A Dragon in Sheep’s Clothing

3 responses so far ↓

• 1 Chris Pugh // Jun 26, 2008 at 10:43 am

  Concerning the story you listed about the converter box offer, Universal Techtronics does not simply offer the “same thing.”

  Universal offers not only a better converter box option than most, it stands behind its product with the best warranty available. The facts are:

  1. It is very important you know that Universal’s converter box features Analog pass through, an item present on approximately 15% of available converter boxes. Without this feature many consumers will lose access to local television channels which will have yet to convert to digital by February 2009.

  2. Most retail purchased converter boxes come with a 1 year warranty for the $50 price. Customers purchasing these boxes are doing so to avoid the cost of replacing their television and/or having to pay for cable or satellite to obtain local channels. If these converter boxes fail within the next 5 years these consumers will be back where they began and have to find the money for these expensive items. They merely, briefly delayed the inevitable cost instead of being able to wait until some of the costs come down. Universal’s 5 year warranty gives consumers the piece of mind they deserve that we supply a quality product that we stand behind in the event of a problem for the next 5 years. There is a cost associated with this service.

  3. Obtaining the $40 government coupon is not the timely, seamless process that it ought to be. Purchasing a Universal Techtronics converter box eliminates the need to acquire a government coupon while still offering a government certified converter box.

  4. Not all consumers are proximate to a brick and mortar retail store selling converter boxes. Those that are seem to be finding that many are out of stock. Universal offers the convenience knowledgeable salespeople, customer technical support through our customer service department, and delivery to the customer’s door.

  We believe it is important that consumers have purchase options. For our converter box to be an alternative that consumers will consider, Universal needs to offer a better value. We believe we offer a very competitive package for $68.30, which includes the shipping and handling charge.

  Sincerely,
  Chris Pugh
  Communications Specialist
  Universal Techtronics

• 2 Heidi // Jul 2, 2008 at 12:43 pm

  Dear Chris Pugh,

  I would send this reply to your email address, but your address indicates that you are connected to patenthealth.com, so I am unsure of your actual connection to Universal TechTronics. (Earning a little cash on the side?)

  Your enthusiasm and communications assertiveness (commenting on a blog that offered no opinions, only a link) may be commendable. However, I would suggest telling all this to MSNBC directly, so they can correct their information, especially the claim to have a “government certified” converter box.

  I hope you will understand, however, when I put my trust in what the BBB and FTC have to say about your company, and not in your well-composed spin material.

  I personally didn’t have a comment on the matter, until now.

  While you’re telling MSNBC, you may want to copy these news outlets as well:

  “BBB Warns of Universal TechTronics Taking Advantage of DTV Confusion by Misleading Consumers”
  http://www.spokane.net/stay_connected/PressReleases.aspx?prid=1693

  “Connecticut BBB: Nationwide Alert Issued About “Free” TV and “Free” Digital Converter”
  http://www.prlog.org/10084621-connecticut-bbb-nationwide-alert-issued-about-free-tv-and-free-digital-converter.html

  “Watch Out For Bad Deals On Digital Converters”
  http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=5963657

  “Free converter TV box offer preys on those with antennae”
  http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/106/story/183327.html

  While you’re at it, tell these discussion boards as well:

  AV Science Forum: Public to Get Free TV without Gov’t Coupon (scam)
  http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14074778

  Askville: “Will Universal TechTronics face charges for misleading ads?”
  http://askville.amazon.com/Universal-TechTronics-face-charges-misleading-ads/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=10792672

  Sincerely,
  -Heidi

• 3 Heidi // Jul 2, 2008 at 12:49 pm

  P.S. I missed a big one, the L.A. Times: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/06/dont-buy-a-digi.html

  Happy commenting!