Sometimes, free isn't really free. For instance, a merchandise promotion may claim that if you purchase an HP Ultrabook computer, you can receive a free Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader. Such was the situation on Cyber Monday 2012. But when one customer had to return the Ultrabook, they discovered that Nook is far from free. It went for retail cost, $99 plus tax. Let this be a caution to you, as many free Nook offers are out there - read the small print.
Not really free
The Consumerist tells the tale of Brian, a consumer who was in the market for an HP laptop. He bought an Ultrabook as part of a Cyber Monday promotion that integrated a totally free Nook e-reader. Everything was fine until Brian decided the Ultrabook was not precisely what he was looking for. When he went to return the computer, Brian was actually 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.
Issue seen all over
It seems ridiculous to someone 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. Obviously the Nook was not necessarily free and cost something. It appears on the consumer's receipt differently too, which is just how HP processes orders, it said.
The consumer 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 business will not take back the Nook or give a $106 refund for the machine.
Nook not a totally free purchase
Not according to HP's small print. The Nook was sandwiched in as part of the laptop purchase price. This info was supposedly well-hidden, but because it was publicized someplace, the consumer was bound by the terms of the transaction.
The Nook can't be returned, but it can be sold at the consumer's discretion - albeit at a loss - or given as a gift. That doesn't 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 fine print!
Not really free
The Consumerist tells the tale of Brian, a consumer who was in the market for an HP laptop. He bought an Ultrabook as part of a Cyber Monday promotion that integrated a totally free Nook e-reader. Everything was fine until Brian decided the Ultrabook was not precisely what he was looking for. When he went to return the computer, Brian was actually 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.
Issue seen all over
It seems ridiculous to someone 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. Obviously the Nook was not necessarily free and cost something. It appears on the consumer's receipt differently too, which is just how HP processes orders, it said.
The consumer 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 business will not take back the Nook or give a $106 refund for the machine.
Nook not a totally free purchase
Not according to HP's small print. The Nook was sandwiched in as part of the laptop purchase price. This info was supposedly well-hidden, but because it was publicized someplace, the consumer was bound by the terms of the transaction.
The Nook can't be returned, but it can be sold at the consumer's discretion - albeit at a loss - or given as a gift. That doesn't 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 fine print!
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