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TV converter box coupons to be mailed Tuesday

Has anybody recieved these coupons? I requested (via internet) one converter coupon on the first day, and as of March 1st, I have not recieved a coupon. Assuming my coupon has been lost, what should I do? Will registering again create a really big mess? Should I just accept the fact that I have missed out? I would like to help two elderly couples I know get ready for digital (both recieve their TV OTA), but what's the point in requesting coupons for them if the same thing happens?
 
Over on the AVS Forum, there is a report that someone finally received a coupon yesterday. So apparently they have actually started mailing these coupons.

RadioStarOne said:
Remember this is the government and with them all good things take time! You'll get your coupons.

As I recall, the government has contracted with a private company to handle the coupon disbursement. So blame corporate inefficiency for this one, not government inefficiency.
 
I applied for coupons for myself, my mother, and my brother, and we haven't received any yet. I'm still getting the "your coupons will be mailed soon" message as well.
 
As I said, I applied for my coupon on the first day. Two weeks ago (March 1), I checked the status of my request by going online at the address listed above. I was told my coupon had been mailed and I would recieve it within two to three weeks "if you haven't already." Here it is March 14, and I still haven't recieved the coupon. I think it is reasonable to assume I will not recieve the coupon. Has anybody else had this problem? I'll try the toll free number tomorrow, but don't expect much...
 
fortmill said:
As I said, I applied for my coupon on the first day. Two weeks ago (March 1), I checked the status of my request by going online at the address listed above. I was told my coupon had been mailed and I would recieve it within two to three weeks "if you haven't already." Here it is March 14, and I still haven't recieved the coupon. I think it is reasonable to assume I will not recieve the coupon. Has anybody else had this problem? I'll try the toll free number tomorrow, but don't expect much...
Well if it said "2-3 weeks" and today is March 13 then it has only been 2 weeks. Why not wait 1 more week and see what happens.
 
Something I don't see any sense in is why that we can only request the coupons through March 31st. I applied for the coupons on the web in the middle of February and still haven't seen them. I'm about ready to call the toll free number as well.
 
anotherguy said:
Something I don't see any sense in is why that we can only request the coupons through March 31st. I applied for the coupons on the web in the middle of February and still haven't seen them. I'm about ready to call the toll free number as well.

You do realize that it's March 31st of 2009 not 2008. Also the dtv2009 website says the coupons are being mailed on a staggered basis- not all at once and in the order in which the applications were received.
 
Once again, I tried to add to my post and time ran out. ::)

I called what I thought was the toll free number, but it was 800-DTV-2009, which turns out to be a company trying to sell satellite dishes. When I called the actual number, 888-DTV-2009, I tried to check the status and was put on hold for at least 10 minutes. I was finally told the same thing about the coupons coming out in 2 to 3 weeks.
 
Wow! There really is hope for those who applied for the DTV converter coupons. After applying for my coupon on the second day of the program, I got my coupon, or I should say, card in the mail today (3/14/08). Now, if someone will tell me the best box, I'll go shopping tomorrow. The box RS in Charlotte is selling is an extreme no name brand. Should I go with that or try BB, CC, or, gulp, WM?
 
I like the Zenith DTT900 (Radio Shack, Circuit City). I've had very good experiences with it, as it will actually hold on to the signal of my local low-VHF digital. That's a real accomplishment, given that none of my other receivers will continue to display a picture even when the signal gets really poor. (Of course, e-skip still murders that signal, but I mean in normal circumstances)

In fairness, I haven't tried any others, but I'm so satisfied with it that I'm planning to buy more of them in the future.

- Trip
 
silverthree said:
anotherguy said:
Something I don't see any sense in is why that we can only request the coupons through March 31st. I applied for the coupons on the web in the middle of February and still haven't seen them. I'm about ready to call the toll free number as well.

You do realize that it's March 31st of 2009 not 2008. Also the dtv2009 website says the coupons are being mailed on a staggered basis- not all at once and in the order in which the applications were received.

OK, my mistake. Sorry sbout that.
 
I got my converter yesterday---the ZenithDTT900 from HH Gregg in Charlotte for $49.95 (actually 9.95 with coupon). I haven't tried it yet. Decided to get the Silver Sensor antenna first.
 
fortmill said:
I got my converter yesterday---the ZenithDTT900 from HH Gregg in Charlotte for $49.95 (actually 9.95 with coupon). I haven't tried it yet. Decided to get the Silver Sensor antenna first.

You're in or near Charlotte?

The Silver Sensor will probably get you most things (though possibly not all at once) except for WTVI-DT. Being on channel 11 and at 2.2 kW, don't maintain high expectations for it. But you never know; you may get lucky.

- Trip
 
tripinva said:
fortmill said:
I got my converter yesterday---the ZenithDTT900 from HH Gregg in Charlotte for $49.95 (actually 9.95 with coupon). I haven't tried it yet. Decided to get the Silver Sensor antenna first.

You're in or near Charlotte?

The Silver Sensor will probably get you most things (though possibly not all at once) except for WTVI-DT. Being on channel 11 and at 2.2 kW, don't maintain high expectations for it. But you never know; you may get lucky.

- Trip

Yeah, I've pretty much written off WTVI and probably WAXN as well. I don't understand why WTVI didn't go back to 42 with a decent power--they have a very good analog signal. Budget issues, I guess. Of course, antenna web claims both are yellow in my neighborhood. then again, I've never had much luck with antennaweb. The northeast towers are about 20 miles and the Gaston towers are about 25 miles, so it might be touch and go, but all 10 of the analogs, except WBTV (not recieved at all, go figure), come in fine. I'll let you know...
 
I finally got my Silver Sensor (from Amazon.com) and fired up my Zenith digital converter box. All I can say is wow....I'd say OTA television is back. We have 10 OTA channels here in the Charlotte area--8 come in flawlessly with the Zenith, 20 to 30 miles from the two sets of towers. I live in a townhouse and I set the Silver Sensor in the deepest central part of the house, facing away from any of the transmitters. Try as I may, I can't get any of the channels to pixilate or otherwise mess up, and I've been trying for over an hour! As I predicted earlier, I can't get low powered WAXN-DT or WTVI-DT, though I haven't tried moving the antenna around. Still, I recieve 26 rock solid digital channels---the picture is as good or better than digital cable. My analog reception is slightly snowy and lots of ghosts, and WBTV/3 doesn't come in at all (but its perfect on digtial) so quite an improvement. I'd highly recommend the Zenith box. I believe people would be happy to convert to digital if they knew how much it would improve their reception and choice of programing.
 
Which store sells the Zenith model? I got my coupon today and plan to go pick up a box this weekend. From what I've been reading on these boards it sounds like the Zenith is best for reception.
 
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