Recent Cyber Monday deals from HP extended the offer of a free Nook. But the small print suggests that free isn't really always free. Continue reading and learn the best way to defend yourself.
Nook not necessarily free gift
The Consumerist tells the tale of Brian, a consumer who was in the industry for an HP laptop. He acquired an Ultrabook as part of a Cyber Monday promotion that involved a totally free Nook e-reader. Anything 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 cost of the Nook, which HP wouldn't take back.
Not the only customer
It seems ridiculous to somebody who got a "free" Nook to have to pay $99 plus tax later. Brian is not the only person who has had this issue before. Clearly the Nook was not really free and cost something. It appears on the consumer's receipt differently too, which is just how HP processes orders, it said.
According to a source within the HP returns department, the company will not take back a free Nook obtained through such holiday promotions, and the consumer "will not receive the $106 they were charged for (the Nook)."
Look at the fine print
The terms of the transaction showed that the Nook price was actually bundled with the HP price instead of actually being a totally free product offered on top of the computer. The fine print is where all the essential info could be found.
The Nook can certainly be sold at the consumer's discretion, but it cannot be returned. Consumers should have read the fine print before expecting something entirely free.
Nook not necessarily free gift
The Consumerist tells the tale of Brian, a consumer who was in the industry for an HP laptop. He acquired an Ultrabook as part of a Cyber Monday promotion that involved a totally free Nook e-reader. Anything 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 cost of the Nook, which HP wouldn't take back.
Not the only customer
It seems ridiculous to somebody who got a "free" Nook to have to pay $99 plus tax later. Brian is not the only person who has had this issue before. Clearly the Nook was not really free and cost something. It appears on the consumer's receipt differently too, which is just how HP processes orders, it said.
According to a source within the HP returns department, the company will not take back a free Nook obtained through such holiday promotions, and the consumer "will not receive the $106 they were charged for (the Nook)."
Look at the fine print
The terms of the transaction showed that the Nook price was actually bundled with the HP price instead of actually being a totally free product offered on top of the computer. The fine print is where all the essential info could be found.
The Nook can certainly be sold at the consumer's discretion, but it cannot be returned. Consumers should have read the fine print before expecting something entirely free.
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