Occasionally, free isn't free. For instance, a merchandise promotion may claim that if you buy an HP Ultrabook computer, you can receive a totally free Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader. Such was the case 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 cost, $99 plus tax. Let this be a caution to you, as many free Nook offers are out there - read the fine print.
Nook not really free gift
During Cyber Monday, customer Brian started looking for a brand new laptop. According to the Consumerist, he got a totally free Noon e-reader as part of the promotion. When Brian took the Ultrabook back because he did not want it anymore, he had to pay $99 plus tax for the E-reader still.
Not a special problem
Free Nook promotions aren't entirely free, according to HP, and Brian isn't really 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 consumer isn't really charged the $99 at the time of purchase.
The customer 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 company will not take back the Nook or give a $106 refund for the gadget.
Not necessarily as free as you might think
Not according to HP's small 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 "free Nook" sting is still there and makes lots of people angry since it cannot be returned, though it could be sold at the consumer's discretion.
Nook not really free gift
During Cyber Monday, customer Brian started looking for a brand new laptop. According to the Consumerist, he got a totally free Noon e-reader as part of the promotion. When Brian took the Ultrabook back because he did not want it anymore, he had to pay $99 plus tax for the E-reader still.
Not a special problem
Free Nook promotions aren't entirely free, according to HP, and Brian isn't really 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 consumer isn't really charged the $99 at the time of purchase.
The customer 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 company will not take back the Nook or give a $106 refund for the gadget.
Not necessarily as free as you might think
Not according to HP's small 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 "free Nook" sting is still there and makes lots of people angry since it cannot be returned, though it could be sold at the consumer's discretion.
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