How You Can Help
We did a “secret shopper” survey of retailers around the country to make sure
electronics stores were prepared for consumer questions about the DTV
transition. We found that clerks were offering inaccurate and misleading
information.
Tell Circuit City, one of the five national outlets
we surveyed, to get their story straight.
Report Release in the news
Here's a sampling of the news coverage on this report across Maryland
Sales staff misleading consumers about TV switch, study says
"Sales clerks at national retail chains that carry electronics have been
misleading broadcast television viewers about the upcoming transition
to digital television, directing them toward unnecessary purchases, a
report by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group reveals." Read more...
Stores Misinforming Consumers About DTV Switch, Group Says
"A consumer advocacy group says that retailers are sending mixed signals
about the digital television transition scheduled to happen in about a
year." Read more...
Remarks of FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein on our report.
"U.S. PIRG’s small
but hearty crew unearthed problems the entire consumer electronics industry and
the Federal government have not fully confronted: yet another weak link in the
national effort to help millions of Americans weather the DTV transition. I
thank them for bringing this to light." Read more...
One year from now 22 million Americans who rely on free over-the-air
analog broadcasting will be at risk of losing access to TV. On February
17, 2009, analog televisions that receive over-the-air signals will go
dark, unless they are retrofitted with digital converter boxes. For
many Americans who are hearing about the transition for the first time,
information about the change comes from electronic store retailers,
where consumers ask what is necessary to maintain TV reception-- a
primary source for news, information and entertainment.