HP computer service plans aren't what they claim to be.

I bought my HP laptop on 11/08 and later after a friend's laptop was dropped and broke. I researched the service plans offered from HP, and decided on a 1 year Accidental damage plan on 3/21/08 which I was informed that is was a full year plan from the date of purchase of the extended plan. I used the plan several months later for a damaged screen and was very happy with the service. I inquired if I needed to buy a new plan since I made a claim on this, much to my surprise I was informed that it was not a single use contract. So I went along using my computer till Friday when I noticed my whites where pink, and the images where wavy. I called HP support to request repair service and was informed that my laptop was out of warranty and that the plan I bought began the day I bought the computer some 5.5 months earlier not from when I bought the plan as I was told. I went around and around with HP tech Support for 3.5 hours and was hung up on, transferred from person to person and given witty comments like “Do you know how to dial and extension on a phone?” I commented yes and then the response was “well, can you dial that phone extension direct or do you need to dial the phone number first?” “after all sir, what you bought was a extension of you factory warranty which ended in 11/09” I then decided to ask him a the following question,
When you use a pay phone and deposit your money, you are able to talk for a certain length of time. At some point a voice asks you to deposit a certain amount of money to continue the call for a specified length of time. Right? The Tech agreed, so I asked him if the time is from that point forward or retroactive from when the call started? Well, he didn’t like that and changed the subject back to the warranty was expired.

I am currently waiting for a Account Manager to call me and I still have a pink screen.

 

Yeah, the extended plan starts on the day you purchased the system not the plan itself.

 

That is not true.. they are trying to screw you, since a year ago I bought a 2 year accidental damage protection about a week before my 1 year factory warranty expired and in the terms it say the coverage start on the day you activate the protection plan to the computer.

 

Call up again and speak to a case manager.

 

Electro is right. HPs plan starts on the day you purchased the laptop. Meaning if you buy a one year plan 11 months after buying the laptop, you only get 1 month of full accident protection warranty.

Also, you can only buy the plan within a year of your purchase date. Even if its a 3 year plan.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/popups/product_detail.do?CTOPopup=Yes&product_code=UG046A

Sucks. But makes sense business wise.

 

Yeah, the extended warranty begins on the day your original warranty starts and lasts for however long the extended warranty is valid for. If you purchased extended warranty over the phone they should have emailed you the warranty start and end dates. Check that email to see till what date your warranty was extended.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I mean let's look at facts
if you buy he plan with your computer the cost is $109 and you get a full year.
if you buy the plan at 3 months the cost is $109 but you only get 9 months on your year plan.
if you buy the plan at 6 months the cost is $109 but you only get 6 months on your year plan.
if you buy the plan at 9 months the cost is $109 but you only get 3 months on your year plan.
if you buy the plan at day 364 the cost is $109 but you only get 1 day on your year plan.

Thanks HP for showing us the new math.

 

If you buy the plan after the first 90 days, probability is that the notebook is already broken/damaged and the purchase is a way to screw HP.

Terms of the care plan are available from HP in writing and they are not difficult to understand, not too much legalese.

 

Unfortunately, you found out the hard way- extended service plans are always a good deal for the seller and only sometimes a good deal for the buyer. The fine print is always in their favor and they are protected from anything they told you, by the terms of service in the plan. You can and should try and argue, but I would not hold your breath.

 

Well, they wont offer to sell you the 1yr plan on the 364th day. I know since I purchased one couple of years ago for my old notebook and was only offered the 2yr plan. I dont know what the cutoff is for the 1yr plans when it comes to notebooks under std warranty but essentially they are covering themselves with these extended warranties especially with accidental damage since there are people who break their laptop first, buy accidental damage warranties after the fact and then claim on it.

 

Exactly. I went with the standard no frills warranty. But if I get stupid one day and throw my HDX 18 through a window because HP wont allow me to overclock the most overclockable mobile chip in the world, I'll be sure to buy that accidental warranty plan.

 

Every Extended Service Plan from HP begins from the laptop purchase date and not from the Warranty purchase date. You should be aware of it.Even out of warranty customers can now go for Hardware Warranty along with 1 year phone support which will cost you $99. and a Hardware Warranty is for extra $50 (only when a HP technician ensures that ur product is free from any defects).