Occasionally, free isn't free. For example, a merchandise promotion may claim that if you buy an HP Ultrabook computer, you can obtain a totally 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 warning to you, as many free Nook offers are available - read the fine print.
Not entirely free
The Consumerist tells the tale of Brian, a customer who was in the market for an HP laptop. He bought an Ultrabook as part of a Cyber Monday promotion that involved a 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 actually charged $99 plus tax out of the return funds from the laptop. It was the expense of the Nook, which HP wouldn't take back.
Others have had same issue
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. Definitely the Nook was not really free and cost something. Seems like 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 business 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 device.
Small print says not free
Not according to HP's fine print. The Nook was sandwiched in as part of the laptop purchase price. This data was supposedly well-hidden, but because it was publicized somewhere, the consumer was bound by the terms of the transaction.
The Nook can certainly be sold at the consumer's discretion, but it cannot be returned. Customers should have read the small print before expecting something entirely free.
Not entirely free
The Consumerist tells the tale of Brian, a customer who was in the market for an HP laptop. He bought an Ultrabook as part of a Cyber Monday promotion that involved a 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 actually charged $99 plus tax out of the return funds from the laptop. It was the expense of the Nook, which HP wouldn't take back.
Others have had same issue
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. Definitely the Nook was not really free and cost something. Seems like 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 business 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 device.
Small print says not free
Not according to HP's fine print. The Nook was sandwiched in as part of the laptop purchase price. This data was supposedly well-hidden, but because it was publicized somewhere, the consumer was bound by the terms of the transaction.
The Nook can certainly be sold at the consumer's discretion, but it cannot be returned. Customers should have read the small print before expecting something entirely free.
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