I ordered for both me and my mother on the first day (Ref#'s mid 10,000 range), I received mine on March 4th but still waiting for hers. I called the 800 number this past Monday and was given the option to continue to wait or cancel and re-order. I elected to wait it out since she will still be eligible for phase 2 and I gave her one of mine for her back room. I gave her a Samsung AR650 DVD recorder for her birthday last year for her living room so she is set up good, just need one for her bedroom.


Edit: After reading BenCJedi's post below maybe I should have reordered when the Rep offered, it may depend on who answers the phone or hopefully a change of policy of how to handle cards not received.

I ordered 2 of these on the first day, before realizing exactly what they will do. I have received them, but have no use for them. I have Directv and am interested only in HD.

It sounds like BENCJEDI would be your BFF, if you gave them to him, since you have no use for them.

rgathright If you are willing to part with yours, I would love to have them. I've got older TVs and am on a limited budget. I talked to the ombudsman of the program today and she basically said I am S.O.L. I waited 2 weeks since I talked with her last and no coupons have shown up in my mailbox :( She said they are not allowed to legally re-issue and that I should check with my local post office in the undeliverables. That's my only course of action. I've got a bad feeling that I won't find them at the post office. I got burned for applying right after watching the ball drop at Times Square on 1/1/08. I knew it was bad news when I pressed submit and the page results showed my submission as 12/31/2007. I think the possibility exists that their system is wrong and my coupons were never sent. I mean #35XX and STILL not here, come on? My mail carriers (seems to be different people all the time) deliver random neighbor mail to me by mistake often, so I suspect this is what happened (if they were sent at all.. it's a gov't conspiracy). Possibly unlike my random neighbors I play mailman and deliver the misdirected mail to those neighbors (people I don't really know). I don't know if they reciprocate (probably not, just toss it.. it's not their mail).

So anyhow, if you truly have the coupons up for grabs, I would very much appreciate at least one of them (give someone else like me that was screwed a chance to watch TV OTA in 2009 one too) . I will be flabbergasted if my local post office branch pulls out my envelope, but odds are it never made it here (small town).

rgathright If you are willing to part with yours, I would love to have them. I've got older TVs and am on a limited budget. I talked to the ombudsman of the program today and she basically said I am S.O.L. I waited 2 weeks since I talked with her last and no coupons have shown up in my mailbox :( She said they are not allowed to legally re-issue and that I should check with my local post office in the undeliverables. That's my only course of action.

Sigh, our wonderful government at work--in full denial that nothing is ever misdelivered by the post office, they offer no recourse for lost mail.

For what it's worth, my friend Nancy finally got her coupons in the mail today--and the "your coupons have shipped" notification showed up for her at the dtv2009 website around March 4th...one day after mine showed as having shipped. My coupon, though, arrived on Friday, March 14th...and she got hers today, March 26th. I was one step away from giving her my converter box.

Just got coupons yesterday, applied first week of January. Getting the Zenith here is going to be more difficult, Radio Shack in my town only carries DigitalStream STX9900 and they aren't interested in ordering any from other stores--I'll never shop there again. Wal-mart only carries RCA, will have to drive an hour to get Zenith--if in stock. I guess waiting for coupon was easy part.

My local Radio Shack did order the Zenith unit. And I had it 3 days later. Ask your local guy again.

The Community Broadcasters Association wants to stop the sale of converter boxes without an analog tuner. They are suing. See http://www.dtvnow.org/documents/cbamandamus%20final.pdf The Community Broadcasters Association represents low power TV stations that relay signals or broadcast to small communities. And they don't need to convert to DTV on Feb. 18, 2009. They are worried that if their users get the DTV converters particularily the ones without a bypass they will not be able to watch analog TV. They want converters that have both analog and digital tuners. I hope this suit doesn't muck things up. Check it out.

