Quick multi service discount

jim111 · 04-16-2010, 08:56 PM

I just got a TiVo Premiere XL to replace one of my two Series 2 boxes. I had been paying $12.95 for my first S2 box for about 7 years, and $6.95 on the second one for about 5 years (all told, I paid about $1,400 or $1,500!)

I decided to get Lifetime service on the Premiere, and I retired one of the S2 boxes. I figured I'd be paying $6.95 for the remaining S2 box. But I'm getting charged $12.95 for the remaining S2. Is that right? I just spent about $750 for the Premiere with lifetime. Are they really jacking the monthly on my second TiVo by 86% ($6.95 to $12.95)? I find that to be outrageous.

I'm still within the 30 day return period on the Premiere and I'm inclined to return it if this is how TiVo thanks me for all my loyalty. But I wanted to find out if there's some sort of mistake first. Is there?

SoBayJake · 04-16-2010, 09:40 PM

If you paid $299 (via MSD) for the lifetime on the Premiere, then I think the $12.95 is correct. That original one is what qualifies you for MSD, so it won't change.

SoBayJake · 04-16-2010, 09:45 PM

Also, MSD is not $9.95/mo, so you are losing $3.

The only other way I see it working would be the following, but don't take my word as final!
Buy the TiVo at retail (Amazon, Best Buy, etc) and activate it at full price for lifetime ($399) on a different/new account. Then, cancel the original, and reactivate it on the new account (note: this may make a 1 year commitment clock start). So it would cost you $100. You'd save $3/mo, but it would take 33 months to break even.

jim111 · 04-19-2010, 08:18 PM

I may not be following you . . . .

But I bought it directly from TiVo, not from Amazon or Best Buy or another retailer. And I did pay $299 for lifetime. So is it right that if I have two, one with lifetime service for $299, that I should pay $12.95 for the second one? Or should it be $6.95? Or $9.95?

I'm no expert, but I'm trying to figure out if it makes financial sense to keep the Premiere, especially since it's slow and somewhat buggy (even though I think they'll patch it up over the coming months).

SoBayJake · 04-19-2010, 08:20 PM

I think since you paid $299, that is your MSD unit. The original would remain at $12.95.

If you paid $299, and the original went to $9.95, that would be double-dipping on MSD.

I believe MSD is now $9.95/mo, no longer $6.95 (units that were $6.95 at the time of the change were grandfathered at the lower price).

jim111 · 04-19-2010, 08:24 PM

OK, I thinks I get it, thanks for following up. If I cancel the second unit (or, I guess, first unit) at $12.95, they're not going to try to extract more money from me (i.e., say that my $299 lifetime is only good if I keep the other one at $12.95), are they?

Thanks for your help.