Subscription advice, please.

[opchiasm]

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I currently have 3 boxes. On Box 1, I pay 12.95 and the plan is "Tivo Monthly service". On Box 2, I pay 6.95 and the plan is also "Tivo Monthly service". On Box 3, I pay 6.95 and the plan is "The Tivo Service Only, 3 Year, Monthly".

I want to replace 2 of the boxes. I've already ordered an HD XL from Tivo with "Tivo Package, Monthly" at 9.95, but haven't received it yet. I plan on buying a regular HD box locally.

I plan on retiring Box 1 and Box 2. Is there any way to keep the 12.95 on the first box and 6.95 on the other 2 boxes?

Hope this makes sense and thanks again.

[GBL]

Is there any way to keep the 12.95 on the first box and 6.95 on the other 2 boxes?

Yes, but you must not buy from TiVo directly but rather from a retailer. Then you can switch out boxes online in MyAccount.

Reason for this is that TiVo only sells boxes with service commitment, retailers sell them without service commitment.

[opchiasm]

Unfortunately, I already purchased one box from Tivo. I'm planning on retiring the "primary" (12.95) box. Can I make the new 9.95 box from Tivo the primary box and pay 12.95 on that one? If not, how do they decide which is the "primary" one?

[ThAbtO]

The reduced pricing is Multi-Service Discount on the 2nd and other boxes.
If you are willing to pay $299(MSD price, otherwise its $399) for lifetime, you can put each box on lifetime and never pay for that box again. I think the 3 yr plan is about the same price as lifetime.

I currently have 2 boxes, 1 lifetime and 1 monthly @ 9.95.

[pdhenry]

The TiVo terms and conditions for MSD are here (http://www.tivo.com/abouttivo/policies/tivomultiservicediscountagreement.html):TiVo service cancellation. If the registered account holder’s Qualifying Subscription is cancelled or otherwise becomes ineligible, the oldest eligible TiVo service subscription on the account shall become the registered account holder’s Qualifying Subscription and will no longer receive the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT. TiVo service subscriptions currently receiving the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT shall continue to receive the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT as long as their remains a Qualifying Subscription in accordance with these terms on the same TiVo customer account. TiVo service subscriptions which have paid the annual fee in advance shall remain at the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT rate until the expiration or renewal of their current prepaid or annual service plan in the event such registered account’s Qualifying Subscription is cancelled.If you have more than one box at $12.95 (which you will soon) you should be able to cancel the older one and have the newer one become "the" qualifying subscription. I don't think the Ts&Cs were written with your situation in mind.

[pdhenry]

By the way, the TiVo 'Manage my Account' page where you go to change your subscription to a different box has wording that suggests that you're only allowed to do it under circumstances where you've done a retailer or manufacturer exchange for a new box or you initially entered your TSN incorrectly. Elsewhere on the TiVo site (http://www.tivo.com/setupandsupport/customerservice/activateortransferservice/How_Do_I_Transfer_My_TiVo_Service_to_a_New_DVR_.html) is a Support article that reads in part, "You can transfer any TiVo Service Payment Plan except Product Lifetime Service to another TiVo DVR at any time" and clarifies that the conditions on the account management page apply to Lifetime Service.

Also, it says that rebates only apply when you activate a new service agreement, not when you transfer an agreement to a new box.

[ThAbtO]

The $399/$299 MSD lifetime is not a transfer but is a new subscription, or you can set to lifetime/1 yr/monthly as a renewal on any current subscription.

[pdhenry]

You seem to be in a different thread from the rest of us. The OP doesn't have any Lifetime boxes, and hasn't mentioned any interest in Lifetime. What he's trying to do is keep his current subscription terms, particularly since the $6.95 MSD price is no longer available.

[opchiasm]

Thanks, pdhenry. Both for the information and the clarification. You are absolutely right; I am not interested in lifetime.

As luck would have it, one one my boxes gets billed Jan 1 and paid Jan 2, so the system is not letting me access service changes tonight.

Thanks again.

