Looks like I'm buying a Dell...

I just tried to order my DV2500 online from HP.com. The problem is I live in Canada, but that's ok because I have my friend's US address and he was going to forward it to me. So I customize my laptop how I want it, input the US shipping address, and then WHAT? -I need a US billing address????

HP, I want to buy your product, but since you don't ship to your northern friends, nor do you accept non-US payment, how am I supposed to purchase it? I understand you have separate markets and regions, but for god's sake, why are those markets denied your new products?

I think that is truly f**ked up and limiting to HP's global market. They have forced me to go with one of their competitors.. Unless anyone has a bypass for this, I'll probably be going with a Dell.

 

I work for Dell Buy my laptops so I can pad my 401K

 

Use your U.S. friend's or relative's credit card, ship to U.S. address and pay him/her back.

 

Topboxman gave you a simple solution, but I hope you understand why HP and MOST online retailers will not allow purchases when the billing address and shipping address are from different countries.

The short answer is fraud.

Credit card companies do a wonderful job of protecting consumers from fraud but they don't care about the retailer. If someone steals your card and buys an HP notebook with it then you get your money back from the credit card company. However, the retailer (in this case HP) just has to eat the loss. The credit card company doesn't pay HP for the notebook that was purchased with the stolen card.

Heck, some online retailers here in the US won't ship to any address other than the billing address.

Retailers who do expose themselves to increased fraud risk by shipping to different addresses in different countries are doing one of two things:

1) They are investing in expensive anti-fraud measures to reduce fraud ... and indirectly passing those costs on to their consumers.

or

2) They are suffering from higher fraud rates ... and indirectly passing those costs on to their consumers.

Sure, Dell might let you ship your notebook to another country other than the billing address, but what is the "real" cost of doing business that way?

I'm very sorry that HP's policies prevented you from making your purchase, but there are many other retailers with similar policies.

 

How about buying from costco.ca?

Can't you get configure-to-order there? edit: maybe not

 

ugly-heavy Dell...no way

 

Not a big deal to me as I live in the US but I just don't understand why HP can't just go ahead and allow customized models in Canada (and other countries) like they do in the US. I see no reason for them not doing it.

 

That QUITE LIKELY explains just WHY, when I first narrowed down my choices to the dv9500t OR the Inspiron 1720, but the Inspirons kept coming out more expensive (configured differently, of course, since Dell didn't have the same options), I FINALLY decided to configure a Dell and an HP as closely to the same as possible, just to SEE how close they would be in price, and I configured two almost IDENTICALLY and the Dell was STILL about $100 more -- paying for their FRAUD losses -- just ONE MORE THING for the NY Attorney General to add to his lawsuit, I reckon.
Jeff

 

I order a lot of stuff from Amazon and I'm frequently in a different state from month to month. Everytime I enter a different shipping address they ask me to re-confirm my credit card number - Which I am totally fine with. I think there are reasonable measures that companies can take to reduce fraud but I think its rather annoying that some refuse to ship to anything but the billing address. I've never bought anything from NewEgg while on the road for this exact reason.

Like everything else... complete security = complete loss of freedom

 

I'm giving HP 2 weeks to get their dv2500's in Canada, or I too will be buying a Dell. I have always hated HP for many reasons, but these 14" notebooks just look damn nice compared to the competition (especially the dv2550se).

 

If anyone is considering a higher end m1330, advise. I have two that will be available soon. They are listed as the bottom two systems in my sig block.

 

Oh, I'm choosing between a Dell XPS M1330 and a dv2500t.

The main deciding factor is probably XPS shortage and the fact that Hong Kong only stocks CCFL models, whereas the dv2500t is in plentiful supply and isn't hard to find at all.

 

Jeff, I doubt the $100 difference was due to subsidizing fraud loss. Dell.com also doesn't ship outside the US, nor do they accept payment from a non-US addresses. However, like HP, Dell has a Canadian website (among others), but unlike HP, they offer up-to-date products where global customers can access them!

 

ToxicBanana, yeah the 2500's do look sleek and sexy, but the DV2550 has integrated graphics. Even though this model has been promised to Canadians in the next few weeks (who knows when really), I was eager to get my hands on the nVidia dedicated card, and that's why I need to go through the customizable route which is not available to me.

