This entry, I have both a tip of the hat, and a wag of the finger to two different companies.

Click Read More.. to see our torrid story with Humax and TiVo.

First off, some history. We’ve had TiVo since the first versions came out, way back in 2000. As a matter of fact, we still have that original TiVo. Running strong, with absolutely no problems.

I wish I could same the same for the Humax TiVo I bought at Costco back in November of 2005.

It was nice, at first. Having a built in DVD burner, we were able to burn TiVo shows to DVD to watch on another TV, or take with us when we traveled to watch on a laptop.

Then the problems started.

The remote on the Humax Tivo became ’sluggish’, or it would click 4 times when you only clicked it once. Basically, it became a pain in the butt to use. So much, that it really wasn’t worth it. As in, the wife was incredibly frustrated.

Luckily, we bought it at Costco. In case you didn’t know, you can basically take anything back to Costco at any time if you’re not 100% satisified with it. Even if it’s 3 years later.

Taking back the TiVo to Costco was the easy part. No questions asked. Here’s your money back, have a nice day.

When I went to call TiVo, though, it became an issue.

Since we had the TiVo for less than a year, and according to their new contract that I electronically signed when I started service, if I cancelled within a year, I owed $150 to TiVo. Not to mention that’s the amount of a rebate that I didn’t turn in, because I figured I was going to return the TiVo.

Luckily, though, I knew of a contact at TiVo from the friendly forums at TiVo Community. I sent him an email explaining the situation, and how we’ve loved our TiVo since 2000, and we were planning to purchase the upcoming HDTV TiVo they’re coming out with later this month..

A little over an hour later, I got a call from TiVo Corporate, explaining they’ve reviewed my case, and decided that they should not charge the $150 cancellation fee.

So, a Tip of the Hat: To TiVo for keeping us as valued customers.

A Wag of the Finger: To Humax for not being very responsive to the known problem, and telling me ‘they’re working on it’ when I called to complain, and as of today, still no resolution.