The Official Expired Converter Coupon Complaint Thread

[cowboyup4christ]

Originally Posted by Chickie

I get ya... but that was the last RW administration. ugh.

We have a whole new president now and he's just as concerned as you and I are about this switch over and he knows that a lot of people are not ready yet and I'm betting that more money gets added to this program, before to long.

As far as the money? I think a lot of late comers were given the money that was originally designated for our expired coupons. I didn't even know they had an expiration date on them or I would have used them sooner but I was also arranging for us to move to a new home and every penny we had was tied up in moving costs. I wish I had used them sooner but I do think more money will be added to this program... eventually.

BTW? The default issue is 2 coupons. I don't recall requesting 2. It just said I was eligible for 2.

I would not hold your breath for anything from Washington, the sure fire way to mess up something put the government in charge. so tell me why we what them to take charge of any thing at all. I a complete federalist let the government get out of everybody business and do what they were intended to do protect this nation from it's enemies. OH what am I thinking, they can't find their backsides with both hands.

[staticMHZ]

Originally Posted by ShowMeRon

Hilarious.

[divxhacker]

Senate has approved to delay the DTV switchover date to June, despite the denial by the House Republicans, and the pleas by the PBS corporate - they said it would cost the PBS stations too much to broadcast analog and digital. Even a few tech bloggers said that delaying won't help, as nothing gets consumers to switch than a rapidly-approaching deadline.

Since the switchover delay was approved, would we see them re-issuing new cards to those with expired coupons? Would they extend the cutoff date for requesting coupons? And would retailers be picking up new stock to replenish those that were sold out? Retailers might balk at ordering more boxes, as they might wind up with an excess that would result in shrinkage (loss of profit.)

Which begs the question: Why did they have to go offering these coupons through the retail marketplace? They should have opened up their own temporary stores and managed the sales and redemption directly. After all, this is a government mandated program, isn't it? It should be staffed by who are experts at TVs and VCRs - mainly the owners who used to run TV repair shops before cheap China replacement prices made them obsolete. Not retailer staff whose main concern is sales, not maintainence service.

[DTVuser2009]

I wish i had the luck of even being mailed coupons. because i live in a trailer park, i was DENIED for living in a 'business or group living facility' and cannot reapply. i think that's completely off since the program was put up to help low-income folks in the first place. i get my mail at my own unit number just like apartments but because the stupid USPS thinks i live in a business that's what the dtv2009 sites go by. the USPS.

I cannot reach a human over the phone, email is robotic, and so is the mailed form letters. i even tried calling and trying the 9, star, pound, and other keys that are supposed to force a human, nope, none. just 'invalid entry, please try again' and after trying so many times it gives up and wastes another 10 minutes on my Tracfone.

They don't try to even say on the PSAs that some people won't be eligible, nor the reason why those living in a mobile home are denied. or that they expire (which is stupid in the first place, where does the money from expired coupons go?)

The worst part, even though i'm watching DTV through my converters (which i had to pay full price) i still have to hear those stupid annoying PSAs for another 4 months! (and those 'how easy it is to get a coupon' BS) oh and an added bonus, i live in america and there are some DTV ads in Spanish! somehow the mute button isn't enough anymore

[ac-sj]

My DTV converter box coupon clearly says "VALID THRU 2/26/09."

Today is 2/26/09.

I went to Walmart just now, and tried to use the coupon to buy a Magnavox converter box -- but the cashier said my coupon was expired!!!

I said, NO, it says "VALID THRU" today. She said, no it expired yesterday. She tried to scan it several more times but it kept being declined.

************ed off, I tried to call the DTV 888 number. Of course it's for ordering only; and of course there's no line for complaints.

The Walmart cashier said this happens ALL THE TIME to people who try to use the coupon on the last "VALID" day.

Is that true? If so, the coupons should say "VALID BEFORE" instead of "VALID THRU."

I have emailed DTV to complain. Tomorrow I will call the local TV news "consumer watch" units. And I will write all my Congresspeople. I am so ************ed off about this.

[harley56]

when I recvd. my cards almost three day before the expiration date I went out to use them and none were availible...out of stock....no raincheck or prepay could get me one. Now what do I do..........wait for the next election and vote for the other guy that listens to my concerns.....

[jem]

i agree about expired coupon by just re-activating it and so not turn it a waste and of course we can use it to buy some stuff..

[bimmerz_vn]

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.

[austinTX]

I was one of the first to apply and receive my coupons. The converters were not out in mass
supply like they are now. Nor were store advertising they had them. I was waiting for them
not realizing there was an expiration date. Mine expired 6/08. There are stores selling them
over the $40 amount of the coupon ($50 and up). But when the first cutoff tv date (april) was
approaching there were massive supply of the converters AND stores were giving them away for FREE
with coupon! #1) I didn't vote for digital tv, had perfectly working tvs and now I have to SPEND
money to continue to use a paid for TV. #2) Since the "govt" made the decision for me, they
should give households FREE converters NOT expiration dated coupons #3) One store over-rode
the expiration date and allowed me to use one of the coupons, but they were one of the stores
selling them at $50. I had to pay $10 out of my pocket for something I didn't ask for.
#4) SO, WHY CAN'T THE OTHER STORES THAT OFFER THE FREE CONVERTERS OVERRIDE THE TRANSACTION?
THEY DO IT FOR OTHER STORE ITEMS. #5) I don't want a fancy converter, I just want a basic
generic converter. I don't watch that much TV to care. BOTTOMLINE: the government should
have given 2 FREE basic generic converters to households and if those households want a more
expensive, fancy one then that's their option to BUY it. But at least everyone would have had
TV signals --- Besides people are calling for coupons that really don't qualify, but are lying
on the questionnaire saying they don't have cable, etc. to get the coupons to sell later...
So, the system was corrupt and not failproof and not for the people that really needed them.
Once again I fall thru the gov't cracks..

[JEdwards]

Originally Posted by Jay

This thread is for anyone wanting to speak up and voice their opinion about the government's $40 converter box coupon program. Please post comments and opinion only. If you have a question about the coupon program, you may post it anywhere else within the Government Coupon Program Questions Forum. If you're still a guest, you'll have to register to the forum before you can post a reply to this thread.

Also, check out the Government's top 5 biggest mistakes on the transition to DTV.

Due to unavailability of converter box, my coupons has expired. What can I do to get replacements?