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TiVo Reviews
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TiVo finally sent the correct power cord for the used TiVo Mini Lux they sent as a replacement for my TiVo Mini Lux. It took them 14 days, so it took 14 days to troubleshoot and realize that our new Arris G36 is NOT compatible with their TiVo Mini Lux. I had 15 days to exchange the modem/router at Best Buy, so was able to do so, barely, and only because their replacement cord finally arrived on day 14.
As far as charging tax on their $200 "Deposit" to return the nonworking TiVo Mini Lux that I had originally paid $200 for and owned, they claim that it's a "Retail Transaction" so they tax it, even though they clearly call it a "Deposit" and then return the "Deposit" once the returned item is officially acknowledged by the warehouse (a week after Fedex delivered it to them). YOU CANNOT CHARGE TAX ON A DEPOSIT.
I requested to know what state Merry the TiVo Rep was operating out of so that I could alert the appropriate Attorney General, but she refused to tell me what state I am dealing with. I was able to locate the charge on my bank statement and see that it originated from California, where the corporate headquarters are located. As they operate in 7 states, I told her that I will be alerting all 7 states' Attorneys General. Final Answer: Save yourself hours and weeks of frustration and just avoid TiVo.
Save yourself weeks of frustration and avoid TiVo. TiVo sent me a "Renewed" Mini Lux for $49 + tax, without explaining to me that they were sending me a used unit and not new. They also did not tell me to keep my old power cord and remote, so I returned them as a complete set along with my non-working unit. My replacement Mini arrived and I saw that it was "USED", there was no remote control and there was no power cord. TiVo then sent a replacement remote and a power cord that took several days to arrive, and the power cord doesn't fit the TiVo Mini Lux they just sent me. Now, I'm still waiting to have a new power cord sent that actually functions with my TiVo, but of course have to wait for them to open next week, in order to make my request.
They charged me tax on their mandatory $200 DEPOSIT. I'm also still waiting for my refund of the deposit that I had to put on the return, even though I can see by my FedEx receipt that it arrived on Thursday. Their chatbot says it could take up to 30 days for my refund. We'll see about that! Horrible Customer Service! ZERO stars would be more appropriate. PS Their TiVo units run hot and overheat, so you'll need to replace them... which is a horrible experience.
I’ve had TiVo boxes for about 15 years now. TiVo was never the best, just the gorilla in the market. They have very poor support and they buckle and dime you for everything. Most DVRs can stream to other TVs, TiVo makes you buy an add on device. TiVo also began adding commercials before recordings a couple years ago to make more money. The device itself has issues that TiVo is aware of but they don’t fix it in software updates hoping you’ll just get frustrated and upgrade to a new device AND pay for a new service plan. Now, beginning this month (September of 2022) they plan to invade my privacy by selling all of my personal data, from what I watch and how I watch it to my address and phone number! That’s the last straw. I’m ditching all of my TiVo devices and switching to a new DVR that does everything a TiVo can do and SO MUCH MORE. Bye bye TiVo leaches!
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Don't bother. I had the TiVo Edge OTA for less than a year. (9 months). They offer a great deal of a lifetime for the "lifetime of the box" however if the box is defective (such as mine was). They will charge you a $49.00 fee for a new box (even though they admit it's defective). But they'll offer a discount of $25.00. If you get really upset they'll tell you they'll refund you the $25. To your credit card. But you have a "lifetime subscription." How are they going to refund your credit card? I'm surely not going to give them my card (previous billing issues before the "lifetime subscription").
I'm convinced they offer this "lifetime subscription" then send you a box they know is defective so they can recoup the loss. Too many other DVR's out there to deal with their tactics. I wasted $400 so you don't have to. When you demand they cancel your subscription and remove you from all email lists they claim it takes up to 5 days. I'm seriously considering contacting an attorney for a class action.
Tivo customer service did exchange my Edge cable to an Edge OTC for $49.00. I did return the Edge Cable unit also. Thank you all for your help.
When buying a Tivo Edge, you need to understand there are two types. 1 is for cable and the other is for OTC or over the air (Antenna). I had bought the cable version in March and the decided to discontinue using cable. Guess what with the Edge Cable you can't attached it to just be over the air using and antenna - very costly mistake. Beware and fine another option. I was with Tivo for 20 years, so much for brand loyalty..
Been a TiVo customer since 2005. TiVo Edge purchased last year. Defective. Customer service could not be worse. Don’t buy. TiVo could be the worst brand out there. They are awful and their customer service reps are the worst. I can not say enough bad things about the company service and brand.
