Lifetime clarification (3/2011)
It has been a while so let's get a recent update on Lifetime availability.
It seems to me that Lifetime is now only available as an upgrade option for existing users. The caveat here is that TiVo is only selling their Premiere for a ridiculous amount of money:
TiVo Premiere $269.99 (highest price for this box anywhere online)
Lifetime $199 ($200 discount)
--------------------
Subtotal: $468.99
Everywhere else on planet Earth the Premiere sells for under $75. But, none of those boxes are eligible for lifetime anymore (or are they?). I don't get why TiVo doesn't seem to offer lifetime service at it's regular price on any purchased TiVo?
What is the cheapest way to upgrade to a new TiVo Premiere with lifetime (besides ebay)? Is the only option by upgrading on TiVo's site? Are no other boxes eligible for lifetime?
PS - I wouldn't have to ask if TiVo didn't require a service number before showing their subscription details. So, they basically leave you in the dark on prices and options until you purchase a box. Then it's too late to see that you made a mistake.
I qualify for MSD of $299 for lifetime, but can I use that on any box I buy? I doubt it...
https://www3.tivo.com/abouttivo/policies/tivomsd_tcs_windowpopup_ajax.html
It seems to me that Lifetime is now only available as an upgrade option for existing users. The caveat here is that TiVo is only selling their Premiere for a ridiculous amount of money:
TiVo Premiere $269.99 (highest price for this box anywhere online)
Lifetime $199 ($200 discount)
--------------------
Subtotal: $468.99
Everywhere else on planet Earth the Premiere sells for under $75. But, none of those boxes are eligible for lifetime anymore (or are they?). I don't get why TiVo doesn't seem to offer lifetime service at it's regular price on any purchased TiVo?
What is the cheapest way to upgrade to a new TiVo Premiere with lifetime (besides ebay)? Is the only option by upgrading on TiVo's site? Are no other boxes eligible for lifetime?
PS - I wouldn't have to ask if TiVo didn't require a service number before showing their subscription details. So, they basically leave you in the dark on prices and options until you purchase a box. Then it's too late to see that you made a mistake.
I qualify for MSD of $299 for lifetime, but can I use that on any box I buy? I doubt it...
This is never clarified on the legal page:Multi-service discount pricing does not apply to Web Specials.
https://www3.tivo.com/abouttivo/policies/tivomsd_tcs_windowpopup_ajax.html
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
This info is directly the opposite of the info given to me in an online chat with a CSR. I have a feeling I could ask 3 CSR's the same question about my service options on a new TiVo and get three different answers.
I'm pretty sure all of the sub-$100 Tivos are not considered "full MSRP". The price is low because of "instant savings", and it is locked into the $19.99/month rate. So even though you're not paying as much up front, you're eventually making up for it by paying an extra $7/month. Because of this, I'm pretty sure they're not available for lifetime service at all.
The only other option is to buy a refurbished one. I'm pretty sure you can get lifetime on them, and they're cheaper than the standard ones on tivo.com
The only other option is to buy a refurbished one. I'm pretty sure you can get lifetime on them, and they're cheaper than the standard ones on tivo.com
You can buy a full price Premiere and get lifetime, but you have to call. I've seen no way to get to that at Tivo.com.
As for the upgrade offer, $269.99 is the MSRP of the Premiere. $200 off Lifetime is a pretty good deal for a new unit.
Otherwise, get a refurb that qualifies for the standard rate and you can get MSD lifetime on it, same as any other Tivo. *
* With the refurb Premieres that were recently sold by Woot.com, lifetime was not availble upon initial activation online. You first had to activate with a monthy subscription, but you could go back within 30 days and "change the plan options" to lifetime.
As for the upgrade offer, $269.99 is the MSRP of the Premiere. $200 off Lifetime is a pretty good deal for a new unit.
Otherwise, get a refurb that qualifies for the standard rate and you can get MSD lifetime on it, same as any other Tivo. *
* With the refurb Premieres that were recently sold by Woot.com, lifetime was not availble upon initial activation online. You first had to activate with a monthy subscription, but you could go back within 30 days and "change the plan options" to lifetime.
Think of it as being like cell phones..
(BTW, I don't like it with cell phones either, but most people seem to like that model.)
(BTW, I don't like it with cell phones either, but most people seem to like that model.)
I'm betting you could ask three of them and get 4 or 5 different answers, maybe more.This info is directly the opposite of the info given to me in an online chat with a CSR. I have a feeling I could ask 3 CSR's the same question about my service options on a new TiVo and get three different answers.