I got mine today (3/28) I applied on 1/3/08. Probably going to go out next week and pick up either the Digital Stream or the Zenith with one and hope the TR-40 is available for order at least before the other one expires (6/12)

I received my coupons on March 10. I ordered them the first week of January. They expire May 28. My local Walmart carries the Magnavox. they were down to one, yesterday. I've heard good & bad about them. Don't know if I want the Magnavox. Meijer did have 3 [only] Philco, which I've read is made by the same company. I'm thinking, I ordered my coupons, too, soon. I've read on one AVS forum of other boxes, coming out later, which are supposed to be much better. I record religiously on 2 VCR's. Am worried, I won't be able to record & watch a show at the same time.

Now that I am retired, I need a coupon for everything!!!
I, totally, agree! I had to retire early due to disabilities. After Medicare and a supplemental insurance, I'm getting by on less then $600 a month & small savings.

I received my coupons on March 10. I ordered them the first week of January. They expire May 28. My local Walmart carries the Magnavox. they were down to one, yesterday. I've heard good & bad about them. Don't know if I want the Magnavox. Meijer did have 3 [only] Philco, which I've read is made by the same company. I'm thinking, I ordered my coupons, too, soon. I've read on one AVS forum of other boxes, coming out later, which are supposed to be much better. I record religiously on 2 VCR's. Am worried, I won't be able to record & watch a show at the same time.

Hold out for the Echostar TR-40 as long as you can, that has VCR timer capabilities and analog passthrough, but if the TR-40 doesn't come out or there isn't some kind of pre-order system in place before they expire your best bet is either the Zenith/Insignia or the Digital Stream.

I received my coupons on March 10. I ordered them the first week of January. They expire May 28. My local Walmart carries the Magnavox. they were down to one, yesterday. I've heard good & bad about them. Don't know if I want the Magnavox. Meijer did have 3 [only] Philco, which I've read is made by the same company. I'm thinking, I ordered my coupons, too, soon. I've read on one AVS forum of other boxes, coming out later, which are supposed to be much better. I record religiously on 2 VCR's. Am worried, I won't be able to record & watch a show at the same time.
annielov,

Here is what I did for the VCR.
It took 12 hours of walking around but now have a solution for TV system with a VCR/DVD and the converter. I attached the antenna to a 2 port splitter. One of the splitter outputs goes to the converter and the other splitter output goes to the VCR/DVD. As usual the TV-RF output of the VCR goes to the TV. I use the video and audio outputs from the converter and input them to the TV Video 1. I'm all set to record analog TV as usual and can play back the VCR/DVD to the TV as needed. But I also can view the digital programming too. One complaint though that I mentioned before is that the TV stations sometimes are not transmitting the same signal in digital as analog. But typically the stations transmit more channels or programs at the same time. Our local PBS can tranmit up to 5 channels at the same time.
Hope this helps.

Received my coupon, requested on 1-6-08, received on 3-29-08, expires on 06-18-08, and showed as in the mail for 2 weeks and 2 days. Don't give up hope.

I applied for mine on the 3rd of Jan. Got mine on March 24th. One gone, one to go still expires June 13th.

On Wednesday March 26, 2008, The Community Broadcasters Association (CBA) brought suit (http://www.dtvnow.org/documents/cbamandamus%20final.pdf) in the United States Court of Appeals for The District of Columbia with a Petition for Issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to the Federal Communications Communication. BTW Mandamus mean 'we command'. As I mentioned a couple days ago in this forum, the Community Broadcasters Association represents low-power community TV stations and translator TV transmitters that re-broadcast a large city TV signal on a new frequency and to a smaller audience. It turns out that these lower power station do not need to convert to DTV after Feb. 19, 2009. Therefore the CBA believes that the TV converter box without ability to receive both analog and digital signals will prevent their users from watching television come Feb. 18, 2009. The CBA believes they have no other recourse but to bring this suit for the FCC to stop the selling of the DTV converter boxes especially the ones with no bypass. What I would like to do is submit a Friend of the Court brief with information on how the CBA viewers can get around the problem and the suit should be dismissed. The question is: can I a non-attorney do this and what are the minimum requirements for this brief or whatever it is properly called. This suit is on a fast tract so speed is essential.

