Lifetime Subscriptions from eBay

[thiazi]

Hi all,

I'm a bit new to TiVo. I recently purchased a Lifetime Subscription on eBay. It turns out this is nothing more than someone with the multi-service discount who appears to have purchased with the existing customer discount, then resold it on eBay.

The TiVo looks like it has been activated with no problems, so everything looks okay as of now. However, I cannot update the credit card in My TiVo (says I'm not the billing contact), but it looks like I can do everything else.

Since this is a Lifetime Subscription, I'm not sure how big of a deal this is. Should I be concerned about it? If I'm a sub on someone elses account, would this ever affect me for warranty support, transferring my Lifetime Subscription to a new device at a later time, etc.? Basically, when I call TiVo, will I be identified as the real owner of the device or will I get hung up because I'm a sub account?

I'm just curious if this is something I should be concerned with or if it's a common practice.

[jjberger2134]

Why do you need to update the Credit Card info? If the TiVo has a Lifetime sub then there should be no further billing.

Your best course of action is to call TiVo Customer service and inform them that you purchased this particular unit (give them the TSN #) and have the unit officially registered to you. However, if you already have the TiVo listed as an "active" DVR under Manage My Account then it seems like you are already up to date. The active DVR section should also show Lifetime status. There is also a "Change Contact Info" section on the left menu under My TiVo. You can update your info there as well.

Have you let the TiVo call/download the latest guide data. If so, what does the System Information screen indicate for Subscription status. It should still show Lifetime. If it shows anything other than Lifetime after a call or two then alarm bells should ring.

[thiazi]

Yes, it shows Lifetime.

I purchased the TiVo itself at a retail store, and purchased the Lifetime Subscription online. I guess I'm just curious if this situation will ever affect future warranty issues, transferring my Lifetime to another device at a future time (if TiVo still allows it in the future), etc.

I fear the "sub" status and not being able to make future changes since I'm not the master account holder. If TiVo doesn't work this way, please let me know.

[lessd]

Yes, it shows Lifetime.

I purchased the TiVo itself at a retail store, and purchased the Lifetime Subscription online. I guess I'm just curious if this situation will ever affect future warranty issues, transferring my Lifetime to another device at a future time (if TiVo still allows it in the future), etc.

I fear the "sub" status and not being able to make future changes since I'm not the master account holder. If TiVo doesn't work this way, please let me know.

Once you xfer the TiVo into your own TiVo account (I think you did that already but i am not sure) you are all set, you do not need a credit card and the billing info will make no difference in your use of the TiVo, you can name the TiVo and do online record setup etc there is noting you can't do with that TiVo because of how you got the lifetime service. Warranty is the same as you have the receipt of when you purchased the TiVo.