This doesn't work for me at all with my cell phone. I knew all the rates and plans before making a purchase. If A then it costs X and Y, if B it costs M and N.Think of it as being like cell phones..
(BTW, I don't like it with cell phones either, but most people seem to like that model.)
With TiVo, the pricing seems like a big wheel gets spun and you pay whatever it magically lands on that day. Their pricing plans are confusing at the best of times.
I think the big wheel picks out the CSR you get to talk to and that determines the info you get.This doesn't work for me at all with my cell phone. I knew all the rates and plans before making a purchase. If A then it costs X and Y, if B it costs M and N.
With TiVo, the pricing seems like a big wheel gets spun and you pay whatever it magically lands on that day. Their pricing plans are confusing at the best of times.
Does TiVo have the term "CSR Roulette" trademarked yet?
A couple of years ago when I got a Replaytv went to Tivo's site researching. Seemed like a much happier and friendly place back then. Had past refurbished models for sale and info on which model would suit your needs etc.
TiVo service pricing maybe confusing to some but there really is a preset amount for various situations. They just have lots of options that are dependent on lots of variables. Where the "big spinning wheel" comes into play is when you want a CR Rep. to give you a deal that is outside of the current standard offers....
With TiVo, the pricing seems like a big wheel gets spun and you pay whatever it magically lands on that day. Their pricing plans are confusing at the best of times.
This is the same for many services, I have a co-worker that can negotiate the paints off any CR Rep I have seen her come up against. Kind of like the price of a new car, I remember the first time I saw someone really push a car dealer (a friends mother no less) just amazing what some people can negotiate.
All that said if you factor in buying from TiVo directly, normal vendors, & ebay vendors the number of various hardware and service pricing options for existing customers must be at an all time high.
If you are a new customer and are just looking at what is offered on TiVo's web site the through normal vendors, the options are very limited and straight forward. Just not what many people maybe looking for
Thanks,
Would you rather tivo sell you the Premiere unit at $169.99 and sell you product lifetime service for $299?
That deal sounds reasonable.
The deal tivo is currently offering is a new Premier unit for under $100 but with a $20/month subscription fee. 24 montsh=$480 + whatever you paid for the unit.
The $469 deal looks reasonable
The sub $100 pricing is subsidized by higher monthly subscription fees.
That deal sounds reasonable.
The deal tivo is currently offering is a new Premier unit for under $100 but with a $20/month subscription fee. 24 montsh=$480 + whatever you paid for the unit.
The $469 deal looks reasonable
The sub $100 pricing is subsidized by higher monthly subscription fees.
It has been a while so let's get a recent update on Lifetime availability.
It seems to me that Lifetime is now only available as an upgrade option for existing users. The caveat here is that TiVo is only selling their Premiere for a ridiculous amount of money:
TiVo Premiere $269.99 (highest price for this box anywhere online)
Lifetime $199 ($200 discount)
--------------------
Subtotal: $468.99
Everywhere else on planet Earth the Premiere sells for under $75. But, none of those boxes are eligible for lifetime anymore (or are they?). I don't get why TiVo doesn't seem to offer lifetime service at it's regular price on any purchased TiVo?
What is the cheapest way to upgrade to a new TiVo Premiere with lifetime (besides ebay)? Is the only option by upgrading on TiVo's site? Are no other boxes eligible for lifetime?
PS - I wouldn't have to ask if TiVo didn't require a service number before showing their subscription details. So, they basically leave you in the dark on prices and options until you purchase a box. Then it's too late to see that you made a mistake.
I qualify for MSD of $299 for lifetime, but can I use that on any box I buy? I doubt it...
This is never clarified on the legal page:
https://www3.tivo.com/abouttivo/policies/tivomsd_tcs_windowpopup_ajax.html
I'd like for TiVo to sell me a subscription to their service at a set price regardless of how I got their hardware. Since I have been a customer for a decade I'd expect a better rate then a new subscriber.
You're (deliberately?) missing the point. New subscribers don't get to buy a Premier for less then $100. They get to buy a new Premier for under $100 + a "surcharge" on top of the monthly subscription price.I'd like for TiVo to sell me a subscription to their service at a set price regardless of how I got their hardware. Since I have been a customer for a decade I'd expect a better rate then a new subscriber.
A new subscriber pays $100 ($75) plus $20 /month. Two year total is $580 ($555) An existing subscriber can buy a tivo with lifetime service for $469. $100 savings over 2 years with additional savings for every month they keep the unit.
Tivo has decided to offer lower the cost of hardware but increase the service charge.
