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pre-order
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Posted by: DTV TiVo Dealer
quote:
Originally posted by bmel
The credit card purchase agreement asks for "credit card (if different)". If different from what? The card used for the original order? I'm not sure I remember which card I used for that order, It's not on my e-mail confirmation.
Does the rapidity of reply to these forms alter your place in line?
Brian
Yes, complete the credit card information only if you want to change the credit card you originally placed the pre-order with. Many members have requested us to change the credit card for various reasons.
Emails are going out slowly, all emails should be out by the end of today, sorry for the delay.
Posted by: DavidAsher
I ordered Jan 17th, but haven't gotten an email yet.
I can't reply before I get an email. From what I read at the time it sounded like I was in the first 200.
DTV Tivo Dealer: can you please confirm that the order of replies will not effct order of shipment?
David.
Posted by: DTV TiVo Dealer
quote:
Originally posted by DavidAsher
I ordered Jan 17th, but haven't gotten an email yet.
I can't reply before I get an email. From what I read at the time it sounded like I was in the first 200.
DTV Tivo Dealer: can you please confirm that the order of replies will not effect order of shipment?
David.
Yes, the order in which we are sending out email's does not indicate where anyone is on the list as we take orders in several different databases.
Very few emails were sent late last night and we have just started sending more in the past few minutes.
Also, although I do need the 2 forms returned before we ship you order, forms delayed will not effect your ship date. Of course, unless you do not return both forms before we start shipping. We are strictly going by your pre-order date. The amount of deposit, who you are or how fast you return your 2 forms has no bearing on when you will be shipped. Unfortunately, I will be the last person to get one of these beauties.
Posted by: DavidAsher
quote:
Originally posted by DTV Tivo Dealer
Unfortunately, I will be the last person to get one of these beauties.
Oh, that's a bummer. Can't you snag one for "demo" purposes? (As long as its not mine ;) )
Thanks for the quick reply.
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
Also, although I do need the 2 forms returned before we ship you order
2 forms? i didn't get two forms? i only got one form to sign and return? "2003TheDTVAgreement.pdf" i signed, dated, and faxed it back within 5 minutes of recieving it... whats this other form? (FYI.. i am a current D* customer if that matters)
Posted by: btwyx
quote:
Originally posted by the-sloth
2 forms? i didn't get two forms? i only got one form to sign and return? "2003TheDTVAgreement.pdf" i signed, dated, and faxed it back within 5 minutes of recieving it... whats this other form? (FYI.. i am a current D* customer if that matters)
There's also a Word Doc "Credit Card Purchase Agreement" in the file "hd-dvr250 letter 022804.doc".
(I can read Word docs, but it might cause some people some problems.)
Posted by: AbMagFab
Does this strike anyone else as a little fishy? Here's what's happened so far:
1) I pre-order on 1/15-16th (along with a bunch of other people)
2) The hit-count on the page was less than 200, so I figured I was way within the first 200 (at the time it was 350)
3) Suddenly we're being told there's a cutoff, and not everyone made the first 200
4) I get a PM from Tivo Dealer telling me I'm *not* in the first 200, just based on my order date
5) After I question this, he asks me for my order number, and I get no further response
6) Then we get an e-mail with forms we have to fax back, with still no indication as to who is where "in line", but he keeps posting that our original order "order" will be how he ships
I've never filled out a special form when buying a DirecTivo before. Why now? Also, why can't he just tell me what number I am in the list? He must have this information, as he keeps claiming he'll ship based on the order sequence, but he has yet to confirm anything, in spite of his continued promises to do so...
Anyone know another place pre-selling these? Or, has anyone done business with this guy before to know he's on the level and reputable?
Messing with Tivo people on a Tivo board isn't the best move (not that he's doing that)...
Posted by: buzzword
Hi Robert,
Two questions regarding your email, which I'll ask here rather than emailing you since others may have the same questions.
1) With regard to your form where it says "Existing DIRECTV account or seting up new DIRECTV service". If I have an existing DIRECTV account, are you expecting a "YES" (I have an existing account) or do you need my DTV account number? It's not quite clear.
2) If I have an existing account does this automatically sign me up for the additional HDTV channels at $10.99/mth? I would hope not, I don't want any of the extra channels, I plan on simply adding the new receiver to my existing plan.
Thanks!
Posted by: PJO1966
Another question... The Word document asks for an installation address. Does this deal come with installation?
Posted by: btwyx
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
I've never filled out a special form when buying a DirecTivo before. Why now?
I did when buying my HDVR2 14 months ago. I thought it was standard practice.
Posted by: Todd
Hi Robert,
I received your e-mail....2 quick questions:
1) Can I fill out and sign the forms and send them back to you via e-mail as PDFs? I'd rather not fax to a long-distance number from work.
2) I already filled out and sent back to you the DirecTV form a few weeks ago. Do I need to fill it out again?
Thanks!
Posted by: MCodanti
I am interested in the text of the email Robert sent out just to see what is going on, anybody willing to post it?
Posted by: BillF
This will be my fifth DirecTivo and, as I recall, the DTV agreement was completed as part of the ordering process on three of the units. ie. by pressing this button, you agree to the following. The fourth unit was bought directly from D* and they just automatically increased my annual commitment. Now, I just extended it again with the $99 HD hardware package and will again for the HDTivo. The agreement just sets forth the damages if you default.
Posted by: BillF
quote:
Originally posted by MCodanti
I am interested in the text of the email Robert sent out just to see what is going on, anybody willing to post it?
The email I got states "Confidential Memorandum" I think if he wanted it shared, he would post it himself.
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by MCodanti
I am interested in the text of the email Robert sent out just to see what is going on, anybody willing to post it?
i wish i could.... i have nothing. i can only imagine how "left out in the cold" the people who pre-ordered back in jan feel. we were all supposed to get an email yesterday.... for whatever reason i didn't get one. robert says they are coming out today.. all i can do is hope he comes through this time.
i know he VE must be up their ears with this pre-order thing but they had to expect that 350+ people would like to have some sort of assurance that they are being treated properly. surely they couldn't have thought that all these people were just gonna give them $1k and sit back and wait on the UPS guy to drop it in their lap.
Posted by: DTV TiVo Dealer
quote:
Originally posted by buzzword
Hi Robert,
Two questions regarding your email, which I'll ask here rather than emailing you since others may have the same questions.
1) With regard to your form where it says "Existing DIRECTV account or setting up new DIRECTV service". If I have an existing DIRECTV account, are you expecting a "YES" (I have an existing account) or do you need my DTV account number? It's not quite clear.
2) If I have an existing account does this automatically sign me up for the additional HDTV channels at $10.99/mth? I would hope not, I don't want any of the extra channels, I plan on simply adding the new receiver to my existing plan.
Thanks!
1. On the Sales agreement answer, "existing" if you have DIRECTV service or "new" if you do not have DIRECTV service yet, so we can ship the free triple LNB dish and order your free installation.
2. You are not obligated to take any additional programming. However, if you do not already have a DIRECTV-TiVo you will be charged the $5./per mo. DVR fee from DIRECTV. DIRECTV only charges one DVR fee per account, so if you already have a DIRECTV-TiVo you will not have to pay any additional DVR fee. DIRECTV also does not charge the DVR fee if you subscribe to the TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER programming package. DIRECTV does charge an additional $5/per mo. per additional receiver, so if this is a new receiver on your account expect to pay the $5./per mo. mirroring fee.
Regarding AbMagFab's two posts; I have responded to all of your PM very promptly. Your third PM yesterday listed your order # and I will have my accounting dept. research and give you an exact answer Monday. As you can imagine I have been very busy this weekend on getting this email package out.
PJO1966, free installation is only available to new DIRECTV subscribers who have never had DIRECTV service. I have a terrific database of Certified satellite installation technicians Nationwide, which we will share with anyone who needs installation help.
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by btwyx
There's also a Word Doc "Credit Card Purchase Agreement" in the file "hd-dvr250 letter 022804.doc".
(I can read Word docs, but it might cause some people some problems.)
i had a word doc attached as well.. but it was just a copy of the invoice. it had no sort of agreement inside. i already pay the $4.99 dvr fee to D* b/c of my 2 DVR40s, so maybe its only for those new to the DVR program?
Posted by: rvaniwaa
quote:
Originally posted by MCodanti
I am interested in the text of the email Robert sent out just to see what is going on, anybody willing to post it?
I don't see anything in the letter that Robert would not want out in the open so, here it is:
Removed as per Robert's request
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
I have responded to all of your PM very promptly.
for the record... i sent you a PM 10 days ago on 2/19 and i haven't recieved a response... hopefully you just overlooked it.
Posted by: DTV TiVo Dealer
quote:
Originally posted by Todd
Hi Robert,
I received your e-mail....2 quick questions:
1) Can I fill out and sign the forms and send them back to you via e-mail as PDFs? I'd rather not fax to a long-distance number from work.
2) I already filled out and sent back to you the DirecTV form a few weeks ago. Do I need to fill it out again?
Thanks!
1. Yes.
2. O.K., no need to send me another DIRECTV activation agreement.
Please do not post my email. Almost all advance-order members will get the email by the end of today and everyone will get one by tomorrow late afternoon and contact me via a PM, email of by phone if you do not get one or have any questions or comments. The email process is slow because my mail server only permits me to send a small amount of bcc's per email. So for now I'm back to my email cut and paste project.
Posted by: steel6
Robert,
Rather than being bombarded by 350+ PMs is there a way that we could all find out where we sit in the pre-order list?
V/R
Stuart
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by rvaniwaa
[B]I don't see anything in the letter that Robert would not want out in the open so, here it is:
edited by the-sloth per request of Robert
i sure hope that isn't what i'm waiting on... all of the info in this post could have been found by following this thread. i want to know where i stand and i don't think that is much to ask.
Posted by: btwyx
quote:
Originally posted by the-sloth
i had a word doc attached as well.. but it was just a copy of the invoice.
I didn't get that, I got the email, the attached cradit card authorisation, an attachment with the text of the email and the PDF of the D* agreement.
Posted by: midas
I think all the people that are upset with the way this is being handled should cancel their orders...
especially the ones that are ahead of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll start to worry about it when either I hear other people that ordered after I did getting theirs before I do or when they start showing up in local stores. Until then it's much ado about nothing.
Posted by: Kamakzie
Exactly!
quote:
Originally posted by midas
I think all the people that are upset with the way this is being handled should cancel their orders...
especially the ones that are ahead of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll start to worry about it when either I hear other people that ordered after I did getting theirs before I do or when they start showing up in local stores. Until then it's much ado about nothing.
Posted by: DTV TiVo Dealer
It' far too much work to put each persons position on the emails we're sending. All orders will be shipped according to the date/time they came in. When we receive our first HR10-250 it goes to the first person who pre-ordered it and so on. If your number 190 on the list and we receive 189 pieces your order will ship with the following allocation. I can't predict exactly when Hughes will ship each allocation or how many will pass QC.
Posted by: the-sloth
i sure hope you two (midas & kamakzie) are being sarcastic b/c i don't think im being unreasonable by asking for my place in line.. especially considering when i placed my order over the phone i was told i would be in the first allotment, and then to only later when reading every single page of this thread find out the cut off date for the first shipment was nearly 2 weeks prior to my salesperson telling me i would be in if i ordered now.
btw.. i don't expect VE to give me a date.... just what place i am in line.
