Wireless Trigger and Receiver Troubles?

I have the Nikon SB-28 and a Nikon D3000. I bought wireless triggers and receivers. No names ones form Cow Boy Studios. I watched a review and they say it worked. So I bought them, and they just won't work.

Any reason why? Any tips? I have a softbox and all so I'm trying to have the flash off my camera and in the softbox

A lesson learned. Cheap gear always leads to cheap results. If it doesn't work then you're stuck with a paper weight. Buy gear from name brand companies and this won't happen to you.

Most triggers should work off camera - that is without being connected to either camera or flash. There should be a way to trigger from the transmitter - perhaps a button, and light a LED on the receiver.

Most triggers also have a dip switch somewhere that you can change it's frequency. Make sure those are both the same, and try to establish the triggers working by themselves, then add the flash, then add the camera, etc.

Jim has good advice.

Nothing personal, but I would buy YongNuo equipment before I would buy anything from Cowboy Studios (and I tried the Yongnuo's before and had all sorts of issues).