News Unforeseen Service Charges Irk DVR Customers

This from eWeek:

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)—People who gleefully treated themselves or others to a shiny new ReplayTV digital video recorder this Christmas may not be as happy anymore.

DVRs are the latest alternative to VCRs, and an untold number of customers recently took advantage of ReplayTV's dramatic price drop to $149 for its lowest-end 40-hour model, thinking the deal included three years of service, which is needed for the devices to work.

Now, some are furious, after their service was disconnected and they were told they must pay additional fees to reactivate it.

"It's almost like buying a car and having the car later stop working, saying you can't drive it anymore unless you give us more money," said Eric Maur, 26, of Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Officials with Santa Clara, Calif.-based ReplayTV could not be reached for comment late Wednesday. But in a statement about the consumer complaints, the company said it is assessing the situation "to find the best possible solution."

More here

Oops - Red faces at ReplayTV! But I bet the "best possible solution" will benifit Replay more than the comsumer. From what I've heard, thery're as bad as Sky (USAnians - UK Sat TV supplier). However, at least SKY has abolished it's DVR subscription costs.

 

intresting

why can't the make a dvr that works without a subscription? need subscription for some features but it should work like a vcr with program times right out of the box with no extra cost. becouse thats all i need a vcr with a 40 hour tape cause 6 just ain't enouf anymore