Complain about a product or service

DTV Converter

Sherry of Brockton, MA September 9, 2009

I purchased 2 dtv converter box a few weeks before the first deadline for converting which was 2/12/09. I was able to watch channel 2 through 68. Alot had 2 channels different programs showing. Some days the channels would freeze or the sound would change almost like a monster sound.

Two weeks again i came home turn on the tv no picture until i realize the light on the box was red. I use the remote to turn the box back on. I light will not turn back to green. Several attempts and it did change to green. I was able to watch tv. I went outside for a few minutes came back inside and the same thing happened. But this time the box was very hot and won't shut off. The light is not turning to green at all.

I unplug the box and called Best buy store where i purchased the box. They said i will need to call the manufacture to find out what the problem is. I called Apex the manufacturer. They suggested i mail the box to them. I paid 11.00 to mail the box. I did everything they told me to do before mailing.

A week later i called Apex to find out if they receive the box gave me a hard time. I called back a 2nd time said the computers was down call back in an hour. I waited more than a day to call again and was told to call back in two days. I did call them back they said in order to figure out what the problem is or replace the box i would need my sales receipt which i don't have. They were told this info before i mailed it out to them.

Buttom line is if i don't mail them the receipt they will dispose of the box. So today 9-8-09 the other box i have also stop working. Same problem. They both was purchased from Best Buy at the same time. There is no tech support dept or help once these boxes stop working. You're on your own. Now i have no tv to watch unless i take the chance and buy another box or subscribe to cable or directtv. DTV just came on the market but it is something of the past already that [is] real bad.

Scott of Brentwood, CA September 7, 2009

Have been in service with dtv since 2006.Went to a new system (HD) and got a new box with a continuing contract . I decidd to look around for better service and pricing I wanted to give DTV a chance to give me a better deal with no luck. So I susp. contract for two session and decided to cancel.I waited one month then caled when thy told me I owe them one month. I didnt agree but told them I would send back the receiver and we will talk about the money later.

I got the box for my receiver and also got a serprise, that DTV took out not only the 132.00 but another 300.00, ALL UNAUTHORIZED by a card I made a payment with, but did not register it with DTV. I did call DTV and talked to operator#10036788 and gave me the advise that I shuld reactivate and then I will get my money back, In what form I have no idea.

Then I askd to talked to her sup. when then she told me there was not one available which I couldnot believe and persisted on one. Thirity minutes lter I got one operator#00097394 and he told me that I got my HD on march 22 08 and that was a lie cause DTV was at my house on XMAS of 2008 on aservic call for my HD.

so for my early cancellation I am responsible for the fee of 300.00 all deucted unauthorized and all the other [lies] came along with it. My big concern is the fact that they can pull out as much money as they want with no authorization. This needs to stop. PLEASE HELP!

Victoria of Newland, NC September 7, 2009

I am writing to complain about the switch to Digital TV. I live in a rural area of NC and with my analog antenna, was able to get 5 TV stations, all the networks before the switch to DTV. Now I can only get one station- PBS 17. I get this off and on however. I have a antenna rotor and have moved it in every direction, scanned and rescanned and still only one station.

I am disappointed in the government for making the tv stations make the switch without knowing how the rural part of US will be affected. I call around to find out how to remedy this situation and am told to get a new digital antenna, switch to cable(which is not available at my address) or get satelite tv. I can not afford to get these things. I get on the antennaweb.org and search my area and it comes up with "no stations available in your area"

Sandra of West Monroe, NY September 6, 2009

when we had to switch to a converter box we lost our main station that we watch for news, and nightly entertainment. We are not paying over 45.00 a month to be able to watch tv. Why was this necesary for the entire US to be put in a state of absolute loss of our basic source of communication...

Robert of Calcutta, OH August 30, 2009

new digital signal and all that goes with it sucks ...who is responsible? poor tv reception...screwed...more costs for less services..my tax dollars bought everybody a tv box...everything ok if u pay big money once a month >>I could go on & on,,tv change..better off quit watching tv...

Marjorie of Bristol, CT August 30, 2009

TV DIGITAL TRANSITION. . .been reading a lot of consumer problems concerning the digital switch; mostly from people with the analog converter boxes. Although I do have one TV on an analog converter box; my problem is with my main TV, which I opted to buy a brand neew HDTV and a NEW DIGITAL DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA - even though I did not gain any digital stations - I lost ABC, which in CT. is CH8; and what I'm hearing from the electronic retail stores, CH8 is the biggest complaint from their customers. I thought I had lost it because we were having so many rain storms; but I waited days and now weeks, I went on vacation and back now; still no ABC broadcast from CH8. I live in Hartford county and I'm only 18mi. from that TV tower. All other channels on my HDTV come in crisp and clear. So what is wrong with CH8 ? why can't they get their act together?

David of Scotts Hill, TN August 24, 2009

we have bought a new convertor box, the second one, new anteana and still do not receive any tv reception. If there is bad weather the only thing we had was the analog tv before, now we don't have that. I can't aford 50 dollars a month for satelite. this is the same for everyone in the community where we live

peter of naples, FL August 20, 2009

Digital TV reception is spoty at best always rescanning. My goverment lied again! I have to pay for TV if I want to watch it in these hard economic times when going to the movies cost min of 20.00 per person.

sylvia of sacramento, CA August 19, 2009

i have no television signal. i purchased the converter box and obtained a new antenna - indoor. i live 31 miles from the nearest tower and the indoor range is 20 miles. the fcc rules do not allow me to put an antenna on the roof or in the common areas because i live in an apartment/condo complex. my complaint to the fcc resulted in an email informing me that they had made a "decision" to let the television stations take the fall for the lack of service. the chances of my having reception again are pretty unlikely. i am on a fixed income due to disability and cannot afford to move or purchase cable or satellite or another antenna for that matter. all it would take to provide coverage to people like me is a change in the fcc rules to make apartment/condo developments provide a central antenna for the use of tenants who do not have the funds to pay for premium services. the cost would be small for the owners and could be passed off in slightly higher rents. since the fcc has chosen to pass the buck and not take responsibility for their mandate, we as low income consumers are the ones who are without something that has always been and should remain free. is there anyone who will take them on and make them responsible for their decisions. to mandate something and then discriminate against people because of money should be illegal. someone needs to find a way to hold them accountable. although i really do not have a lot of hope that anyone will care or take action, i am writing in the hope that maybe i am wrong.

Lesa of Newport news, VA August 18, 2009

OTA tv is history - - If you want tv anymore you have to pay for cable - - where's the lawsuit.... I can't afford cable so I'm stuck like so many others with poor to no tv. How are we suppose to get news/weather if we can't get any channels? Somewhere someone has got to be filing a class action lawsuit and I want to know who and where because I want to join in.

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