[jkobe]

My Replay 5040 recently stopped getting show listings via the phone line modem. I confirmed that the phone line was good and listened on another phone to see if I could hear the replay trying to call and it wasn't. I switched to ethernet, noticed that the lights would not come on on my router port or the back of the Replay unit, and spent an hour on the phone with Replay tech support. They told me my Replay is defective. Since it's out of warrantee, they said to give them a CC number and I would be charged $99 and shipping charges both ways for repair plus it would take about 3 weeks before it would be sent back to me. I see there are refurbished Replays for $119 and I asked the support rep about just buying one of their refurbished units or one on Ebay and switching my lifetime subscription over from the defective unit to the new one. He said that would be fine. So after reading these forums, I noticed that someone had posted this:


$99.99 Factory Renewed 5040 w/ Free Shipping


I used that link and it worked perfectly. I ended up paying $99 plus tax and free shipping yesterday (6/3/04). Now for my question. When Replay tranfers my lifetime subscription to my new Replay, will my old one not have the lifetime on it anymore? Can they really disable it? The reason I ask is that I was thinking about either taking it to a repair facility and seeing if someone could fix the modem/nic and use it as a second replay for my house or listing it on Ebay as a defective unit. This may be a silly question but I thought I read somewhere that the subscription goes with the replay unit as in once its activated, it stays activated. Thanks for this forum very much.

 

[Amazingly Smooth]

I'm surprised they are letting you switch the activation. This is the first time I have heard of this--you should be grateful.


Cheers

 

[l8er]

Standard procedure has been that lifetime will be disabled on the old ReplayTV at the time they transfer activation to the new one. It's all done by serial number.

 

[jkobe]

I Am very surprised that they are letting me switch the replay service over to the new unit. I wanted to make sure everyone knew that this was an option if your unit breaks like mine did. I even called the replay sales line to verify that this can really be done. I also wanted to know about this defective unit and what my options are for it. I guess I can always list it as a defective unit w/o lifetime on Ebay and see if someone wants it. Thanks so much for the replies. Jon

 

[icecow]

careful. I'm pretty darn sure they will take away lifetime from the other unit. Selling it as lifetime on ebay might make the customer very mad.


cow

 

[BaysideBas]

Better confirm that the CSR gave you the right info regarding the transfer. This goes against all previously stated policy regarding same, and CSRs have been known to sometimes not knowing what they were talking about. Previously stated policy was that lifetime activation transfer would only be done when the defective unit was returned to Replay for service.

 

[chain777]

I can't believe what that CS person said to you is true.


I *hope* it's true. That would be great if you could transfer a lifetime sub anytime it broke just by obtaining another one, from wherever...I just don't buy it.

 

[jkobe]

I hope they are giving me the right information as well. When I was talking to tech support and upon discovery of my unit being defective and being told it was $99 for the repair, that is when I brought up the fact that I can get a new or refurb for around that same price online. I then asked if I went that route if they would transfer my lifetime subscription. He put me on hold, spoke with his supervisor, came back and said yes they will. I told him I want a guarantee and he gave me a case #. He said if anyone gives me a problem to give that person the case # and to look at the last line to confirm that this has been okay'd. I then called the refurbished sales line and asked him if I buy one of the refurbished units to replace my broken out of warantee unit if.........and he cut me off and said yes, we can transfer your subscription. He knew what I was going to ask before I even asked it. So I'm pretty confident that this will work. I will update you all when I get the refurb and do the transfer. Thanks again for the replys. Jon



Icecow, I would definitely not list this defective replay on Ebay w/ lifetime subscription but rather without.

 

[sfhub]

Quote:

Originally posted by icecow careful. I'm pretty darn sure they will take away lifetime from the other unit. Selling it as lifetime on ebay might make the customer very mad.

He said w/o lifetime.

 

[douglips]

This is win-win for DNNA. Either way they're going to send you a lifetime unit for $99. If you buy one refurbed, they save the expense of receiving the old unit from you. I doubt they make money on turning them around for warranty service...

 

[BaysideBas]

Since this is a sea change in policy, I wish one of the ReplayFolk would post a definitive policy statement here.

 

[gpsjim]

Maybe it's not a universal policy change, just a specific special case based on what OP had to go through with tech support?

 

[BaysideBas]

Yes it is, even if it's determined on a case-by-case basis. Used to be no way, no how, not a chance in hell.