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BREAKING: HP Crediting Fire-Sale Difference to Current TouchPad Owners

By: Dan Ramirez, 8/20/2011 12:18 pm | 439 comments

Folks, we’re all a bit upset right now, and who can blame you? But it’s looking to us like HP is trying to make things right for customers that took the plunge on the HP TouchPad previously. Here’s what we know:

1) HP is fully refunding TouchPad prices OR offering the difference on fire-sale prices

You read right. Our own staffers can confirm this. Folks who bought HP TouchPads from HP’s website just need to call HP’s Home & Office phone service (be ready to be on hold for about a half hour) and tell them you want a full refund or to be credited the difference. HP will honor either request, and in the case of the fire-sale difference, they will give you an additional $10 credit off of your sales tax.

What we don’t know is how far back this offer goes … does it extend to pre-order customers? We think it should, but aren’t sure yet.

2) HP has sent out a memo to their retail partners for them to extend the same refund measures to their customers.

Bought your TouchPad from a major retail partner? Try calling their customer service hotlines. We cannot confirm which stores are included just yet, but strongly suggest you try. We were informed by an HP customer service rep that this just went into effect, so it may be a little while before retail partners catch wind of this.

About Dan Ramirez

Dan is a senior editor at webOSroundup. He is a physician in South Texas with an unbridled passion for webOS. He is very active on Twitter (@vara411) and enjoys engaging the webOS community.

View all posts by Dan Ramirez →

http://twitter.com/thehouseofho Alan Atley Ho

So, I was just able to get a price match from Staples, but I must admit I was lucky. I called up the Staples where I purchased my Touchpad this morning and inquired about having the price difference credited. I was completely open and honest. I explained the HP announcement and even admitted I was outside of the 14 day window. The manager on the phone told me they did not hear of any HP announcement and said he can’t do anything with price adjustments after the 14 day window.

I sent an email to Staples corporate to find out their official stance on this whole mess. During my lunch break, I decided to not wait for a response and just go to Staples to try my luck in person. I spoke to a manager who told me they didn’t hear anything about a liquidation from HP, then I showed him all of the articles (on my Touchpad of course) written about the price drop. He then called over another manager and asked if there had been any news of a Touchpad liquidation. The second manager said they were just informed to drop the price on all Touchpads they have in stock. The second manager came up to me and told me he would credit me the difference because HP’s “doing the right thing and Staples should too.” He also seemed genuinely disappointed by the news, so I’m guessing he’s a webOS fan just looking out for a Touchpad owner. So, I got pretty lucky and it might just have to be who you talk to at Staples that determines if you get a price match or not.

On an end note, I still haven’t heard back from Staples corporate.

http://twitter.com/thehouseofho Alan Atley Ho

If I do receive a response from Staples corporate, I will post it on here.

Laput25

same here,i called the amazon…i got my touchpad last july and bought it from amazon but they told me i got it from third party and they are not responsible for refund..when in fact one way or another they are part of the selling..

http://profiles.google.com/estockda David Estock

I got the same response from them. I’m trying to get a hold of HP, pressing to them that Stephen DeWitt said original TP owners would be taken care of… Does anyone know a customer support # that isn’t a tech support # or sales support #?
http://profiles.google.com/estockda David Estock

I got the same response from them. I’m trying to get a hold of HP, pressing to them that Stephen DeWitt said original TP owners would be taken care of… Does anyone know a customer support # that isn’t a tech support # or sales support #?
http://profiles.google.com/estockda David Estock

I got the same response from them. I’m trying to get a hold of HP, pressing to them that Stephen DeWitt said original TP owners would be taken care of… Does anyone know a customer support # that isn’t a tech support # or sales support #?

Clonetechnology

What if I bought my touchpad on BUY.COM? They are selling it at full price. Can I get the rebate? I order it on Sunday. They should see that the price drop everywhere.

Natureguy2

I bought last night on BUY.COM last night-tonight it got an e-mail saying they had to cancel my order because they tried to contact me via phone and e-mail many times-I was home all day-so it was BS. Let me know if the same happens to you. I am mostly pissed that they blatently lied. Let me know if the same happens to you. Could be the basis of a class action.

Clonetechnology

What if I bought my touchpad on BUY.COM? They are selling it at full price. Can I get the rebate? I order it on Sunday. They should see that the price drop everywhere.
http://twitter.com/rlopin Robert LoPinto

STAPLES to honor price match past 14 days starting 8/23!

