COMPANY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DIGITAL TV CONFUSION

8/15/2008

Fort Worth, TX – The switch to all-digital television is set for February 17, 2009. Nationally some 70 million TVs rely on antennas to receive over-the-air signals; this means that the transition to digital puts about 34% of U.S. households at risk of losing reception on at least one TV set. The federal government is sponsoring a program of providing coupons for consumers to purchase digital converter boxes that will convert digital signals into analog signals that the television can accept. However, a recent report by the federal government indicates that about half of the households that could lose television service as a result of the transition are not prepared for the switch. In such a situation, it is unfortunately not surprising to find that certain companies have tried to take advantage of the confusion caused by the switch.

One such company is Universal TechTronics which has been running a national advertising campaign touting free services and free converter boxes. The ads claim that the converter boxes will provide services similar to those provided by cable or satellite companies, leading some consumers to conclude incorrectly that they will be getting for "free" what they would have to pay for on satellite or cable. In fact the company's "free" converter is available only if the consumer purchases a five-year warranty for $59. The company also charges shipping and handling fees that bring the total cost to nearly $100. There are no additional channels associated with using the company's converter box. The company has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB due to a pattern of complaints involving slow or non-delivery of products, customer service problems, delays in making refunds, product quality, and advertising claims. Consumers needing to purchase a converter box should consider taking advantage of the federal government's coupon program. More information on the switch to digital and the coupon program is available at www.dtv.gov or www.dtv2009.gov. Both of these sites are run by the Federal Communications Commission.