IANAL*...

But, research Amicus Curiae in federal courts and you should find the information you're looking for.

*I Am Not A Lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.

In fact, I didn't even stay in a Holiday Inn Express© last night!

The above posting represents the poster's personal opinion *only* and in no way should it be construed as legal advice or that the poster is licensed to practice law in any of the several states, commonwealths, territories or possessions of the United States. Your mileage may vary.
This offer void everywhere.

A workshop DTV Television Consumer Education Workshop Focusing on Low Income Consumers was held at the FCC headquarters on April 1, this week. The FCC and the National Information and Telecommunications Admininistration (NTIA) are both very concerned that the word is not getting out on the DTV transition coming to a head on February 17, 2009. You can view the workshop at http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/workshops.html and then click on the April 1, 2008 item. The important thing I got out of this is that there is going to be a lot of people that have no clue as to what to do. We all need to talk to our neighbors, particularily the older ones and help them first get the coupons and then assist to install the boxes. This is going to be a big deal. Someone compared this to the Y2K run up January 1, 2000.

Coupons came today (4/05/08). Valid through 06/24/2008. Ordered 1/18/08. Reference Number: 197XXXX

Those of you who have received your coupons: what does the envelope or box look like?  Maybe I've overlooked it in the mail.

Meanwhile,

Coupons came today (4/05/08). Valid through 06/24/2008. Ordered 1/18/08. Reference Number: 197XXXX

That gives me hope.  I ordered mine the same day and got a reference number in the 198XXXX range.  Thanks, Ken.

annielov,

Here is what I did for the VCR.
It took 12 hours of walking around but now have a solution for TV system with a VCR/DVD and the converter. I attached the antenna to a 2 port splitter. One of the splitter outputs goes to the converter and the other splitter output goes to the VCR/DVD. As usual the TV-RF output of the VCR goes to the TV. I use the video and audio outputs from the converter and input them to the TV Video 1. I'm all set to record analog TV as usual and can play back the VCR/DVD to the TV as needed. But I also can view the digital programming too. One complaint though that I mentioned before is that the TV stations sometimes are not transmitting the same signal in digital as analog. But typically the stations transmit more channels or programs at the same time. Our local PBS can tranmit up to 5 channels at the same time.
Hope this helps.

But what happens in Feb 2009? Your VCR needs its own tuner to pick up the station. How would you watch one channel and record the other?

But what happens in Feb 2009? Your VCR needs its own tuner to pick up the station. How would you watch one channel and record the other?

Yes, that's correct. This solution works only until Feb. 17, 2009. After that I will need a DVD/VCR that has DTV tuner. I'm hoping that Sony will have a DVD/VCR with Blu-Ray recorder by then.

But what happens in Feb 2009? Your VCR needs its own tuner to pick up the station. How would you watch one channel and record the other?

You either get the new boxes with timer controls like Echostar or you get a remote that can control both with a timer clock.

White business size envelope. ... the return address is TV Converter Box Coupon Program, PO Box 3019, Portland, OR 97208-3019.

Thank you greatly.  I'll keep my eyes peeled.

The converter box coupon envelopes bear this information:

U.S. Postage
PAID
Mail Services, Inc.

This means that the coupon box envelopes enter the mail in a city where Mail Services, Inc. has a mailing permit.

Mail Services, Inc. website shows that this company has locations in Sterling VA and Des Plaines IL.

But what happens in Feb 2009? Your VCR needs its own tuner to pick up the station. How would you watch one channel and record the other?

Maybe I wasn't clear in the reply. The power-splitter lets you watch the DTV signal with the converter box video/audio outputs going to the TV video/audio inputs. The second output from the splitter goes to VCR which can record and also allow you watch another channel (analog) at same time. However this won't work after Feb. 17, 2009, then you need another VCR that can receive DTV.