After being refused a price match from an in-store manager because I had purchased my TouchPad way more than 14 days ago, I called the corporate office who couldn’t help me, but transferred me to Staple’s “President’s Office”. The account rep said a memo is going out to stores today and starting tomorrow their systems will be able to handle the price match.

Yipee!! Staples is finally doing the right thing.
.
.
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http://twitter.com/thehouseofho Alan Atley Ho

This is actually great news! Especially since I just received an email from Staples corporate customer service telling me they have no plans of extending their price match window. Hopefully they’ll be able to get the word out to their customer service reps so that they do not provide incorrect information.
Nimmalapudi27

Thanks for the post. I called the local store and they gave me crap that they did not receive any info about price match from corporate office. I called up the president’s office and she sent amail to the store asking to price match. so anybody who bought it from Staples should be able to get the price difference.

Bglasscoe

Here is an update with a response I just got from QVC. And it is somewhat understandable that they need to work out a plan since the TouchPad was sold at a reduced price in a bundle with the case and touchstone. However, the comment about the “next few weeks” doesn’t make me too happy. I just have to hope that that is QVC protecting themselves in making that comment but hopefully they will follow through much more quickly than that. (I can dream anyway.)

Here’s what they said:

Thank you for writing QVC.

We apologize for any inconvenience. At this time, HP is working with QVC

on a plan for price adjustments to our customers who have purchased this

Touch Pad. Please assured you will receive a communication from QVC in the

next few weeks regarding the price reduction.

It has been a pleasure assisting you. We look forward to serving you

again in the future!
Bglasscoe

Here is an update with a response I just got from QVC. And it is somewhat understandable that they need to work out a plan since the TouchPad was sold at a reduced price in a bundle with the case and touchstone. However, the comment about the “next few weeks” doesn’t make me too happy. I just have to hope that that is QVC protecting themselves in making that comment but hopefully they will follow through much more quickly than that. (I can dream anyway.)

Here’s what they said:

Thank you for writing QVC.

We apologize for any inconvenience. At this time, HP is working with QVC

on a plan for price adjustments to our customers who have purchased this

Touch Pad. Please assured you will receive a communication from QVC in the

next few weeks regarding the price reduction.

It has been a pleasure assisting you. We look forward to serving you

again in the future!
http://twitter.com/thehouseofho Alan Atley Ho

Here is the response I received from Staples customer service.

Thank you for contacting Staples. I apologize, however, at this time there has been no word of us extending our price matching window.Thank you for this opportunity to respond to your inquiry. I hope you will continue to look to Staples with confidence and satisfaction for all of your office supply needs.If you would like to contact one of our representatives, please reply to this email or call us at 800-333-3330.LindaCustomer Service Representativee-mail: [email protected] : 1-800-333-3330fax : 1-800-333-3199online: http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/help/contact/index.htmlemail ID:16342643
Gilbert_Sundevil

WHISKEY
TANGO
HOTEL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just got the following from B&N.

*********************************

Dear Valued Customer,

We are writing to you regarding your recent Barnes & Noble order for “HP TouchPad Tablet with 16GB Memory”.

Due to unexpected customer demand for this item, our inventory was
depleted prior to your order being processed so we are unable to fulfill
this item as requested. Consequently, we have canceled your order and
you will not be billed for this amount.

You may see an authorization on your credit or debit card for the order,
but please be assured you will not be charged. The authorization will
be released in accordance with your bank’s policies.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Sincerely,
Barnes & Noble
Customer Service
Gilbert_Sundevil

WHISKEY
TANGO
HOTEL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just got the following from B&N.

*********************************

Dear Valued Customer,

We are writing to you regarding your recent Barnes & Noble order for “HP TouchPad Tablet with 16GB Memory”.

Due to unexpected customer demand for this item, our inventory was
depleted prior to your order being processed so we are unable to fulfill
this item as requested. Consequently, we have canceled your order and
you will not be billed for this amount.

You may see an authorization on your credit or debit card for the order,
but please be assured you will not be charged. The authorization will
be released in accordance with your bank’s policies.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Sincerely,
Barnes & Noble
Customer Service
ChrisF

I bought an HP touchpad from Comet in the UK – they are not going to give me a refund. They said:

“We are not refunding the HP touch pad, manufacturers discontinue products and appliances all the time.”

