HP B8850/9180 Class Action?

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dbarthel
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p.1 #1 · HP B8850/9180 Class Action?

I now have two emails from HP Customer Care telling me that the inks shipped with my B8850 are "starter packs" and not intended for normal use. Not sure if I believe them, as the part numbers on the original inks and replacement inks are the same. But for the sake of argument, if they are correct, then it appears that this is an actionable problem, as nowhere in the HP published product specs or in the install documentation is there any mention that the printer is shipped with non-standard inks which will need to be immediately replaced (as stated in HP's last email).

I'm normally not a one to run to the lawyers, but if HP is correct, then the real price of the printer is actually 8x$36 higher than the published price, a more than 50% increase.

I'd be happy to email anyone interested copies of the emails from HP. If you are a class action person and want to contact me, please feel free to PM me. I'll gladly retract all the skidmark jokes I've told.

Jul 08, 2009 at 04:19 PM

UCSB
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p.1 #2 · HP B8850/9180 Class Action?

I own the 9180 and I used the initial ink cartridges for many prints (60+ 8.5x11's). Some cartridges did not last as long as I expected, but I can not confirm that they were only partially full. On the 9180, it uses ink from the cartridges in different amounts. So some cartridges last a long time (1000's of prints) while others may only last a much shorter time period (100+ prints). That is normal behavior if you see it. HP cartridges have some internal logic and expire after they have been in service for some period of time (1 year, 18 months ... I'm unsure) and you will get a warning. My advice is replace they cartridges when and if they expire. If you don't, the health of your heads will start to deteriorate. These expiring cartridges may not be an issue if you are printing enough and you may not see the problem.

I do agree that it is a shame if HP is shipping the printer with partially full cartridges ... but, I can't confirm it. After buying the printer, I picked up a 5 year warranty on the HP site for something like $35. You might want to consider this as cheap insurance.

Jul 08, 2009 at 05:41 PM

Il Medico
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p.1 #3 · HP B8850/9180 Class Action?

Sad...

It's people like you who drive up the cost of goods and services for everyone with frivolous lawsuits.

The only person/people that benefit from these actions are the attorneys- win or lose.

Sad....

Gene

Jul 08, 2009 at 08:18 PM

kalex
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p.1 #4 · HP B8850/9180 Class Action?

Thats true. attorney will make couple of million and customers will get a rebate check for price of new ink cartridges

on the other hand it also doesn't look too good for HP if they are doing it. in our times you don't really need to file law suits. a bout of bad publicity might actually change their minds

Jul 09, 2009 at 01:50 AM

Gil_W
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p.1 #5 · HP B8850/9180 Class Action?

I was considering the 8850 and this makes me wonder. I think if it was me I would want some clarification and perhaps some good discounts on a set of new inks.
At least they told you so they are being up front. Might check out their on site user forums to see what other owners of the printers are saying.

Jul 09, 2009 at 03:10 AM

david010167
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p.1 #6 · HP B8850/9180 Class Action?

I use the B9180 and the original cartridges are just that, complete, normal original cartridges that produced many prints.

The only thing I can think of is when new the system needs to "charge" its self with some ink and this would reduce the number of prints, plus you need to carry out the closed loop calibration and a few other prints that configure the system.

To be honest my Epsons did the same, as does my Canon printers - they all have to fill the empty pipes to get the ink flowing and the print heads working.

David

Jul 09, 2009 at 06:50 AM

csebasti
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p.1 #7 · HP B8850/9180 Class Action?

I would not believe a word HP tells you, and I would encourage you and everyone else here not to ever give HP another dollar for anything. If you think I'm just an extreme case as an upset customer, keep reading because there are hundreds of thousands of HP customers being ripped off by HP over defective parts.

I own an HP Pavilion laptop that has a defective Nvidia graphics processor which should be covered under HP's warranty service enhancement but despite my laptop showing signs of this from the day I bought it, they absolutely refuse to fix it. There are thousands of people in the same situation, and HP is refusing to fix the defect at no charge, that has been widely publicized, and lying about it. The ones they have "fixed" have been with the same defective parts, and are continuing to fail. They are being deceptive, and downright criminal. If any of you own an HP laptop, I urge you to check out the info here.

Back to the topic, I have learned over the last couple months dealing with HP that they have no problem directly lying to you if it will save them some cash. They have no problem losing you as a customer forever if it will help cover up the issue.

Sorry if I'm out of line posting this here, but after months of HP agreeing 100% with me that they sold me a defective computer, and refusing to do anything about it, I can't help but warn people about HP's lack of customer service and ethics when someone brings up questionable actions by HP.

Chris

Jul 09, 2009 at 05:50 PM


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