Coupons came today (4/05/08). Valid through 06/24/2008. Ordered 1/18/08. Reference Number: 197XXXXOrdered mine 01/02.09....still haven't gotten them yet. :rolleyes:

This solution works only until Feb. 17, 2009. After that I will need a DVD/VCR that has DTV tuner. I'm hoping that Sony will have a DVD/VCR with Blu-Ray recorder by then.By Feb. 17, 2009? Don't count on it.

Or get another converter box for your current VCR!

That wouldn't work very well. You would have to do everything manually. My converter box turns itself off after an hour or so. Sony has the RDR-VXD655 that can record/playback and has both NTSC and ATSC tuners. This is what I/you or an equivalent will need after Feb. 17, 2009. After that no more analog signals unless you live in an area with translator stations, class A, or low power stations. All 3 do not need to change after Feb. 17.

My converter box turns itself off after an hour or so.

I believe the boxes out so far all had a menu setting to let you turn off that energy saving feature.

pestocat - start reading your owner's manual or going through the menus - there WILL be a way to change the autoshutoff or turn it off completely - trust me.

Does anybody know if it is possible to request one coupon first, then a second one at a later date?

Does anybody know if it is possible to request one coupon first, then a second one at a later date?


Yes and no.....under this first wave of cards, you can request either one coupon or two. If and when, the second wave of cards are issued, you will be able to receive one card. The conditions are that you can only receive two total cards per family for the entire program. Also, the second wave of cards will be exclusively for people that use antennas only...no cable or satellite people can request a coupon in the second phase.

Yes it is possible.

Yes and no.....under this first wave of cards, you can request either one coupon or two. If and when, the second wave of cards are issued, you will be able to receive one card. The conditions are that you can only receive two total cards per family for the entire program. Also, the second wave of cards will be exclusively for people that use antennas only...no cable or satellite people can request a coupon in the second phase.

Wrong answer - you can get 2 coupons - PERIOD . Regardless of which phase.

pestocat - start reading your owner's manual or going through the menus - there WILL be a way to change the autoshutoff or turn it off completely - trust me.

Scooper, you are correct. I checked the menu and my unit is set to turn off after 4 hours. I still don't see using my current VCR with a converter box. I now record about 5 programs during week and all set up automatically to record at the specified time. A few I record while I'm sleeping or not at home and would require me to reset the channel in order to record the next program. This is not a solution.

Wrong answer - you can get 2 coupons - PERIOD . Regardless of which phase.


Scooper,
you're right...I stand corrected. First phase or second phase can receive 2 coupons. Only 2 coupons total per household between the two phases can be applied for.

Scooper, you are correct. I checked the menu and my unit is set to turn off after 4 hours. I still don't see using my current VCR with a converter box. I now record about 5 programs during week and all set up automatically to record at the specified time. A few I record while I'm sleeping or not at home and would require me to reset the channel in order to record the next program. This is not a solution.

I know how you feel - I've got an ATSC tuner card in my PC, and I can record the digital signals directly - but there is no control over the size of file this will produce either. I'd like to find a CECB that the IR blaster can control so I can record the analog output.

Applied January 18, late in the day, was application #198XXXX; coupons arrived April 7, expiring June 24 (and ergo backdated to March 26).

Applied January 14, application #182xxxx, coupons arrived April 7, expire June 23. I have 77 days to spend them.

Got my 2 coupons today (7 APR 08). #2,177,xxx. Good till 26 Jun 08.

New Status Info:

Coupon Status Found
Your application has been approved. Based on your application approval date of 02/11/2008, your coupon(s) are/were scheduled to mail on 04/11/2008.

*Note that coupons do not expire until 90 days after they have been mailed. Note also that coupons are being mailed via Standard mail (not First-class mail), with delivery expected around 2-9 days from the mailing date.

Received the two coupons for my grandmother yesterday. Sent for the coupons (by mail) on January 28th. It says they are/were scheduled to mail on 4/11 but they got here yesterday 4/9?:confused: They are good until June 30th.

I ordered my coupons (online) on 1/13. They said they were scheduled to mail on 3/28 but I have not got them yet.

my 3,0XX,XXX series coupon's arrived.
they will expire 07/08/2008.
Let's hope there's a good
S-Video box out by then.

