Provantage DTV-Pal Orders - Did yours get cancelled? - Page 6

Today my order status has changed to CANCELLED!


I ordered after the model changeover, so this is bogus. They just can't or won't resell the product!

3:19 CDT Mine says In progress.

I just rec'd the same email as above about order cancellation. It appears that Dish Network is playing with the supply, wanting people to order from them. The local Sears can't get very many of them, although I purchased one last week.

I don't blame Provantage but rather the NTIA and Dish Network for allowing this to happen. With my local PBS (WKNO) turning off analog this fall, there's not much choice in converters, for only Best Buy and Circuit have any large amounts on hand.

Hopefully, I'll get new coupons, for I need another box. I'm also hoping that there'll be improvements in the boxes by then (bugs worked out). j c

Just got same cancellation. Kindof a relief, actually. I'm really more interested now in getting the Zenith/Insignia 901 (I have the April 900 which I can't use right now because of no pass through), and some people feel the 'Pal' has 'issues'. Hopefully we'll get the coupons reinstated correctly and we'll get another 90 days What a ride.

xpfshost

I did get that letter in early July that said:

"NtIA has determined that in these special circumstances, the Program will replace your coupon (or coupons if you ordered two converters) so that you may use them towards the purchase of another converter at a retailer of your choice that is participating in the Program. The Program is working on the logistics to be able to replace your coupons, which may take some weeks."

But no letter with new coupons. Waiting with fingers crossed. I think it has been "some weeks" already.

No company can sell at a loss, and giving ALL of us a DTVpal for $40 is a loss.

Provantage doesn't want to lose money.

Thanks, hooskerdoo. Can you post here when you get them? Much appreciated.

xpfshost

Not sure what day I received the letter but below is what it said. BTW I got the email cancel letter today also.

UNneD STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration
Washington, DC 20230
June 24,2008
--Dear PioVantage Gustomer:
You recently used a coupon from NTIA's TV Converter Box Coupon Program to order an EchoStar TR-40 converter from ProVantaqe.com. The manufacturer decided not to manufacture the product and did not deliver the product to retailers. In these circumstances, Provantage should not have accepted
your coupon(s). Our records indicate your coupon has been redeemed by ProVantage.com and you have not received an EchoStar TR-40 converter box. We have been informed that ProVantage.com has canceled your order. I f this is incorrect, please let us'know.

The retailer has been decertified from the Coupon Program. NtIA has determined that in these special circumstances, the Program will replace your coupon (or coupons if you ordered two converters) so that you may use them towards the purchase of another converter at a retailer of your choice that is participating in the Program. The Program is working on the logistics to be able to replace your coupons, which may take some weeks.
I hope this will be a satisfactory result for you. I f you need to communicate with us please feel free to call Diane J. Simmons on 2021482-2475 or via e-mail at dsimmons@ntia.doc.aov or Jerry Green via e-mail at jclreen@ntia.doc.gov.
Thank you for your interest in the program.
Sincerely,
Anita L. Wallgren
Program Director
TV Converter Box Coupon Program

I did email them but no response.

My order was switched to DVTpal - in progress as others were before today being canceled.

Interesting that Ultimate Electronics is pre-selling them for $40. What do you make of that?

You guys do know that the people that lost their coupons on the MaxMedia converter box did eventually get replacement coupons.

I think that Provantage with the TR40/DTVPal would be next in line for replacements followed by Global for the Apex converter.

So none of you did ever ask who the supplier was?


The quote above makes it sound like it was Sling Media all along.

Those of us who ordered from FreeDTVShop who did not have any coupons redeemed remember how Dish Network dropped all Sling Media distributions.

Interesting about the EchoStar part of that quote.

EchoStar is only releasing the TR-40 under it's brand name according to the NTIA list so I wonder what exactly Provantage ordered and from who.

One sad thing is how Provantage looks like they will not try and get back on the NTIA list like MicroProse is, I wonder why?

I did not know that. That is good news--but color me doubtful. Malouff, what do you think about the $40 selling price at Ultimate Electronics?

This is why.

The whole thing is just way more trouble than it's worth for retailers. Provantage got burned, and they learned their lesson.

It's great if you can find one that actually has any. They apparently each only got a handful or two in, and were probably just using them as leaders, to get people into the store.

I haven't heard anyone say that any of them ever re-stocked them afterwards. Maybe they did and I missed that, though.

My order shows in progress and no email yet.

I did get commercial email from them in the last couple days.

Maybe they are paring down the number of orders to an amount they know will be delivered?

Tomorrow is the date that was mentioned that was a possible shipping date.

Not over yet.

Hopefully they give you guys replacements faster than they did for MaxMedia
I love that price and wish it was like that everywhere.

I ordered mine before Ultimate started selling and don't have one local to me.

I have read that some stores will cash in your coupons and charge you now and order a box and notify you when it's in but am not sure if Ultimate was one of those stores.

If you do get a replacement coupon you can probably get a TR-40 that is suppose to be a brown box version of the DTVPal.

I am thinking the brown box was meaning same thing but different packaging and hopefully at the promised $39.95 price.

My Order status : In Progress

No email. Yet.

Thanks for reporting this, y'all.

And I do not blame Provantage one bit. This falls squarely on DISH/Sling. And tells me something how they do business.

Still - "In Progress". No email.. yet

Mine was canceled. Hopefully, I'll get my coupons back some time this year...

Yup, same here, and the order was initially placed 5/15/08 for the "DTVPal". Coupons have been used by Provantage.

They have prepped me by saying that the coupons will be replaced by NTIA if the order is cancelled, however, I kinda think that should I (or everyone) take this order to small claims court they might come around some way.

We are all at an uncertain point not knowing if we will actually see replacement coupons, or when. That seems actionable to me in small claims court. I did order from Provantage in good faith, and they *used* my coupons, so it is up to them to provide either the product ordered, cashback, or assure that new coupons get to me without having to run the gamut.

Sufficient time has passed. The "Mail Order Rule" says:

The Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule (the "30-Day Rule"), which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, was amended, effective March 1, 1994. It now applies to orders placed by telephone as well as through the mail. Telephone orders also include those made by computers, fax machines, and pre-recorded messages.

((Link to rule here)): http://www.the-dma.org/guidelines/30dayrule.shtml

The 30 days has long passed, and they have processed/used coupons representing $80.00 to me via credit card type coupon and they need to either come up with the $80.00 or the boxes.

If I receive a cancellation from them they will hear my thoughts about the above.

Why? Because they've been punished, that's why! NTIA specifically forbade using the coupons for non-existent stock.

- Convertmy.tv and Provantage violated governement rules

- Thus they was "kicked out" of the program.

- It's their own fault.

Today. Dreaded email and order status shows cancelled.

Same form letter explaination.

Same here - cancellation of the TV converter box you had ordered - Blah blah blah.

Ditto. I received the same e-mail, and my order was canceled.

Although I mostly blame Dish Network, Provantage is also culpable in all of this.

order still not cancelled. No e-mail yet. It still says in progress but now it says "Your order has been passed to a specialist for special attention." So I guess I'll be expecting an e-mail soon.

That's WILD!

"Well now, isn't that special!"

Mine says the same thing.

I ordered 4 units on May 14th, and just got the cancel email. I wrote them back pointing out that indeed the DTVPAL which I ordered has been released, and I expect Provantage to fill my order. Since I live in the state where Provantage is I would be willing to set up a class action against Provantage if there is enough demand for one. But I am willing to give them a chance to send my order before organizing the class action.