I've had TIVO for 15 years but their new boxes are worthless. They don't last and only have 90 day warranties. TIVO tries to sell you a new box every year or 2 when your current box experiences "hard drive issues". This is a common problem with TIVO boxes. They used to be a good company and sold good equipment but now they just try to scam you by selling you lifetime service on equipment that stops working after a year or two.
I ordered a Tivo mini vox on 3/9 thru their website. I changed my mind and when it was delivered I refused package and dropped it off at Fedex. As of today still no refund. Getting nowhere with customer service.
I don't know what has happened to what used to be one of my favorite companies (the original owners). I have been a loyal customer since they started. It is time for this relationship to end. I just got off the phone with supervisors, and when they get pinned on an issue, the phone is disconnected. I have gone through multiple TiVo's quickly, resulting in the unit needing replacing, and then you get the upgrade talk. A few days ago, I just received a replacement for a unit I purchased last year. I called today just about reprogramming a remote. The technician had me do some things with the unit I wasn't calling about, and it stopped working. I just purchased that one about two years prior. I told them it sounded suspicious that so many were going out so soon to each other, and all they wanted was more money to get a used replacement.
I am thinking of filing a complaint with the AG's office and a federal regulatory agency. I see the corp HQ has gone "underground" as well when you attempt to call them. I may have to get some explanations in court. My advice – be careful in dealing with this company (I think this is the 3rd owner. The original owners were just the best. I still have 1-2 of those tivos, and they work). I use to love this company.
I bought my Tivo straight from the company website like the previous two models I own. This time it took a week to get the Edge unit. Right from the box the unit wouldn't even boot up. I had to wait over the weekend to contact them since they offer no support on weekends. Talked with an agent who said the box was defective and to send it back. They sent me a return label and I returned it via FedEx the same day. After 5 days I called again to find out when they shipped the replacement. I was told they wait for the return to come back first. FedEx delivered it 5 days ago. Today I get an email saying they just received it and will send a replacement in a week. If that is what actually happens it will make almost a month since I bought it. They are in no hurry to deliver but have hundreds of my dollars.
I have been a loyal Tivo customer for over 30 years, purchasing thousands of dollars of equipment and services. For the past two years, I have been unable to watch My Recorded Shows on any device other than the tvs on my home network. Tivo says it is known issue and they have been working on it. For two years? I've noticed other negative reviews posted here discussing the same issue. For some unknown reason, at least to me, they have stopped providing this service. It worked fine from 2011 until 2019. Never again!!!
TiVo author review by Jonathan Trout
TiVo first appeared in 1999 with the DVR. Today it offers the TiVo BOLT, a streaming device that turns your TV into a smart TV by integrating your favorite streaming apps like Hulu, Netflix, Sling TV and more. The BOLT comes in a 500GB, 1TB and 3TB storage capacities. That comes out to be about 75, 150 and 450 hours of show and movie storage capability. Pricing starts at $199.99 for the 500GB BOLT, $299.99 for the 1TB and $499.99 for the 3TB.
Monthly plans: You have three options when it comes to TiVo’s service plans. You can pay a monthly service fee of $14.99, an annual service fee of $149.99 or an all-in service plan for a one-time payment of $549.99. The monthly plan comes with a one-year commitment and a $75 early termination fee.
Cable and streaming integration: By using the TiVo BOLT box instead of your cable provider's box, you can integrate your cable TV subscription with your streaming services subscriptions and puts them all in one place. This lets you avoid monthly rental and DVR fees from your cable company.
Avoid commercials: SkipMode on the BOLT makes sure you never have to watch commercials again. Not only that, but you’ll never have to fast forward commercials again. One button lets you skip a whole commercial break and resume your show exactly where it picks up again.
4K ultra high definition compatible: 4K UHD TVs are slowly creeping into the market as the next big thing. TiVo BOLT is 4K compatible so you can get all the clarity, color and detail your new TV offers.
Recording features: TiVo BOLT lets your record four shows at once for up to 150 hours of HD programming (for the standard model). Watch your recorded shows on your TV or your mobile device.
Multiple devices: You can stream content from the TiVo BOLT on up to ten TVs as long as you have a TiVo Mini for each TV ($150 each).

As a member of the ConsumerAffairs Research Team, Jonathan Trout believes having access to free, comprehensive information on products and businesses is vital to making smart purchasing decisions. He focuses his efforts on researching and reviewing multiple brands across a variety of industries, with the goal of writing unbiased buyers guides to help inform consumers on impending purchases.
TiVo Company Information
- Company Name:
- TiVo
- Website:
- www.tivo.com
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