TiVo Community Forums Archives - To activate or not to activate?

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To activate or not to activate?
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Posted by: gawarner

I need some advice, please from you experts ---

Here is what I did: bought a Philips dsr6000r open box at Circuit City.

Here is what I want to do: upgrade to 70 hours with a 40g drive I own, then give it away to a family member or sell it

What I need to know:
1) Should I activate card myself? (CCity requires that it be activated within 3 months or pay a penalty. If I activate it myself, pay for mirror service for a month or two,can I then sell the unit with the same card to someone else?)

2) Should I allow the unit to upgrade to 2.5 before the upgrade? (It may already have 2.5 since it is an OPEN BOX)

3) What is fair price to charge someone for a 70 hour, never-used Directivo?

Thanks so much. I love this forum because the folks involved are so darn helpful!

Posted by: ADent

If you activate the unit the new owner will have to get a new card (around $30).

Posted by: davewill

OK. My rule of thumb for used equipment:

1. Find out price to buy it new TODAY.
2. Reduce by 50%
3. Add or subtract value based on condition, trust in the seller, and supply/demand.

In your case, I'd start with $99 for the D'TiVo plus $50 for a 40GB drive. 50% of that is $75. I would probably be willing to add $25 'cause its brand new, and another $25 to that if you could transfer an extended warranty to me. I'd subtract $25 if I don't trust you to come help if the upgrade blows up. I might be willing to add another $25-$50 if I simply could not do the upgrade myself, and this was the only way I could get it. If I don't know you from Adam, it'd be a hard sell.

For Example:

$75 = 50% of new
+ $25 = new condition
+ $25 = I'm uncomfortable upgrading it, so you've provided a valuble service
====
$125 This is what I figure the value is.

If I'm a seller I ask for more than this, if I'm a buyer I offer less. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

If the $99 deal dries up, you can do this calc again at the new price, but then again, a new model or an even better deal might crop up. You rolls your dice and you takes your chances.

This is my personal rule of thumb and is very subjective. It also must be tempered with the market, although if the price gets too far above 50% of new, I start wondering why not buy new.

[This message has been edited by davewill (edited 11-12-2001).]