How many manufacturers drop a ‘flagship’ product a month after releasing it!? Not happy, although I am going to pursue it!

http://www.facebook.com/people/Gavin-Coles/524862901 Gavin Coles

I have basically been told the same thing by Comet. Needless to say I am not in the least bit impressed with HP or Comet. If I am forced to keep my TouchPad and I cannot get a Pre 3 to go with (the whole point of purchasing the TP in the first place) them I am going to be really upset.

ChrisF

I bought an HP touchpad from Comet in the UK – they are not going to give me a refund. They said:

“We are not refunding the HP touch pad, manufacturers discontinue products and appliances all the time.”

How many manufacturers drop a ‘flagship’ product a month after releasing it!? Not happy, although I am going to pursue it!
Bill

I had the same problem with Amazon, i just kept on ringing them back until one of the nice ladies refunded my $450.00. But i was persistant, it took me 4 phone calls to get the final result.
MicahR

Ugh, Newegg sucks donkey balls. Still no word sale price matching except that should the price drop while my TP is in transit then a price match would happen. Only problem is my TP is set to arrive in a couple hours. Good news is that they will accept the product back without a restocking fee if returned unopened. This is in contradiction to the return policy they have placed online for the TP and according to the chat rep they are willing to make an exception. So do I return it or keep it? If I knew for fact the second wave of fire sale was coming and I could guarantee getting one then no sweat return it, but what are the chances? I am working on a TP app so I suppose it’s a nice tax write-off for this year tax filing. F’ing sucks to be a sucker holding a I’m a sucker sign.

Carrigna

That’s great to know you have a choice now. I doubt Newegg will drop a price because they want to make a tidy profit. They never bother to answer any e-mails I sent them. Not impressed with their customer service despite their “wonderful” reputation. Fortunately, they do have a Live Chat so that makes things easier for me and a lovely agent instructed me to refuse the shipment.

Xyz

I don’t understand why Newegg doesn’t want to honor the refund. I guess they don’t pay when they got the shipment from HP, otherwise stores like Bestbuy will lost money on all unsold touchpads had HP not discounted it. So Newegg only needs to pay HP about $99 for every 16GB touchpad sold after HP’s announcement. Is Newegg so greed that they want to charge their loyal customers $300 more a piece? Are they not afraid any backfire or bad publicity from internet customers/users?

Carrigna

Good question you have here. I honestly do not know about Newegg and why they would not follow the suit. I learnt my lesson not to do any business with them again.
Marcus

Newegg could offer store credit and make a profit on other products. I had never heard of Newegg before purchasing 32 at full price Monday. UPS delivered mine today. Really don’t want to return it. HP should have offer TP to Pre customers at the low price first. That could have been the making it right”.

Xyz

I don’t understand why Newegg doesn’t want to honor the refund. I guess they don’t pay when they got the shipment from HP, otherwise stores like Bestbuy will lost money on all unsold touchpads had HP not discounted it. So Newegg only needs to pay HP about $99 for every 16GB touchpad sold after HP’s announcement. Is Newegg so greed that they want to charge their loyal customers $300 more a piece? Are they not afraid any backfire or bad publicity from internet customers/users?

MicahR

I kept it. I couldn’t resist it sitting their in its pretty little white box. I have to say it is better than I thought it could be. All my paid and downloaded apps are there, e-mail, facebook, kindle, and the list goes on. Super pumped about the TP, wife loves it, kids love it, I love it. Not so pumped on Newegg but I’ve made my bed now… Still praying they make good.

tt92618

Amazon still sucks.
Anonymous

Called my local Office Depot where I bought my 32gb TouchPad on 8/5/11 and spoke with the manager and he told me they are offering a refund for the difference, which makes me happy. After spending $427 just over 2 weeks ago, it’s nice to know I’ll be getting the current fire sale deal after all. But of course, I need to actually go and get the refund… the manager told me all he needs is the receipt to process the refunded difference.
Anonymous

Back from my local Office Depot in West Jordan, UT. No questions asked, I got the refund for the difference back to my credit card. While I was there, I bought a case for $19.99 (reg $49.99) and the Touchstone charging dock for $39.99 (reg $79.99). Very happy with how this purchase has gone, considering all had happened since Thurs announcement from HP.
intrepid

Newegg.com Hi
Fans! We want to let you know we are aware of the recent price drop on
the HP Touchpads. We also want you to know that we will be reaching out
via e-mail very soon to offer an appropriate price adjustment to all of
our customers who have purchased HP Touchpads from Newegg – regardless
of the date of purchase. We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience as we work through the details!

