Hank Investigates: Tuning In To Trouble

Salesperson
"You're going to have to get cable."

What these TV salespeople are telling us is SO wrong!

WHDH-TV undercover producer
"What if I don't have cable?"

Salesperson
"You're not gonna get anything."

We took our hidden camera to electronics stores in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Our secret shopping proves if you don't know your stuff about the switch to digital, your wallet may take a hit.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"What do you think when you see this?

Eric Bourassa, MASSPIRG
"I think this is wrong information that can end up hurting the consumer."

We found some TV viewers are still fuzzy on what's going to happen.

Television viewer
"I didn't hear too much about it"

Television viewer
"I have no idea"

But here's the scoop: if you now have a TV that uses antennas, on the roof or on the TV, starting February 17 2009, it won't work anymore.

This new digital converter box is the answer: buy it, hook it up, and your set is set.

If you already have a digital TV, cable service or satellite TV you don't need to do anything.

We found some stores have signs and brochures clearly explaining the reality.

You don't need to buy a new TV. You don't need to sign up for cable or satellite.

If you are shopping for a new TV. You don't need hi def. You just need a built-in digital tuner.

WHDH-TV undercover producer
"Do I need to buy a new TV?"

Salesperson
"No."

But in about half the stores we shopped undercover,

WHDH-TV Undercover Producer
"Do I need to buy a new TV?"

Salesperson
"Not yet."

The salespeople steered us wrong.

WHDH-TV undercover producer
"So even if I bought a new TV, I'd still need to get cable?"

Salesperson
"That part I do know."

And every wrong answer means you could spend money you don't need to.

WHDH-TV undercover producer
"So I would need to get cable and a new TV?"

Salesperson
"Yes."

Uh, no.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"Right or wrong?"

Eric Bourassa, MASSPIRG
"Wrong."

And she's the clerk in an electronics store! A place you rely on to have the correct answers.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"So when they hear things like this, they're likely to believe it!"

Eric Bourassa, MASSPIRG
"Absolutely."

The Federal Communications Commission has issued some violations charging retail chains sold old antenna sets they still had in stock without signs or labels cautioning those TVs will soon need a converter box.

Monica Desai, Federal Communications Commission
"Our warning to consumers is just to be careful when you're purchasing to know what it is you're buying."

But the FCC hasn't secret shopped for sales pitch problems and over we got wrong answers.

We were told: "If you have rabbit ears, you don't have to change anything." Completely wrong.

We asked: "DO I need a new TV"? Answer: "Yes." Wrong.

We asked: "Is there a box that will help?" Answer: "I don't know anything about a box."

Bottom line, the change to digital--should not cost you big bucks. If someone tells you otherwise, you're turning in to trouble.

Eric Bourassa, MASSPIRG
"The retail companies need to better educate their sales staff, and that's clearly not happening."

Important to know:  If you do need a converter box, the feds will send you a $40 coupon which will pretty much pay for it.

(Copyright 2008 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)