Posted by: midas
Sarcastic? Me? NEVER!!!
Nope, I just want people in front of me in line to cancel so I can move up. Is that too much to ask?
Posted by: SocalDave
Do exisiting DirecTV customers have to sign another 1 year agreement to receive the box? Why? I'm not getting any kind of discount on the box (except for the one VE is giving in return for the deposit). I don't remember agreeing to this stipulation when I gave my deposit. Usually I'll only sign another 1 year if I get something in return (credits or free channels, etc.) ..
~Dave
Posted by: Kamakzie
SocalDave, I believe activating ANY new box requires a new one year commitment through any retailer.
Posted by: Robert Crawford
quote:
1.Complete and fax back to us the attached DIRECTV activation agreement.
2.Complete and fax back the attached word document.
Robert,
Are these documents attached to the email you're sending? If not, I never received them. I'm not in the first 350, but I want to make sure I give you the required information back so there is no holdup once my order is ready to ship in the next couple of months.
Posted by: jrosen1040
quote:
Anyone know another place pre-selling these? Or, has anyone done business with this guy before to know he's on the level and reputable?
I had one experience with Value Electronics prior to placing my advance order. I needed an upgrade to my Direcway 2-way satallite dish to get the Directv HD Satellite (Sat-C).
Neither Directv nor the folks at Direcway could tell me what was needed. Robert at VE agreed to do the research and called me long-distance several times during the process. He did this with no guarantee that I would ever actually buy anything from him (and I was not an established customer).
When I eventually did get the dish upgrade from him, he also took time to speak to the installer while he was at my home to answer his questions about installation.
After this experience, I ordered my HD Tivo from him with great confidence. I don't think he has done anything to justify having his integrity questioned as a couple of messages in this forum have done. He has said orders would be filled in the order received and I trust they will be.
Sure, I would like to know exactly what position I'm in, but nothing will change as a result of having that number. I will get my HD Tivo from him sooner than I can get from anywhere else (or, if not, I can cancel my order). What can be more fair?
Posted by: maharg18
quote:
Originally posted by SocalDave
Do exisiting DirecTV customers have to sign another 1 year agreement to receive the box? Why? I'm not getting any kind of discount on the box (except for the one VE is giving in return for the deposit). I don't remember agreeing to this stipulation when I gave my deposit. Usually I'll only sign another 1 year if I get something in return (credits or free channels, etc.) ..
~Dave
Every Directv box you buy requires a 1 year commitment, no matter where you buy it from. You are indeed getting a discount on the box from Directv.. Without that discount, you would be paying well over $1000.
Posted by: jrock
I agree with jrosen1040, I have never heard anything negative on the Forum about Robert and only good posts about buying from VE. We are all just getting to eager for it to arrive and are getting a little carried away. We just need to be patient one more month.
-Joe
Posted by: jjmpeters
Is the order number 5 digit or 6 digit? The email I got had a 1 as the first character in the line immediately after the order #. Just wanted to make sure a carriage return wasn't inserted by mistake splitting my order #.
Order ID: 12XXX
1---------------------------------
Product Code :HD-DVR250 $100. discount
I don't want ANYTHING to delay me getting this bad boy!
Thx.
John
Posted by: Kamakzie
My order # is 5 digits, hope that helps! First 2 digits are 12
Posted by: Culverinc
Robert,
Is the address they're looking for on the DirecTV Programming Agreement going to be my service address or mailing address?
Thanks, Dennis
Posted by: DTV TiVo Dealer
Your service address.
Posted by: JohnA
Thanks Robert for keeping us all posted on the status. I salute you for the efforts you are making. For those of you that are whining about order #'s etc. Why don't you just cancel and go down to your local Best Buy, you will being doing all of us a favor.
Posted by: AV8NDV8
So if I "llve" in Denver but want the box shipped to Albq, I should put the Denver address (if I can find it)?
Posted by: dnhawley
I canceled my order for the HD 250 by phone and was told that it was canceled. My question is will I receive my $100.00 back. My order # was 12847 and I placed my order on Jan 19. I have decided to go with Time Warner cable.
Posted by: Kamakzie
I think it said the $100 deposit was non-refundable. It said that right on the site.
Posted by: btwyx
Its defintaly been stated that the deposit is non-refundable, unless you can get it somewhere else sooner. You'd be better off selling your place in line, I'm sure we could make a market for it. Either that or get the thing and sell it on ebay (if you can work out the commitment thing.)
Posted by: LarryInAz
quote:
Originally posted by Kamakzie
My order # is 5 digits, hope that helps! First 2 digits are 12
I wonder if the order numbers are sequential? Maybe Robert could post what order numbers fall in place to when ordered i.e. First 100 orders # 12600-12699, 2nd 100 orders # 12700-12799 etc.
It would probably eliminate a bunch of "Where am I on the list" posts.
Just my .02 cents... ;)
Posted by: PJO1966
I believe Robert had mentioned earlier in this thread (and it would make sense) that there are other people ordering from his site besides us. There would not be a sequential list of order numbers just for those people who have pre-ordered HD TiVo.
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by JohnA
Why don't you just cancel and go down to your local Best Buy, you will being doing all of us a favor.
sit back, relax, and don't bother yourself with what i do or don't do. if i want to go to BB or CC and buy this thing when it hits the shelfs i sure as heck don't need your permission to do so.
Posted by: LarryInAz
quote:
Originally posted by PJO1966
I believe Robert had mentioned earlier in this thread (and it would make sense) that there are other people ordering from his site besides us. There would not be a sequential list of order numbers just for those people who have pre-ordered HD TiVo.
If that's the case the same thing could be done by posting the order date/time. i.e. first 100 orders posted before January ??, before 11:01pm 2nd 100 orders between January ?? and ?? before 12:14pm, etc.
Posted by: tarmack
Maybe we could just find out for ourselves....the lowest order number I have seen posted in this thread....and that was by going back to Page 30 or so was order number 12822.
My order number is 13113 and I ordered on January 27th.....so if anyone has a number lower than the lucky guy with 12822....perhaps you could post your number and then we could do a bit of this "ciphering" ourselves?
Tarmack
Posted by: JohnA
I have order #1280#. Maybe I am in good standing for first shipment!
Posted by: bpdp379
#12938 01/21/2004 1331 hrs.
I ordered as a member of AVSforum
Posted by: Gromit
From my order confirmation e-mail:
Time of Order: 1/17/2004 11:40:25 AM
Order ID: 1264#
Slightly off topic: Doesn't someone make software that allows you to fax from your computer using your internet connection? I send 1 or 2 faxes per year from my house and I always have to find the fax software, hook up a modem, etc.
Posted by: Todd
Yeh, but I ordered on 1/17 and my order # is 53566. I don't think you can go by the order #...
Posted by: SocalDave
quote:
Originally posted by btwyx
Its defintaly been stated that the deposit is non-refundable, unless you can get it somewhere else sooner. You'd be better off selling your place in line, I'm sure we could make a market for it. Either that or get the thing and sell it on ebay (if you can work out the commitment thing.)
Hmm.. Interesting.. I don't read it that way, I didn't see anywhere on the page that it said the deposit is non-refundable.. I see "all orders are final".. BUT if he called and cancelled the order and VE let him so do, I believe it is their responsibility to return the deposit. If VE said "sorry, all sales are final, you can't cancel your order", then I would agree he wouldn't get his deposit back.
Posted by: Y0SHI
Time of Order: 1/21/2004 9:54:15 AM
Order ID: 1293#
Posted by: bigcb37
Time of Order: 1/16/2004 6:58:05 PM
Order ID: 1258#
Posted by: Cajonkev
>Hmm.. Interesting.. I don't read it that way, I didn't see anywhere on the page that it said the deposit is non-refundable.. I see "all orders are final".. BUT if he called and cancelled the order and VE let him so do, I believe it is their responsibility to return the deposit. If VE said "sorry, all sales are final, you can't cancel your order", then I would agree he wouldn't get his deposit back.<
Well since the original post said the order had been confirmed canceled by VE the only question left really is the deposit. I also recall the non-refund statement and have posted it from the VE pre-order page here. Ultimately it is up to Robert and his staff and perhaps an exception managment decision will apply. Regardless, this is more a PM issue to send to Robert for his disposition and the rest of us can just sit and speculate while we watch the calendar s l o w l y move towards April.
From the VE site - 5. All orders are final and I will refund 100% of the money, upon request, only if you can purchase the HD-DVR250 anywhere else sooner than I can ship.
Posted by: DavidAsher
From (much) earlier in this thread:
quote:
Posted by DTV TiVo Dealer on 01-18-2004 04:51 PM:
1.) A. Yes, I am being conservative. Hughes executives have repeatedly told me that they will ship by March 26, 2004. However, I have been closely involved with many high tech new product launches and more often than not we experience delays. In this case I do think Hughes will be on-time.
B. The product ships from Mexico and most GG's are located in Southern CA. I think they go to a GG warehouse for re-shipment to the stores, like BB and CC does, which will delay the arrival in the stores. GG's might have a little advantage by being located close to the manufacturing facility.
2. Moments ago we reached 200. 4:47 PM EST.
3. Just 73 days to go and counting!
I do prefer to deliver early or timely, vs. make optimistic promises and worry about coming up a little short.
__________________
Advanced Digital Technology Dealer
So, 200 was reached 1/18/2004 @ 4:47PM EST
My order confirmation:
Time of Order: 1/17/2004 8:47:17 PM
Order ID: 1269x
Posted by: Jim Skripchuk
God, we must be bored :D
Okay my order number is 1282# placed at 1/19/2004 1:56:21 PM
Posted by: Kamakzie
Time of Order: 1/17/2004 8:09:41 PM
Order ID: 1268#
Posted by: midas
That's great. I see 3 or 4 order numbers lower than mine. A few phone calls to cancel those orders and I just moved my self up a few spots. :up:
My order was about 2 hours after Kamakzie and my order number is about 10 higher.
Posted by: Kamakzie
midas, good idea I am editing the last digit. :)
Posted by: steel6
So in theory with the following order number I am in the under 200 group?
Time of Order: 1/17/2004 9:56:20 AM
Order ID: 1263#
Posted by: Cajonkev
quote:
Originally posted by Todd
Yeh, but I ordered on 1/17 and my order # is 53566. I don't think you can go by the order #...
I must be going nuts to jump into this vicious cycle as well! I can only imagine how crazy this is going to be by mid-March. Then it will shift to the "there's only "n" days left" to "I heard the truck got a flat on I-10 in El Paso, does that mean mine will be late"...
In any case, Robert mentioned in a much earlier post I believe that he was taking orders in various databases so I imagine it will be hard to match simply by order #. For one, there's the assumption that all these numbers are generated purely for the pre-order and that is not logical. VE takes many more orders for standard goods than just this one pre-order item. So the order count would be seriously skewed.
Secondly and more directly to the point. As quoted above by Todd, I also have an order number starting with 53XXX. Now I will caveat this by noting that I "know" I am not in the first group. my order was from the beginning of Feb. However I also placed mine via phone and had additional items ordered as well. I would therefore speculate as to whether the on-line ordering and phone ordering systems use different numbering schemes.
Maybe we can take a collection and send Robert a nice gift basket to A) thank him for giving up his weekend to send out these e-mails (as promised). And B) to give up his sleep this week to give everyone their place in line.
