Upgrade Service Plan to Lifetime?

[andrews777]

I have two monthly plans and one lifetime plan (3 Tivo HDs) now. Does anyone know of any way I could convert the monthly plans to lifetime offers?

Also, what happens if a TivoHD with a Lifetime plan dies? Can you transfer it to a fix/new unit in that case or would I just be out of luck?

Brad

[lafos]

If you are on a month-to-month with no commitment, you can upgrade at any time. If you're on a one or three year plan, you have to wait for the plan to end.

In the S3 forum, you can see that if a TiVo dies out of warranty, you can replace it with a refurb for $149. If the lifetime is <3 years old, they will transfer it free. If the lifetime is older, they now charge $199 to transfer it.

[moonscape]

Also, what happens if a TivoHD with a Lifetime plan dies? Can you transfer it to a fix/new unit in that case or would I just be out of luck?

If it's out of warranty you're sort of out of luck, but not really. When there's a problem it's almost always the HD and that can be replaced.

[Resist]

If the lifetime is older, they now charge $199 to transfer it.I am sorry, but that is such a rip off!

[newskilz]

I am sorry, but that is such a rip off!

Yes and no. Granted I'd like lifetime to last forever also. But, they specifically say you are buying lifetime for the box, not your lifetime or some preset time. Though they expect the lifetime to last at least three years (the break even point is just over 30 months for non MSD), hnce the free transfer prior, after that they gotta make _some_ more money, as do any business does.

[ZeoTiVo]

I am sorry, but that is such a rip off!

yeah if I give Tivo 299$ then I should be able to get new hardware for 149$ every 4 years or so and use it for the next 60 years.

[Resist]

Granted I'd like lifetime to last forever also. But, they specifically say you are buying lifetime for the box, not your lifetime or some preset time.Of course it is for the life of the box, I thought everyone understood this. I was saying that the transfer price is a rip off because at that point you have already invested a good chunk of money into Tivo and should get a much lower discount for sticking with them and buying their newer products.

[lafos]

But they are giving you a discount. $199 is $100 lower than the MSD lifetime, which is $100 lower than regular lifetime. A lifetime transfer under those conditions, is still the best bet if the box lasts two-three more years.

[fallingwater]

So why doesn't the 'upgrade program' offer to transfer an S2's Lifetime for $199, and then provide info on recyclers?

[ZeoTiVo]

So why doesn't the 'upgrade program' offer to transfer an S2's Lifetime for $199, and then provide info on recyclers?

because for some (like me with 5 or so TiVo DVRs) it is simply not a good deal. The 199$ transfer would have made it too good a deal. ;)

[fallingwater]

TiVo of course must make such determinations in its own best interests. But, IMHO, the current upgrade program 'is simply not a good deal.' (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=7370183#post7370183)

[andrews777]

If you are on a month-to-month with no commitment, you can upgrade at any time. If you're on a one or three year plan, you have to wait for the plan to end.

In the S3 forum, you can see that if a TiVo dies out of warranty, you can replace it with a refurb for $149. If the lifetime is <3 years old, they will transfer it free. If the lifetime is older, they now charge $199 to transfer it.

That is what I thought. I want to upgrade it now, while I still have time left. I suspect I will retire the unit and go with something else when my 3 years is up. Tivo could "lock me in" with some reasonable way to do that now. Technology changes too much to stick with a 3 year old item with a lifetime offer.

I would have bought the lifetime at the first, if they had it in Fall of 07 for me, but it was not an option then. :(

Thanks for the confirmation though!

Brad