Intrepid

I am sorry these are not my word I copy and paste their facebook page wall message. Thanks
MicahR

This is the best news I have heard since day 2.

Carrigna

Hold your horse…I just contacted Newegg and the agent informed me that they will be sending out e-mails to the customers soon. I asked about the price adjustment–what form of price adjustment they would be offering this time. They said it is the store credit in the form of the gift card. The reason for this is that they do not have every customer’s credit card information (or any payment information). I think they are trying to hold on the customers by keeping them in the store. Now this raised a concern…will they do the same with the returned orders?? If so, I think they are going to be in a BIG trouble with the customers including me.

Carrigna

I got this e-mail from Newegg jsu tnow: You recently purchased an HP TouchPad Tablet. As you may already be aware, Hewlett-Packard has decided to discontinue this product. As part of the discontinuation, they have significantly cut the price of the HP TouchPad Tablet. Newegg wanted to contact you today and not only inform you of the discontinuation, but also give you an opportunity to benefit from the price reduction. Although Newegg is not required to match this price reduction, we are committed to keeping our customers happy and provide you with the following options. Please read the following options carefully and respond to this email with your selection by 5:00 pm PST on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. If no response is made by that time, we will assume that you have elected Option C. These emails will be sent based on Sales Order Number. In the event you placed multiple orders for any version of this product, you will receive multiple emails and must reply to each individual email you receive in order to receive assistance. OPTION A – If you select this option, Newegg will credit you 338.43 in the form of either a Newegg Gift Card or a credit back to your original form of payment. Please allow 4 to 6 business days for the Gift Card to be generated and sent to this email address, or the refund to appear back to your original form of payment, depending on which form of payment you specify in your response. By selecting this option, you understand that the sale will now be final and the product will no longer have any return, refund, or replacement policy rights through Newegg. OPTION B – If you select this option and have not opened the retail packaging of your product, Newegg will provide a full refund once we receive the unopened product back . An RMA with a pre-paid return shipping label will automatically be generated for you. Once the unopened product is received, please allow 3 to 5 days for the RMA to be processed. OPTION C – you are satisfied with the product and are not interested in any type of refund, you may reply to this email selecting this option, or simply disregard this email. If you elect or do not timely respond, the original terms and conditions of your purchase will apply. Newegg is dedicated to your complete satisfaction. We appreciate your cooperation and attention to this matter. We look forward to serving you again in the future. Sincerely,Newegg.com

It seems they are charging us $11 and some cents for the shipping? The product is priced $149 but returning $338.43 comes out to $160 and some cents.

I think Newegg is trying their best to satisfy the customers’ demands and trying to make a bit of money as well.

I guess for many people it is reasonable.

I wish everyone good luck with Newegg!

Carrigna

We still do not know how they will refund your money: store credit or credit money back to your credit card account. And what do “an appropriate price adjustment” really mean? Will they match the prices that HP and other retailers offer for their TPs? And I am pretty sore now because I already return the shipment to them without a timely explanation from them. Not a good way to start a new customer relationship, methinks.

http://twitter.com/patmc4fun Patrick McKinley

Walmart was the only retailer that was carrying the Touchpad on the July 1st launch day, so I bought 2, 32GB Touchpads there for $599 each, or a total of $1198 plus tax.

I have spoken with Walmart, and they told me I needed to pursue it with HP Customer Service. So I did…

I started out with a chat with HP on my Touchpad, and was told the chat was for TECHNICAL support. He told me I needed to call HP Sales. So I did. I transferred from level 1 in India, to her supervisor… to the Customer Support specialist… to HIS supervisor. Here are the key points I got from HP Support:
– They can not confirm that any sort of notification has gone from HP to Walmart
– They are Support, and any notification would have gone out from HP Corporate
– They have no contact at all with HP Corporate, so wouldn’t know what Corporate sent out
– There was no higher source of Customer Support to contact

I let them know that I was unhappy with HP pushing me to Walmart… and Walmart pushing me to HP. I know HP’s PR Machine is trying to make it sound like they are “making things right”, and that any early adopter like me will be able to get a price difference refund… but that is just not the case.