I wonder if he knew just how many of us were circling the waters when he "chummed" them with his "generous" marketing plan on this pre-order...:) The feeding frenzy is definetely on...
Posted by: mknoebel
quote:
Originally posted by DavidAsher
From (much) earlier in this thread:
So, 200 was reached 1/18/2004 @ 4:47PM EST
Whew. I got in on 1/18/04 at 3:45PM EST. Talk about cutting it close!
:eek: :cool:
Posted by: BillF
OK, I'll bite. Order #12687, Time of Order: 1/17/2004 6:29:03 PM. Or should I make it Order #126XX or 1268X? Maybe I'll get it sooner if I do?
Posted by: dmaneyapanda
sweet god, people here are nuts.
Robert and VE have been nothing but helpful in the past (my brother ordered a system through them and had some installation problems which Robert cleared up right away).
Stopping giving the guy a hard time for giving us a special deal. Bombarding him with questions and getting skeeved if he doesn't answer right away (or the way you want, or at all) just makes it less likely he'll ever run such a deal again.
this reminds me of some of the trials and tribulations when TiVo ageed to roll out the "new" software to forum members first. never before have i seen such a wave of petty backbiting about why i didn't get it yet. and sure enough, they never did it again, either.
bottom line - let's act like adults! if you have a gripe, PM robert. he's awesome once you're talking to him directly.
Posted by: dswallow
Well, I ordered mine and reported it on page 1 of this thread. My order # is almost 200 less than anyone else's posted so far (in the 124xx range).
I think the only way Robert's gonna get this thread to pause for a moment is to tell everyone exactly where they are on the list as in giving a sequential order # representing which unit you're gonna get (i.e; 56th unit that arrives), etc.
And at some point he's basically going to know that anyway, since he'll have to have a stack of shipping labels and info about credit cards to charge.
But I'm not worried about my order. It's quite likely in the low double-digits. :D
Posted by: LarryInAz
quote:
Originally posted by dswallow
Well, I ordered mine and reported it on page 1 of this thread. My order # is almost 200 less than anyone else's posted so far (in the 124xx range).
Doug,
I agree with everything you said.
However I'm curious if you can tell me the date/time you placed your order. ;)
Posted by: PJO1966
Time of Order: 1/16/2004 2:52:53 PM
Order Type: Email
Order ID: 125xx
Posted by: dswallow
quote:
Originally posted by LarryInAz
Doug,
I agree with everything you said.
However I'm curious if you can tell me the date/time you placed your order. ;)
1/16/2004 12:39:52 PM
Posted by: AbMagFab
Time of Order: 1/16/2004 3:19:29 PM
Order Type: Email
Order ID: 125xx (early 500's)
According to this thread, I'm one of the lowest (which would coincide with the hit count on the page when I ordered, as well as the post from Robert when he said he hit 200).
However, when he PM'd me (once, no matter what he said above), he told me definitively that I *wasn't* in the first batch. Strange that he knew that so quickly, but suddenly can't come up with our sequence? Huh...
This is rediculous. If he's able to e-mail everyone, he can tell you where you are in line. He has a complete list, with order dates and times. Just tell me if I'm #100, #175, or whatever.
The only reason not to tell people this is because you're gaming something. Here's now what I/we know:
1) I placed my order on-line, with a low page hit count (<200)
2) My order was placed well before Robert said he hit the 200 count
3) Robert PM'd me a couple days ago telling me I'm *not* in the first batch, contradicting himself
4) After multiple posts from Robert, he has yet to actually tell people what's going on and where they stand.
So he now has 200-500 (or more) deposits of $100, so that's potentially $50,000 or more? If this is a scam in any way (and I'm not saying it is), that's getting into some bad territory isn't it?
He says you can only cancel and get your money back if you can get it sooner or cheaper. However, he's not even telling us where we are in line, so how do we know if we can get it sooner? That smells like a bait and switch, or false advertising, or any number of other scam methods (to me, not that he's actually doing that).
This is looking increasingly like a scam (to me). I'd strongly suggest Robert allow people to cancel with a full refund, or tell them their place in line immediately. He clearly has this information readily available.
Posted by: dswallow
You'll know you can get it sooner when you can get it somewhere but your order from him hasn't yet shipped. Is that so difficult? :)
The terms don't allow for comparing promises, only for comparing reality of getting one from somewhere.
Posted by: maharg18
AbMagFab, I'm curious if you think that if you had preordered this thing at Good Guy's, etc, if they would have given you such detailed information such as your place in line, late-breaking manufacturing updates, etc.. It seems as if most places that allow preorders pretty much tell you to expect your item when you see it. I think that Robert has been very generous with his time concerning this preorder, and I would think that you've been here long enough to know of Value Electronics' superior reputation.
Stooping to the level of calling this a "scam", "bait and switch", and "false advertising" is a little rediculous. It's not like he took our money and ran. He's at this forum every day of the week answering questions in this very thread.
Posted by: midas
I also think there might be a reading comprehension problem here. Originally the first batch was assumed to be 350 units. According to the email posted, the first batch even manufactured will only be 200 units. Now, Robert said he expects to get a "lions share" of the first 4 weekly allocations. But even if he got half of them, that means the original 350 first batch is now down to 100. Unfortunately the production schedule is not something Robert is in control of.
Posted by: Todd
Good grief....would you all give Robert a break here?? You'll get it as soon as he can get it to you. I have seen no evidence whatsoever that he's not being totally honest with us. He has bent over backwards to give us TC members a leg up on everyone else. He didn't have to do this nor did he have to give us a discount. You're more than welcome to try buying it from BB or CC or wherever, but don't come crying to us if you don't get it as early as the rest of us!
:rolleyes:
Posted by: DTV TiVo Dealer
I also agree, listen, things move fast on the forum and in an effort to respond quickly I put together an email package, together with one other colleague. We worked extremely long hours since Saturday, early AM to deliver the package of the status of this product as well as processing information needed to complete your orders. I'll email each one of you your exact position when I receive your two agreements.
Posted by: Kamakzie
So fax that stuff in people. I did this morning so it will help you figure out where you are in line.
Posted by: joegolf68
Thank you Robert. I want to buy from Robert!!! that said though, when I called the company as I was placing my online order, the salesperson was very ambiguous and ever so slightly misleading as to how many orders were taken and my place in line. I ordered about two weeks ago and knew from the posts here that I might not be in the first group. So, I PM's Robert with my concern about the particular salesperson possibly misleading me as a sales tactic. I immediately got a response from Robert. His reply was professional and caring and letting me know that he would resolve the issue with the salesperson so know one else would get the runaround. I thought Robert's response was terrific! Thank you Robert!
That being said, I have not received an email with my spot in the pecking order, nor did I ever anticipate this service. Robert gave us a great deal with the pre-order.
Now, with all that being said, I am one that likes to cover my bases. I have had bad luck in past orders from companies, nothing related to anything here. I am just the guy who gets bad luck at times and do not like being last man out. So, I took out a small insurance policy and placed another order with the Good Guys. If the Good Guys comes through much quicker than Robert, I will buy from them instead of waiting the extra extended delay. This is not to slam Robert or going behind his back, simply a personal business decision. I did read that I would get a refund under these circumstances, so I am not worried. If Robert can deliver at the same time or sooner, I will go with Robert and the Good Guys will refund my deposit. Note too that the Good Guys required a 50% deposit on this item. The salesperson was surprised as he said it is usually only 10%. With the Good Guys I will have to pay CA tax but if I get a dead machine, I have a brick and mortar right there. Both options work well, however, I do feel a loyalty to Robert for such a great offer he has extended and his personal service to myself.
Bottom line... I won't jump on Robert's back as I see he has done nothing but a favor to all of us. Oh, Order ID 1347X
Joe
Posted by: Bryan Lyle
Has everyone received these email messages?
I preordered on 1/16 and haven't received any emails from Value Electronics in the past few days..
Thanks!
Posted by: btwyx
I'm still the earliest order anyone's admitted to. The web site was less than 75 hits at the time, and somewhere they say they used 50 in testing. So I'm still hoping to get one of the first shipment.
Time of Order: 1/16/2004 10:51:25 AM
Order ID: 1248x
Posted by: Kamakzie
We shall find out soon our place in line very soon I am sure.... Can't wait :)
Posted by: AbMagFab
Again, inconsistency at best, fishiness (or something else) at worst:
quote:
Also, although I do need the 2 forms returned before we ship you order, forms delayed will not effect your ship date. Of course, unless you do not return both forms before we start shipping. We are strictly going by your pre-order date. The amount of deposit, who you are or how fast you return your 2 forms has no bearing on when you will be shipped.
quote:
I'll email each one of you your exact position when I receive your two agreements.
So I ask you again, why aren't you telling us *now* what our order sequence is? I'm reluctant to commit to you until you fess up where I am on the list? You've said once I'm in the first 200, a second time I'm not. According to the numbers, I should be well within the first 200, but for some reason you don't want to let people know. Unless you're going by something other than the order date/time (like who pays more for shipping, who knows whom, etc.).
Can you explain why? You've managed to pull all the orders together to e-mail people, so you know who everyone is, and you know when they ordered.
Can you at least explain why you've again posted a big inconsistency? First you say you don't need to forms back until shipping and it won't effect our sequence, then you say we won't learn our sequence until we send you back the forms?
Not a great way to get business or positive word of mouth. You could stop all this instantly if you'd just let people know what number they are, and quit this gaming.
Posted by: Kamakzie
Geesh dude, I understand you want to know but for crying out loud can some of you guys quit attacking Robert. You are acting like he is a fly by night operation. Tivocommunity would not have him as a sponsor if he was a thief!
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
I'll email each one of you your exact position when I receive your two agreements.
i have posted on here and i sent you a PM today (actually i sent you three, but one of them was specifically about this). i did not recieve two forms to fill out and return. the only form i got was the DTV agreement which was a PDF.. the other form was a doc file which was just a copy of my invoice. the email and/or doc said nothing about signing anything other than the DTV agreement... can you please let me know what i need to do?
in the case that you either didn't get it or lost it i'll resend.
Posted by: compuz1
quote:
POSTED BY: AbMagFab
According to this thread, I'm one of the lowest (which would coincide with the hit count on the page when I ordered, as well as the post from Robert when he said he hit 200).
However, when he PM'd me (once, no matter what he said above), he told me definitively that I *wasn't* in the first batch. Strange that he knew that so quickly, but suddenly can't come up with our sequence? Huh...
This is rediculous. If he's able to e-mail everyone, he can tell you where you are in line. He has a complete list, with order dates and times. Just tell me if I'm #100, #175, or whatever.
You seriously have to chill out. Robert has spent HIS SUNDAY doing this work for us. He is giving us a HUGE DISCOUNT which the crap chain stores wouldn't even think about. He obviously works hard, and a lot of people have been beating the S*** out of him over things THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. I have only been a member of this forum for a few months, but this is really petty bull****. You are especially ungrateful. The man has provided us with a discount and you and others attack him! If I were him I would never do this favor for us again!
quote:
So he now has 200-500 (or more) deposits of $100, so that's potentially $50,000 or more? If this is a scam in any way (and I'm not saying it is), that's getting into some bad territory isn't it?
