Anyone else hate HP?

[allie1105]

So about a year ago, I bought a laptop from Hewlett Packard. I spent lots of $$ and got tons of memory, RAM, and all of the good stuff - I know technology goes out quickly, but I like to try to keep computers for as long as possible (I have an old desktop from 2001 that still works). Anyway, about a week ago, something happened and my computer crashed. No problem, I back up all of my important files - but I had to reformat. So I had some trouble doing that, but the representatives, located in India helped me...turned out, they forgot to tell me to perform a certain task, so I had to do it all over again...and realized I can't get the internet back onto my computer. I called on Saturday to get help with this, spent 2+ hours on the phone and they decided to tell me my wireless card was busted, even though I told them that I was missing the application and drivers CD (it must have never come with the computer because I kept everything in the box and put it in my attic in case of a situation like this). I got the wireless card (free of charge, since I flipped out and my computer was still under warrantee), installed it, and SUPRISE! It doesn't work. On my fifth call to HP, the guy realized I am lacking the cd, so now they want to send it to me - of course, I have to pay for it.

I just wanted to rant about this and let you all know how awful it is to work with those people. They barely speak english - on top of it all, they tried to sell me a new laptop over the phone!!!! You have to be kidding me. UGH! I used to love HP but their customer service makes me never, ever, ever want to buy their products.

[winneythepooh7]

I feel the same way about Dell. I had a brand new $1200 computer for a couple months that I gave away for free because I could get no help from those people. I ended up buying an HP almost 2 years ago now at Best Buy with their warranty there so they do the work through the store if there's any issues. I had one problem once, took it in, and yeah, they kept it for a week or so, but it was so worth it dealing with people in person than having to deal with people who couldn't help me on the phone.

[allie1105]

I feel the same way about Dell. I had a brand new $1200 computer for a couple months that I gave away for free because I could get no help from those people. I ended up buying an HP almost 2 years ago now at Best Buy with their warranty there so they do the work through the store if there's any issues. I had one problem once, took it in, and yeah, they kept it for a week or so, but it was so worth it dealing with people in person than having to deal with people who couldn't help me on the phone.

I have a two year warranty, but I got the computer through HP and UGH! They avoid fixing your computer like the PLAGUE. When the time comes to buy a new one, I would totally do what you did - I don't care if they keep it for a week. My laptop has been out of commission for a week now anyway, and by the looks of it, its going on a second week.

If I chose a new computer, I would pick an Apple (what I wanted would have cost me $4K in an Apple and $2K in HP, so I went HP). I should have sucked it up and shelled out the cash, because everyone I know that has an Apple loves it...UGH! When I am done with grad school and start working, this is going to be my first purchase!!!!

[Bman120]

I hear ya allie. When I was a senior in college, my next door neighbor had an HP laptop that went crazy so after working on it for a few hours, I tried calling their help people and got someone in India too. Ever try asking them where they are? They get upset and refuse to tell you eventhough its obvious! All I wanted to know was what part of the country she was in and what the weather was like.

Anyhow, they were no help whatsoever so I worked on it myself for a night. My computer in college was a Dell inspiron laptop and I had similar troubles with their people too. The one benefit I got from all this though is at least I learned a lot about how to fix laptops from experimenting on my own after getting so frustrated with these people!

I have a gateway laptop now and their people are based here in America and everytime I call, I get good assistance for all my troubles. So if your looking for a good laptop that isnt bad price wise, id go with them.

[allie1105]

I hear ya allie. When I was a senior in college, my next door neighbor had an HP laptop that went crazy so after working on it for a few hours, I tried calling their help people and got someone in India too. Ever try asking them where they are? They get upset and refuse to tell you eventhough its obvious! All I wanted to know was what part of the country she was in and what the weather was like.

Anyhow, they were no help whatsoever so I worked on it myself for a night. My computer in college was a Dell inspiron laptop and I had similar troubles with their people too. The one benefit I got from all this though is at least I learned a lot about how to fix laptops from experimenting on my own after getting so frustrated with these people!

I have a gateway laptop now and their people are based here in America and everytime I call, I get good assistance for all my troubles. So if your looking for a good laptop that isnt bad price wise, id go with them.


You know, I looked at Gateway and chose not to buy one - Consumer Reports said that the product wasn't as good as HP, but their customer service was better - so I bought the HP thinking I wouldn't need major assistance and the customer service thing wouldn't really be an issue. Speaking of the India thing - when I was on the phone and they were helping me reformat, their was downtime while the disk was loading Windows. The guy asked me where I was located, how the weather was, etc...and so I reciprocated, and he got upset!!! I was genuinely interested because I have a friend who is a christian missionary and she lives in Koalkutta (sp?) - I thought I could at least make conversation.

The thing that pisses me off is that when I called Saturday and I was speaking to a woman, she told me to put in the "Application and Drivers" cd, which I lack. I informed her of this, and she basically said, "Nevermind," and I think it was because she didn't want to deal with it. I talked to someone after her and I asked if that could be the problem, and he said no. Finally, the guy I spoke to yesterday said that was the problem, and so I had to buy new recovery discs. Lovely. Computers are SO FRUSTRATING!

[winneythepooh7]

This is slightly off-topic but does anyone feel like computers are one of those things that we have a love-hate relationship with? I found that our network went down for about 4 hours at work on Monday morning and everyone, self included was just going nuts. I also have had to start being really firm with people about picking up the telephone because they will email me about an emergency situation on a Friday night to my work email, then get pissed that I will not see it and respond to them until sometime on Monday. What did we do before the computer invention!!!

[pisces2473]

LOL I thought this was about Harry Potter.

Carry on!

[shorty]

When I was thinking about buying a laptop, a couple people told me that HPs weren't great. I just took their word for it (I'm not that great with computers and don't know much about them). I'm lucky because my brother is a comp sci major, so he really helps me out. In a way, it's bad though because I rely on him way too much and it's not really helping me learn about them. :neutral:

[EmberMae]

My parents said the same thing about Dell's customer service and just bought an HP. Personally, I have a Dell desktop that is 5 years old and still fine. I used to have a compaq laptop long ago that was ok but got outdated quickly and after awhile whatever it was that held the screen up broke.

[pisces2473]

My parents said the same thing about Dell's customer service and just bought an HP. Personally, I have a Dell desktop that is 5 years old and still fine.
Same with me. I have a Dell and everyone always complains about how much they suck, but mine's just getting old.

[allie1105]

Ok, then next time I am buying a dell! I just went with HP because I have an HP desktop, was always fine with it, and it got great ratings in Consumer Reports when I was buying it...well, I would LOVE an Apple, but I am way to broke for that!