Recent Cyber Monday specials from HP extended the offer of a free Nook. But the small print suggests that free is not always free. Continue reading and learn how you can defend yourself.
Not necessarily free
The Consumerist tells the tale of Brian, a consumer who was in the industry for an HP laptop. He purchased an Ultrabook as part of a Cyber Monday promotion that involved a free Nook e-reader. Every little thing was fine until Brian decided the Ultrabook was not exactly what he was trying to find. When he went to return the computer, Brian was really charged $99 plus tax out of the return funds from the laptop. It was the price of the Nook, which HP wouldn't take back.
A totally free Nook problem that is not unique
Brian is not the first consumer to see this type of problem. The customer does not get charged $99 when purchasing the computer though HP claimed that this is the way orders are processed. The "free Nook" was really the expense of a Nook and tax. Never believe the promotions you see.
The customer cannot get back the $106 they were charged for the promotion, and the company will not take back the free nook. An HP source said that the company will not take back the Nook or give a $106 refund for the machine.
Fine print claims not free
The terms of the transaction showed that the Nook price was actually bundled with the HP price instead of actually being a free product offered on top of the computer. The small print is where all the essential information could be found.
The Nook cannot be returned, but it can be sold at the consumer's discretion - albeit at a loss - or given as a gift. That does not take the sting of the "free Nook" away, however. So take the experience of others to heart and be aware that free isn't always free. Read the small print!
Not necessarily free
The Consumerist tells the tale of Brian, a consumer who was in the industry for an HP laptop. He purchased an Ultrabook as part of a Cyber Monday promotion that involved a free Nook e-reader. Every little thing was fine until Brian decided the Ultrabook was not exactly what he was trying to find. When he went to return the computer, Brian was really charged $99 plus tax out of the return funds from the laptop. It was the price of the Nook, which HP wouldn't take back.
A totally free Nook problem that is not unique
Brian is not the first consumer to see this type of problem. The customer does not get charged $99 when purchasing the computer though HP claimed that this is the way orders are processed. The "free Nook" was really the expense of a Nook and tax. Never believe the promotions you see.
The customer cannot get back the $106 they were charged for the promotion, and the company will not take back the free nook. An HP source said that the company will not take back the Nook or give a $106 refund for the machine.
Fine print claims not free
The terms of the transaction showed that the Nook price was actually bundled with the HP price instead of actually being a free product offered on top of the computer. The small print is where all the essential information could be found.
The Nook cannot be returned, but it can be sold at the consumer's discretion - albeit at a loss - or given as a gift. That does not take the sting of the "free Nook" away, however. So take the experience of others to heart and be aware that free isn't always free. Read the small print!
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