He says you can only cancel and get your money back if you can get it sooner or cheaper. However, he's not even telling us where we are in line, so how do we know if we can get it sooner? That smells like a bait and switch, or false advertising, or any number of other scam methods (to me, not that he's actually doing that).
This is looking increasingly like a scam (to me). I'd strongly suggest Robert allow people to cancel with a full refund, or tell them their place in line immediately. He clearly has this information readily available. [/B]
The fact that you would even suggest this is deplorable. He has a good reputation which would be severely tarnished if he didn't deliver. You really should be ashamed of yourself for making such false accusations!
I want to take this opportunity to thank Robert. I know there is no way that I could buy 3 HDTiVos from the chain stores any time before the end of the summer. He has a future customer here!
Posted by: maharg18
quote:
Originally posted by Kamakzie
Geesh dude, I understand you want to know but for crying out loud can some of you guys quit attacking Robert. You are acting like he is a fly by night operation. Tivocommunity would not have him as a sponsor if he was a thief!
I agree 100%... Robert, don't let these complainers get to you!
(Now I remember why I got out of retail!!)
Posted by: the-sloth
robert.... tried to resend that PM but your box is full. can you PM me an email address so i can get you this info.
Posted by: buzzword
All you people bitching and moaning at Robert need to seriously get a life, you sound like desperate shut-ins with nothing to live for but freakin' TV.
WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A CURE FOR CANCER, whether you receive it the first week or the second week is NOT a matter of life or death, and by receiving it the first week the only people you will be impressing are the other shallow losers like yourself who care about such things.
If I were Robert I'd cancel your orders simply to be done with your whining once and for all. Who needs to put up with this crap? It is EXTREMELY rude behavior to exhibit to someone who by all apearences has been bending over backwards to answer you weasels. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished. Quite frankly it's becoming embarassing to even be associated with this forum.
If you are not happy with the service received thus far, cancel your order and see if you can do better somewhere else but give the rest of us a break for cryin' out loud.
Posted by: LarryInAz
quote:
Originally posted by the-sloth
robert.... tried to resend that PM but your box is full. can you PM me an email address so i can get you this info.
You could always write Robert at rzohn@valueelectronics.com or sales@valueelectronics.com and he'll he get it. Do please be patient though, afterall this is Sunday, he's on the forum on his own personal time.
Posted by: Todd
WHY is it that there's always a few people out there who have to try to ruin it for the rest of us??!! Give it a rest! Geez....
Posted by: Robert Crawford
quote:
Originally posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
I'll email each one of you your exact position when I receive your two agreements.
Robert,
Again, I never received the two agreements to complete, can you please advise me on how I can obtain them so I can return them to you.
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by LarryInAz
You could always write Robert at rzohn@valueelectronics.com or sales@valueelectronics.com and he'll he get it. Do please be patient though, afterall this is Sunday, he's on the forum on his own personal time.
Thanks, I shot him an email. The reason i was concerned about him not replying was because we were trading PMs back and forth earlier today and he replied to all except for that particular one. I just want to make sure everything is in order.
Posted by: LarryInAz
Robert,
Might I suggest maybe putting the 3 attachments [2 *.DOC files and 1 *.PDF] on a page that people can download and deal with appropriately. Only AVS/TC members will have access to the page in the same manner as the banner ad you have.
This would save you time as well as save the grief of folks that might be having their email with attachments being handled by spam, virus checkers.
Again thanks for all your help in the past - it's always a pleasure doing business with you.
Larry
Posted by: DavidAsher
After spending the last 24-48hrs trying to appease us, he's probably given up until tomorrow. He certainly has a right to.
Sadly, someone will probably use it as evidence he's trying to put one over on all of us.
Sigh.
Posted by: buzzword
Further to my previous post...(I'm still angry!)
It's one thing to post dates and order id's and engage it a little fun speculation amongst ourselves as to who might be first in the queue,
but completely another to ask someone to send out 350 personalized email simply to satisfy your curiousity and then to harass them and engage in character assasination and slander because they're not aswering you FAST ENOUGH.
If it were up to me AbMagFab, I'd boot your a** off the forum.
That's all I have to say on the matter.
Posted by: chriscic
Originally posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
Hughes is in the business of delivering these units and senior management told me that in the first production, they can build as many HD-DVR250's as they have orders for.
______________________________________________
Gee, what happened to that? I thought it sounded like baloney that "they can build as many as they have orders for" when I first read it last month. Now, they're going to be in extremely short supply until Q4?
Not ripping on Robert here, but I don't understand what happened with DirecTV "taking over the product" and how they're now going to trickle them out when it initially was supposed to be a flood. Maybe someone can enlighten me?
That said, this is totally normal for a major new tech product intro. Always over-promises, always late; that's par for the course unfortunately.
Posted by: Kamakzie
It's called supply and demand. Apparently there is probably more demand then supply right at the start.
Posted by: Will-san
I can't beleive Robert is taking as much time to thoughtfully reply as he is. If I were he, I would send out a blanket email saying end of april for everybody and then excede expectations by shiping a few early.
Just for fun:
1258x ordered 1/16
Posted by: DTV TiVo Dealer
I will contact each one of you with your exact position numbers tomorrow afternoon as I don't have the consolidated order file with me at home.
Posted by: neilaevans
Robert,
Thank you for the extraordinary effort you are putting in to this. It really is appreciated by the vast majority of us here on the board. And as for the others who are a little less appreciative...please let us know if you need help figuring out how to use the "ignore" function on the forum ;)
Posted by: Kamakzie
Robert,
Indeed thanks for all the time and effort. I appreciate it!
Posted by: wmillik
Thank you Robert. Half the fun was speculating on my place in the queue. Now I'll have to get a life.
I appreciate you putting up with those of us on the bleeding edge. We want to be first and then we blame the messager if we are not "firster" than others.
Walt
1/17/2004 4:22:00 AM
Posted by: K-bueno
Robert: Thank-you for the effort to appease everyone. Some people need to learn how to have more patience.
Posted by: Todd
quote:
Originally posted by neilaevans
... And as for the others who are a little less appreciative...please let us know if you need help figuring out how to use the "ignore" function on the forum ;)
Hopefully Robert is using the Ignore function for a few people! :D
Posted by: tomr
quote:
Originally posted by LarryInAz
afterall this is Sunday, he's on the forum on his own personal time.
There's no such thing as personal time when you own your own business :D . I speak from experience.
Posted by: haggis444
Robert,
I am new to the Tivolution and this forum, and I can tell you that I wouldn't have pre-ordered from you if it wasn't for your reputation and participation on this forum. Just wanted to let you know that your extra efforts are paying off. Thanks!
Posted by: auee
quote:
Originally posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
1. On the Sales agreement answer, "existing" if you have DIRECTV service or "new" if you do not have DIRECTV service yet, so we can ship the free triple LNB dish and order your free installation.
I already have DIRECTV service, but I need a triple LNB dish. I guess that means I'll have to buy one. Any ideas on the cheapest place to get it?
Thanks!
Posted by: harambur
read it and weep boys:
Time of Order: 1/16/2004 1:07:21 PM
Order Type: Email
Order ID: 12500
This should put me in the frist 100 I hope?
Auee,
search for a thread here and at avsforum on how to get a 3lnb dish, hd receiver, and installation for only $99.
can't beat that with a stick.
Posted by: dlott
I just want to say thanks, Robert. You have gone above and beyond. Guess we are all getting like little boys waiting on that special present for Christmas :) The vast majority of us are super appreciative of all your efforts. Your the first place I think of for my electronic needs now. Thanks again.
Posted by: compuz1
quote:
Originally posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
I will contact each one of you with your exact position numbers tomorrow afternoon as I don't have the consolidated order file with me at home.
Robert,
I recently rewired and installed new TV's and sophisticated AV equipment throughout my home. I dealt with one of the so-called AV "pros" (Harvey Electronics - Custom Projects.) I have to tell you that the whole project was months overdue. On top of it with the exorbitant amount of money I spent, I received attitude and unreturned phone calls (and would laugh their a**es off if you told them to answer phones or emails on a Sunday). I have bought 3 HDTivos from you and I have received responses to emails within hours and responses to PM's within 30 mins. I have never been so wowed by a AV store as I am right now. Although some in this forum are demanding you stay up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year while fulfilling their bizarre requests (personalized emails?!?!), I am a satisfied customer. You are getting us top of the line technology at a substantial discount before the chain stores and other AV stores. I am speechless in regard to your patience and manner in which you deal to these replies! You are a #1 dealer in my book!
Posted by: harambur
okay, i give up.
how do i get to robert's site from here so i can order the square shooter and get 10 percent off?
he is not listed under the sponsor link.
thxs.
Posted by: LarryInAz
quote:
Originally posted by harambur
okay, i give up.
how do i get to robert's site from here so i can order the square shooter and get 10 percent off?
he is not listed under the sponsor link.
thxs.
Go here.
Posted by: harambur
okay thxs. so all I had to do was paste the url in the reply box and click on it so they will recognize it as coming from here?
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by auee
I already have DIRECTV service, but I need a triple LNB dish. I guess that means I'll have to buy one. Any ideas on the cheapest place to get it?
Thanks!
i was in the same boat... got one from VE for $89 (install is cake). they also hooked me up with a 5x8 multiswitch for a good price. they even shipped them immediately so that i could have them both installed when the HD DTivo got to me. top notch.
Posted by: chriscic
quote:
Originally posted by Kamakzie
It's called supply and demand. Apparently there is probably more demand then supply right at the start.
Kamakzie, your glib (and off-target) response almost inspired a colorful reply on my part, but hey, we're all friends here right? : )
The initial plan was to have the first production run meet demand for all preorders, and now they're only making 200 in the first run. How much demand were they expecting, 100 units?
I'm asking if anyone has any insight or speculation as to what changed. Why did DirecTV take over the units (whatever than means), and why would affect it supply?
Like I said, I'm not whining (always are delays) just curious if there are any explanations beside the typical over-promising BS (not by Robert but by Hughes).
Posted by: Kamakzie
No problem. I think when you wrote that it was right after some people were attacking Robert with some unkind remarks. So my response to you wasn't the greatest. I am guessing they probably want to send these out a little slower than previously thought. They probably want to avoid the disastrous 921 type problems. I believe the 921's are still "on-hold" after releasing them for a few weeks and discovering some crappy software problems. Dish Network with buggy software, who would of thunk it! :D
Posted by: AbMagFab
Amazing to me that you're all okay with this kind of customer relations. He's providing conflicting information, saying when the first 200 get cuts off (which I'm clearly in), then PM'ing me to tell me I'm *not* in the first 200, then saying he has no idea who is where.
The he says the forms returned won't effect your sequence, and follows it up saying you'll get your sequence after you submit the forms (which effectivly locks you in to ordering from him). (Also note this was the e-mail he said we'd all be very happy with - did I miss something?)
I'm shocked that any of you are okay with this kind of behavior from any shop. I've never ordered anywhere that can't tell you what # you are, especially after a 10% deposit. Of course they can't tell you how many they'll get in until they get them, but they can always tell you what # you are on the list.
The *only* reason I ordered from him was he promised to post when the first 200 were ordered, and he kept posting saying that # wasn't hit yet. So I ordered. Two days later he says the 200 are in.
*THEN* he tells me I'm not in the first 200! Then he says the deposit non-refundable unless you can get it sooner, but won't tell anyone where they actually are on the list, effectively nullifying that clause.