Mine were approved on 3/21 and arrived today. Don't believe the 3-7 days shipping.

Mine still have not shown up, ref # 35XX (three thousand, five hundred, XX) :(
Requested 1/1/08 @ ~12:06am (just after watching the ball drop in Times Square on TV)

Stupid postal service most likely mis delivered to a neighbor that chucked them (notorious in my neighborhood for a different mail carrier every day\week). They have difficulty reading numbers on mail boxes or something (though mine are blatant). The program office cannot help me, so I am SOL. They told me "file a complaint with the Postal Service's consumer affairs office and the Postal Service Inspector
General." They said by law, they cannot reissue. I argue their system is flawed and may not even have sent them, but it fell on deaf ears.

well still haven't gotten ours from jan 2.

My mom still hasn't gotten her from Jan. 2, even tho my son and I both ordered the same day (actually I ordered for all of us) and we got ours three weeks ago, more or less.

Mom also has a clueless postal carrier -- old carrier retired awhile back and all she has now are temps.

Believe it or not, she LOVES the weekly junk mail, and most of the time she does not even get that....Safeway grocery ads, etc....She does get the occassional envelope addressed to people who live three blocks away tho...

So, assume coupons were misdelivered. Luckily, son only needs one, since he ended up buying another new TV, so mom can use one of his, I guess.

My mom still hasn't gotten her from Jan. 2, even tho my son and I both ordered the same day (actually I ordered for all of us) and we got ours three weeks ago, more or less.

Mom also has a clueless postal carrier -- old carrier retired awhile back and all she has now are temps.

Believe it or not, she LOVES the weekly junk mail, and most of the time she does not even get that....Safeway grocery ads, etc....She does get the occassional envelope addressed to people who live three blocks away tho...

So, assume coupons were misdelivered. Luckily, son only needs one, since he ended up buying another new TV, so mom can use one of his, I guess.

Check her postal carrier's home. It's probably there with all of her missing junk mail. :D

Just kidding (or maybe not). Have you checked the status of her application: https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx

mine said was/supposed to be sent out on march. I wrote them an email asking where are they. well see

Check her postal carrier's home. It's probably there with all of her missing junk mail. :D

Just kidding (or maybe not). Have you checked the status of her application: https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx

Haven't checked it for three weeks or more, but last I checked, it had been mailed and was expected to be delivered in 7-14 days, or something like that. :D

Ordered for a neighbor reference number 2,763,1xx
Date Submitted: 02/11/2008
Coupons showed mailed: 3/28/2008
Coupons delivered: 4/16/2008 :D

I knew I couldn't be the only one from the very beginning of the program that did not receive their coupons. It's ridiculous that the government made zero provisions for uncontrollable factors such as system glitches and\or mail carriers\mail systems mis delivering\losing\destroying coupons.

I believe what they should do is create a re-application site where they take down our information again and can review if the coupons they supposedly sent were used or not. If after the expiration date of the coupons they determine the coupons were not used, then obviously:

1) The original coupons they sent never made it to their destinations
2) We still need\want them because we've re-applied on the new site

What's so hard about that? I would think the outsourcer (IBM) should have a database of what coupon codes were assigned\sent to what household. To my knowledge the coupons won't work after they are used and one would think that status is sent back somewhere to prevent the card from being used multiple times on multiple CECBs.

What's encoded in the magnetic stripe? Is anyone able to find out? If the requestor's name is, then IBM would likly have a database and this can all be tracked.

Ordered my coupon in the beginning of January. It finally arrived just a few days ago, now all, and I mean all of the stores in the area are sold out of converter boxes!

Ordered for a neighbor reference number 2,763,6xx
Date Submitted: 02/11/2008
Coupons showed mailed: 3/28/2008
Mail Date: 4/7-4/11/2008
Coupons delivered: 4/18/2008 :D

Ordered my coupon in the beginning of January. It finally arrived just a few days ago, now all, and I mean all of the stores in the area are sold out of converter boxes!

