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HP Printers & All-In-One Units

Hewlett-Packard • Computers • Printers • Scanners • Cameras • Inkjets • Rebates --- News • HP Introduces 'Touchy-Feely' PC • Class Action Challenges HP's Inkjet Replacement Warnings • HP Wins An Inkjet Suit • Inkjet Suit Filed --- • Consumer: Blame Thyself!

John of Livonia NY (11-08-04):
I bought a Hewlett Packard d135 multifunction around 11/15/2003. It had problems right from the start. Installation didn't go right, crashed with blue screen of death after installation/numerous uninstallations/reinstallations. Crashed with the blue screen of death about 25% of time when starting scanning from director. Paper feeder for ADH is not reliable. Does not do reduction properly when copying. When you run out of one color ink, machine shuts down ALL functions and confiscates the machine until you install cough up the $ and install a new ink cartridge. It wastes a whole solid page of color ink when printing a "test" page. Wastes color ink even when you select print in gray scale.

Machine finally became unusable -- crashed with blue screen of death on almost every scan attempt. HP service was worthless. Would do nothing for me. Blamed the PC in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. To top it off, even after uninstalling the d135 with HP's unistaller, it still left spam on my hard drive that prevented the installation of a HP 6110 that I borrowed temporarily from my employer. HP service was again worthless. Did nothing to solve the problem, did nothing to satisfy me.

I lost about $2500 in billable time as a result of this fiasco. HP service kept stringing me along promising a solution. I should have sent the product back right at day one. I will never buy HP again.

Paul of Philadelphia (09-30-04):
I purchased a HP d145 Printer, Copier, Scanner and Fax in July 2003. While I was away on my last tour (Merchant Marine) the unit failed, around the 11/12 month mark. I did not return until September and promptly called to inquire about getting it repaired. HPs answer to everything is "No." I was told that production on that unit stopped in 2002 so it was an "Outdated" item not worth their time (It cost me $325.00!) Is it my fault it sat in a store until I purchased in in 2003? I just think that if I spent so much on the unit and it failed within a year I should be treated better then the horrible customer service department they have.

Even when I spoke to the supervisor at the call in center he seemed to favor the "No" word. I asked if they could send a letter stating that they would not cover the item as I wanted to file for an extended warranty through my credit card and he told me they could not provide such.

I later sent the unit to a repair shop to see if I could get it fixed, only to get a call back from them horrified at how poor the HP service center has become in the past year. (They should know as they repair such units all the time!) In fact the repair people told me to invest in anything other then a HP as they seem to last longer and have better support services. Their recommendation was for cheaper yet sturdy Epson units.

John of Tacoma WA (08-17-04):
I purchased a HP Officejet v40 multifunction printer from a store in Tacoma, WA on 10/5/2003. The printer stopped working around Aug. 1st, 2004. I have gone through all the troubleshooting methods available to me, including HP web site, manual, telephone, etc., but so far no luck. The printer is still under original manufacturer's warranty, but HP support told me on the phone that they cannot repair or replace the printer. They can provide an "upgraded" model but I have to have a fee charged to my credit card. I think this is ridiculous! What purpose does a warranty serve if I have to pay for a new printer? I don't intend to buy anything from HP ever again. Their support is lousy and in my opinion, misleading. I filed a complaint with the BBB in HP's area of California today.

Rebecca of Chapin SC (6/22/02):
This printer will NOT print productively on envelopes. They jam all the time. I have tried all different brands of envelopes, even envelopes sent to me by HP, which jammed on envelope #2. I am limited to using plain white envelopes, as it absolutely will not accept any brand of colored envelopes or resume paper envelopes. This is a disadvantage to my marketing and defeats the whole reason I bought a $2000 printer.

However, even the white envelopes jam on a regular basis. I have called and complained numerous times and they have no fix for this problem. Also, it often says there is a paper jam. I open everything up as the directions indicate then close the middle drawer yet the screen states it still needs to be closed. So, I re-open & shut again, and again and again. Sometimes I have to turn the printer off to make it get rid of that error.

For $2,000 I do not want to deal with this! Not to mention, I’m sure the drawer will end up breaking after having to open and slam it closed it all the time. I have called numerous times about this problem as well and they state this is the way it was made. In other words, I am supposed to accept a defective printer.

It is not cost effective for me to attend to paper jams all day, and certainly not for $2000, which this printer cost at the time of purchase. Also, I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to get up constantly and open up all the drawers on the printer, and slam them shut till it starts working again, only to sit down and have it jam again. I’d prefer my money back, as I have had problems with every single HP product I have ever purchased and don’t want any more of their products, especially since their service is nil.

Angela of Lake Forest CA (5/16/02):
I purchased an HP Officejet G85 printer with double-sided printing accessory in March of 2000. I also purchased an HP Pavilion 540n PC, which came preloaded with Windows XP. The software that came with the Officejet G85 will not load with Windows XP. After contacting on line tech help, I was advised to call HP (long distance charges a couple of times) I was told that the software for the Officejet is not yet available. On April 8th the same customer service rep assured me that the software would be ready and my printer fully functional in a “couple of weeks.”

I was told by a HP customer service rep. that in two weeks the software would be ready. I waited over three and inquired again. I was told that the other agent should not make promises as "nobody can determine timelines for developing software”. Anyway to date (May 16th) that software has not yet been developed and again I am told... “two weeks.” The only reason I purchased the machine was for double-sided printing...I asked HP to refund my money or double-sided printing costs until the software is available. They absolutely refused citing "no mechanical problems with the equipment".

I reminded the rep (Lynn and John) that the equipment is NOT WORKING. Anyway, I’m appalled at HP's stance and lack of service. No warnings on the box. Sales reps at the store had no idea, and the only defense they have somewhere "on our web page" we note that the “HP officejet does not support double sided printing with windows XP". But, I was told you have to do a search to find it! I find that completely misleading as I did not buy the equipment on-line.

Maurice of West Hollywood CA (5/2/02):P
I purchased a Hewlett Packard 600c deskjet printer in October 1999. It has never worked consistently well. The ink smears as it prints, no matter what settings I choose. I am using HP print cartridges ($30) and HP paper ($7/500 sheets). HP's customer service structure is set up to charge you if you have a problem with their products, and I have been through that ringer with other companies, so I won't bother with HP. I also had an HP Pavillion Computer that completely failed after about 2 1/2 years of use. I am completely soured by Hewlett Packard's home-user products and will never purchase anything they make again.

My printer problems have cost me money: About $200 for a printer and print cartridges that have never performed to reasonable satisfaction. This has consequently cost me lost work time trying to solve the problem (I work from my home). Needless to say, one cannot hope to send a business letter that is smeared and hard to read!

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