I can only assume the recent mass of defenders here are his friends (and as a result probably getting bumped to the front of the list! Not that I know if he's doing this at all.)
This isn't about getting it now (although that would be nice). It's about being misled by a retailer. It's about being told multiple conflicting things, reducing my confidence in that retailer.
Nice job. No more posts from me until he tells me my order number. Then we'll see how consistent he is, and take it from there. I don't care about a discount, but I'm not real tolerant of being screwed or misled by shops (and as of now we have all been *at best* misled).
(Now all friends of Robert, post away to get this post buried.)
Posted by: compuz1
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
I'm shocked that any of you are okay with this kind of behavior from any shop. I've never ordered anywhere that can't tell you what # you are, especially after a 10% deposit. Of course they can't tell you how many they'll get in until they get them, but they can always tell you what # you are on the list.
You really have to chill your sorry butt off. This is Sunday... A day where people rest (which you obviously are with your extensive time spent on this board.) The guy (who I don't know and am not getting "bumped up") is working hard to appease you. He's getting you your position on the list number (I hope you are last). If you don't believe me read below:
quote:
Originally posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
I will contact each one of you with your exact position numbers tomorrow afternoon as I don't have the consolidated order file with me at home.
Now take a Xanax, chill the heck out, and go to bed!
Posted by: Todd
Un-freakin-believable.... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Posted by: jrosen1040
quote:
*THEN* he tells me I'm not in the first 200! Then he says the deposit non-refundable unless you can get it sooner, but won't tell anyone where they actually are on the list, effectively nullifying that clause.
You seem to be making this up as you go. The ORIGINAL offer stated that the deposit was only refundable if you are able to obtain a unit before VE is able to ship your unit. This is item #5 of 10 on the original web page where the offer was posted.
How has he nullified this clause? How would knowing your position in line help you with this? Even if you had a promised ship date from another vendor, you would not be able to request a refund until you actually had a unit in-hand from them. The VE offer does not promise a refund based on simply having a promise from another dealer.
It is all quite simple, try to get a unit from another source, if you succeed before the unit ships from VE, you request a refund of your deposit. If you don't succeed, you keep the unit from VE when it arrives and thank them for the discount!
Is this concept that difficult to understand???
Posted by: Kamakzie
AbMagFab, I don't know Robert personally. I just went by the recommendations of others on this forum that did business with him in the past. He sold a lot of HDVR2's to members here on tivocommunity and AVSForum so he has a decent repore with people here. He is going to accomodate us tomorrow sometime with our exact position in the queue. So I think you might of just got upset over nothing. When you preorder things from most places they don't tell you where you are in line. They probably don't have the time to check for things like that. So Robert is going above and beyond for us so if you can hold out a little while longer he will get us the info we all want tomorrow.
Posted by: harambur
apparently we are all part of some vast HD Tivo conspiracy to part AB from his hard earned cash :D
after robert splits the 100 bucks with all of us, i can go buy some gum courtesy of AB. Thanks!!!!!!!
dude, chill. i have never bought from the guy, but you can see that he is trying hard to keep us informed. check around, he has a good reputation for going to extra mile to help not only existing customers, but potential ones as well.
Posted by: dswallow
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
Amazing to me that you're all okay with this kind of customer relations. He's providing conflicting information, saying when the first 200 get cuts off (which I'm clearly in), then PM'ing me to tell me I'm *not* in the first 200, then saying he has no idea who is where.
So it's not possible his PM to you is the problem... that he made a mistake, perhaps. And from that you've jumped off the deep end of the pool?
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
The he says the forms returned won't effect your sequence, and follows it up saying you'll get your sequence after you submit the forms (which effectivly locks you in to ordering from him). (Also note this was the e-mail he said we'd all be very happy with - did I miss something?)
The agreement on the order page clearly specified the terms, which have not changed since day 1, wherein the deposit is only refundable if he doesn't deliver an HDTiVo before you can get one elsewhere. One of the items you need to return is the standard DirecTV form you'd fill out in a store if buying any DirecTV receiver. The other is just a clarification of everything and a chance to update your shipping method. And he can't ship you the unit without the DirecTV form anyway, so it will affect your position. When he's got the first 200 units in and is shipping them to the first 200 orders, if one of those orders is lacking the DirecTV form, it won't ship, and that person probably is gonna lose their place in line if they've ignored the request for the form to be returned. You could be #205 right now, but come time to ship, you might be #195 because 10 people in the top 200 hadn't returned the completed form.
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
I'm shocked that any of you are okay with this kind of behavior from any shop. I've never ordered anywhere that can't tell you what # you are, especially after a 10% deposit. Of course they can't tell you how many they'll get in until they get them, but they can always tell you what # you are on the list.
And he's said he will. They get their orders from multiple order systems, so it's not as simple as you might think. I've never ordered a backordered item anywhere and been told anything but an expected ship date. In a handful of cases, such as from distributors with automated order systems, sometimes I can see the number that are backordered -- but even then that means nothing because there can be allocations involved there... with a maximum-per-company limit so many backorders might not actually ship before other backorders. In any event, he's said he will. What part of that don't you believe?
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
The *only* reason I ordered from him was he promised to post when the first 200 were ordered, and he kept posting saying that # wasn't hit yet. So I ordered. Two days later he says the 200 are in. *THEN* he tells me I'm not in the first 200!
Again, all possibly just a mistake in that one PM you're relying on -- sure, just conjecture on my part -- but so is most of your post.
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
Then he says the deposit non-refundable unless you can get it sooner, but won't tell anyone where they actually are on the list, effectively nullifying that clause.
Nothing changed; that deposit was always non-refundable unless he couldn't deliver before you could get delivery from someone else. Not telling you where you are on the list doesn't nullify anything. If you haven't been told by him your unit has shipped, and you can get another vendor to ship to you, then you can get your money refunded from him. Right now, nobody can ship you one, so you can't get a refund on your deposit. All this was explained on the web page you initated your order from. There have been no changes.
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
I can only assume the recent mass of defenders here are his friends (and as a result probably getting bumped to the front of the list! Not that I know if he's doing this at all.)
I don't know Robert from Adam; this is the first time I've bought from him. But I've certainly seen him around the forums following up on just about every inquiry or comment or complaint made about his company; so yeah, my positive opinion of his company is based on that "good service."
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
This isn't about getting it now (although that would be nice). It's about being misled by a retailer. It's about being told multiple conflicting things, reducing my confidence in that retailer.
Nice job. No more posts from me until he tells me my order number. Then we'll see how consistent he is, and take it from there. I don't care about a discount, but I'm not real tolerant of being screwed or misled by shops (and as of now we have all been *at best* misled).
There's exactly one conflicting thing... the date/time of your order, his post regarding reaching 200, then his PM response to your inquiry. And again, maybe there's a reason for this, and asking for it might be better than running your mouth off in public like you have been.
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
(Now all friends of Robert, post away to get this post buried.)
Whine away; that always helps get the best possible customer service. BTW, did you ever consider just calling them? If you're so worried about it that you can't leave it alone and have to post here, send PM's and complain over and over, are you concerned enough to pick up the phone and call and ask nicely, or do you just want to complain? Having second thoughts, just want your money back and pretend you never placed the order? Some sort of ulterior motive here?
Robert's gonna eventually come back to you, probably tomorrow, and very nicely respond to your question about what position of the queue you're in. And clarify whatever he PM'd you earlier. He's very likely gonna ignore all the nastiness and innuendo in your posts. Are you going to apologize for the tone of them then, and for doing so in public, or just puff out your chest and pretend that you HAD to do this in this manner to get any answers?
If I could vote on how Robert responds, I'd just have him refund your money, blacklist you from buying from him ever again, and let your slot go to someone who actually acts like a mature adult and reads the materials before agreeing to them and sending a deposit. Murphy's law almost guarantees the first unit you have shipped to you is gonna be DOA anyway, at this point. Whoever you get it from.
Posted by: tmf aficionado
quote:
ValueElectronics.com is the first company to take orders for the DIRECTV HD-DVR and our customers will be the first to receive these HD DVR~Rs. We made our offer exclusively to avs/TC members and still limit our offer to this select group of advanced users. We could have sold a high volume by making a public offering; and we could have taken orders at MSRP and made a significantly higher profit but our commitment to avs/TC members led us to provide every courtesy we could possibly extend. Here~Rs an update of the status of the HR10-250.
January 30, 2004, DIRECTV took over the HD DVR product. Many things changed regarding the distribution and delivery allocations. As of Monday February 23, 2004, I have been informed by DIRECTV that Hughes was scheduled to build 200 HR10-250's the week of March 22, 2004 and several hundred more each week thereafter. Hence, my original commitment of 300 to 350 units has been altered; they simply are not building to the original quantity on the first production run. However, the actual delivery date for the completion of the first 350 orders and including all advance orders is on target with the original time schedule.
Our company will get the lion~Rs share of the first 4 weekly allocations. This product will be in extremely limited allocation until the fourth quarter of 2004. All of you have a very significant priority in-hand delivery beyond all other customers.
Here~Rs some final housekeeping we need to complete for processing your advance order:
Complete and fax back to us the attached DIRECTV activation agreement
Complete and fax back the attached word document.
May I please also request for you to re-visit our site and select any item(s) you may be interested in with your additional courtesy 10% avs/TC discount. The shopping cart will not calculate your discount; but be assured we will deduct 10% off the total before charging.
We offer the highest rated accessories, like the Panamax MAX 8 DBS+5, which is a perfect match for your Dual Satellite Coax and Off-Air coax application. Terk 5x8 switches and Spaun cascadable switches with up to 16 outputs. Our Off-Air antennas and pre-amplifiers and mounts will add many more HD recordable channels to your system. Wireless phone jacks, the industry~Rs best and most popular remote control units and HD video/audio distribution switches are all available and priced right.
This letter does not guarantee exactly when you will receive your HR10-250 as the product has not yet shipped and new high technology products like this one can possibly be delayed.
Thank you all very much for your business and your patience while waiting for this very exciting product!
Regards,
Robert
This guy is clearly jerking us around. He is reserving the first ones for his buddies and screwing the rest of us. There is NO WAY they are scaling back production of the most anticipated product of 2004, sorry that is a boldfaced lie. Now after he has already charged my credit card he wants me to sign more contracts even though he lied about the delivery date? This is a scam folks. Plus he's got a lot of nerve sending documents in Word format, since most experienced computer users don't even run Windows. I had to boot up the laptop just to open the attachments. Then he tries to sell us more overinflated junk, which costs 1/4 as much on ebay, to add insult to injury. Yeah good idea, I'll pay extra for your legendary "service" buddy.
Mr. Robert if you're out there you need to sit down, read this thread, and take a couple pointers on how to provide decent customer service, because this isn't it. The least you should be doing at this point is giving us another $100 back for betraying our faith.
Thank you in advance for redeeming yourself to the people you misled.
Posted by: Kamakzie
Oh dear! :( How many people do you know that have 100-150 friends that would buy a $899 unit (if they did a $100 discount deal)? I know I do, NOT!!!!!!!! :mad:
Posted by: harambur
Wow. you guys are incredible. I guess we will never ever see a promotion like this again. I'm sure Robert doesn't need this grief.
