Sometimes, free isn't really free. For example, 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 consumer had to return the Ultrabook, they discovered that Nook is far from free. It went for retail price, $99 plus tax. Let this be a warning to you, as many free Nook offers are out there - read the fine print.
Not totally free
Whenever you see a deal for something free, be wary. Nothing is really free. Brian is a customer who got a new Ultrabook with a totally free Noon e-reader as part of a Cyber Monday sale. He was trying to find a laptop and wanted the deal. When he returned the computer he decided did not work for him, HP made him pay $99 plus tax for the e-reader.
Issue seen all over
Free Nook promotions are not entirely free, according to HP, and Brian isn't really the only consumer to run into this problem. Looking at the fine print of such promotions, it becomes clear that the "free Nook" really costs $99 plus tax. HP has claimed that the price listing as seems like also on a consumer's receipt is merely the way HP systems process orders - the customer isn't charged the $99 at the time of purchase.
According to a source within the HP returns department, the company will not take back a totally free Nook obtained through such holiday promotions, and the consumer "will not obtain the $106 they were charged for (the Nook)."
Wait, was not it a free Nook?
Not according to HP's fine print. The Nook was sandwiched in as part of the laptop purchase price. This information 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 fine print before expecting something entirely free.
Not totally free
Whenever you see a deal for something free, be wary. Nothing is really free. Brian is a customer who got a new Ultrabook with a totally free Noon e-reader as part of a Cyber Monday sale. He was trying to find a laptop and wanted the deal. When he returned the computer he decided did not work for him, HP made him pay $99 plus tax for the e-reader.
Issue seen all over
Free Nook promotions are not entirely free, according to HP, and Brian isn't really the only consumer to run into this problem. Looking at the fine print of such promotions, it becomes clear that the "free Nook" really costs $99 plus tax. HP has claimed that the price listing as seems like also on a consumer's receipt is merely the way HP systems process orders - the customer isn't charged the $99 at the time of purchase.
According to a source within the HP returns department, the company will not take back a totally free Nook obtained through such holiday promotions, and the consumer "will not obtain the $106 they were charged for (the Nook)."
Wait, was not it a free Nook?
Not according to HP's fine print. The Nook was sandwiched in as part of the laptop purchase price. This information 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 fine print before expecting something entirely free.
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