Shortest TiVo Deal in History

In the Tivo summer sale trade in thread Ted said you could just call in for out of stock and still get the deal so maybe it will work for this too.

 

Yeah, somewhat ironic that the Mini VOX inventory is the speed bump in this deal.

 

I never understand these deals. It looks like after 2 years you're still paying 24.99 a month. I realize it's to avoid the upfront costs but seems like they have had much better deals than this.

 

My email was $19.99 for 24 months and switch to 19.99 afterwards. I'm paying monthly for a Roamio and a Bolt. This would save me money! I've never used a mini but...I'm sure I can handle it. I've always got TCF.

 

This is for both units...am I correct?

 

I'm hoping that more Mini VOX stock becomes available and that this is just a temporary situation--for heaven's sake, the offer just came out! @djones18, did you try telephoning TiVo customer service to check?

 

Is this correct?

$19.99/mo for 24 months.
After 24 months, switch to $19.99/mo.
or
$24.99/mo for 24 months.
After 24 months, switch to $24.99/mo.

So it’s a 2-year commitment but then it doesn’t drop in price?

If so, the beak-even on these deals are >5 and >3 years, respectively. (Using some estimates of the refurb prices)

 

The minis doesn’t require any monthly fee, ever, so yes, this is for both units.

You could also just buy a mini for $170 and replace your Roamio or Bolt (and cancel service on that one).

 

I did this 2 weeks ago for a Bolt. It was on the website. The 1tb refurb was out of stock back then, so I got the new 500g one. These Bolts are probably only good for about 2 years anyway. Plus you get a 2 year warranty.

 

I figure a call to them and they will lower the price to the standard $15 after commitment.

 

Nah.

 

Not sure about your math, but it depends on what you’re breaking against.

For the 500GB model, you’re paying $5 over normal service charges for 24 months ... totaling $120 after the 2 years, but you have a BOLT 500GB and a $150 Mini VOX now owned.

 

I’ve always been of that opinion in the past, as well, but my recollection tells me that they seem to have elevated the continuing service terms into the main ad:

$0down $24.99/mo for 24 months.
After 24 months, switch to $24.99/mo.​

But the Mini VOX’s service wouldn’t be affected, regardless.

 

But you’re not just laying $5 more for 24 months, it says you’re paying that FOREVER.

If a refurb Bolt 500 is $170 and a Mini Vox is the same, that’s the same as paying $5 for 68 months, or 5.6 years.

 

That's the fear (there's been some debate over terms like that in the past, and if one can get a lower rate after 2 years, regardless), and the game-changer for some people.

 

Maybe a moot point since the Mini Vox is out of stock but I'll give my opinion anyway. I'll deal with the 500GB renewed Bolt package. Ok, supposedly you are committed to 2 years at $20 a month for service? That is $480. Now let's assume you cancel the service after the 2 years. You would have paid $480. If you cancel the service after 2 years what would you be left with? You'd still have the lifetime Mini Vox which I'd say would be worth $100 to $125 itself (heck it is renewed to start, around Black Friday you could have got a new one for $130 and who knows what models will be around after two years). A 500 GB Bolt with no service, very little value if any, I'll give it $25. So I'd say the value of your devices would be $125-150 after the two years if cancelling service on the Bolt. If you pay the $480 for the two years of service and have say $150 value left you would have paid $330 for use of renewed Bolt and the Mini for two years assuming you sell the Mini and the Bolt. BUT you can shop around and get a lifetime 500GB Bolt for say $300, maybe a bit more. And as I said the Mini, could probably EASILY find one now for $150, maybe $125. So you could BUY a lifetime 500GB Bolt and a used Mini Vox for around $450 (used of course). In that scenario you'd be spending about $450 now, after two years you'd have the lifetime mini and a lifetime Bolt. With the promo deal you'd be paying $480 and after two years you have a used Mini and a 500 GB Bolt with no service. I myself would prefer buying a used lifetime 500GB Bolt and a used Mini Vox for the $450 or so, assuming those are what I really want anyway. Edge will be out fairly soon too, how that will affect value of a white 500GB Bolt and a Mini Vox I can't say yet and not sure if there will be a Edge type Mini eventually. In today's market with cable cards fading and ATSC 3 possible soon not sure how much I'd want to commit to devices dependent on cable card and/or ATSC 1 even though ATSC 1 will be available for 5 years by law if/when ATSC 3 becomes the standard.

 

Shows in stock

 

Well.. Read the email... Says limited time deal.