Well if tmf and AB get together, you got the beginnings of a cult. good luck with it.
Posted by: K-bueno
tmf aficionado: I seriously doubt that Robert is setting aside the first units for his friends...he would be risking literally hundreds of thousands of potential money from this forum. I'm surprised at these attacks, does this forum have a moderator to help put these unsubstantiated rumors to rest???
Posted by: midas
quote:
Originally posted by tmf aficionado
This guy is clearly jerking us around. He is reserving the first ones for his buddies and screwing the rest of us. There is NO WAY they are scaling back production of the most anticipated product of 2004, sorry that is a boldfaced lie.
Please show us some proof of this. Or are you just making this up as you go along?
Posted by: Kamakzie
The ignore feature is really starting to look like a viable possibility.
Posted by: dswallow
quote:
Originally posted by tmf aficionado
This guy is clearly jerking us around. He is reserving the first ones for his buddies and screwing the rest of us. There is NO WAY they are scaling back production of the most anticipated product of 2004, sorry that is a boldfaced lie. Now after he has already charged my credit card he wants me to sign more contracts even though he lied about the delivery date? This is a scam folks. Plus he's got a lot of nerve sending documents in Word format, since most experienced computer users don't even run Windows. I had to boot up the laptop just to open the attachments. Then he tries to sell us more overinflated junk, which costs 1/4 as much on ebay, to add insult to injury. Yeah good idea, I'll pay extra for your legendary "service" buddy.
Mr. Robert if you're out there you need to sit down, read this thread, and take a couple pointers on how to provide decent customer service, because this isn't it. The least you should be doing at this point is giving us another $100 back for betraying our faith.
Thank you in advance for redeeming yourself to the people you misled.
I think the Word .DOC file attachments were wrong for him to send; they should've been PDF's or links to HTML pages that could be printed. Considering how he was trying to respond to concerns over the weekend, I can't see much reason to fault him for it yet.
There's nothing in the form he's asking to be signed that wasn't on the original page you "agreed to" when placing your order. Why so much anger? He's just trying to make sure you know what you agreed to already. because (obviously) some people didn't pay attention.
This is most certainly far from being any sort of scam. If Robert's guilty of anything, it's from over-estimating the intelligence of people ordering from him using the methods he set up to do so.
Re-read the info on the production schedule. We're at the first stage of the production cycle; we're getting them AS THEY ARE BEING MADE. And our original promised delivery date for the first 300-350 is STILL BEING MADE. What DirecTV is doing is getting the production line going a week earlier for a couple hundred units. That's no scaling back, but it is "more information than many people can properly digest." I guess some people don't understand that these units are manufactured and each takes a certain amount of time to make using existing facilities, and there's a maximum that can be made per day...
I sell t-shirts for an event every year, and sometimes take preorders for them. Every single page you go through placing those pre-orders there's clearly spelled out info that shipment won't occur immediately; and the date of first shipment is given. It's amazing how many people start complaining a week after they order when they've been told at least 4 times online during their order, and in their email confirmation, that it's a pre-order. So I fully understand what Robert is going through here. And just roll my eyes with each post here complaining about some of these clearly stated policies.
Posted by: llogan
I'd suggest it's worth taking some time, get to a few errands, spend some quality time with the loved ones and give Robert a few days to sort everything out. I mean it's not like this thing just shipped, we have some time before the **** hits the fan, right?
I too am very curious to find out exactly where I am in the lineup, didn't know about the paperwork but will soon find it and send it in.
Let's give Robert some time to sort things out, I think things are going ok so far. Let's not freak out until closer to time, if at all...lol
Posted by: tmf aficionado
quote:
Originally posted by midas
Please show us some proof of this. Or are you just making this up as you go along?
I have a better idea, maybe you can explain why Robert won't tell anybody where they're at on the waiting list.
A little transparency in the process would go a long way toward regaining our trust. Acting like he has something to hide (like a "flexible" waitlist) will not help.
Posted by: LarryInAz
Let's hope that neither AB or TMP get a bad unit. Lord knows it would be a conspiracy it that happened. :confused:
Posted by: jrosen1040
quote:
Now after he has already charged my credit card he wants me to sign more contracts even though he lied about the delivery date?
Original offer said 300 would be shipped by first week of April. He is still saying he expects this to happen. If he DOESN'T ship 300 by the first week of April, you might have a legitimate gripe. Until then, I don't know where the lie is.
quote:
Plus he's got a lot of nerve sending documents in Word format, since most experienced computer users don't even run Windows.
I would agree that using Word format wasn't a good choice. But every statistic I have seen on computer usage shows the overwelming majority of computer users (experienced or otherwise) DO run Windows.
quote:
Then he tries to sell us more overinflated junk, which costs 1/4 as much on ebay, to add insult to injury.
Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. If you don't think the discount being offered is a good deal, don't buy. Don't make it sound like he is committing a crime by making the offer. I doubt that you will find much of it selling for 1/4 as much on Ebay unless perhaps you are comparing new goods with used.
Posted by: captdusty
I've been a member over at AVS for some time now. I just joined this forum this week, having also pre-ordered the HDTivo from Value Electronics. If this is the general tenor of conversation around here, you can count me out.
Good luck, Robert. I look forward to receiving that unit whenever you are able to get it to me, and I thank you for the opportunity to be among the first few hundred of the thousands of people who will eventually own this thing.
Posted by: Kamakzie
Well maybe its because he actually has more important things to do then to hand hold us? So far in my years of ordering stuff he is the only one where I will know exactly where I stand in the queue. Wait, I think I did with Mark at Dish Depot also. However everywhere else I pre-ordered something with I never got that info. Possible a estimated ship date is all. He is going to help us figure out where we are in line tomorrow according to his post earlier today. Maybe we should wait untill then before resorting to mutiny!
quote:
Originally posted by tmf aficionado
I have a better idea, maybe you can explain why Robert won't tell anybody where they're at on the waiting list.
A little transparency in the process would go a long way toward regaining our trust. Acting like he has something to hide (like a "flexible" waitlist) will not help.
Posted by: midas
quote:
Originally posted by tmf aficionado
I have a better idea, maybe you can explain why Robert won't tell anybody where they're at on the waiting list.
A little transparency in the process would go a long way toward regaining our trust. Acting like he has something to hide (like a "flexible" waitlist) will not help.
No, you just called a man with a business a liar and a scam artist. I think you need to offer proof when making those kinds of accusations. If it were my business you just made those charges against I'd be talking to my lawyer first thing in the morning.
Posted by: jrosen1040
quote:
I have a better idea, maybe you can explain why Robert won't tell anybody where they're at on the waiting list.
I believe he has committed to do this. When he does, are you prepared to show proof for your claims?
Posted by: frankygamer
quote:
There is NO WAY they are scaling back production of the most anticipated product of 2004, sorry that is a boldfaced lie.
What is so surprising about this with DirecTV involved. How's HMO working on your DTivo? Tivo's had that ready forever and its still not available because DirecTV doesn't want to support it. Maybe they don't think they are ready to support a bunch of new HD receivers at once. Maybe there are part shortages. Ever think of that? Wake Up. New product = delays, get used to it.
Did any of you people bitching actually read the terms of the agreement before buying? Just curious.
Posted by: AV8NDV8
I'll chip in $10 towards getting you two idiot's money refunded, I'm sick of hearing it. You make us all look bad and I'm ashamed to be associated with either of you. If your allowance won't stretch that far, just be honest and say so.
And yes, the ignore button is looking better and better.
Posted by: tmf aficionado
quote:
Originally posted by jrosen1040
I believe he has committed to do this. When he does, are you prepared to show proof for your claims?
Let's just wait and see how many of the so-called "AVS/TC" preorders actually came from users here, and how many of them the "well connected" crowd will be hawking for $1500 on the street while the stores are sold out.
You guys are making this really difficult but I'm trying to keep an open mind here.
Posted by: Kamakzie
WE are making this difficult? You gotta be kidding!
Posted by: jrosen1040
quote:
Let's just wait and see how many of the so-called "AVS/TC" preorders actually came from users here, and how many of them the "well connected" crowd will be hawking for $1500 on the street while the stores are sold out.
tmf: Since you have avoided the question, I take it you are NOT going to provide any evidence to support your previous claims regarding the HDTIVO production schedule ?
Posted by: jb007
At this point, the main thing I would fault Robert for is not including the following phrase on the Value Electronics order form:
"WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE"
And you know who you are! :D
Posted by: Kamakzie
For all you naysayers here is a link to VE's BBB listing as you can plainly see they have only had one complaint which was RESOLVED! So those questioning this companies resolve should look at the facts!
Posted by: compuz1
quote:
Originally posted by tmf aficionado
Let's just wait and see how many of the so-called "AVS/TC" preorders actually came from users here, and how many of them the "well connected" crowd will be hawking for $1500 on the street while the stores are sold out.
You guys are making this really difficult but I'm trying to keep an open mind here.
I (we) are making nothing difficult. I am not "well connected", however I am sure that if I end up in the first 200 orders you are going to wig out and tell me that I've been bribing Robert or something. You and AB man or whatever his name is are a disgrace. In fact, you are probably the same user masquerading on different usernames. You are committing slander by spreading boldfaced lies in a public forum. In case you children don’t know slander is illegal. Getting your bloody HDTiVo are the least of your worries. If I were Robert, you would have already been served papers. He is obviously a more understanding businessman than I.
Posted by: dr_mal
Like most others on this thread, I don't know Robert, I'm not well connected (at least not for the purposes of this thread), and have nothing to gain from him by posting here. (I can't believe I even had to say that. This community is usually so much better behaved)
Thanks Robert, for going above and beyond. First with the $100 off preorder deal, then with the followup e-mails on the weekend, and finally for the e-mail I'm sure I'll receive tomorrow with my position in line. The rumours about the great service from Value Electronics are proving true.
I suppose there have to be a couple of whiners in every bunch, but know that the majority of us are more grown-up than that.
Posted by: tmf aficionado
Wow, I feel like I stepped onto the set of a Value Electronics infomercial. Sorry to interrupt the taping. :rolleyes:
I'm not sure why so many of you take this matter so personally (although I have my suspicions), but calling the customers "idiots" and "whiners" or repeatedly threatening to sue them for bringing up a legitimate service issue is unprofessional and childish at best.
Posted by: LarryInAz
Again TMF is making it up as he goes along - when you say "calling your customers idiots...", if you take the time to read any and every post from Robert he has nothing but a gentleman.
You have started the flaming here by making unfounded accusations.
Posted by: SocalDave
I guess the thing that 'irks' me is the non-refundable deposit issue in the first place. VE obviously has more orders than they can fill, why not let people change their mind (I know what I 'agreed' to, and will honor my end), they aren't going to lose any money over it, and will get to sell the unit to someone else for full price.
I preordered a month and a half ago (like most people) and in that time, my life has changed more than I planned on, and will probably change even more come April. Enough to the point where HDTivo is pretty much low on my list. It's why I was surprised by the 1 year commitment for a current subscriber as all the stipulation said you had to have a signed activation, which I currently have. I do not plan on making this an "additional" receiver, I plan on replacing one I already have, I am paying full MSRP (minus a discount that the retailer is offering me, not the brand). Right now, I have to decide between losing my $100 deposit or signing another 12 month agreement and possibly losing $150 for the cancellation. Who knows, maybe i can do that and make enough on eBay not to worry about it since I'm very early in the order list.
