bought a used Series3 w/ lifetime but not activated?

[lovepbs]

hi,

i've been trying to search for answers but i can't find anything... yet.

i bought a used series3 with lifetime sub. from ebay.

i am not sure what/how it was before but after the fw update from 8.04 to 9.? and reboot, it shows that it needs to be activated.

i called tivo and they told me that this unit has never been activated.

what is going on? is there some bug i need to fix or should i just send it back for $ back?

thanks

[magnus]

Sounds like you got took. You better go ahead and file a paypal complaint.

[jjberger2134]

Yeah, that does not sound right. Lifetime service stays with the box, and software updates does not impact a lifetime subscription. I would contact the seller first, then file a dispute with PayPal. I think you need to wait a certain amount of time before you file a dispute, so you can give the seller a chance to correct any problems.

[Adam1115]

Call TiVo and ask them, they should be able to confirm the status of the box.

[dswallow]

Call TiVo and ask them, they should be able to confirm the status of the box.


Umm...

i called tivo and they told me that this unit has never been activated.

[jjberger2134]

Call TiVo and ask them, they should be able to confirm the status of the box.

hi,

i called tivo and they told me that this unit has never been activated.

thanks

He already did. ;)

[David_NC]

Sounds like someone found a way to make the box show lifetime when it never had it. It would have lost the lifetime status anytime it called in, regardless of the software upgrade.

The only other way I can think of that it lost lifetime would be if someone transferred the lifetime to another unit - but Tivo should be able to tell you if that happened.

[Adam1115]

Sorry, somehow I misread.

I don't understand how the box claimed it had lifetime service if it had 'never been activated'.

It seems like it would've been a lifetime box that had it's lifetime transferred to another box, but I would THINK TiVo would tell you that.

I would call TiVo again and try and get more information.

Also cry the blues and see if they offer you a discount on lifetime.

[David_NC]

Sounds like it had a pretty old software version on it - maybe the disk was copied from a unit with lifetime, just to make it look like it had lifetime. Since it has to call in to set the status to lifetime in the first place, it couldn't have been used recently, or the software would be a more recent version.

The only way you should be able to transfer the lifetime off a series 3 would be for a repair/warranty replacement unit, or if someone bought the lifetime and then cancelled it.

I'd file a complaint with ebay and paypal.

[jjberger2134]

i am not sure what/how it was before but after the fw update from 8.04 to 9.? and reboot, it shows that it needs to be activated.

i called tivo and they told me that this unit has never been activated.


Based on the above statement from the OP, I am not convinced the unit EVER showed it having lifetime service.

[David_NC]

Ah, I was assuming he had seen the old account status, since he knew the old software version.

[angel35]

Sounds like you got took. You better go ahead and file a paypal complaint.

YOU GOT TO LOOK OUT FOR EBAY:down:

[lessd]

Sounds like it had a pretty old software version on it - maybe the disk was copied from a unit with lifetime, just to make it look like it had lifetime. Since it has to call in to set the status to lifetime in the first place, it couldn't have been used recently, or the software would be a more recent version.

The only way you should be able to transfer the lifetime off a series 3 would be for a repair/warranty replacement unit, or if someone bought the lifetime and then cancelled it.

I'd file a complaint with ebay and paypal.

If the TiVo had never been activated the OP would have had about 6 days of free TiVo service, the software would have updated in this time. The OP never said the service status had Lifetime, because the unit was in the free period he may have never noticed until after the 6 days were up and his TiVo stopped working (recording etc).
Calling TiVo to give him free Lifetime Service because an E-Bay seller was dishonest or confused is not reasonable, he must first contact the seller and ask the seller to take care of the problem, if that will not work a dispute with PayPal would be the next step. Did the E-Bay seller have good feedback ? Did the OP look at the sellers feedback before purchase ??

[lovepbs]

wow, thanks guys for all your replies!!!

i've contacted the seller and guess what? no reply.

i already have a ticket number from tivo so i have something to say to paypal.

i've filed a complain with paypal so i will get my $ back... i should, right?

the seller had 100% positive with over 100 points.

maybe i should just buy a new unit with lifetime sub.

thanks again.

[lessd]

wow, thanks guys for all your replies!!!

i've contacted the seller and guess what? no reply.

i already have a ticket number from tivo so i have something to say to paypal.

i've filed a complain with paypal so i will get my $ back... i should, right?

the seller had 100% positive with over 100 points.

maybe i should just buy a new unit with lifetime sub.

thanks again.

You file with PayPal as Item not as described, if you win (you should unless the listing never said the TiVo came with Lifetime Service or that you could get Lifetime Service if you purchase this TiVo) Can you post the listing E-Bay number because the words never activated and Lifetime Service in the same listing is funny. If we see the listing people on this form can tell you who made the error, if the seller did than PayPal should find in your favor or go to your credit card co. Price is also part of this, if you paid under $300 for a new TiVo-HD TiVo than you should not expect to get Lifetime Service on that TiVo.