Occasionally, free is not free. For instance, a merchandise promotion may claim that if you purchase an HP Ultrabook computer, you can obtain a free Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader. Such was the case 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 out there - read the fine print.
Nook not really 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 incorporated a totally free Nook e-reader. Every little thing 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.
Others have had same problem
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 problem 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 totally free Nook obtained through such holiday promotions, and the customer "will not obtain the $106 they were charged for (the Nook)."
Not necessarily as free as you might think
Not according to HP's fine print. The Nook was sandwiched in as part of the laptop purchase price. This info was supposedly well-hidden, but because it was publicized somewhere, the consumer was bound by the terms of the transaction.
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 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 really always free. Read the fine print!
Nook not really 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 incorporated a totally free Nook e-reader. Every little thing 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.
Others have had same problem
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 problem 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 totally free Nook obtained through such holiday promotions, and the customer "will not obtain the $106 they were charged for (the Nook)."
Not necessarily as free as you might think
Not according to HP's fine print. The Nook was sandwiched in as part of the laptop purchase price. This info was supposedly well-hidden, but because it was publicized somewhere, the consumer was bound by the terms of the transaction.
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 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 really always free. Read the fine print!
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