I am gracious that someone has spent the time and effort to make this preorder happen, but he's not doing it 'just for the customer' like everyone says. He is also doing it to make himself look good to DirecTv (like an auto dealer selling more cars for less makes him a better friend to the car manufacturer) and get more orders in the future. Speaking of Auto Dealers, I put down a $1000 deposit on a pre-ordered Nissan Z, one that was even custom built to my specs, and two weeks before it was to arrive, I had to cancel, the dealer didn't mind at all, he knew he could sell it, and gave me my $1000 back no questions asked. Guess what, when I was ready to actually buy a Z, I went back to that dealer because of how he treated me.
I could see Robert doing the same thing and making a bunch of people happier, the ones that want to cancel with no questions asked, and the ones that are higher up on the list that are patiently waiting. All the problems go away and I bet he still sells more than he can possibly handle for a while. But, ultimately that is his decision and I'll respect whichever direction he leads in.
On that note, what happens if someone doesn't return the paperwork (either because they didn't receive it, can't open it, just forgot or doesn't want to). Does their unit get placed on a shelf until everything is in order, or does it go to the next person in line (since you said delayed paperwork wont affect shipping order).
Actually, I think I just found a loophole. I just won't return my paperwork until I can find it elsewhere, then call and cancel to get my deposit back. I didn't agree that I'd actually buy it somewhere else, just that I "can purchase" it elsewhere and since VE can't ship until they get the paperwork, the 100% money back offer still stands. Just a thought for those that want their deposits back.
BTW, I'm not currently asking for my deposit back, but I do need to see if my life straightens itself out by April, so I won't be signing the 12 month agreement until the last minute.
~Dave
Posted by: buzzword
I think we can all do ourselves a big favor by simply ignoring the rants of what appears to be an ungrateful minority of *2* (by my count)
The last thing we need is a 300 message flame war over this. It appears there's no reasoning with them, so lets nip this in the bud right now.
<ignore on>
Posted by: neilaevans
Socal Dave,
Just wanted to point out that the 12 month commitment whenever you get a new receiver is DirecTV's policy, not VE's. Even if (like you, and like me) you are planning on getting rid of the old receiver, to my knowledge, ANY new receiver on your account requires a 1 year commitment. Whether you pay full MSRP or not has nothing to do with it because even at full MSRP all boxes are already subsidized by D* (at least that's what they claim).
Posted by: dswallow
quote:
Originally posted by tmf aficionado
Wow, I feel like I stepped onto the set of a Value Electronics infomercial. Sorry to interrupt the taping. :rolleyes:
I'm not sure why so many of you take this matter so personally (although I have my suspicions), but calling the customers "idiots" and "whiners" or repeatedly threatening to sue them for bringing up a legitimate service issue is unprofessional and childish at best.
Let's review your first post in this thread:
quote:
Originally posted by tmf aficionado
This guy is clearly jerking us around. He is reserving the first ones for his buddies and screwing the rest of us. There is NO WAY they are scaling back production of the most anticipated product of 2004, sorry that is a boldfaced lie. Now after he has already charged my credit card he wants me to sign more contracts even though he lied about the delivery date? This is a scam folks. Plus he's got a lot of nerve sending documents in Word format, since most experienced computer users don't even run Windows. I had to boot up the laptop just to open the attachments. Then he tries to sell us more overinflated junk, which costs 1/4 as much on ebay, to add insult to injury. Yeah good idea, I'll pay extra for your legendary "service" buddy.
Mr. Robert if you're out there you need to sit down, read this thread, and take a couple pointers on how to provide decent customer service, because this isn't it. The least you should be doing at this point is giving us another $100 back for betraying our faith.
Thank you in advance for redeeming yourself to the people you misled.
You claim he's "jerking" us around. You claim he's reserving units for his buddies (with no proof offered). You claim he's screwing the rest of us. You implied he said Hughes is scaling back production (without any basis in fact); then you called him a bald-faced liar for it. You claim he lied about the delivery date (again, with no basis in fact on your part since his original delivery date of first week of April still is what he's claiming even now; but then you also ignore how he also originally had said that's just an estimated delivery date subject to changes from Hughes). And you go further to call his whole operation with this a scam (which has legal implications). Then you call the other items that he mentioned are available "overinflated junk," and claim you can get the same for 1/4 the price on EBay (which if you search, you find you can't get the same stuff in the same condition -- new -- for even close to 1/4 the price, if at all).
I know which one comes off as unprofessional and childish.
Posted by: neilaevans
Dang Doug, isn't it time for you to head to bed? It's almost 3 am your time... :)
Posted by: hjones4841
I think we have almost guaranteed ourselves that Robert won't be doing pre-orders again.
Posted by: dyanni
Conversation sort of reminds me of Point/Counter Point from the original Saturday Night Live cast. "Jane, you ignorant slut ..."
The gentlemen that are flaming Robert/VE are just stepping up to the dance floor and shakin' their booty in this 24/7 rock-n-Tivo disco. If you don't dance with them, they will dance alone.
I have never ordered from VE, or paid particular attention to specific posts by Robert in the past - so I only have what I've seen on this forum - since the deal was advertised - on which to base an opinion. From my view, VE has been reasonable in their approach for this offer. When I saw it announced, my second thought was that someone would end up abusing the opportunity. Peeps never let me down.
Robert, if you build it - they wil come. 'they' be all kinds.
Posted by: tomr
quote:
Originally posted by compuz1
In case you children don’t know slander is illegal.
Slander is NOT illegal, its just grounds for a lawsuit. Its only slander if its not true. Also since the accusations are written and not spoken it would be libel.
Posted by: tomr
quote:
Originally posted by hjones4841
I think we have almost guaranteed ourselves that Robert won't be doing pre-orders again.
You're kidding right?
Lets remember this is not an altruistic offer from Value Electronics. He stands to make a pretty good buck selling 350 orders from one source. I have no idea what the margin is but I'm guessing somewhere around $50,000 for 350 units.
Heck it could be alot more, Not too shabby. I'd put up with a bunch of crap to make that kind of profit :D I don't know how long it would take to sell 350 units elsewhere but I can quess not as easily.
Posted by: BillF
Let's see:
I placed an advance order for the HDTivo
The deal was a $100 discount for preordering.
The deal was no refund unless you could get it cheaper or somewhere else first.
I read the deal and signed up for it (or did VE coerce me?)
The units were to be delivered in early April.
Now it looks as if some will get the units in March.
Maybe, I'll be one of the lucky first ones.
It's now March 1st, approximately five weeks before the first orders were to ship.
So, everything is going according the the terms described and maybe even better.
Boy!!!! Am I pissed.
Posted by: Gromit
Bummer. I edited my previous post to remove the last digit of my order number. My confirmation email is on my computer at home. Now I don't know my order number so I can't complete and fax the form. :(
Posted by: bcushman
Are there still some (besides me) who haven't received the email with the attachments? I'm at the bottom of the list (2-15-04) but don't want to think I have been lost.
Posted by: the-sloth
quote:
Originally posted by bcushman
Are there still some (besides me) who haven't received the email with the attachments? I'm at the bottom of the list (2-15-04) but don't want to think I have been lost.
i received one of the two attachments... still waiting on the word doc that is supposed to be signed.
Posted by: Korkle
Just let me add my "Thank You" to Robert. He has gone WAY beyond what was required. When mine arrives, I will enjoy it --- be it March, April or May. (March, however would be great!)
Posted by: SocalDave
quote:
Originally posted by neilaevans
Socal Dave,
Just wanted to point out that the 12 month commitment whenever you get a new receiver is DirecTV's policy, not VE's. Even if (like you, and like me) you are planning on getting rid of the old receiver, to my knowledge, ANY new receiver on your account requires a 1 year commitment. Whether you pay full MSRP or not has nothing to do with it because even at full MSRP all boxes are already subsidized by D* (at least that's what they claim).
I have walked into BB and walked out with a receiver without signing anything.. When I called DirecTV to activate, they said I needed to sign a 12-month agreement, I told them I wanted something in return or it wasn't worth it. I got HBO and Showtime for free for 6 months. By signing the agreement BEFORE I activate it, I have no leverage with DirecTV to ask for something in return.
Posted by: Bryan Lyle
bcushman, you aren't the only one that hasn't received an email.
I signed up early (1/16) and haven't gotten an email with attachments... I thought perhaps Hotmail had "junked" it, but I checked there too... but I'm not too concerned. Robert will get all of this straightened out. :)
Posted by: jrock
There could be problems with the email routing for people that have not received them especially since it as 3 attachments. There have been so many email viruses with attachments some mail servers may be blocking them. I run my own mail server so it came to me on Sunday morning with all 3 attachments no problems. I ordered on the afternoon of the 17th.
-Joe
Posted by: Darin
quote:
Originally posted by tmf aficionado
This guy is clearly jerking us around. He is reserving the first ones for his buddies and screwing the rest of us. There is NO WAY they are scaling back production of the most anticipated product of 2004, sorry that is a boldfaced lie.
Do you have information to back up the claim that it is a lie? I got information two weeks ago that after the initial production run, the factory that builds them had already committed to produce another (higher volume) product. Because of that commitment, they will not be able to re-tool back to producing more HD-TiVos until later in the year. This initial production run is reportedly sold out. The source is reliable enough that it convinced ME to pre-order, even though I've been adamant about that fact that I think it's over-priced. But the fact of the matter was, I just couldn't wait until fourth quarter to time-shift HD, so I went against my promise to myself to not pay that much.
This is not under Robert's control. It may not even under DirecTV's control (I don't know if the other product is a DirecTV product or not). The HD-Tivo is a low volume product, so they initially contracted a small number of units. Maybe demand was higher than they anticipated. But the production plant is simply not available after the initial run (based on what I've heard).
And FWIW, I haven't received an email from him either, but I'm not concerned. I have an order confirmation, and my $100 was charged. Remember, it's just TV.
Posted by: mknoebel
quote:
Originally posted by bcushman
Are there still some (besides me) who haven't received the email with the attachments? I'm at the bottom of the list (2-15-04) but don't want to think I have been lost.
I ordered 1/18 and haven't received my email yet. I'm not worried, though. It'll get straightened out.
Posted by: Starrbuck
quote:
Originally posted by AbMagFab
I can only assume the recent mass of defenders here are his friends (and as a result probably getting bumped to the front of the list! Not that I know if he's doing this at all.)
This isn't about getting it now (although that would be nice). It's about being misled by a retailer. It's about being told multiple conflicting things, reducing my confidence in that retailer.
It would be best for you not to make accusations that you can't prove.
Here's why I support Robert. The first business day after the offer went live, I sent him an email to ask how many orders had been taken. Within a couple of hours, he called me on the phone. Rather than send a reply email, he spent a few pennies and a little more time to personally call me. That's customer service! At that point, it was prospect service, but that's the kind of thing that impresses me, and later that day I was on the pre-sale list.
I'm not his friend. I'm a person impressed with his service so far.
quote:
Nice job. No more posts from me until he tells me my order number.
No more posts from you? Darn. Get this, your posts won't be missed. Go crawl back under your rock. I hope Robert refunds your money and blacklists you. You're not worth it.