Why don't you just say you don't want to pay what TiVo is charging and be done with it.I'd like for TiVo to sell me a subscription to their service at a set price regardless of how I got their hardware. Since I have been a customer for a decade I'd expect a better rate then a new subscriber.
It is pretty clear that:
- If you want to purchase a sub $100 box being sold below cost you have to pay $20/mo for service.
- If you want a lifetime box you can use your $469 upgrade offer.
- If you want a box with a lower monthly fee you can pay $269 for the box and $10/mo for service with your upgrade offer (assumes you keep your qualifying TiVo on your accout)
I think the Premiere with lifetime service for $470 is a great deal and if I didn't already have 2 lifetime HD TiVos would buy one now since it sounds like the Premiere is working well enough to be the best product. I think the $100 Premiere requiring $20 per month is a terrible deal and wouldn't touch it no matter how much I wanted a Premiere.
I just don't get how people get confused by TiVo's subscription rates. They're spelled out plain as day.This doesn't work for me at all with my cell phone. I knew all the rates and plans before making a purchase. If A then it costs X and Y, if B it costs M and N.
With TiVo, the pricing seems like a big wheel gets spun and you pay whatever it magically lands on that day. Their pricing plans are confusing at the best of times.
Interesting that you can't understand the simple rates they have now and you want them to add even more rates based on account longevity into the equation simply because you think it makes you special somehow.I'd like for TiVo to sell me a subscription to their service at a set price regardless of how I got their hardware. Since I have been a customer for a decade I'd expect a better rate then a new subscriber.
The subscription plans are very simple. I don't see any mention of an annual, three year or lifetime product service plan. I guess it's confusing to existing customers who may not realize tivo (seems to) have simplified their subscription plans.I just don't get how people get confused by TiVo's subscription rates. They're spelled out plain as day.
Interesting that you can't understand the simple rates they have now and you want them to add even more rates based on account longevity into the equation simply because you think it makes you special somehow.
http://daringfireball.net/2011/03/pricing_should_be_simple
Maybe it's because I've been a customer so long that I am confused because it changes every five seconds. That and I've seen multiple TiVo's for sale under different terms and some could get lifetime and some couldn't. But yeah, I guess that is crystal clear to everyone but me.
This little pop-up on TiVo's site doesn't help:
Maybe it's because I've been a customer so long that I am confused because it changes every five seconds. That and I've seen multiple TiVo's for sale under different terms and some could get lifetime and some couldn't. But yeah, I guess that is crystal clear to everyone but me.
This little pop-up on TiVo's site doesn't help:
Multi-service discount pricing
* Multi-service discount ("MSD") is available for $9.95 per month, 1-year of prepaid service at $99, or Product Lifetime service for $299.
* To be eligible for MSD, you must be an existing customer with a current paid subscription to the TiVo service (a "Qualifying Subscription") as further defined in TiVo's Multi-service discount agreement
* Limited to five (5) new TiVo service subscription activations per customer account and must be at the same TiVo service address.
* A MSD subscription will revert to regular full-price subscription at the end of the current month, or prepaid year, as applicable, if such MSD subscription is no longer eligible for MSD (such as in the event there is no longer a Qualifying Subscription on the account).
* Multi-service discount pricing does not apply to Web Specials.
* For full terms and conditions, please see TiVo's Multi-service discount agreement.
From Amazon:TiVo Premiere $269.99 (highest price for this box anywhere online)
Lifetime $199 ($200 discount)
--------------------
Subtotal: $468.99
Everywhere else on planet Earth the Premiere sells for under $75.
Can you find a single vendor selling a tivo, without the $200 instant discount, for less then $269.99Product Information: TiVo Premiere and TiVo Premiere XL devices purchased with a $200 instant discount during the promotion period (ends 3/31/11) require $19.99/month subscription fee and a 1-year minimum commitment. Early termination fee and other restrictions apply. See manufacturer's website for details.
The pricing doesn't change every 5 seconds. It is that simple.http://daringfireball.net/2011/03/pricing_should_be_simple
Maybe it's because I've been a customer so long that I am confused because it changes every five seconds. That and I've seen multiple TiVo's for sale under different terms and some could get lifetime and some couldn't. But yeah, I guess that is crystal clear to everyone but me.
This little pop-up on TiVo's site doesn't help:
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
TiVo Community Forum
A forum community dedicated to TiVo digital video recorder owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about programming, streaming, content, schedules, home theaters, displays, models, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Steveknj
364 Replies
cheesesteak
337 Replies
Rob Helmerichs
323 Replies
Recommended Communities
