Tivo Extended Warranty Experience

Does the price change based on whether it is purchased with or without lifetime?

I had assumed it would but didn’t really think about it at the time either. The only time I paid for it was when I purchased a refurbished unit. It’s past the warranty at this point so I’ll never know if they’d transfer it or not.

 

Apparently, you should have cancelled the initial purchase, within the 30 day trial period, and re-purchased.

That would be sucky if that was the case, though...

-KP

 

The TiVo extended warranty (like most third-party warranty services) is only good for replacement of the original unit on which is taken out. IOW, it is for one-time use only. And, yes, the PLS should transfer to the replacement.

Isn't it annoying when you have to invest so much time and energy getting a company to do the proper thing? Good job, though, insisting on your rights.

 

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Of course, your position on the DOA unit vis-à-vis the extended warranty was absolutely correct. Sad that it takes an hour+ to get Customer Support to recognize that.

 

They always like to point out that 'warranty' and 'service' are not the same thing...they're separate, kind of like the two lobes of their brains perhaps?

 

Now I’m glad I didn’t get the extended warranty. What a load.

craigr

 

Getting the extended warranty is fine. it's just that the OP technically used his extended warranty on the first TiVo. When they should have had that box returned with a new purchase of a TiVo, lifetime service, and extended warranties.

most extended warranties will stay in place if a device is repaired. But if it is replaced, like TiVo always does, then the warranty is used up. Best Buy extended warranties are the same way. I always need to purchase a new extended warranty if they replace an item. But if it's repaired, then my Best Buy extended warranty is still in place.

 

I hope they've decided to abandon the Comcast tactics for good. Last week I got the 4 flashing Diodes of Death on the front of my Bolt (together with the blue screen "Serious TiVo error. Rebuilding..."). After dicking around with it for an hour or two, I called customer service. They asked me to do the same stuff I'd already done, and agreed it needed replacement. They also said I was over 1,000 days out of warranty, but would replace the unit with a refurbisehd one (that's fair) AND transfer the lifetime service for about $80. This surprised and pleased me, because I'd gone through several past attempted rapes while dealing with TiVo, ranging from "your brand-new unit is three days past it's 30 day warranty, and despite the fact that it died, you'll have to pay for a new one and a new lifetime service" and then "OK (sigh) I guess we'll send you a new unit....oh, the ****** scratched up refurbished unit we sent you DIED as well? Here's another ****** refurbished unit..Oh, you'll NOT accept it and threaten to sue? Ok, here's a new unit (grumble, grumble, grumble....") I received my newest (huh...) refurbished unit and need to contact Comcast to get the card paired, but so far so good, but this is definitely my last tango with TiVo. When this unit dies, I'm not re-upping. Their service and attitude have gone from good, to cautious, to snotty, to hardline, and now kind of desperate. The Tyranny of Sunk Costs has to end someday....

 

I understand the frustrations. At the same time, I don't know any other home electronics manufacturer for a product I own that routinely offers to replace an out-of-warranty product at a significantly reduced price (both the product and its related subscription, if there is one), or even at all.

 

I own three refurbs and none of them have even a microscopic scratch. Sorry to hear about your experience, but I don't think it's typical.

 

I believe you misunderstand. It's the sunk cost fallacy.

Also, purchasing an extended warranty for consumer electronics is a very bad idea in the first place.

 

At the same time, it can depend upon the specific item and the specific consumer.

 

It depends. I bought my $800 Pixel XL from Google and paid for the extended warranty. 18 months later the microphone quit working. I paid $49 deductible and they overnight shipped me out a refurb that looked good as new and working. I guess it depends on the original cost of the item whether it is worth it. In my case I certainly saved big not having to buy a newer Pixel.

 

All generalizations are erroneous.

 

True but the Tyranny of Sunk Costs sounds better

 

Extended warranties are tricky. What I do is purchase everything on a Citibank credit card. They double the manufacturers warranty. Never had an issue with a claim with them. True, it wouldn't be 3 years, but it would be 2 years. I've had extended warranties before and they will try every loophole to get around paying for anything. You were at least persistent in getting things changed partly in your favor. Consider that a win.

 

Do you people buy lottery tickets too?

I repeat, buying extended an warranty for consumer electronics is a bad idea. Anyone who does so is being taken advantage of. They could never pay off in the long run without putting the issuers out of business.

The concept of insurance is to protect against catastrophes like dying and leaving your family destitute, or being sued in pauper-hood after an auto accident. I have never heard of someone winding up homeless because their TiVo broke.

Yes, but using that word means one don't realize it is a fallacy.

 

Funny but, Consumer Reports doesn't agree with your categorical announcement. For example, in the past, it has noted that an extended warranty could have value for large consumer electronics that are hard to move.

 

Since when have TiVos been hard to move?

Purchasing an extended warranty is always a bad idea, just like murder is always a bad idea; but sometimes it would have been better to have strangled baby Hitler.