo 2 last week from Best Buy. He got the rebate right at the store. The unit cost him $50. 00 out the door. He had to pay direct TV $12.00 a month for the TIVO. He bitched a little and they said they would give him FREE HBO for 6 months. Thats better than nothin.