Multiple Service Gift Cards

[keepthewebopen]

I'm getting a new Tivo with a lifetime sub and I have a couple of gift cards to Bestbuy that I'd like to use towards it. It seems my local Bestbuy has some left over 12 and 3 month Tivo service gift cards which I'd like to buy and apply towards my new lifetime subscription.

However, I noticed that although the terms and conditions listed on the Tivo website do not prohibit redeeming multiple gift cards per new subscription, the FAQ says you can't.

So what's the deal? Will Tivo let me use one 12-month card and three 3-month cards towards a new subscription?

[brettatk]

I do not believe they will let you use the cards towards a lifetime sub. I'm sure there is some jargon on the card saying they represent no real cash value and can only be used for the monthly subscription they are meant for. Regardless you could always call Tivo up and ask.

[funtoupgrade]

You can use one only gift card per lifetime sub. I've done it many times.

[keepthewebopen]

I do not believe they will let you use the cards towards a lifetime sub. I'm sure there is some jargon on the card saying they represent no real cash value and can only be used for the monthly subscription they are meant for. Regardless you could always call Tivo up and ask.

There's nothing in any of the terms that prohibits using the cards towards a different sub than advertised. The terms for cards sold before 2006 (https://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/giftcenter/terms111506.html) say:
"Product Lifetime service gift subscriptions are only redeemable for Product Lifetime Service subscriptions." which is not the same as saying "Product Lifetime service subscriptions may only be redeemed with Product Lifetime Service gift subscriptions.", but the terms for cards sold after 2006 (https://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/giftcenter/termsandconditionsfortivoservicegiftcards.html) make no mention of lifetime subs whatsoever and make no distinction between gift subscriptions of different terms apart from their dollar denominated values.

Moreover, the giftcard faq (https://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/faqs/about_giftcards/about_giftcards.html) specifically notes that 'While there is no "cash" value for TiVo service gift cards, they come in increments ranging from $50 to $300. Gift cards can be redeemed for any TiVo service plan available at the time of redemption', which obviously includes the new nonpromotional lifetime subs.

I'm hesitant to call Tivo to ask (or any other customer service department, for that matter) because I doubt their CSRs would have a clue and even if they did have a clue I would prefer to avoid confrontation if anyone here knows how to slip through.

[brettatk]

I dont think you will know unless you actually try to use it or you call and ask Tivo. But according to funtoupgrade it can be done, but you can only use one card toward the lifetime sub. Maybe you can shop around at other Best Buys and see if they have any $300 gift cards available.

[scandia101]

There's nothing in any of the terms that prohibits using the cards towards a different sub than advertised. The terms for cards sold before 2006 (https://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/giftcenter/terms111506.html) say:
"Product Lifetime service gift subscriptions are only redeemable for Product Lifetime Service subscriptions." which is not the same as saying "Product Lifetime service subscriptions may only be redeemed with Product Lifetime Service gift subscriptions.", but the terms for cards sold after 2006 (https://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/giftcenter/termsandconditionsfortivoservicegiftcards.html) make no mention of lifetime subs whatsoever and make no distinction between gift subscriptions of different terms apart from their dollar denominated values.

Moreover, the giftcard faq (https://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/faqs/about_giftcards/about_giftcards.html) specifically notes that 'While there is no "cash" value for TiVo service gift cards, they come in increments ranging from $50 to $300. Gift cards can be redeemed for any TiVo service plan available at the time of redemption', which obviously includes the new nonpromotional lifetime subs.

I'm hesitant to call Tivo to ask (or any other customer service department, for that matter) because I doubt their CSRs would have a clue and even if they did have a clue I would prefer to avoid confrontation if anyone here knows how to slip through.

In other words, the gift cards sold when they were offering lifetime, mention lifetime subscriptions, but the cards sold after they stopped selling lifetime subscriptions don't mention the now nonexistent lifetime subscriptions at all.

Imagine that.

One gift card per subscription. It's as simple as that. There is no way around it, so don't waste your time.

[keepthewebopen]

In other words, the gift cards sold when they were offering lifetime, mention lifetime subscriptions, but the cards sold after they stopped selling lifetime subscriptions don't mention the now nonexistent lifetime subscriptions at all.

Imagine that.

I believe my point was that 12 or 3 month sub cards can be used towards lifetime subs (or any other kind of sub) and not "only for the monthly subscription they are meant for", as the person to which I was responding conjectured. In other words, I wasn't talking to you.

Imagine that.

One gift card per subscription. It's as simple as that. There is no way around it, so don't waste your time.

I'm not convinced it really is that simple. The terms don't say anything about one gift card per sub. So it boils down to a battle of wits, my unofficial policy versus Tivo's...and between the two of us only Tivo has already lost in court over violating gift card laws.

[scandia101]

I'm not convinced it really is that simple. The terms don't say anything about one gift card per sub. So it boils down to a battle of wits, my unofficial policy versus Tivo's...and between the two of us only Tivo has already lost in court over violating gift card laws.

Then go out and buy all the gift cards you think you'll need to get a lifetime subscription and let us know how it goes.

When your battle squabble is over, you can expect to get about 80 cents on the dollar for all of the cards (except the one you were able to use of course) on ebay.

One problem here is that buying any gift cards at all for this is a waste of time unless you're buying them at less than face value.