Posted by: BruceL
I emailed my forms back to Robert this morning - my order # is 12841 and my order was placed on 1/19 @ 5:15 pm
It would be nice to know where I stand, but it is what it is and I am confident that I will get my HDTivo when my # comes up.
It would be nice to have by the Masters, but if not, I will leave work a little early on Thurs & Fri and watch it in HD "real time".
Thanks Robert for putting up with all the BS with class & grace.
Bruce
Posted by: dmaneyapanda
C'mon guys, making personal attacks against people is just undermining the overall message here.
I'm sure folks who are not impressed with VE's customer service have their reasons, and they don't appear to be appeased by the site's overall belief that VE is a stand-up operation. It's entirely possible that they have legitimate complaints, even Robert isn't perfect. Let's just tell them why we think it's something which can and will be resolved, instead of resorting to name calling.
Ab: No one else appears interested in your problems with being told you weren't in the original 200 because it's not happening to any of us. Several of us have said we understand why you'd be concerned, and that you may have a valid complaint about it (though we haven't heard both sides yet). Just do us a favor and give Robert another chance to sort it out. If he still won't budge, feel free to come back and gripe, and let us know why.
As for the supposed incompatibility between being told that we have to fill in the forms to get our sequence number, and being told that the order we fax the forms back won't affect our sequence number, I don't see the logical problem.
No orders are going to be filled for at least several weeks. As long as you get your fax back to VE before that time, it won't matter when you did it, your place in line will be determined by the timing of your order.
Now, if you MUST KNOW exactly what place in line you are right now, Robert has said he can get that for you, but either can't or won't until you do in fact send the forms back. I'm not sure why that is, but it doesn't change the fact that your place in line (wherever that is) won't change as a result.
Hopefully, now that he is back in the office, he can look at his lists and let you know what number you are, since it seems to be very important to you.
Posted by: beardad
Did anyone pay cash? What is the big deal?
If there is a problem call the credit card company and disute the claim. Unless you are a fraud the credit card companies are very willing to help you out. I'm also sure if you dispute the claim and are that unhappy, the retailer will gladly let you out of the deal. Use a little common sense before you get so worked up.
Posted by: mercurial
quote:
Originally posted by dswallow
1/16/2004 12:39:52 PM
Hah Doug! 1/16/2004 10:44:24 AM Order # 124xx
:)
Ok, it's Monday and I don't want to be working right now. :(
Posted by: btwyx
quote:
Originally posted by chriscic
The initial plan was to have the first production run meet demand for all preorders, and now they're only making 200 in the first run. How much demand were they expecting, 100 units?
There's some serious lack of comprehension here.
They're expecting to make 200 in the first week, not in the first production run. The first production run will last for while, several months probably. The email only mentions the first few weeks of the run. If they stopped the run before they'd filled all the pre-orders that would be eccentric. I hope you do realise that production ramps up, that is production starts slow, then gets faster as they go along, as they get the bugs out of the system and get used to the proceedures. That's standard in manufacturing.
Posted by: btwyx
I must say I'm seriously embarrassed to be in the same forum as certain posters around here. I'd like to thank Robert for his hard work, above and beyond that required from any reasonable person. He's been nothing but professional, but the amount of vitriol and sheer stupidity being flung around by certain parties is truely amazing.
I thought I'd seen some major net.kookage in my time on the net but this is topping the lot.
Posted by: btwyx
quote:
Originally posted by mercurial
Hah Doug! 1/16/2004 10:44:24 AM Order # 124xx
:)
Ok, it's Monday and I don't want to be working right now. :(
You're now the earliest admitted to order. (Mine's only 1/16/2004 10:51:25 AM). You got a 3 hour advantage, I had to wake up first.
Posted by: mercurial
quote:
Originally posted by btwyx
I must say I'm seriously embarrassed to be in the same forum as certain posters around here. I'd like to thank Robert for his hard work, above and beyond that required from any reasonable person. He's been nothing but professional, but the amount of vitriol and sheer stupidity being flung around by certain parties is truely amazing.
Ditto for me.. I start reading and make a reply and realize there are three pages of griping still to go!
quote:
I thought I'd seen some major net.kookage in my time on the net but this is topping the lot.
Actually, I think all of us obsessing about our place in line is also "net.kookage" but of a good kind... :) This slamming and flaming without any evidence or thought about what is really going on is just plain bad...
Posted by: mercurial
quote:
Originally posted by btwyx
You're now the earliest admitted to order. (Mine's only 1/16/2004 10:51:25 AM). You got a 3 hour advantage, I had to wake up first.
I'm king of the world! King of the world! Uh-oh! Iceberg!
:)
Posted by: Mike Lang
This thread is starting to get out of hand. Any further personal attacks or unfounded accusations will result in an account suspension. Please PM me or report any post that is less than respectful.
Posted by: btwyx
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Lang
It's a PVR for God's sake...calm down!
That may be the most appropriate sig in a long time.
Posted by: Kamakzie
Mike,
Thanks for bringing some order to chaos!
Posted by: harambur
He said that returning the paperwork will not affect your place in line, unless it's not received by the time he starts shipping. So if you hold on to the paperwork your unit goes to someone else.
I assume that at the time he receives your paperwork, you would probably be put at the front of the line, behind any others that also were late in getting their paperwork faxed whose order number was ahead of yours.
quote:
Originally posted by SocalDave
On that note, what happens if someone doesn't return the paperwork (either because they didn't receive it, can't open it, just forgot or doesn't want to). Does their unit get placed on a shelf until everything is in order, or does it go to the next person in line (since you said delayed paperwork wont affect shipping order).
Actually, I think I just found a loophole. I just won't return my paperwork until I can find it elsewhere, then call and cancel to get my deposit back. I didn't agree that I'd actually buy it somewhere else, just that I "can purchase" it elsewhere and since VE can't ship until they get the paperwork, the 100% money back offer still stands. Just a thought for those that want their deposits back.
BTW, I'm not currently asking for my deposit back, but I do need to see if my life straightens itself out by April, so I won't be signing the 12 month agreement until the last minute.
~Dave
Posted by: dswallow
quote:
Originally posted by mercurial
Hah Doug! 1/16/2004 10:44:24 AM Order # 124xx
:)
Ok, it's Monday and I don't want to be working right now. :(
<imitating child in playground>Well. But I'm closer to Robert's business and within 1-day UPS Ground territory. So there!</imitating child in playground>
Hey, at least I'm in good company. ;)
Posted by: crazy*tivo*guy
Got my email and faxed back. Can't wait to see where I am in line! Ship it!
Posted by: MichaelK
quote:
Originally posted by SocalDave
I have walked into BB and walked out with a receiver without signing anything.. When I called DirecTV to activate, they said I needed to sign a 12-month agreement, I told them I wanted something in return or it wasn't worth it. I got HBO and Showtime for free for 6 months. By signing the agreement BEFORE I activate it, I have no leverage with DirecTV to ask for something in return.
not the case anymore.
I picked up another reciever a few months ago at CC- along with my receipt, the register printed out about 2 feet of contract FROM DIRECTV- not CC that I had to sign right then and there.
ALso FWIW- many have posted in the past that they nicely called D* to cancel withen the 12 months and just said they were moving to location where sat wasnt feasible and the CSR waived the fee.
Posted by: sirfergy
Does anyone know why Robert needs our forum username? What happened if someone was lurking when they found this deal?
Posted by: hongcho
> Does anyone know why Robert needs our forum username? What happened if someone was lurking when they found this deal?
Because this "deal" was only for AVS and TC members as noted in the advertisement banner and the preorder page.
Hong.
Posted by: sirfergy
Right, but the order page never said they had to be a member. I would never had thought to sign up before ordering that day based on that wording.
Posted by: Darin
I didn't mention my username in my order (though it's not too hard to figure out ;) )
Posted by: Kamakzie
It does say this on the order page.
"This page and its offering is exclusively for AVS & TiVoCommunity forum members."
quote:
Originally posted by sirfergy
Right, but the order page never said they had to be a member. I would never had thought to sign up before ordering that day based on that wording.
Posted by: llogan
Membership has its privileges :D :D :D Of course, apparently not to a few people here...LOL
Posted by: dswallow
quote:
Originally posted by sirfergy
Right, but the order page never said they had to be a member. I would never had thought to sign up before ordering that day based on that wording.
Many lurkers are still registered; it does help in that you have the capabilities of tracking new unread threads when you visit. I doubt not having a username at time of order is any sort of problem, though. Anyone without one is going to either get one just for the form, or call him and inquire about it specifically saying they lurk. Either way, should be OK.
Posted by: Kamakzie
I guess I was lucky. I registered here about a week before I ordered. But I have been a AVS member since March 2003. :D So my bases are covered.
Posted by: BobJ2004
I have decided to switch from Dish to Direct and get a HD Tivo.
Anyone else offering good deals on new installs and offering a Pre-Order on the HD Tivo?
I would love to go through Valueelectronics, but I hate to be last on any list. I would love to have the HD Tivo sooner like everyone else.
Wish I had pre-order back in Jan. . . .
Posted by: dropper
Wow. That was a complete waste of about an hour of my time (reading through all of the crap since I was last on, on Friday).
Seriously, I thought the email was detailed and completely expected, as to allocations.
I know in the past, I have asked for my place in line, but just as a eager curiousity. Some people here are just too rabid about this. I know that many have been waiting for over a year for this product and as it gets closer the wait becomes unbearable.
But really, it is bearable. Those who have gotten the email, note that he said that the allocation would be half, but sooner than expected, and the second half would probably come on time the next week, putting it in line with expectations.
Here it is for the math challenged:
Promise of the first allocation of 300-350 units: Late March, 1st week of April.
New info from Supplier: 200 units last week of March + several hundred each week, thereafter.
So, 200+200 > 350. Silly me, that looks like more. Again, his hands are tied by a 3rd party. He could have easily just ignored this altogether and just told us the units are coming soon and we would get them when we get them.
It amazes me when you get someone who is willing to put time into customer service and people still aren't happy. I don't think I have ever run into someone on any board that puts up with the people there to not go above and beyond.
Keith
Posted by: gene1138
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Lang
It's a PVR for God's sake...calm down!
Amen! It's not like we're saving lives here. ;)
Posted by: harambur
i don't know.
i heard that a woman was able to give cpr because she had an ER episode recorded on her Tivo and was able to pull it up and save the person :D
Posted by: jrosen1040
quote:
I preordered a month and a half ago (like most people) and in that time, my life has changed more than I planned on, and will probably change even more come April. Enough to the point where HDTivo is pretty much low on my list.
Have you asked VE if they will make an exception? You don't say in your post.
Obviously they don't have to refund since you agreed to a noncancellable order, but they might be flexible if there is a valid change in your situation. You probably should try this if you haven't rather than create a loophole.
Another possibility is that you might be able to recover your investment, even perhaps any cancellation fee from Directv, by selling the unit to someone in this forum or on Ebay. If supplies are really restricted, you might even come out ahead.
Good luck.
Posted by: Stuigi
I must admit, this thread not only made me smile, but my belly still hurts from laughing so darn much.
Stop it, Uncle uncle, I give up, you're killin' me guys
Posted by: jmrife
This proves once again that no good deed goes unpunished.
Some of us appreciate the ability to pre-order and the discount. The rest would like you to personally deliver the unit and charge their credit card only your cost.
Gotta love retail.
My pre-order number is 12504. It will get here when it gets here.
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