The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Creative HQ1400 - Design Flaw + Bad Customer Service

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Nocturnal310, Mar 9, 2008.

  1. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    792
    Messages:
    2,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Hi,
    Few months back i had bought Creative HQ-1400... & under normal usage their headband broke in such a way that i cant use them...

    I called them 2 months back & said they are under warranty but they said its my fault & they cant do anything so i didnt say anything .
    2 days ago i saw another HQ-1400 at the Singapore IT show 2008.

    They were also broken in similar way. & then i googled.. i read on singapore forums about same complaints.
    and hence
    I sent them an email & this is how they responded.

    Dear ******

    Thank you for replying to Creative Customer Support.

    As regards to your enquiry,I understand your concern over the durabilty of our HQ-1400 head phones after you saw that both yours and the one at the it show were both damaged by the same way.

    However, I would like to guarantee you that all Creative products are designed for standard consumer usage and therefore the durabilty of each product depends on how well the customer is able to maintain it.

    Your genuine concern is still appreciated.

    In case if you need any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

    Do email back on the status concerning the issue so that I can assist you further.

    Please retain all the previous correspondence when replying to this email.

    Thank you.

    Best Regards,
    Mohaan
    Customer Support Services
    Creative Labs Asia

    To provide feedback on your "Creative Experience" please click on the following link:
    http://asia.creative.com/contactus/mailto/sitefeedback.asp

    Asia Site: http://asia.creative.com/
    Support Site: http://asia.creative.com/support/custsup/welcomets.asp
    KB Site: http://asia.creative.com/support/kb/

    ==========
    DISCLAIMER
    ==========
    This email is for the sole use of Creative's intended recipient and is not to be forwarded or copied to others. Any review, copying or distribution of this email or any attachments by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not Creative's intended recipient, please inform Creative immediately by responding to this email and thereafter permanently delete the original and any copies of this email together with any attachments. Thank you.

    Original Message Follows:
    ------------------------
    This mail originated from: http://sg.creative.com/support/custserv/form1.asp


    Name : ******
    Email : ******
    Country : Singapore
    Description of Issue : My recently bought HQ-1400's headclip broke under normal usage.
    I also went to IT show & the same model was also Broke there.

    This model has a design issue & the headband easily snaps.

    Pls tell me what Creative can do about it?


    ---End of Mail---

    As u can see.. .they are blaming me.

    I have Sony Neckband style & they didnt break even when i kept my entire laptop on them accidently.
    I am posting the photos of the headphones at IT Show 2008 & my headphones.


    HQ-1400 ... Broken at the IT show also.. a Design Flaw .. thats why selling only @ $39
    [​IMG]

    My Headphones at Home:

    [​IMG]

    The Headband breaks very easily under normal usage.. and the Cans hang on the Wire
    [​IMG]

    And how they are supposed to be :
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    792
    Messages:
    2,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    If there are any other users of these headphones let me know..

    Can u suggest me another way to deal with this issue?

    I want a replacement or free repair or upgrade to new headphones HQ-1900
     
  3. optomos

    optomos Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    496
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That is why I stopped buying anything Creative, especially after the X-Fi and Vista debacle. To make things worse their Customer Support is one of the worst IMHO. Take your loss and don't buy anything from them again, but then you might not have a choice where you live.
     
  4. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    792
    Messages:
    2,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Creative is a Singapore brand BTw.. so i have an advantage in this issue..

    the only problem is that i dont have the sales receipt.
     
  5. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    792
    Messages:
    2,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Now they start their Warranty Rants, and i told them its a Special issue uncovered in their warranty terms.

    The mail:
    Dear ****

    Thank you for your valuable feedback.

    As regards to your enquiry, I would like to inform you that the limited warranty does not apply to the damage caused by normal wear and tear, abnormal use or conditions, misuse, neglect, abuse, accident, improper handling or storage, exposure to moisture, unauthorized modifications, alterations, or repairs, improper installation, improper use of any electrical source, undue physical or electrical stress, operator error, non-compliance with instructions or other acts which are not the fault of Creative, including damage or loss during shipment.

    However base on the information you provided, I am afraid that you will not be able to use the warranty claim for in warranty servicing. As such we will treat the product as out of warranty case and you will be liable for servicing cost and subjected to stock availabilities.

    For more information on warranty coverage, you can refer to the link
    below:
    http://asia.creative.com/support/warranty/warranty.asp

    In case if you need any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you.

    Please retain all the previous correspondence when replying to this email.

    Best Regards,
    Trixy
    Customer Support Services
    Creative Labs Asia
     
  6. elfroggo

    elfroggo Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    136
    Messages:
    543
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I think Creative speakers were decent for their time .. but I've had bad experiences with their products as well.

    Had a 1010 "fatal1ty" gaming mouse that was free after rebate.

    Wow.

    After two months of fairly normal usage clicks started to register erratically.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826158016

    The click sensor plastic wears down after a bit of use and funky stuff starts to happen.

    To call it a "gaming mouse" is laughable.
     
  7. PJ@y-Z

    PJ@y-Z Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    41
    Messages:
    484
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    it's time to buy a good headphone %-)
     
  8. enter260

    enter260 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    135
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    yeah creative sucks. they tried to get out of replacing my dead zen microphoto. the first replacement unit i got back was doa (seriously wtf??) the second one came and was fine. i don't think i'll ever buy another creative product again.
     
  9. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    792
    Messages:
    2,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    wow, this article comes first in google when u type Creative HQ1400 design


    so much so for Brand Awareness ;)
     
  10. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

    Reputations:
    4,412
    Messages:
    8,077
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Yeah, Creative does not stand behind anything of theirs anymore.
    I wouldnt even bother upgrading your headphones, or getting a replacement if they are going to screw with you. Just grab a hot glue gun and a some large tongue depressors, and you can easily fix the headband.

    I told you to get the sennheisers

    Next time keep the receipt,

    K-TRON
     
  11. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    792
    Messages:
    2,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0

    hehe,

    i ve already bought Sennheisers..few weeks back.

    just wanna make sure i screw up Creative real bad. They are harassing customers

    My Shot is gonna do more damage than they can imagine.


    Gonna make sure.... the word 'Creative' in google brings up this article..

    so people know they are ripping off customers

    oh and i bought These:

    [​IMG]
     
  12. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    If you like the design of those with the auto fit headpads and then the headband thats how my audio technica a700's are but of course they are a much higher quality.

    get a pair and join the club.
     
  13. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    792
    Messages:
    2,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Sure ..

    i heard Audio Technica is the most emerging brand after Sennheisers in headphone industry.

    I will give A700's a try atleast.... there are everywhere on the forums across the internet.