That happened to me, but within a week they were back in stock. The stores apparently get info when coupons are in the mailing process, so they have a couple weeks to prepare. I checked online status, and then called.

Has anyone found any boxes for $40? If so where?

Has anyone found any boxes for $40? If so where?

Close, $43.95 before coupon: Artec T3A (http://www.digitalstar.com/product/9a93d138-4696-41be-b323-1cb65229223b.aspx), but you'll need to add S&H.

Check this thread on available CECB's: CECB roundup for the lazy and impatient (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13646544#post13646544)

cmdridq asked, "Does anybody know if it is possible to request one coupon first, then a second one at a later date?"

As others have indicated, yes you can order one coupon now and one later. I ordered my first coupon on 1/1/08, received it 3/3/08, and it expires 5/26/08. I'll choose the first CECB in early May.
Now for the second coupon: Estimating from the number of coupons ordered according to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/status.html, the first phase will run out around the end of August if the current order rate continues. So us OTA folks have until at least then to read the reviews of the CECBs in use. We can then apply for the second coupon after the second phase of the program starts. If that is in mid September, then we will have until mid December to choose the second CECB, about two months before the end of full power analog broadcast. Hopefully there will be better quality CECBs available by then.

I ordered 2 coupons a really long time ago, when I first heard about them on the news. I received them a few weeks ago. Today I bought a Zenith box for my Mom for her birthday. She *really* loves it. It works fantastic! There's basically nothing that could be improved on it. It gets *FIFTY TWO* channels! And they all come in perfect with no freezing or breaking up or anything like that. And the channel switching is FAST. It works way better than the WinTV 1600 card in my PC. I told my mom to give the other coupon to one of her friends. Now she can kiss analog goodbye forever.

Ordered for a neighbor reference number 2,763,6xx
Date Submitted: 02/11/2008
Coupons showed mailed: 3/28/2008
Mail Date: 4/7-4/11/2008
Coupons delivered: 4/18/2008 :D

Gee, almost exactly the same for me ...

April 20th and still haven't come supposedly mailed out march, ordered Jan 2. Email them 3 time on this and haven't heard a word back.

Ordered 2-17, arrived 4-24.

I helped my Wife's friend order coupons last night Monday 4/28/08. The confirmation notice stated they would be mailed 5/23/08. Seems kind of quick based on the reports in this thread. We will see.

Rick R

I helped my Wife's friend order coupons last night Monday 4/28/08. The confirmation notice stated they would be mailed 5/23/08. Seems kind of quick based on the reports in this thread. We will see.

Rick R

I ordered a second coupon back in early March and it was in the mailbox today. That was an unexpected surprise, as I was fully expecting to see the overinflated property tax bill instead.

Expiration date on this one is 7/21. I hope a second generation Zenith will be on store shelves by then.

I have received mine.

Just ordered on line today 4/30 when I my order was verified they said it would be mailed in late May.

Ordered for a neighbor reference number 5,239,6xx
Date Submitted: 03/27/2008
Mail Date: 5/5-5/9/2008
Coupons delivered: 5/9/2008 :D

Approved: 07/15/2008
Scheduled Mail Date: 08/08/2008

It's about 50 days later, so I'm guessing they may not come. I asked them to send more, but they denied me and told me I already received them. :confused:

Anybody know what the current lag time for coupons is?

Thanks.

Anybody know what the current lag time for coupons is?

This is the official information:

https://www.mydtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx

Here are the application approval and delivery dates for coupons in my immediate and extended family:

Application approved 1/1/08, delivered 3/4/08
Application approved 1/1/08, delivered around 3/14/08
Application approved 5/9/08, delivered 5/30/08
Application approved 8/12/08, delivered 9/6/08

The coupons are sent Standard Mail (junk mail) by Mail Services, Inc., a bulk mailer with terminals in Des Plaines IL and Sterling VA:

http://www.mailservicesinc.com/services.html

Thanks for the info DigaDo.

