If your like us and you just
can't wait to get your hands on a Series3, you might want to avoid TiVo.com and try your local big box store instead. We ordered one 15 minutes after the official launch and have yet to receive it despite paying next day shipping. We're not the only ones, no one who has ordered from Tivo.com has received their's either. When ordering they indicated that it may be 1 to 2 days (now it says 5-7) before the Series3 would be shipped, at the end of day 3 they emailed everyone to let them know that the order was delayed and that they wouldn't have to pay for shipping. We don't know about anyone else, but that didn't make us feel any better.
We got lucky and found the lonely Series3 pictured above waiting for us on a shelf at Best Buy. To top it off we called TiVo to cancel the order and not only did they tell us they couldn't cancel our order, but that if we want our refund anytime soon, we would have to accept the package; if it ever gets here and call them back to get a return shipping label.
Check back later this week for a full review after the CableCARDS gets installed.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
shamste @ Sep 16th 2006 2:47PM
I guess I got "lucky". I called TiVo today to see what the status of my order was and they said my order was cancelled due to an error with my credit card. Of course, no one called or emailed me to tell me this. I declined to make a new order and just called Abt for a pick up order. Now I just hope the reports of TiVo allowing lifetime subscription transfers on retail boxes is true.
Big Sam @ Sep 16th 2006 4:00PM
I had a feeling that would happen. If I was going to buy it now, I'd have picked it up from a retail outlet anyway.
Scott K @ Sep 16th 2006 4:13PM
Any word or good guess on when this unit my drop in price or have some rebates available?
I'd like to get one, and if by the end of the year it is still $800 I'll probably just go ahead and pay it and use the $6.95/mo second box subsription plan.
Popstand @ Sep 16th 2006 8:43PM
Same exact experience here. I tried cancelling and they told me it was impossible. "Let me get this straight..." I said "It hasn't shipped, but I can't cancel my order." "Yes, that's right, they replied." Lame, having to pay for something that hasn't even left the warehouse yet. Guess I'll just have to wait.
Filme @ Sep 16th 2006 8:57PM
That's not good. And it certainly doesn't help customer relations.
You should without a doubt be able to cancel any item that has not shipped. If they ship it to you anyway, after you indicated you wanted to cancel the order, you should NOT be liable for any charges incured, if the item is returned.
It's such a waste of time to ship an unwanted item only to have to go through the hassle of returning it.
Eric NIX @ Sep 16th 2006 9:19PM
It's actually against federal law for a mail order company to not honor a cancellation request before an item ships. In this case, Tivo.com is considered a mail order company. You can rest assured that there will be fines levied by the government for this one. I am one person who is reporting them. Yes, I have a bit of an attorney in me.
Fred von Lohmann @ Sep 16th 2006 9:26PM
One potentially good reason to order from TiVo direct -- TiVo appears to be saying that the special $199 lifetime subscription transfer for Series 1 and 2 owners will only be honored for Series 3 units bought direct from TiVo. That's why I'm waiting patiently for mine to come direct from the TiVo mothership.
Andru @ Sep 16th 2006 11:14PM
Fred - That is moot now. Plenty have reported that they have transferred their lifetime subscription despite purchasing their Series 3 at retail. See:
http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/article/tivo-lying-to-vip-customers-about-series3-orders-9161104/
Jake @ Sep 17th 2006 12:14AM
Just refuse the package. Leave a not for UPS/USPS/FedEx that you're rejecting the shipment from TiVo. Too bad if they don't like it. They can't charge you for it, and if they try your credit card company will smack them down.