Slashdot Mirror


There's a Sucker Converted Every Minute

Ponca City, We love you writes "Once the US converts from analog to digital broadcasting next February, those who receive their signals over the air will need a converter box for older, non-digital models. Government-approved converter boxes sell for $60 or less and a government-issued $40 rebate coupon is available for the asking but that hasn't stopped companies like the Ohio-based Universal TechTronics from offering supposedly free converter boxes. The gimmick: the box is free, as long as you pay $88 for a five-year warranty, plus $9.30 shipping. Universal TechTronics seems to specialize in 'high-tech' products of questionable value, marketing the Cool Surge portable air cooler, 'a work of engineering genius from the China coast so advanced that no windows, vents, or freon are needed' that uses the same energy as a 60-watt light bulb. It works by blowing a stream of air over two ice packs that you have previously frozen in your freezer. What's the best tech scam you've heard of lately?"

4 of 395 comments (clear)

  1. Tech scam? by jeiler · · Score: 5, Funny

    "We have to filter P2P to solve network congestion"--Bell Canada.

    --

    If you haven't been down-modded lately, you aren't trying.

    Sacred cows make the best hamburger.

  2. Tech Scam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    DVD rewinders.

  3. Re:I like Vista by tomhudson · · Score: 5, Funny

    and now I have the ability to play games without the horrible FPS that came with Vista.

    Vista comes with a First Person Shooter?

    Let me guess - you score points by killing penguins with thrown chairs, you buy armour by making campaign contributions, and you power up by eating up all the ram chips lying around.

  4. Re:Carbon credits by mazarin5 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Once the tree dies, its carbon goes right back into the air.

    Is spontaneous combustion a big problem for trees in you area?

    --
    Fnord.