 

I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP. I've narrowed down my options to the t61p (see you in October!) or the 8510p. Of course HP Canada doesn't even have the 8510w on their site yet, so I doubt the P model will be available up here anytime soon.

I do have a friend across the line (I can see the border from my house) who's willing to let me use their CC and address, but it's quite annoying that HP is so slow to update their Canadian site. I don't understand how they can lag behind the other major corps so badly.

Of course I'm not sure how buying a US model and bringing it home would work with the warranty. Everyone "assures" me that as long as the model numbers are the same the warranty will be valid anywhere that model is offered. But who knows

edit: everyone being random CSRs I've called

 

I'm Canadian and also find the pricing and model options frustrating at times. While i'm not looking for the latest/greatest dv25xx series I am seriously considering a dv2000/dv6000 series notebook. Unfortunately, the pre-configured retail models are usually missing some valuable features and HP doesn't offer CTO/BTO options in Canada (as has been noted).

IMO, HP has a good looking product and tends to start with a good base for their retail models (mid-range Core Duo/Turion X2, 1GB, a decently sized HDD and DVD±RW) but tends to strip out features like Blue Tooth and offer relatively low resolution displays (WXGA for both 14.1" and 15.4"). I of course have looked at Dell but don't find them appealing in terms of looks or build quality, so I haven't bought anything yet.

I'm actually looking at a Core Duo (T2450) based dv2000 right now for $799CDN and it would be perfect if it had Blue Tooth and something better then the Intel GMA950. At HP.com, you can upgrade a comparably configured/priced dv2000t and add Blue Tooth and 128MB nVidia 7200 for $50USD. That seems worth it to me. Unfortunately, there are no such options in Canada. :\

 

I got tired of waiting for the new HPs in Canada and jsut bought a Dell a few days ago.

 

very simple solution.

call ur credit card company, change the billing address for the day that you use the credit card, then change it back.

 

I emailed HP and bestbuy last night asking when the dv2500's will arrive in Canada - although I don't really expect to get a response. Now I'm pissed off because I have no computer and the Dell offerings are just ugly. The $799 dv2400 is tempting, but I have been waiting months for Santa Rosa. I wonder if Santa Rosa is even worth the extra $400 that I'll pay when the dv2500 does arrive.

 

DRTH_STi, I really doubt the CC company would fly on that. Do you have any first hand knowledge on changing a CAN address to US, or vice versa?

Toxic, I'm just as tempted to get those dv2400's. I did pick up a dv2400z (AMD) for a week or two before returning it, as I was quite unimpressed. However, the Intel-based offered in Canada only come with intel graphics option.. something I'm not looking for.
With the 20% off coupon that's out now for HP.com, the dv2500 I'm looking at comes in at around a Grand.

 

Yes, I've done it b4. Say you're vacationing and need it sent there. Then change it back the next day saying you changed your mind.

They'll "FLY" on anything you tell them, THEY'RE supposed to make YOU happy.

 

i had the same problem
all the savings mentioned on this forum are for the us, so a canadian kid like myself wont be able to benefit from them
dell.ca was one of the few places in canada to configure laptops, and i wasnt very interested in them (and their prices, especially after comparing with the offers in the states)
in the end a couple of friends and i managed to get permission to use an american credit card and we had a friend moving to the states in a week so we shipped it to him and we'd cover any fedex costs
all this to save $300 USD (less, after shipping costs)
but hopefully my new special edition hp dv6500t will make it all better =D

 

Well starting today, Best Buy Canada is selling the HP DV2550se on their website for $1199+tax. But I wished HP Canada allowed Canadians to customize laptops on their website like the US.

 

The option to customize would be nice, or at least a few retail models with Bluetooth and better video... so long as HP wouldn't price them out of this world. Note that i'm not talking crazy high-end video that will add $300 to the price of a notebook, just something with a bit of an edge over the standard Intel GMA950/nVidia 6150... which are generally the only offering on retail HP notebooks. The only exception at the moment in Canada appears to be the recently released dv6565ca (2GB memory, Bluetooth and 8400M GS)... but it's $1300CDN.

I'd be happy with a dv2000/dv6000 and the option to add the Go 7200/7400 ($35/$49USD) and Bluetooth ($15USD). It's frustrating because on HP.com I can configure a dv6000t w/ the above and a 12-cell battery for only a touch over $800USD.