I got mines today but I am having a little trouble with the RCA box. I have comcast and do not want to use their cable box since it will be in my spare bedroom. When I connected everything I don't get an signal. Does the box only work with people who are using rabbit ears?

Are they still charging sales tax? Since it is a payment coupon rather than a discount coupon I assume sales tax still applies. If that's the case then it's still cheaper to get one of those online unless you want one quick and a different model.

SpeedDragon

When I used my coupon I asked about the tax and they said everything is covered.

Bruceslog said:mikecism said:Those "TV Converter coupons" are actually $40 prepaid Visa cards.

Not endorsing...just saying, the can be used for anything at a store where you swipe a card.

Of course they ran out while back...the boyz in the hood stocked up on cigarettes and booze. $80 free (taxpayer funded) was abused 7 ways to Sunday.

The whole thing Digital TV conversion was handled horribly by the industy and gov't. And the "coupon" deal was just another gov't program to be abused.

No, those coupons are not pre-paid Visa cards. Or any other way to get cash or credit.

Are you misrepresenting the coupon program just to troll ? Or are you just seriously mis-informed and spreading gossip ?

The coupons are good Only for converter boxes. The retailer who you are trying to use your card at has to clear the purchase with this coupon electronically through the NTIA before the purchase, and if they do not pre approve you and the coupon for a specific converter box purchase then your retailer is out $40.00. Only certain retailers are pre-qualified to be able to accept these coupons. The coupon numbers DO NOT even resemble Visa card numbers, or any other credit/debit card numbers. For example, some coupons start with the number 58, followed by a space, then 7 digits in a row, then a space, then 3 digits, etc. You will not be able to use this as a credit or debit card anywhere. The cards do not say Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card on them. The cards silver security box just says security on it, twice. Not Visa.
The back of the card lays out some of the terms, being that the card can only be used towards the purchase of a DTV converter box, that it has no cash value, and cannot be redeemed for cash OR credit. It also states that the coupon value cannot be redeemed if the converter box is returned. So you can NOT go out and purchase a converter box using the card, and then bring the box back and get $40.00.
Once it's used, it is gone for good.
There is more written on the card to that effect, get yourself one and enlighten yourself.

And before you come back trying to troll more by grumbling about the money now, give it up. The money came from the auction that our government made hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars off of, when they auctioned off the old analog frequencies. As part of the process of forcing American citizens to go digital and rendering millions of analog TV sets obsolete, Our legislature created the coupon program, paid for out of the hundreds of millions made at that analog airwaves auction. This assured that all the poor folks in Oklahoma and Kentucky would still get a TV signal on Grampa's old 1951 RCA console TV, and thus still get TORNADO warnings, and other Emergency broadcast bulletins, as is required by another law.
In fact, just to refresh your memory, this program was delayed twice because not enough people had gotten and used their coupons, not enough people were ready for the switch, and too many people would lose the use of their Televisions, in losing TV signal along with their Emergency Broadcasting Stations.

The coupon program is open to all Americans, not just the poor ones in the backwoods, who do not wish to have to purchase a new TV or a converter box - just because our gov't decided to go digital and sell the old airwaves for a huge amount of money, money that, incidentally, our gov't has kept most of and is now in somebody's pockets.

So there ya go.
If you're not trolling, my apologies for bringing up the possibility, and I hope that the above information fills you in on the program, so you can make an informed decision, and cease spreading falsehoods on a public forum.

Hoping your Independence Day was a Really good one.

~ An American Veteran

Do a google search. You are wrong and mike is right. I found a website talking about the $40 visa card being used to buy stuff other than converter boxes.

This website speaks of the misuse.

I also see a couple other website's referring to the coupons as Visa cash cards. So maybe the gov changed how they sent them out. I know when I applied for mine last year they came as paper coupons. Maybe they started mailing out Visa cash cards instead. Not surprised that the govt screwed up and allowed these cards to be used on anything.

OhToSee said:I'm looking at two "coupons" right now. It has no credit card logo. Visa cards all start with "4" and mine starts with "5". You may want to change your fake story to say it's a $40 Mastercard gift card instead. Bruceslog is right.

But since that "Visa gift card" mumbo-jumbo was found on one website riddled with typos, spelling mistakes, and poor grammar, it must be true. . .

We've got two separate sources stating the same thing. Kinda hard to ignore that.

Bruceslog said:mikecism said:Those "TV Converter coupons" are actually $40 prepaid Visa cards.

Not endorsing...just saying, the can be used for anything at a store where you swipe a card.

Of course they ran out while back...the boyz in the hood stocked up on cigarettes and booze. $80 free (taxpayer funded) was abused 7 ways to Sunday.

The whole thing Digital TV conversion was handled horribly by the industy and gov't. And the "coupon" deal was just another gov't program to be abused.

No, those coupons are not pre-paid Visa cards. Or any other way to get cash or credit.