[pdhenry]

BTW, how did you get the $9.95 rate on the new HD XL? That sounds like an MSD rate and I thought you couldn't get MSD on a TiVo sold by TiVo.

OK, once I log into my TiVo account and go shopping I see it offers the discounted rate.

If you bought it at Amazon for about the same price ($588 at the moment) you could put it onto the Box 2 subscription at $6.95 for as long as that lasts (looks like that's a grandfathered MSD that doesn't expire - don't cancel that sub).

[opchiasm]

I didn't realize the complexity of these subscription plans until today. Yesterday, I called to cancel Box 2 - I didn't realize what a deal it is. I was told the sub would last until Jan 4. I'm hoping I can cancel the cancellation, then I'll switch that sub to one of my new boxes.

Thanks again.

[fredct]

I have a similar situation to the original poster, but I'm not entirely sure it is addressed. Since this thread seems to have been resolved, I don't feel so bad hijacking it instead of creating a new one :).

I tried to search for answers to this before posting, but couldn't find any.

Current set-up:
I have a 4-year old Series 2 (Toshiba DVD-R variety) on a lifetime subscription. I have a 1-year old second dual-tuner TiVo on the $6.95 MSD plan.

Situation:
I am interested in potentially replacing the old Series 2 with a TiVo HD. As I don't think there have been any lifetime transfer deals in a while (I was trying to hold out for one, although I will probably wait a few more months), I understand that this would mean opening up a new lifetime subscription for the new TiVo and removing the old one from my account (before selling or giving it to family or something, whatever I decide to do with it). I would likely plan on buying the $299 MSD'ed lifetime.

Concern:
Based on what pdhenry quoted (it's something I have seen before), it seems to me as if doing the above would cause my current MSD-ed DVR to become a full subscription.

Questions:
1) Is there any way to avoid this? Can I make the new TiVo the "qualifying subscription"? Would it make a difference if I paid the full $399 for the lifetime rather than the MSD $299?

2) If its not possible, what rate would my Dual Tuner Series 2 go to? The current $12.95/month? Seems a semi-cruel thing to do for someone trying to upgrade.

[ZeoTiVo]

Concern:
Based on what pdhenry quoted (it's something I have seen before), it seems to me as if doing the above would cause my current MSD-ed DVR to become a full subscription.

Questions:
1) Is there any way to avoid this? Can I make the new TiVo the "qualifying subscription"? Would it make a difference if I paid the full $399 for the lifetime rather than the MSD $299?

2) If its not possible, what rate would my Dual Tuner Series 2 go to? The current $12.95/month? Seems a semi-cruel thing to do for someone trying to upgrade.

I think lifetime is lifetime, once you have it. The trick will be to get the new Tivo HD and lifetime it and keep both lifetimes on your account for more than 30 days.

After that you should be able to sell off the Toshiba DVR and move it from your account and keep the 6.95 MSD rate on the second

[pdhenry]

The TiVo rules on MSD are pretty specific about which unit becomes qualifying when you cancel a qualifying sub. I'm having trouble getting into tivo.com right now, but search the rules on MSD and you'll see a section about cancellations. IIRC (which I may not be) the oldest sub becomes the qualifying sub.

[fredct]

pdhenry, yes, that's what you said on this thread back on 1/1. And I've seen it myself on their site (both today and previously). Its under the MSD policy.

What I'm asking is if there's any way around it. Just because a policy is written one way doesn't necessarily mean that the computer systems enforce it. Is there anyone to select which is the qualifying subscription on either your account on Tivo.com or by calling a CSR?

Because if I have a lifetime and a non-lifetime, obviously I want the lifetime to be the qualifying sub because there's no additional fees for it.

If there is indeed no way around is, what rate would my $6.95 MSD become?

[ZeoTiVo]

If there is indeed no way around is, what rate would my $6.95 MSD become?

