TiVo Community Forums Archives

TiVoCommunity.com
(c)opyright 1995-2005 All rights reserved
indexcheckTC
This area is a static history of posts in the TiVo Community Forum Archive.
This archive history was made for the simple indexing of search sites like Google.

Pages:1

TiVo as a gift?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Ekims

I am going to get a TiVo for my Aunt and Uncle for Christmas. I was wondering about a couple of things.

I am going to get them a Series 1, they will never need HMO or broadband connection. Where can I get the best deal on a Series 1, I don't want to go the Ebay route, been burned too many times. Size of drive is not a big issue, they will not need more than a 14 hour.

Can I buy a couple of months service on Jan. 1st, 2004 just so they can try it out? If they like it, they will have no problem paying for the service. They currently subscribe to the Sunday paper, just for the TV Guide that comes with it. They throw the rest away that morning. I just want to make sure they like it before signing up.

Posted by: MediaLivingRoom

This just proves my point to TiVo to make a simple 40HR with TiVo Basic. If they could price it at MSRP $249. Then the people who buys the TiVo will not have to pay more unless they want to.

You go Ekims!!!

Posted by: JPriller

I don't know where you can get a Series 1 except the eBay route, unless you get real lucky and find one sitting on a dusty back shelf of a K-Mart somewhere. They haven't been manufactured for over a year. Sometimes you can find factory-refurbished Series 1's being auctioned off in lots on eBay or iBid, that's where I got mine. They'll have been cleaned up and checked, at least.

As for monthly service, you could sign it up in your name with your credit card and then cancel and sign them up for it once they're in love with it.

Posted by: PrimeRisk

Get them a refurb with warranty from www.servicedvr.com . They are an authorized Phillips service center and sell 20 hour TiVos for $99.95. You can get up ot a 60 hour for only $149.95.

Posted by: Ekims

quote:
Originally posted by PrimeRisk
Get them a refurb with warranty from www.servicedvr.com . They are an authorized Phillips service center and sell 20 hour TiVos for $99.95. You can get up ot a 60 hour for only $149.95.

This is exactly what I was looking for.... Thank you!

Has anyone here used them? I am interested in knowing if they are customer friendly?

Posted by: PrimeRisk

I have not personally purchased from Service DVR, but others on the board have. If memory serves, the experiences have been quite positive. Do a search for www.servicedvr.com to see what others have to say.

Posted by: bidger

That's a real thoughtful gesture Ekims. I gifted a 100+hr at Basic TiVo w/ Lifetime to a couple and they LOVE it! I'm pretty sure your gift will be appreciated.

Posted by: Ekims

quote:
Originally posted by bidger
That's a real thoughtful gesture Ekims. I gifted a 100+hr at Basic TiVo w/ Lifetime to a couple and they LOVE it! I'm pretty sure your gift will be appreciated.

I don't know! A year ago I had them over for dinner and was talking up TiVo, like you do. I was like a salesman closing the deal of a lifetime and they said "I don't think we would use it". My wife said the same thing when ours arrived. Well, over the weekend I had my annual end of summer grill out and had scheduled it at the same time as my beloved Colts were kicking off. I paused it and turned the TV off, assuming I would hit play when all were gone and the place was clean. Well a couple of family members are fans too, so we turned it on and we would watch a little, FF through the time outs, commercials halftime, etc. She asked how I did that, I quickly realized that perhaps all was lost during my deal of the century sales pitch. She hinted to her kids that she wants one for Christmas. They are not able to spend that kind of money (neither am I, but we need more TiVolutionaries), so I thought I would ask here, and as usual, you guys are a wealth of information. I love this community.

Posted by: tomlouie

This thread seems to tell me that the best way for TiVos to get sold is via the Tupperware Party sales model. One person throws a TiVo Party, invites friends & friends of friends over, and then proceeds to show them the TiVo, what you can do with it, etc. And people can buy their own TiVo online at the party there and then.

Tom

Posted by: Ekims

quote:
Originally posted by tomlouie
This thread seems to tell me that the best way for TiVos to get sold is via the Tupperware Party sales model. One person throws a TiVo Party, invites friends & friends of friends over, and then proceeds to show them the TiVo, what you can do with it, etc. And people can buy their own TiVo online at the party there and then.

Tom

I said a long time ago that I would be willing to do this for minor compensation. Something like a referral program that gets them a free month of service for us monthly consumers, and a GC for the lifetime people. Think about it TiVo!

BTW TiVo, you owe me like 5 months free now, going on 6 this December, or you could you just send me a plushie for my Daughter.

Posted by: mbernste

Another place you can try is shopper.cnet.com I only saw Series 2's there, but you might be able to get a good deal. Every so often TiVo themselves run some specials. I wouldn't be surprised as we get closer to the holiday season they might have an offer or two.

Posted by: bidger

quote:
Originally posted by Ekims
I don't know! A year ago I had them over for dinner and was talking up TiVo, like you do. I was like a salesman closing the deal of a lifetime and they said "I don't think we would use it". My wife said the same thing when ours arrived.

Keep in mind, I said "I think it'll be appreciated". I realize there are very few sure things in life. I'm also of the opinion that some folks have a knee-jerk reaction when told what TiVo can do of, "Well, I don't watch THAT much TV". It's not a matter of how much, but ANY because TiVo improves the quality of your viewing regardless of the amount. I think people feel it makes them look smarter if they say, "Well, I hardly watch TV" as opposed to "I can't imagine living w/out TV".

Now, for me, I liked the idea of TiVo when I first saw the 30 min. promo that aired on DirecTV. I just waited for the price to drop & a rebate to sweeten the deal. I like TV, not all of it, but there are shows I simply don't want to miss. Factor in sports and I gotta have it! I think for most people, exposure to TiVo for 30 days and the way it can simplify one's life, it's hard to imagine choosing to go back to TV w/out it.