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Tivo Institutes 1 Year Service Contracts
azoblue writes "TiVo recently changed their customer agreement, allowing them to institute service contracts with early cancellation fees." From the article: "According to the new service agreement, any TiVo activated after September 6 will require a 12-month commitment. Those who cancel before the end of their contract, or have their contracts terminated by TiVo, will be forced to pay a $150 early termination fee ... Although not specified in the new agreement, some customers have reported that adding a new TiVo to their service makes contracts activated before that date also applicable to the new policy."
That's why I use Windows Media Center edition 2005, bought a $50 200GB HD and $50 TV card, put them in old AMD 1700+ computer and I pay no monthly fee.
That's how I got out of my AT&T/Cingular contract. While Cingular is still trying to claim that it is impossible for them to fulfill thier contracts with AT&T bought customers, after filling a complaint with the FCC, I got a call from their "office of the president". When I kept pressing the person on the phone, and kept telling them that they are under contract, and breaking my phone service is a violation of that contract, they eventually cancelled my contract withour penelty.
The conversation went along the lines of...
Me: You have broken my phone. You need to fix the service or cancel the contract without penalty.
Cingular: We are aware of the problem, it is caused by our upgrades to the system. We can sell you a new phone, and move you to the Cingular network. That would solve the problem.
Me: Would that require a restart of the contract period? What would be the cost?
Cingular: Yes, it would restart your contract period. It would be about $10 more a month, and you would get 200 less minutes.
Me: Why would I sign a new contract with a company that has violated their existing contract, AND pay more for less minutes? That would be stupid of me wouldn't it?
Cingular: Well, I guess. There really isn't anything else we can do...
Me: No, you need to fulfill the existing contract.
Cingular: We can't do that.
Me: Then you are in breach of contract. To continue to bill me for a service that you know you are not providing is fraud.
Cingular: Well, if you read your contract, we don't guarantee service in all areas.
Me: I'm not complaining about various dead zones. I am complaining about zones that previously had service, and no longer has them. I am complaining about voice mail being delivered days later, and out of order. I am complaining about sitting still, and having calls disconnect.
Cingular: What would you like us to do about that?
Me: I would like you to fulfill your contract.
Cingular: Well, we don't like to do this, but we could cancel your contract.
Me: Without any penalty to me?
Cingular: Yes.
Me: Ok. That would be acceptable.