Staples Office Supply charges an extra 15% - 20% for a 2-year extended warranty on electronic products such as the Hewlett Packard printer without revealing it is a "one time only" warranty. Hence the first time you use the warranty, even if one day later, the warranty is voided! Imagine any other product, such as a car, whose "Two Year Warranty" is voided immediately upon first usage - Unbelievable.
In September I purchased a $150 Hewlett Packard 6310 Printer at Staples, plus $200 in extra ink cartridges. I paid an additional $30 at checkout for what the salesclerk termed a "An extended 2-year warranty: covers any repairs over the next two years, beyond the original warranty". I took the printer home and unpacked it 10 days later. Upon a first usage the feeder jammed as the Hewlett Packard printer sold by Staples was simply defective; no problem I thought: I'll go to Staples next week and simply return it. WRONG! Upon returning it, Staples informed me it was past the 14 day warranty period so it was not covered. (Wow, a "14 day warranty"? What manufacturer or store thinks their products can only last 14 days?) No problem, I had meticulously saved my records so I produced the "2-year extended Hewlett Packard warranty" which Staples sold me for an extra $30. The salesperson accepted such and replace my printer, then asked if I'd like to buy another $30 two-year warranty for the new printer. A lively debate ensued, with the Staples store manager confirming the opinion of the well-trained clerk: my two year warranty was actually a one-time only warranty that was really only good until a first usage and was then cancelled. Class action lawsuit against Staples would be wonderful; meanwhile, boycott Staples and Hewlett Packard until they change the name of their "Two Year Warranty" to "Two Year Warranty or Two Day Warranty: You Pay, We Decide, Sucker!" Vance Hilderman warrants that this is my real name and a real story; I was a sucker so you don't need to be ;).
0 comments