Seeing that your family member received theirs in under a month, and I've waited over two, it looks like I'm out of luck.

^^ as it has been mentioned several times - just apply using some friend/neighbor address.

But ask first.

I ordered two for my Dad on July 20. Scheduled mailing date = August 15. He still hasn't received anything. :(

Here is the #10 window envelope from Mail Services, Inc. (see the postage paid imprint at the upper right corner):

My coupons should have arrived a long time ago.

Any suggestions? I'm getting desperate to try this digital TV. :D

My coupons should have arrived a long time ago.

Any suggestions? I'm getting desperate to try this digital TV. :D

any friend, neighbor or relative can give you coupons if they don't need them.

if you have waited 2 or 3 weeks past the mailing date and assume them lost in the mail then have someone give you their unused ones.

you can see your mailing date and status at

https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx

i think the only status values are refused, in process, scheduled to be mailed on this date, coupon used

any friend, neighbor or relative can give you coupons if they don't need them.

if you have waited 2 or 3 weeks past the mailing date and assume them lost in the mail then have someone give you their unused ones.



Is the physical coupon needed to use them? Or can a relative tell me the coupon number over the phone?

If you're going to order online, no you don't need to physically have the coupon. Just be sure to get the expiration date as well as the 3 digit security code from the back.

If I can't find a relative or friend with an extra coupon, can I call somebody to get the coupons reissued, or am I screwed?

I have received mine.

If I can't find a relative or friend with an extra coupon, can I call somebody to get the coupons reissued, or am I screwed?

no

if it was lost in the mail there is no recourse according to the rules and all reports from people.

I'm starting to think that the mail man is stealing my coupons. I ordered two in July that have not shown up. I ordered two in September, and they have not shown up (should have been mailed three weeks ago.) So now I'm ordering one through my parents at their home across the state. I'll have them put it in another envelope and then mail it. I'm hoping that will thwart the vortex that eats my coupons.

I ordered two for my Dad on July 20. Scheduled mailing date = August 15. He still hasn't received anything. :( Update: He never received them.

In early September I also went ahead and ordered for my sister and brother. On September 26 they were both confirmed to have shipped. On October 7th my sister received her's. My brother has still not, and will probably never, receive his.

What is going on with this program?? From my own experience, ordering for my relatives, the odds of delivery are 50% (I did receive the ones ordered for myself). No wonder so many coupons have gone unused. A lot of people are just not receiving them.

When you check the status of all those missing coupons do they show up as having been redeemed?

When you check the status of all those missing coupons do they show up as having been redeemed?

Smart thinking. The first batch show as expired and deactivated, and the second batch show as "approved" and scheduled to mail three weeks ago.

So it looks like no one has been using them, but why don't I receive them? Lost mail is pretty rare, and it's happened twice and only with these coupons. It's very strange. Perhaps this is a sign from God to give up TV. ;)

The coupons are sent out Presorted Standard Mail by Mailing Services Inc. from terminals in Sterling Virginia or Des Plaines Illinois. Standard Mail is "junk mail." I've been told that any irregularity may cause Standard Mail to go into recycling containers to be hauled away. Junk mail isn't forwarded if a person has moved.

I still have not received my two coupons ordered on 1/1/08. They are not coming and our government doesn't care. This program was not well thought-out. Contingencies or re-requests should have been figured in due to postal service delivery failures.

When you check the status of all those missing coupons do they show up as having been redeemed? Nope. Status = Sent.

If they had paid the extra few cents for first class mail we would not have this problem.

Out of 12 coupons I have ordered, for friends, family and myself, 8 made it to their destination, that is 1/3 that are MIA.

Considering that the CECB application requires a valid mailing address, there should be no coupons not delivered.

None of the missing coupons were used; so, they were not stolen in route to the mail box, they were recycled by the USPS or they were never mailed in the first place.

