Misleading Consumers
Nationwide Advertising Campaign Falsely Promises Free TV and Free DTV Converter Boxes
BBB is alerting consumers to beware of a misleading advertising campaign by an Ohio-based company called Universal TechTronics. Ads are running across the U.S. promising free television channels, services and digital TV converter boxes, but are really a bait and switch tactic that prey on consumers’ lack of knowledge about digital TV conversion requirements.
A BBB investigation found that Universal TechTronics is peddling “five-year warranties” for $59 that must be purchased with their “free” digital TV converter boxes. With shipping and handling fees rolled in, the total cost per box is nearly $100. BBB believes that these are the same boxes consumers can buy in electronics retail stores across the country using $40 U.S. government coupons that make the total cost to consumers about $20 per box.
“The bottom line is that these ads confuse and mislead consumers,” said Carol Odell, BBB of Southern Colorado Executive Director. “Unfortunately consumers who do respond may find that not only will they not receive free products and services as implied by the ads, but they will end up paying more than they would have by taking advantage of the really good deal being offered through the DTV coupon program.”
Universal TechTronics’ ads imply that their converter boxes are free and will provide free channel reception, similar to the type of services consumers receive through cable or satellite providers. Ads state, “No Bills: New ClearView TV receives free channels, no need to pay for cable to get the new digital picture quality and sound,” and “Public to Get Free TV Without Gov't Coupon!” Additionally, the ads use the term “Miracle ClearView TV” to disguise the product and further deceive consumers.
Universal TechTronics has received an unsatisfactory rating from BBB due to its pattern of complaints concerning slow delivery or non-receipt of product, difficulty reaching customer service representatives, delays in obtaining refunds after returning merchandise, product quality issues and advertising claims. In the past nine months the BBB has received nearly 200 complaints about the company’s business practices. The BBB reliability report on this company is available online at: bbb.org.
“Digital TV conversion may seem like a complicated, confusing issue,” added Odell. “But there are a number of easy-to-use resources that consumers can turn to for reliable, trustworthy information to make digital TV conversion a painless and inexpensive process.”
For more information about digital TV conversion consumers can call the DTV hotline at, 888-DTV-2009, or visit: www.dtv2009.gov/FAQ.aspx.
On February 17, 2009, television stations will stop analog broadcasts, and exclusively broadcast in digital. Viewers who get reception with rabbit ears or an antenna, or who don't have a digital TV, will need a digital converter box to receive television programming. Television sets made after March 2007 already have digital tuners built into them, as required by federal law. Also, analog sets hooked up to cable or satellite systems will not be affected by the switch to digital TV and won't need a converter box.
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1 comment:
Universal Techtronics does not simply offer the “same thing.” Universal offers not only a better converter box option than most, it stands behind its product with the best warranty available. The facts are:
1. It is very important you know that Universal’s converter box features Analog pass through, an item present on approximately 15% of available converter boxes. Without this feature many consumers will lose access to local television channels which will have yet to convert to digital by February 2009.
2. Most retail purchased converter boxes come with a 1 year warranty for the $50 price. Customers purchasing these boxes are doing so to avoid the cost of replacing their television and/or having to pay for cable or satellite to obtain local channels. If these converter boxes fail within the next 5 years these consumers will be back where they began and have to find the money for these expensive items. They merely, briefly delayed the inevitable cost instead of being able to wait until some of the costs come down. Universal’s 5 year warranty gives consumers the piece of mind they deserve that we supply a quality product that we stand behind in the event of a problem for the next 5 years. There is a cost associated with this service.
3. Obtaining the $40 government coupon is not the timely, seamless process that it ought to be. Purchasing a Universal Techtronics converter box eliminates the need to acquire a government coupon while still offering a government certified converter box.
4. Not all consumers are proximate to a brick and mortar retail store selling converter boxes. Those that are seem to be finding that many are out of stock. Universal offers the convenience knowledgeable salespeople, customer technical support through our customer service department, and delivery to the customer’s door.
We believe it is important that consumers have purchase options. For our converter box to be an alternative that consumers will consider, Universal needs to offer a better value. We believe we offer a very competitive package for $68.30, which includes the shipping and handling charge.
Sincerely,
Chris Pugh
Communications Specialist
Universal Techtronics
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