HP computer Rant

[L. D. Jeffries]

Just bought LOML a new HP computer, custom built with upgrades on memory, graphics card, etc. First one came from El Paso, TX via FEDEX and had front plastic panel smashed! Probably not HP's fault, but contacted them for replacement. Here's where the story gets nasty! First of all when you call their Customer Help line it takes about 25 minutes of music, voice ads and other junk. Then you speak to someone in (I guess) India or Pakastan! Anyway can hardly understand them! Finally get thru that need new computer and where do I send the broken one to? Give my address which has a street address but also a PO box number. Wait a week with no action; call again and find out order cancelled due to having PO Box number! That gets taken care of and after a month of waiting new computer arrives. Then they try to charge me the $1000 again..had already paid for it on my credit card account. Another phone call to take care of that! A multbillion $ company that forgets that its the one- each customer that makes them so rich! Put me down as disgusted in NY and who plans on NEVER buying another HP product!

[cabinetman]

Wouldn't that be a FedEx claim? It's for that very reason, equipment like that we buy from a store, so that we can take it back if there's a problem.

[Ed62]

I mentioned once before on another thread that I had a problem with a monitor from Sony. They did everything possible to make me a happy camper. In the end (after receiving 3 monitors from them), they issued a full refund because they couldn't figure out the problem of why it wouldn't work properly with my computer. Bottom line is that I wouldn't hesitate to buy something from them again because of the more than satisfactory service from them. In fact, I'd probably buy from them first, as long as they were in the ballpark with pricing.

Ed

[JTimmons]

Sounds a lot like my experience with Dish, the reps barely spoke English and from what I could tell they were reading from a script when I called.
I think they make it difficult so that you give up and go away.

As far as a claim with FedEx that would have to be filed by the shipper in my experiences.

Last week a DVD drive for a laptop I was working on was delivered by DHL. I knew it was there when I heard a loud thump on the front door and wall, I happened to be close to the window and saw where the driver was standing when he tossed it, mid driveway 10 feet away. Retard, I am sure he saw the box said DELL on it, what did he think was in there!!!

I have heard from UPS drivers if you want something fragile to make it to it's destination in one piece DON'T write fragile on the box. Fragile written on the box has a different meaning to disgruntled loaders than it does to us civilians. To them it means throw it harder and farther.

[sparkeyjames]

This is one of the reasons I build my own. Saves me the hassle of having to deal with inadiquate customer support form the big corps. Have built numorous computers for friends and family and the only complaints I get are about viruses and malware.

sparkeyjames

[scorrpio]

Build my own. Always comes out exactly how I want it, and extra bonus is tech support comes 24/7, and speaks perfect English. Only drawback if wife starts looking at me funny when I talk to myself at the keyboard...

HP is crap. I'd sooner go with Dell, and that says a lot.

[jseklund]

I won't buy an HP computer. I won't buy a Dell. I will buy an HP Printer in a heart beat. I will put in another vote for building yourself. Newegg.com and away you go. I have an almost 4 year old computer that I built that is still running stong. It doesn't save you a lot of $$- you will pay the same or a little more. However, you will put WAY better parts in it for the price. If you are looking at a $400 Dell- you will start buying the better memory, better board, etc- and wind up spending $400-525 and have a good computer.

Also, I think it is funny that manufacturers give 1 year warranties. If you buy a lot of the parts individually they come with 2-3 year warranties.

I hate dealing with crappy Customer Service. It just slows down your finding a solution usually.

I've had a similar experience with cars. A brake job will cost $350 for Pads and rotors on all 4 wheels. Doing it yourself will cost $325-350 plus 2 hours of your time, but you'll have great brakes on there and the shop would have used the cheapest parts available.

[L. D. Jeffries]

Well it probably was a FEDEX claim, but when I FINALLY got to talk to someone at HP they sent a return label to send it back to them. Then all the other problems started, per the original post. Am still adament about no more HP or Compaq (made by HP). If I knew enough about the nasty things I might try building my own, but I don't! We are all captures of the corporate giants!

[sparkeyjames]

Takes about an hour to build a computer.

If you can take a new BT3100 and adjust it for square and make a straight cut in a 4' long piece of maple you can put together a computer. Its just screws and electrical connectors. Not only that but there are like 10 or 20 online tutorials on how to do it. 1 philips screw driver and the will to do it is all it takes. No math requiered


sparkeyjames

[scorrpio]

10 to 20? More like 10 to 20 thousand. To fit every budget and needs imaginable and regularly updated recommended parts list.

[mater]

Also, I think it is funny that manufacturers give 1 year warranties. If you buy a lot of the parts individually they come with 2-3 year warranties.

I hate dealing with crappy Customer Service. It just slows down your finding a solution usually.

I went through that about 4 years ago when I bought a new HP and the hard drive went out in 12 1/2 months. The manufacture said it had a 3 year warranty but I would have to go thru HP since it was in their computer. HP only had a one year warranty on it. After 30 minutes of talking to someone at HP who I couldn't hardly understand I went to CC and bought a new hard drive.

[sparkeyjames]

There is a way around that "it's in their computer" crap. Just remove said HD so you can get the numbers off the label then go to manufacturers web site find the RMA returns area and get an RMA number and send it back and get a new one. Most hard drives put in the mass market computers are the same as the ones you can by at any store. Many have the same model numbers and codes. Avoid talking to them on the phone. Just use the website.

sparkeyjames

[MilDoc]

Have to admit after years of building my own (way back to 1974 or so from parts) I've owned 3 Dell's all for 5 years or more, with no problems from any of them, until the latest. Bought it last year. DVD drive died. They sent a replacement next day air free.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

The HP Laptop I got 03/15/07 with a dead backlight is sitting in my garage awaiting them to send me a return shipping label. What a joke.

[sparkeyjames]

The HP Laptop I got 03/15/07 with a dead backlight is sitting in my garage awaiting them to send me a return shipping label. What a joke.

I have to admit hearing your story and comparing it with the experience I had with Dell when I got my laptop around 4 years ago makes me glad I went with Dell back then. Dell had the RMA repair shipping BOX (not just a label a foam lined box with shipping) in my hands in 2 days and had the laptop back to me within a week. I was to say the least impressed. Lately though I have heard Dell's customer service has fallen off a bit but not to the tune of 3 weeks for an RMA return ship label. Would get another laptop from Dell given all the bad stuff I have heard about HP, Compaq, and others.

sparkeyjames