I purchased a HP Laserjet 4550 printer April 1st 2002. I did not buy an extended warranty. I purchased the printer because of some special projects I was being assigned at work. However, none of this materialized and the printer was used very little. It was in one place and only had use by my husband and myself.
The first part of July the printer went dead. It would not power up or do anything. We called an authorized technician to come to our home and we would pay the $245 service call for maintenance and parts. I figured it was something that really should not have went out, but since I had not purchased the warranty I felt it was my fault.
However, once the technician was here he had a hard time finding the problem. This was not a normal problem he even sees. He had to call HP and ask them for help. Now they are guessing, but they think it is the low voltage power supply part. Price the technician quoted was $695.00.
Now this did not set well with me. First of all if the printer had been used more the problem would have surfaced within the warranty period. The cartridges have never been changed yet.
The message was saying toner is low, but the book says that gives you about 25% left. There is no way something this major should go out of a unit when you haven't even changed the cartridges.
I tried calling the service center and hit dead-ends completely. I finally got a supervisor??? In Beaverton Oregon (Bruce Smith). I was finally told if the printer was within 30 days out of warranty that maybe they could do something. (30 days-120days) To me it means nothing this is basically a new system we are talking about.
I mentioned the fact the cartridges had not been changed. He said if it had been a part they have problems with then maybe it could have been a mfg. Defect, but since this is a part that rarely has problems it would not be covered. This makes no sense to me. With more use this would have went out sooner and he knew that. They are just very insensitive to the public and I think eventually it will take a toll on them.
I just got a lemon for a printer with a defect that did not show up early because of limited use. I really feel like I got took on this. I had a hard time believing they would not stand behind the product knowing the circumstances and try to work out something with me. Even meet me half way.
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