Philip

Tried to apply online. Checked the status for about three/four weeks and never saw that I had been approved. Decided to call the toll-free number (1-888-388-2009), went thru the menu and order the 2 coupons and got a confirmation number. Per the mail out schedule, my coupons were scheduled to be mailed out last week. Reached both coupons today.

i got my coupons in the mail just about 2.5 weeks after i ordered them. they showed up last week.

I forget the exact day that I applied for mine. I do remember that the website said that the expected mail out date would be November 7th. I received my 2 coupons in the mail today (Nov 14th).

I forgot to mention that when I ordered my coupons, the website did say that the coupons would not be mailed out first class, I guess they use a cheaper rate.

It does seem silly; they are already spending 80 dollars. What's an extra 5 cents to upgrade from presorted to first class mail?!?!? Maybe they want coupons to get lost on purpose, so the government can keep the 80 dollars. They are not coming and our government doesn't care. This program was not well thought-out. Can you name ANY government program that was well thought-out or executed? I'm happy to say I've received every coupon I've ordered. (All 6 envelopes of them.) Hopefully there will be a "phase 3" added to the program so the unused, expired coupons can be reissued.

Well, after many attempts, I finally got one! (DTV rocks compared to crappy blurry analog and I get 30+ channels (including substations) completely clear instead of the 10+ blurry ones with analog.)

Here's a recap of my journey:
Early July - order 2 at old address
Late September - order 2 at new address
Early October - a friend offered me his, only to discover it was expired
Mid October - a brother offered me his, only to discover it was expired.
Late October - Ordered one using my parents address (which is across the state from me.)
Nov 15th - arrived!

So if you're having trouble getting your coupon, you just need to try five different addresses/methods and then wait five months! ;)

DTV rocks compared to crappy blurry analog and I get 30+ channels (including substations) completely clear....Unless you're using the DTVPal/TR-40 - then you get 30+ blurry digital ones.

I just got two of mine in the mail and they looks terrific!

I applied on 10/17/2008. The website says it was mailed on 10/29/2008 but I have not received it. The dtv website says that if you don't receive it you can't apply again, so does that mean there is no other recourse to get a coupon?

I applied on 10/17/2008. The website says it was mailed on 10/29/2008 but I have not received it. The dtv website says that if you don't receive it you can't apply again, so does that mean there is no other recourse to get a coupon?

find someone that has cable or satellite tv and doesn't need a CECB. They can apply for coupon and give to you.

I applied on 10/17/2008. The website says it was mailed on 10/29/2008 but I have not received it. The dtv website says that if you don't receive it you can't apply again, so does that mean there is no other recourse to get a coupon?

I applied 1/1/08 and still have not received mine. They won't budge for anyone. Find a relative that doesn't care to request and give you their coupons,

The news said they are out of money. Unless Congress approves more it may close. With maybe 3 to 4 million yet to apply.

The news said they are out of money. Unless Congress approves more it may close. With maybe 3 to 4 million yet to apply.

Maybe congress can bail out the CECB program since they have bailed everyone else out.;) Since the CECB program only saw about 5% of the money from the auction. Maybe Congress can give them a little bit more of that money if there is still any left.

Also a lot of people never received their coupons or let them expire. Why can't they take the money from those unused coupons and use that to issue more coupons?

That money has been recycled back into the coupon program.

Looks like if President Obama signs this bill I may potentially get replacements for the coupons that the United States Postal Service FAILED to deliver to me:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/dtv_delay_act/

(b) Treatment of Expired Coupons- Section 3005(c)(1) of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 (47 U.S.C. 309 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(D) EXPIRED COUPONS- The Assistant Secretary may issue to a household, upon request by the household, one replacement coupon for each coupon that was issued to such household and that expired without being redeemed.'.

My son tried to get a coupon and said he never got a conformation, it just sent him back to the sign up again. Never denied it tho. Dose that mean no more coupons?

My son tried to get a coupon and said he never got a conformation, it just sent him back to the sign up again. Never denied it tho. Dose that mean no more coupons?

it probably means the website was just acting funny at that time.

anyone that signs up now gets put on a waiting list, new coupons are being issued as old ones expire unused.