Trash

[haynes7766]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Someone suggested I post this question in this category, I would appreciate any help.

I purchased a dtivo from a thrift store and planned to use it with my Direct tv. However, they won't sell me a card because the previous owner didn't pay his bill. Is there a way to bypass or connect the tivo to another receiver and use it or is it just trash? Someone help point me in the right direction.

[shibby191]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Someone suggested I post this question in this category, I would appreciate any help.

I purchased a dtivo from a thrift store and planned to use it with my Direct tv. However, they won't sell me a card because the previous owner didn't pay his bill. Is there a way to bypass or connect the tivo to another receiver and use it or is it just trash? Someone help point me in the right direction.

If they won't give you a new card ($20), and they most likely won't, then it's just trash. A receiver has to be "in the clear" for them to activate it.

[haynes7766]

If they won't give you a new card ($20), and they most likely won't, then it's just trash. A receiver has to be "in the clear" for them to activate it.

I have seen post and hacks about "networking" that I thought might bypass or connect to another receiver on this site. But I guess I just misunderstood what they were doing. It looks like someone would have figured out a way to link the receivers together.:confused:

[kb7sei]

I have seen post and hacks about "networking" that I thought might bypass or connect to another receiver on this site. But I guess I just misunderstood what they were doing. It looks like someone would have figured out a way to link the receivers together.:confused:

None of that does you any good if DTV won't give you a card to activate it with. There is no way around that restriction that I am aware of. Irritating that you paid for something that you can't use though. It's a rather unfriendly policy, but it was also a response to people abusing them in the past.

[rbtravis]

You can sell the components on EBay, the power supply,the fan, the case. the front panel, the power cord. Perhaps you can recover some money that way. :)

[litzdog911]

This is why we always recommend getting the Receiver's serial number from the seller and checking its status with DirecTV yourself. It's the only way to protect yourself from buy equipment that was stolen or has unpaid balances.

[rbtravis]

I agree with litzdog911, I always ask for the Receiver ID before bidding, If they don't I don't bid. I figure they have something to hide and I do not bid. :)

[mp11]

Wonder how much the oustanding balance was? If not too much, could be beneficial to both parties just paying out. But probably against Directv policy. :rolleyes: Another receiver dies a meaningless death. Hopefully you're not out too much money.

[shibby191]

Wonder how much the oustanding balance was? If not too much, could be beneficial to both parties just paying out. But probably against Directv policy. :rolleyes: Another receiver dies a meaningless death. Hopefully you're not out too much money.

Not a bad idea. Wouldn't hurt to ask. If he only paid say $15 for it at the store and the balance owed is just a few bucks for a PPV it would still be cheaper then you might pay on e-Bay. Never know.

[argicida]

You can sell the components on EBay, the power supply,the fan, the case. the front panel, the power cord. Perhaps you can recover some money that way. :)

I guess we'd get an "is this stealing" if he just sold the whole thing on Ebay...

[Slick Rick]

Good Afternoon

I had the same problem last year, bought a TiVo at a thrift shop. Called DTV to activate it and the told me that the old owner still owed on the account. I waited about two months and called DTV back. The account was cleared and they sent me a new access card (cost me $20.00). Activated the reciever and had snother TiVo.

thanks

[dtremain]

None of that does you any good if DTV won't give you a card to activate it with. There is no way around that restriction that I am aware of. Irritating that you paid for something that you can't use though. It's a rather unfriendly policy, but it was also a response to people abusing them in the past.Unfriendly, perhaps, but understandable. A percentage of people would say they bought a unit used while they are really trying to avoid paying their bill by claiming to be someone else.

Unfortunate for people like the OP, here, who get stuck, however.

[dtremain]

I guess we'd get an "is this stealing" if he just sold the whole thing on Ebay...Sure would be. Being an innocent victim does not justify passing the theft along. Then, you become the thief.

[xunil76]

Sure would be. Being an innocent victim does not justify passing the theft along. Then, you become the thief.

however, you could just as easily sell the entire unit to someone else as complete "spare parts" unit, as long as you made sure to specify in the sale that it was purchased from someone else who didn't pay their bill, and the unit can no longer be activated.

[bengalfreak]

Sure would be. Being an innocent victim does not justify passing the theft along. Then, you become the thief.

Not theft at all as long as you specify the entire deal when selling. The machine has been used to commit theft, it is not theft to buy or sell the equipment itself. Its immoral to sell it without specifying that it cannot be activated, but still not theft.

[dtremain]

however, you could just as easily sell the entire unit to someone else as complete "spare parts" unit, as long as you made sure to specify in the sale that it was purchased from someone else who didn't pay their bill, and the unit can no longer be activated.


Not theft at all as long as you specify the entire deal when selling. The machine has been used to commit theft, it is not theft to buy or sell the equipment itself. Its immoral to sell it without specifying that it cannot be activated, but still not theft.

I agree with both of you, but it would have to be made very clear, not just "technically" stated, (so that the uninformed would understand), for it not to be theft, either legally or morally.