I will be heading back to Walmart to go speak with their Manager in person, and hopefully get them to contact the Walmart corporate offices while I’m there with them, to actively look for information about refunds for the HP Touchpads. I will share any information with you, that I get from Walmart.

If they keep stonewalling, I’m going to go to our local TV stations and see if their consumer watchdog reports might be able to help me. Nothing gets the attention of a company quicker, than someone from the media giving them a call about a problem.

http://profiles.google.com/estockda David Estock

I’m having the same issue with the third-party seller/Amazon (Amazon just “fulfilled” the order, or something)… they push me to HP, HP pushes me to Amazon. Stephen DeWitt said we’d be “taken care of” in a recent interview on allthingsd. I tried emailing the author of the piece to see if she would follow up with HP corporate. I encourage you and others to do the same. I think the media is the only way to get to these higher ups for some real answers.

http://twitter.com/mikecompeau Michael Compeau

Dan- I got my refund from BestBuy in Boardman, Ohio this morning. They had to play the system a bit, since their software is not set up to allow price matching past 30 days, but they got it done in the end by issuing a full return, and then reselling the device to me at the discount price. The credit will hit my debit card shortly. I’m happy.
Went down the aisle and picked up a $15 pen/capac’ stylus combo and wireless keyboard ($29) so I’m set for the next firesale ’round 2′.
I feel good now– with the Previous webOS rebate ($50) coming in a few weeks; the $50 app store credit; and this rebate, my final cost will be $60 for the 32GB TouchPad. Yeah — that is more than enough to assuage my disappointment about device cancellation, IF they keep the OS alive. Now I’m still curious if they will honor the HP Care I bought, but I’ve heard no word about purchased plans being discontinued — just that they are not selling new ones. …
Sure wish there was a Sprint Pre3 to find somewhere … grrrr.
Mike
http://twitter.com/mikecompeau Michael Compeau

Dan- I got my refund from BestBuy in Boardman, Ohio this morning. They had to play the system a bit, since their software is not set up to allow price matching past 30 days, but they got it done in the end by issuing a full return, and then reselling the device to me at the discount price. The credit will hit my debit card shortly. I’m happy.
Went down the aisle and picked up a $15 pen/capac’ stylus combo and wireless keyboard ($29) so I’m set for the next firesale ’round 2′.
I feel good now– with the Previous webOS rebate ($50) coming in a few weeks; the $50 app store credit; and this rebate, my final cost will be $60 for the 32GB TouchPad. Yeah — that is more than enough to assuage my disappointment about device cancellation, IF they keep the OS alive. Now I’m still curious if they will honor the HP Care I bought, but I’ve heard no word about purchased plans being discontinued — just that they are not selling new ones. …
Sure wish there was a Sprint Pre3 to find somewhere … grrrr.
Mike
Lashowers719

I spoke with QVC today and the representative knew nothing of the price match to $149.99 - I am so fed up I am ready to box the tablet up and ship it back except I really like it. If anyone gets anymore documented info from QVC please post it.

Darkgift

Here’s an email i got today from QVC:

“Thank you for emailing QVC.
Unfortunately we are still working with HP on a resolution. Please be assured that you will be notified as soon as possible. Your patience is appreciated.
It has been a pleasure assisting you. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Regards,
Melissa
————– Original Text —————–
Date : 8/31/2011 2:47:00 PM
CSWeb Customer generated Email at 8/31/2011 2:47 PM
———————————————————-
Message:
I was just checking on the status of the price match/refund from the most recent price drop HP put on the Touchpad. I spoke with several customer service reps and they said for me not to return it, which I was going to do and buy one at the new reduced price, because QVC was working with HP as to the details of the refund. I am now outside of my return policy limit, and have still not heard as to when and how the refund will take place. Any information will be greatly appreciated”

Sram Jiri

e-store
http://pacov149.e-store.me

BREAKING: HP Crediting Fire-Sale Difference to Current TouchPad Owners

1) HP is fully refunding TouchPad prices OR offering the difference on fire-sale prices

2) HP has sent out a memo to their retail partners for them to extend the same refund measures to their customers.

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