WeaKnees Blog

After one extension TiVo has set the deadline for transferring lifetime service to a Series3 unit for March 2, 2007 – Friday.

Technically, you were to have purchased the unit by 1/31/07, but TiVo is pretty helpfully not asking for proof of purchase date, and they’re just doing the transfer. So if you have lifetime on any TiVo, this really may be your last chance to transfer it over to a Series3. We have more info on a risk-free way to try this in our earlier blog post.

And one more thing: if you use Google Checkout for your upgraded Series 3 unit (65 or 100 HD hours) then you can save $50 by using the code “50offs3” on the Google Checkout site. That code doesn’t work on our site – you have to do it once you click the button that takes you to their site. In addition, they are offering $10 off for all first-time users of Google Checkout (and that would work on the stock, 30 hour, unit, or the upgraded units).

So if you want a lifetime transfer – do it by Friday!

TiVo recently reduced both the rates they charge for monthly service (yay!) and the rebates on new boxes (boo!). But all in all, we like the changes. People generally really hate their monthly fees, and would rather pay a bit more upfront. So this is a good thing.

Another upside here is that service for Series3 units goes down, and they don’t have a rebate, so for Series3 purchasers, it’s only good.

So the new rebate is $170 for 540 units (very hard to find, single tuner) and $150 for the Dual Tuner and DVD units (the rebate on the DVD TiVos works with either monthly service, or the lifetime service that is still available for those units).

The new service pricing is laid out in full here. The service goes to down to as low as $8.31/month if you prepay for three years ($299).

For the last few months, TiVo has allowed owners of the
new Series3 TiVo to transfer lifetime service from another TiVo to a Series3 for $199. Under the deal, TiVo will transfer lifetime service from any TiVo (standalone or DIRECTV DVR with TiVo) and they’ll give you a year of service on the box you’re transfering from (if it’s a standalone).

The deal deadline had been 12/31, but was extended to 1/31. Transfers must be made by 3/2/07.

Today is 2/1 and we haven’t yet heard that the deadline will be extended again.

We also don’t know if TiVo will start asking for copies of receipts showing a purchase date of 1/31…it’s pretty tough to do that when you’re taking orders for lifetime service transfers by phone.

For the time being, we cannot guarantee that purchases of our Series3 boxes will be eligible for the transfer, however, we will give you a no-risk way of trying. Here’s how:

If you purchase a Series3 TiVo from weaKnees in February, 2007, upon request we will provide you with your TiVo service number IN ADVANCE, so that you can transfer service. We will also put your order on a 48-HOUR hold, giving you the chance to cancel with no penalty if you are unable to transfer service. We will release your order for immediate shipping once we hear from you, or if we don’t hear from you, we’ll ship 48 hours after purchase. If you choose to cancel within that 48-hour period, your credit card will not be charged.

To request your TiVo service number, simply place your order online or by phone (888-932-5633). Then email us with the subject “Series3 TSN Request” and in the body of your email, include your order number. We will email back your TiVo service number. Then call the TiVo transfer line at (866) 424-8486 to complete the transfer.

If we hear about another official change in policy, we will post it on the Blog.