Brad Smith
11-05-2006, 08:36 PM
Apparently the fates conspire against me having TiVo. I sure hope I don't run into any issues once I finally get the device here and the CableCards installed, but given my luck so far, probably not. Here's the story to date:
Over the past several weeks my Time Warner Cable (Lincoln, NE)-provided DVR (SA 8300HD w/ Passport) began crapping out on me more than usual. I'd randomly lost the Dolby Digital decoding and have to reset the box each time that would happen. Recordings would stutter and freeze, rendering portions of them unwatchable. Shows not recording. Tons more, actually, and all of you who've owned the SA 8300 know of all the "normal" issues. Suffice to say I decided to ditch the box before TWC can roll out their even worse software, Navigator.
So I make this decision on Thursday just after lunch time and hop on Amazon. I typically find them very reliable, and as such have an Amazon Prime membership (free two-day shipping or $3.95/item overnight shipping). The web page for the TiVo indicates the item is in stock and available to ship immediately. The one-click buttons state "Order in the next 2 hours 33 minutes and get it Friday, November 3rd" (if I pick the overnight button). I selected the overnight option, and the order was placed.
At this time the order status says "Estimated ship date: November 2nd, Estimated delivery date: November 3rd". Awesome. I can have it for the weekend as planned, so I made a cable appointment for Saturday afternoon to have the CableCards installed (only available slot for 3 weeks!).
Late Thursday afternoon the order status changed to "Shipping soon", which indicates they are preparing the item for shipment, but by the time I went to bed (11pm), I still had not received a shipment notice.
The next morning I wake up and still do not have a shipping notice. Their web site still indicated I would have it on that day (Friday), but an hour later it changed to an estimated delivery of Monday or Tuesday. At this point I start the process of dealing with Amazon customer service.
After many efforts to convince them to spring for Saturday delivery and being rebuffed, I finally accept the fact that I won't have it until Monday. I did, however, get the $3.99 overnight shipping charge refunded. Not really all that useful considering I paid the $79 for the Amazon Prime membership and that there were no cable appointments available for three weeks.
The item shipped late Friday via UPS Next Day Air. Amazon's site indicated the estimated delivery was Tuesday, while UPS's status on the same tracking number indicated it would be delivered Monday. Customer service for Amazon insisted it would be delivered on Monday morning and not to worry.
I called all day today trying to get an appointment scheduled for Tuesday for the install, and lucked out. Someone cancelled! So I have an appointment scheduled for Tuesday morning from 10am to noon. But that was too convenient for my luck...
Late this morning I casually checked the UPS tracking information. To my horror, it now had the following status: "Rescheduled delivery - Tuesday, November 7th by 6pm". Noooooo!
What are my options? I really don't want to cancel my appointment on Tuesday, but how do I get the TiVo before 10am on Tuesday? I believe I heard somewhere that you can't pick an item up at the UPS distribution center unless they've already made one delivery attempt. Currently the package has left Des Moines, IA, probably heading to Omaha, NE tonight and Lincoln, NE (where I live) tomorrow. Any ideas?
I want my TiVo!
Over the past several weeks my Time Warner Cable (Lincoln, NE)-provided DVR (SA 8300HD w/ Passport) began crapping out on me more than usual. I'd randomly lost the Dolby Digital decoding and have to reset the box each time that would happen. Recordings would stutter and freeze, rendering portions of them unwatchable. Shows not recording. Tons more, actually, and all of you who've owned the SA 8300 know of all the "normal" issues. Suffice to say I decided to ditch the box before TWC can roll out their even worse software, Navigator.
So I make this decision on Thursday just after lunch time and hop on Amazon. I typically find them very reliable, and as such have an Amazon Prime membership (free two-day shipping or $3.95/item overnight shipping). The web page for the TiVo indicates the item is in stock and available to ship immediately. The one-click buttons state "Order in the next 2 hours 33 minutes and get it Friday, November 3rd" (if I pick the overnight button). I selected the overnight option, and the order was placed.
At this time the order status says "Estimated ship date: November 2nd, Estimated delivery date: November 3rd". Awesome. I can have it for the weekend as planned, so I made a cable appointment for Saturday afternoon to have the CableCards installed (only available slot for 3 weeks!).
Late Thursday afternoon the order status changed to "Shipping soon", which indicates they are preparing the item for shipment, but by the time I went to bed (11pm), I still had not received a shipment notice.
The next morning I wake up and still do not have a shipping notice. Their web site still indicated I would have it on that day (Friday), but an hour later it changed to an estimated delivery of Monday or Tuesday. At this point I start the process of dealing with Amazon customer service.
After many efforts to convince them to spring for Saturday delivery and being rebuffed, I finally accept the fact that I won't have it until Monday. I did, however, get the $3.99 overnight shipping charge refunded. Not really all that useful considering I paid the $79 for the Amazon Prime membership and that there were no cable appointments available for three weeks.
The item shipped late Friday via UPS Next Day Air. Amazon's site indicated the estimated delivery was Tuesday, while UPS's status on the same tracking number indicated it would be delivered Monday. Customer service for Amazon insisted it would be delivered on Monday morning and not to worry.
I called all day today trying to get an appointment scheduled for Tuesday for the install, and lucked out. Someone cancelled! So I have an appointment scheduled for Tuesday morning from 10am to noon. But that was too convenient for my luck...
Late this morning I casually checked the UPS tracking information. To my horror, it now had the following status: "Rescheduled delivery - Tuesday, November 7th by 6pm". Noooooo!
What are my options? I really don't want to cancel my appointment on Tuesday, but how do I get the TiVo before 10am on Tuesday? I believe I heard somewhere that you can't pick an item up at the UPS distribution center unless they've already made one delivery attempt. Currently the package has left Des Moines, IA, probably heading to Omaha, NE tonight and Lincoln, NE (where I live) tomorrow. Any ideas?
I want my TiVo!