Does 1-year prepaid service transfer to new owner?

[TWinbrook46636]

If I sell a TiVo Series 3 with which I have one-year of prepaid service does this transfer to the new owner just as the lifetime service does? I know lifetime service is tied to the box but would the same apply for 1-year prepaid service until it runs out? I have not seen it mentioned so I suspect it does not. If it does transfer is there anything special that needs to be done to get it off my account and onto the buyers or would they just use it with their own zip code? Thanks for your help!

[Einselen]

You can not transfer prepay but that doesn't mean someone else can't use the box but it will still have to be in your account until the prepay is over.

[TWinbrook46636]

That's what I suspected but wanted to be sure. Thanks.

[mr.unnatural]

The service is paid up for a year. The actual owner of the box is irrelevent as far as Tivo, Inc. is concerned. When the year runs out you may have to close out your account and let the new owner sign up with the box under his or her name. The best place to ask would be to call Tivo customer service and pose the question and see what they say.

[Einselen]

The service is paid up for a year. The actual owner of the box is irrelevent as far as Tivo, Inc. is concerned.

Technically no, the original owner has a contract in which the year of service is to the owner (you can take prepay and switch it to another tivo added to your account but you will lose any rebate associated with that box due to the current terms). Lifetime states it is for the lifetime of the product and can not be transfered (besides certain transfer deals and warranty repairs).

With that said if the new owner takes the box and tries to switch it to their account then it will cancel the current service and they will have to setup a contract with TiVo. If the person just takes the box and does not switch it to their account then the original owner will get charged after the prepay is up. The new owner will also not be able to use MRV if they have other TiVos and unable to use online scheduling.

[scandia101]

The only prepay that is not transferable is the one year of service given to a unit that has had it's lifetime subscription transferred to a a S3 or Tivo HD for $199. Other than that, transferring a prepaid subscription to a new owner is no different than transferring a lifetime subcription which is just a prepaid subscription to another owner.

[Einselen]

Other than that, transferring a prepaid subscription to a new owner is no different than transferring a lifetime sub to another owner.

I believe this is incorrect. Source? I will look for a source to back up my claim.

[Einselen]

The only prepay that is not transferable is the one year of service given to a unit that has had it's lifetime subscription transferred to a a S3 or Tivo HD for $199. Other than that, transferring a prepaid subscription to a new owner is no different than transferring a lifetime sub to another owner.

I believe this is incorrect. Source? I will look for a source to back up my claim.
Source to back up my no you can not transfer prepaid.

http://tivosupport2.instancy.com/LaunchContent.aspx?CID=1bc982a4-a680-44c2-9a1f-cd6bc025fff6

[scandia101]

I stand corrected.

[mr.unnatural]

Who said anything about switching the prepaid box to the new owner's account? If the box is prepaid then it's good for the duration of the prepaid period, regardless of where the box is physically located. Once the prepaid service runs out, then and only then should the new owner consider adding it to their account. This, of course, can only take place if the former owner and the new owner coordinate removing the box from the former account so the new owner can then add it it to his.

I didn't mean to imply that you could transfer the prepaid service to someone else's account. The box would remain under the original owner's name and account until the prepaid period has lapsed. The one caveat being that the new owner will not be able to access UnBox or any features that require accessing the original owner's account and him getting billed for such services. In retrospect, selling a Tivo with prepaid service could just open up too huge a can of worms to make it worthwhile.

[TWinbrook46636]

Okay, so I decided to transfer the service to a Series 2 DT so that I can sell the extra Series 3 HD but it looks like I can't despite it being TiVo's recommendation when selling one?



What should I do if I sell or give away my DVR?

Step one: Cancel your TiVo service payment plan, or transfer the service to a new DVR. See How Do I Transfer My TiVo Service to a New DVR? for more information.


How Do I Transfer My TiVo Service to a New DVR? leads to this...


Change TiVo Service Number
You can change your TiVo Service Number online if either of these situations apply:

* You activated your DVR and then exchanged it through your retailer or through the manufacturer and now need to update the TiVo Service Number on your account
* You need to correct the TiVo Service Number that you initially activated

If you wish to activate an additional DVR, please Activate a New DVR instead.

[TWinbrook46636]

I went ahead and tried it anyway and it worked. They just have it worded very poorly.