Do you have a laptop – or a desktop, a keyboard or a mouse – by HP? Have you bought one of the aforementioned gadgets on sale between June 5, 2021, and October 28, 2024? If so, well, you may soon be able to receive between $10 and $100 as part of a $4 million settlement.
According to the lawsuit, HP often displayed products with fake "original" prices, using strike-through text and messages like "Save $100 instantly". These higher prices made it seem like the customer was getting a great deal, but in many cases, the product was almost never sold at the supposed original price.
One example in the case involved a customer who bought an HP All-in-One computer for $899.99. HP advertised it as being marked down from $999.99, but court documents said the same computer had already been selling for $899.99 for months before the purchase, meaning the "discount" was not real. I'm witnessing similar practices all the time, and it's sickening. Companies just take advantage of people who do not keep an eye on electronics' prices.
This is what the HP online shop looks like today. | Image source – HP
The lawsuit also accused HP of using false urgency to push people to buy. Some product pages claimed there were only one or two units left or that the deal was for a limited time only. However, the products often stayed available well beyond the supposed deadline or quantity limit. According to the complaint, this strategy was designed to pressure customers into making quick decisions, thinking they might miss out.
Although HP has not admitted to any wrongdoing, the company agreed to the $4 million settlement. That money will go into a fund that pays out to eligible customers, covers legal fees, and provides up to $5,000 each to the two people who first filed the lawsuit.
The exact amount each person will receive depends on which products they bought, with a list of eligible items including models from HP's Spectre, Envy, and Pavilion lines, as well as certain keyboards and wireless mice.
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Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
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