Are you misrepresenting the coupon program just to troll ? Or are you just seriously mis-informed and spreading gossip ?

The coupons are good Only for converter boxes. The retailer who you are trying to use your card at has to clear the purchase with this coupon electronically through the NTIA before the purchase, and if they do not pre approve you and the coupon for a specific converter box purchase then your retailer is out $40.00. Only certain retailers are pre-qualified to be able to accept these coupons. The coupon numbers DO NOT even resemble Visa card numbers, or any other credit/debit card numbers. For example, some coupons start with the number 58, followed by a space, then 7 digits in a row, then a space, then 3 digits, etc. You will not be able to use this as a credit or debit card anywhere. The cards do not say Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card on them. The cards silver security box just says security on it, twice. Not Visa.
The back of the card lays out some of the terms, being that the card can only be used towards the purchase of a DTV converter box, that it has no cash value, and cannot be redeemed for cash OR credit. It also states that the coupon value cannot be redeemed if the converter box is returned. So you can NOT go out and purchase a converter box using the card, and then bring the box back and get $40.00.
Once it's used, it is gone for good.
There is more written on the card to that effect, get yourself one and enlighten yourself.

And before you come back trying to troll more by grumbling about the money now, give it up. The money came from the auction that our government made hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars off of, when they auctioned off the old analog frequencies. As part of the process of forcing American citizens to go digital and rendering millions of analog TV sets obsolete, Our legislature created the coupon program, paid for out of the hundreds of millions made at that analog airwaves auction. This assured that all the poor folks in Oklahoma and Kentucky would still get a TV signal on Grampa's old 1951 RCA console TV, and thus still get TORNADO warnings, and other Emergency broadcast bulletins, as is required by another law.
In fact, just to refresh your memory, this program was delayed twice because not enough people had gotten and used their coupons, not enough people were ready for the switch, and too many people would lose the use of their Televisions, in losing TV signal along with their Emergency Broadcasting Stations.

The coupon program is open to all Americans, not just the poor ones in the backwoods, who do not wish to have to purchase a new TV or a converter box - just because our gov't decided to go digital and sell the old airwaves for a huge amount of money, money that, incidentally, our gov't has kept most of and is now in somebody's pockets.

So there ya go.
If you're not trolling, my apologies for bringing up the possibility, and I hope that the above information fills you in on the program, so you can make an informed decision, and cease spreading falsehoods on a public forum.

Hoping your Independence Day was a Really good one.

~ An American Veteran

American Vet,

Thanks for serving.

And no thanks for the insult. You do not know what you are talking about, or how the program works.

I have seen people with my own eyes do this. I am not a troll. (See correction re: Mastercard below). I await an apology.

You believe everything you read on the card, without a fundamental grasp of how payment cards work. You need the enlightenment. The cards have a 3 digit CCV (Credit card verification number) on the back...

As for the auction. DTV, etc., there's not enough room in this forum to go over what a CF it has been.

Giving away billions of tax dollars (yours and mine) without proper controls is pretty problematic, and one of the reasons the country is in the shape it is in

Bmr4life said:Bruceslog said:mikecism said:Those "TV Converter coupons" are actually $40 prepaid Visa cards.

Not endorsing...just saying, the can be used for anything at a store where you swipe a card.

Of course they ran out while back...the boyz in the hood stocked up on cigarettes and booze. $80 free (taxpayer funded) was abused 7 ways to Sunday.

The whole thing Digital TV conversion was handled horribly by the industy and gov't. And the "coupon" deal was just another gov't program to be abused.

No, those coupons are not pre-paid Visa cards. Or any other way to get cash or credit.

Are you misrepresenting the coupon program just to troll ? Or are you just seriously mis-informed and spreading gossip ?

The coupons are good Only for converter boxes. The retailer who you are trying to use your card at has to clear the purchase with this coupon electronically through the NTIA before the purchase, and if they do not pre approve you and the coupon for a specific converter box purchase then your retailer is out $40.00. Only certain retailers are pre-qualified to be able to accept these coupons. The coupon numbers DO NOT even resemble Visa card numbers, or any other credit/debit card numbers. For example, some coupons start with the number 58, followed by a space, then 7 digits in a row, then a space, then 3 digits, etc. You will not be able to use this as a credit or debit card anywhere. The cards do not say Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card on them. The cards silver security box just says security on it, twice. Not Visa.
The back of the card lays out some of the terms, being that the card can only be used towards the purchase of a DTV converter box, that it has no cash value, and cannot be redeemed for cash OR credit. It also states that the coupon value cannot be redeemed if the converter box is returned. So you can NOT go out and purchase a converter box using the card, and then bring the box back and get $40.00.
Once it's used, it is gone for good.
There is more written on the card to that effect, get yourself one and enlighten yourself.

