Prison inmate wonders what to do about digital TV conversion
Q. I am a Massachusetts prisoner who currently receives analog broadcasts, and I would like to use/receive the $40 government coupon for a digital converter box.
I had a family member log on to the government website (www.dtv2009.gov) and attempt to sign me up for the $40 coupon. A message was presented stating that I was not eligible for the program because the address provided was a business address, and that businesses and group living quarters are not eligible for the program.
Anonymous
A. The good news is you can keep using rabbit ears to watch until June 12, after Congress agreed to the president's request to delay the transition. The bad news is the coupons are limited to households and those who live in nursing homes or other senior care facilities. Despite objections from some prison officials, who like the idea of having prisoners distracted by watching TV, the program continues to exclude some institutions.
Q. My parents gave my children packages of pajamas that they purchased for $28.99. They weren't my daughter's style. My parents no longer had the receipt but we decided to return them. When the clerk processed the return it only allowed a refund of $3.99 per package. Prior to going to the counter we ran the packages through the price check and it indicated they were selling at a clearance price of $13.99. We were confused, and we are wondering if this makes sense?
Kevin Connolly, Arlington
A. Consumers are a bit hamstrung when they have no evidence of their purchase. Even in the best case, you were going to get less than half of what was paid.
If the store's records show the item at some point sold for $3.99 at any of their locations, that's as much as they'll pay out without a receipt. Otherwise, customers would be able to pay $3.99 and return it at a higher price.
Stores have to abide by their own posted policies, which usually involve receipts. Some chain stores, however, make exceptions, such as refunding the lowest recorded price or allowing access to store receipts using the credit card that purchased the items. If there is any way to get your parents to try to make the return, that might actually get you the full value.
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