The Official Expired Converter Coupon Complaint Thread

[1993AD]

Well lets start off by saying I think this was a scam because most of the coupons expired or people including myself and several people here never received them. There is no way or re-ordering a coupon without being told you have already received one, which is not the case.

It is clear this was just a big scam to make the government look good, when it is our tax dollars funding the project. We should be getting them for free since this is something enacted by the government. Otherwise I think we all should boycott the TV. and then see who really looses.

[freddyb590]

. . .there was a need for an expiration date for these coupons. If there had to be an expiration date. . . well, how about 2/18/09, when everyone that needs a box should have one by then anyway (if they want to keep watching TV)? It's sad that just about everything involving the government has to be so complicated. It's also sad that they can't extend the expiration, or exchange unused cards.

I was one of the first to sign up for--and get--my coupons. Three months went by without any local retailers having boxes for sale. Why should I be punished for being pro-active about being ready for digital TV?

[cul8er]

Well, I'm just one more of those people that has expired coupons. I received them but did not have the money to buy the boxes at the time, so I put them away. I finally had the money and decided to buy them but when I got to the register I realized the coupons were EXPIRED. I ended up not buying them because the clerk said I can re-apply but reality is that you can't. I just don't see how the government is helping us with this. The average citizen works their finances on a budget and buying converter boxes simply wasn't on many of our lists, especially with this crisis. The least they could have done is leave them active until people are financially ready to use them. I just feel that 90 days is not enough for many people that have other financial priorities like mortgage and food. I hope these expired coupons can be re-activated because it would help all of us considering the cost of each box averages between $60 and $80. I, personally need to buy 4 so you can see how costly this will be for an average family. GOVERNMENT, PLEASE HELP US! REALLY HELP US.

[Lindy]

Add me to the list of angry & disgusted people, sitting here, with expired coupons.

I'd like to know why the FCC (or Congress) allowed this horribly constructed program to be mandated this way. There are plenty of extremely good & valid ideas posted here with SOLUTIONS to this expired coupon mess.... but until we know WHO THE DECISION-MAKERS ARE, it is pointless to have all these wonderful SOLUTIONS.

Someone decided to make the coupons "plastic", someone decided to issue them with "expiration dates" (but didn't tell us they would have expiration dates until after we rec'd them), someone decided to issue the coupons "before" making sure the boxes were available in all cities, etc.

This was mishandled from the get-go.... what are the NAMES of these inept, inefficient people? We must make sure they do not make any MORE decisions that affect us. Please, someone post that info.... (if it was already posted, I apologize, I've not had time to read everything on here... ). Make them accountable.

I am so disgusted. Complaining to DTV2009 does nothing. Complaining to the FCC does nothing. No-one seems to care about rectifying their mess.

[betty boo]

it is ashame how you get fool be the government about those converter box coupons. they are nothing but a headache. you get the coupons or you don't use the coupon because you never received one. you are told that you are out of luck because it was mailed and you can't get another one. and that they may restate those who had loss,never received or their coupon is out dated.

[SarahZ]

I too am ************ed about the fact that availability of the boxes has been a problem and now my cards have expired. I will continue to hold them hoping that the crooks will have a heart and honor them in the future!

[dherman]

I just received my coupons for the digital convertor box through the mail on December 1, 2008. According to the coupons they were already expired in July 2008. I double checked the dates and tried to call the number on the letter. They do not take calls on the phone number given. You get a recorded message that says they are busy and they hang up. I went on the web site and whenever I try to get help all I can get is a pop up that says, "under no circumstances will new coupons be issued."

Is this another example of the efficient operation of another branch of government? It seems to me this is an example of planned obsolescence.

[donna]

Haven't seen this complaint mentioned on this thread yet. My coupons were still valid. I took them to the check-out at the store to purchase two convrter boxes. Since I live in MST zone, it was only 9:50 p.m. However, it was 11:50 p.m. in Washington, D.C. There was a line of people at the check-out and by the time the cashier began ringing up my purchase it was 9:59 p.m. It took a minute or so to swipe the card and ring up the converter boxes. The $40 off cards would not go through the system b/c they were printed in EST time zone. What a crock of s**t!! In MST zone, there were still 2 hrs. left to purchase the boxes before they expired. So now I'm out of luck!! F*** the government that's ridiculous!!!!

[Val Y]

I agree!! This rebate is a total and complete SCAM by our government!! And who gets the money -- ultimately?? Why is the government making money off everyone who doesn't subscribe to dtv or cable??

[staticMHZ]

i ordered mine in march and got them in april........costed me $10 bucks for the box.

cheap and works great. I will never pay a dime for TV ever again!