$9.95 is current MSD. I really think Lifetime trumps the oldest one rule- but I have not directly experienced to say with 100% certainty

[Keweenaw]

Situation:
I am interested in potentially replacing the old Series 2 with a TiVo HD. As I don't think there have been any lifetime transfer deals in a while (I was trying to hold out for one, although I will probably wait a few more months), I understand that this would mean opening up a new lifetime subscription for the new TiVo and removing the old one from my account (before selling or giving it to family or something, whatever I decide to do with it). I would likely plan on buying the $299 MSD'ed lifetime.


I think I understand what you are trying to do.

Why wouldn't you keep the Series 2 and instead swap out the Series 1 for the Tivo HD? If you retire the Series 1, then you could keep the $6.95 monthly cost. Just don't buy the HD tivo from tivo.com

[fredct]

Keweenaw,
I don't have a Series 1. I have two Series 2s. So I'm not exactly sure what you're suggesting.

Current setup:
Series 2 Toshiba RS-TX20 (DVD-R) with Lifetime (4 years old)
Series 2 DT - $6.95/mon MSD (1ish year nto the 3 year contract)

I am indeed suggesting getting a new TiVo HD on lifetime and removing the Toshiba RS-TX20 which is the older one.


ZeoTivo,
That would sure be nice if lifetime trumped oldest. Unfortunately its not what the terms literally say. Does anyone has any experience with how the system current works - one way or another?

Pricewise, remember if they made my monthly S2DT the qualifying subscription, then it wouldn't be MSD anymore. So it would be $12.95, right?

[ZeoTiVo]

ZeoTivo,
That would sure be nice if lifetime trumped oldest. Unfortunately its not what the terms literally say. Does anyone has any experience with how the system current works - one way or another?

Pricewise, remember if they made my monthly S2DT the qualifying subscription, then it wouldn't be MSD anymore. So it would be $12.95, right?

from the MSD terms
"However, TiVo service subscriptions currently receiving the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT shall continue to receive the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT as long as there remains a Qualifying Subscription on the same TiVo customer account."

I actually could not find this part about oldest susbcription anywahere in the MSD terms
so the real question is - does the 299$ lifetime act as a qualifying subscription for MSD. A call to a CSR with that question may clear things up.

[fredct]

ZeoTiVo,

Well, true, but here's the full paragraph, which muddies the waters a bit, especially the part I bolded:

TiVo service cancellation. If the registered account holder’s Qualifying Subscription is cancelled or otherwise becomes ineligible, the oldest eligible TiVo service subscription on the account shall become the registered account holder’s Qualifying Subscription and will no longer receive the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT. TiVo service subscriptions currently receiving the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT shall continue to receive the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT as long as their remains a Qualifying Subscription in accordance with these terms on the same TiVo customer account. TiVo service subscriptions which have paid the annual fee in advance shall remain at the MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT rate until the expiration or renewal of their current prepaid or annual service plan in the event such registered account’s Qualifying Subscription is cancelled.

[Keweenaw]

Keweenaw,
I don't have a Series 1. I have two Series 2s. So I'm not exactly sure what you're suggesting.

Current setup:
Series 2 Toshiba RS-TX20 (DVD-R) with Lifetime (4 years old)
Series 2 DT - $6.95/mon MSD (1ish year nto the 3 year contract)

I am indeed suggesting getting a new TiVo HD on lifetime and removing the Toshiba RS-TX20 which is the older one.



I see. Sorry, I misread the one dual-tuner as a series one. I can see where you'd rather keep that one. Couldn't you still transfer the dual-tuner price to a new HD tivo?

[ZeoTiVo]

ZeoTiVo,

Well, true, but here's the full paragraph, which muddies the waters a bit, especially the part I bolded:

ah - I see that now. It reads to me though that if you had say 1 lifetime only on the account and a 4 year old 6.95 a month and a 2 year old 9.95 a month then they get you if you sell the lifetime off as they make the 6.95 a month the new full priced plan at 12.95

but if you had 2 lifetimes on the account then the wording is not so clear as you point out. I read it as - if there is another plan that does the qualifying for the MSD for the others then that is used and the MSD rates stay in place for the other ones. I am not affiliated with TiVo though so my reading will NOT be the binding one for TiVo :)