And before you come back trying to troll more by grumbling about the money now, give it up. The money came from the auction that our government made hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars off of, when they auctioned off the old analog frequencies. As part of the process of forcing American citizens to go digital and rendering millions of analog TV sets obsolete, Our legislature created the coupon program, paid for out of the hundreds of millions made at that analog airwaves auction. This assured that all the poor folks in Oklahoma and Kentucky would still get a TV signal on Grampa's old 1951 RCA console TV, and thus still get TORNADO warnings, and other Emergency broadcast bulletins, as is required by another law.
In fact, just to refresh your memory, this program was delayed twice because not enough people had gotten and used their coupons, not enough people were ready for the switch, and too many people would lose the use of their Televisions, in losing TV signal along with their Emergency Broadcasting Stations.

The coupon program is open to all Americans, not just the poor ones in the backwoods, who do not wish to have to purchase a new TV or a converter box - just because our gov't decided to go digital and sell the old airwaves for a huge amount of money, money that, incidentally, our gov't has kept most of and is now in somebody's pockets.

So there ya go.
If you're not trolling, my apologies for bringing up the possibility, and I hope that the above information fills you in on the program, so you can make an informed decision, and cease spreading falsehoods on a public forum.

Hoping your Independence Day was a Really good one.

~ An American Veteran

Do a google search. You are wrong and mike is right. I found a website talking about the $40 visa card being used to buy stuff other than converter boxes.

This website speaks of the misuse.

I also see a couple other website's referring to the coupons as Visa cash cards. So maybe the gov changed how they sent them out. I know when I applied for mine last year they came as paper coupons. Maybe they started mailing out Visa cash cards instead. Not surprised that the govt screwed up and allowed these cards to be used on anything.

They may be using both; I have only seen Mastercard (starting with the 5). Earlier ones may have been Visa.

Consumer Reports Digital Converter Box Ratings

Thanks OP, picked up a Venturer (RCA) box for my parents for $40. Like a previous poster, I was not charged tax.

Why don't you do an MBA? Lot of writing for simple issue.

(P.S. I was just kidding. Please don't take it serious.)

Bruceslog said:mikecism said:Those "TV Converter coupons" are actually $40 prepaid Visa cards.

Not endorsing...just saying, the can be used for anything at a store where you swipe a card.

Of course they ran out while back...the boyz in the hood stocked up on cigarettes and booze. $80 free (taxpayer funded) was abused 7 ways to Sunday.

The whole thing Digital TV conversion was handled horribly by the industy and gov't. And the "coupon" deal was just another gov't program to be abused.

No, those coupons are not pre-paid Visa cards. Or any other way to get cash or credit.

Are you misrepresenting the coupon program just to troll ? Or are you just seriously mis-informed and spreading gossip ?

The coupons are good Only for converter boxes. The retailer who you are trying to use your card at has to clear the purchase with this coupon electronically through the NTIA before the purchase, and if they do not pre approve you and the coupon for a specific converter box purchase then your retailer is out $40.00. Only certain retailers are pre-qualified to be able to accept these coupons. The coupon numbers DO NOT even resemble Visa card numbers, or any other credit/debit card numbers. For example, some coupons start with the number 58, followed by a space, then 7 digits in a row, then a space, then 3 digits, etc. You will not be able to use this as a credit or debit card anywhere. The cards do not say Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card on them. The cards silver security box just says security on it, twice. Not Visa.
The back of the card lays out some of the terms, being that the card can only be used towards the purchase of a DTV converter box, that it has no cash value, and cannot be redeemed for cash OR credit. It also states that the coupon value cannot be redeemed if the converter box is returned. So you can NOT go out and purchase a converter box using the card, and then bring the box back and get $40.00.
Once it's used, it is gone for good.
There is more written on the card to that effect, get yourself one and enlighten yourself.

And before you come back trying to troll more by grumbling about the money now, give it up. The money came from the auction that our government made hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars off of, when they auctioned off the old analog frequencies. As part of the process of forcing American citizens to go digital and rendering millions of analog TV sets obsolete, Our legislature created the coupon program, paid for out of the hundreds of millions made at that analog airwaves auction. This assured that all the poor folks in Oklahoma and Kentucky would still get a TV signal on Grampa's old 1951 RCA console TV, and thus still get TORNADO warnings, and other Emergency broadcast bulletins, as is required by another law.
In fact, just to refresh your memory, this program was delayed twice because not enough people had gotten and used their coupons, not enough people were ready for the switch, and too many people would lose the use of their Televisions, in losing TV signal along with their Emergency Broadcasting Stations.

The coupon program is open to all Americans, not just the poor ones in the backwoods, who do not wish to have to purchase a new TV or a converter box - just because our gov't decided to go digital and sell the old airwaves for a huge amount of money, money that, incidentally, our gov't has kept most of and is now in somebody's pockets.

So there ya go.
If you're not trolling, my apologies for bringing up the possibility, and I hope that the above information fills you in on the program, so you can make an informed decision, and cease spreading falsehoods on a public forum.

Hoping your Independence Day was a Really good one.

~ An American Veteran