Sometimes, free isn't free. For instance, a merchandise promotion may claim that if you buy 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 found that Nook is far from free. It went for retail price, $99 plus tax. Let this be a caution to you, as many free Nook offers are available - read the small print.
Nook not really free gift
When you see a deal for something free, be wary. Nothing is really free. Brian is a customer who got a new Ultrabook with a 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.
Problem seen all over
Free Nook promotions aren't entirely free, according to HP, and Brian isn't the only consumer to run into this issue. 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 it appears also on a consumer's receipt is merely the way HP systems process orders - the customer is not charged the $99 at the time of purchase.
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.
Not necessarily as free as you may think
The terms of the transaction showed that the Nook price was actually bundled with the HP price instead of really being a free product offered on top of the computer. The small print is where all the significant info can be found.
The "free Nook" sting is still there and makes many people mad since it cannot be returned, though it could be sold at the consumer's discretion.
Nook not really free gift
When you see a deal for something free, be wary. Nothing is really free. Brian is a customer who got a new Ultrabook with a 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.
Problem seen all over
Free Nook promotions aren't entirely free, according to HP, and Brian isn't the only consumer to run into this issue. 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 it appears also on a consumer's receipt is merely the way HP systems process orders - the customer is not charged the $99 at the time of purchase.
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.
Not necessarily as free as you may think
The terms of the transaction showed that the Nook price was actually bundled with the HP price instead of really being a free product offered on top of the computer. The small print is where all the significant info can be found.
The "free Nook" sting is still there and makes many people mad since it cannot be returned, though it could be sold at the consumer's discretion.
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