This thread is not titled "How F***ed Up Is The DTV Coupon Program"! Right? If you guys want to hijack a thread with a protracted debate about the (mis)use of the program, then start your own thread in something more appropriate like Deal Discussion. Stop your bitching and stick to the Target deal.

I guess thats a good deal, although I don't need one in the slightest.

HotSalami said:I just checked my two (expired) converter coupons against the basic MasterCard validation algorithm. While the coupons are 16-digit numbers, they do not pass the basic MC smell test.

Thanks for playing, try again...

Sorry, but you are wrong. The number is MC, and there is a CCV 3 digit code on the back. It passes the sniff test just fine, and is not stopping them from being used as such.

I saw Apex ones at my Target, and it was $50 so YMMV

mikecism said:The Luhn returns valid - as do multiple online validators.

Mastercards start with "5". It's not only 51-55; which are for the major banks. A little lesson for you:
http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/debt-management/...

Now, the bank in this case is a bit of a secret - but is basically the gov't (or the shell set up by IBM who is servicing this.) But is being done with Mastercard.

You can apologize now.
A little lesson for you.

List of MasterCard Issuing Banks: http://wapedia.mobi/en/List_of_Bank_Identification_Numbers?t=1.5.

List of card prefixes: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Credit_card_numbers

Nothing over 55 is a valid MasterCard issuer. Sorry...

Now, I'd like to see one of these coupon numbers that allegedly pass the Luhn's algorithm. I have two that most certainly don't.

So, in summary if:

- there's no valid issuing bank, and,
- the number doesn't pass the (45 year old!) Luhn test

it's not a MC number.

babylon5 said:lexx said:what's the best 1? my cards are good till 17th but for mail order drop a week off that!

Zenith DTT901 or Channel Master for everyday user (Not at Target though).

I would avoid the zenith. Ive had three of these and all the remotes go bad within a few months. Besides this I cant get the public educational channels at all.

Toddler said:Holy smokes, both of my cards and both of my parents' cards pass the Luhn check.

I have no problem thinking that a special bank code was used for this program, but these do indeed appear to be Mastercard numbers.

Ah, I love the smell of vindication in the morning

I thought mine expired on ntghe 13th but it was the 3rd. Is the expiration date coded in the stripe?

I try at CVS and Walgreens it doesnt work. My total purchase was over $40

Toddler said:mikecism said:Toddler said:Holy smokes, both of my cards and both of my parents' cards pass the Luhn check.

I have no problem thinking that a special bank code was used for this program, but these do indeed appear to be Mastercard numbers.

Ah, I love the smell of vindication in the morning
Sorry, Mike. I tried using them at Best Buy, Target, WalMart and Walgreens. No go.

For example, after swiping the card at Best Buy, the screen asked me if I wanted to apply the total to my "credit" card. I said "yes" and then it came back with a message reading "credit card cannot be used for this purchase." The system is smart enough to prevent fraud it seems. That makes sense, given that there is a list of authorized merchants. I'd imagine a prerequisite of becoming an authorized merchant is being able to implement some sort of check as described above.

On a semi-related note, there was no need for much subterfuge on my part in attempting to use the card. I simply took an expensive item to checkout and then swiped the card. When it didn't work, I just tried it again and then stood there looking confused. In each case, the cashier looked at the card and then explained that I had to purchase a converter box to use it. I told them I thought it was a prepaid Mastercard and told them nevermind and walked out the door. It was all very low-key and absolutely no big deal. If you intend to try for yourself, jJust keep your cool and you'll be fine.

Well, all I can say is I've seen it work at CVS, so it could work in other places. Did you buy over $40 over stuff, or under $40? That makes a difference.