Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

[Mark42]

In May of 2003 I bought an HP Photosmart Digital Camera model 850Xi for about $450. It is a 4 meg camera with 8x optical zoom. A really nice camera.

Yesterday it got dropped on the floor and the little door that holds the batteries in broke and needs to be replaced. HP says the part is no longer available. Infact, outside of lens caps and straps, there is nothing available in the way of service parts for this $450 digital camera that is only 3 years old.

HP offered me a trade up to a new camera that I don't think is as nice and it will still cost me $160. Not a bad offer, but I have to trade in this camera as part of the deal. So I get another HP camera that will probably be obsolete in 3 years.

I have Pentax LSR cameras that are 15 years or more old that I can still get parts for (or could just a couple of years ago). So what is with HP making expensive cameras obsolete after 3 years? Do they think they are making printers or cameras?

That is what I get for buying a camera from a printer company.

Maybe If I can find the real manufacturer of the camera I can get the door.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

BTW, in comparison, here is a 6 megapixel Pentax SLR digital camera with replaceable lenses for about $600 with a nice zoom. Basic entry level digital SLR.

The opening discription of this camera says it all:

Compatible with any Pentax lens ever produced, the Pentax K110D is an entry-level digital SLR camera containing many advanced features.

Sounds like a company that supports their products.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

That is what I get for buying a camera from a printer company.

Yep. They do it on purpose.

I bought a top of the line HP laptop about 3 years ago and it was a POS. Some parts were mising from day one and it was a huge hassle just to get them to send the parts I already paid for. I only kept the thing for about 6 months...

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

HP=Compaq=junk IMHO

 

[Pony]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

That is what I get for buying a camera from a printer company

A) They are not JUST printer company. The make some high end plasmas and such too.
B) I GAURANTEE that you would have the same problem with any other brand digital camera that is 3 years old. Some parts like some of the lenses may still be made but other stuff may not.
C) I have 2 HP cameras, 2 printers, a desktop and a laptop. Not a SINGLE issue.

what is with HP making expensive cameras obsolete after 3 years? Do they think they are making printers or cameras?

Take a look at the camera market Mark...........Hp cameras are the some of the least expensive around. Plus YOU DROPPED IT! its not like the door just stopped working on you. If you hadnt dropped it you still be using it for years to come.

Compatible with any Pentax lens ever produced

You ust said yourself the Hp lens is still available too.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

HP=Compaq=junk IMHO

NO no no... Thats a completely WRONG way to think about it. HP started its computer life making High-end very quality servers. Then, when it established itself as a quality provider of server equipment, it moved to the workstation market.

A few years ago, HP acquired Compaq. IMHO that IMPROVED Compaq, it didn't become a detriment to HP.

Chrysler purchased Jeep from AMC in the mid-1980s. Using your logic... Chrysler = AMC = Junk

It makes no sense.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

That is what I get for buying a camera from a printer company

A) They are not JUST printer company. The make some high end plasmas and such too.
B) I GAURANTEE that you would have the same problem with any other brand digital camera that is 3 years old. Some parts like some of the lenses may still be made but other stuff may not.
C) I have 2 HP cameras, 2 printers, a desktop and a laptop. Not a SINGLE issue.

what is with HP making expensive cameras obsolete after 3 years? Do they think they are making printers or cameras?

Take a look at the camera market Mark...........Hp cameras are the some of the least expensive around. Plus YOU DROPPED IT! its not like the door just stopped working on you. If you hadnt dropped it you still be using it for years to come.

Compatible with any Pentax lens ever produced

You ust said yourself the Hp lens is still available too.

I have to disagree with a few of your points.

1) No, I will not have the same problem with other brand cameras because other brand cameras still offer parts for their products. HP chose to not support their product "once it is out of warrentee". So a HP camera that is out of warrentee is instantly obsolete and you must upgrade.

2) No, the HP lense is not available or removeable.

3) There are minor issues with the camera that have developed over the last year without it ever being dropped. Like the flash will not always flash even though it says it should and a few other minor inconveniences.

4) The reference to supporting any lense is MADE BY PENTAX, NOT HP. PENTAX is the one that supports their products. New PENTAX digital cameras will accept ANY LENS THEY EVER MADE. HP can not make that claim.

5) Most HP cameras are just average. Only the 850 series was good. I did a lot of research and chose that specific camera because of some specific features that it has and that HP has chosen to drop from subsequent models.

6) By comparison to the competition, even their top model today is only mediocre.

7) My brother bought a NIKON brand digital about 8 years ago that he has purchased new LCD screen for, and other parts that get wear and breakage. HP can only offer lens caps and straps.

8 ) So using your logic that I broke it so that is why it's broken, then if you break you car and there are no parts to fix it, its OK because its your fault its broken?

The bottom line is 3 years is way too short a time to claim that an expensive top of the line product is obosolete and no parts are available.

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

If you had dropped it three years ago you would have had the same problem. When you bought it - it was obsolete. HP planned it that way. They probably made one big run at the factory, then started selling, dropping the price as time went buy to move the inventory.

HP makes great printers but thats about it. Every other HP product I have ever used have been disapointing. That includes thier servers.

- Brian

 

[jtexas]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

Thanks, I'll just stick with my Canon AE-1.

Dropped it off a second-floor hotel balcony once, on to the main street of town; no damage. Luckily it was San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize...streets made of dirt...

 

[Pony]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

If you had dropped it three years ago you would have had the same problem. When you bought it - it was obsolete. HP planned it that way. They probably made one big run at the factory, then started selling, dropping the price as time went buy to move the inventory.

HP makes great printers but thats about it. Every other HP product I have ever used have been disapointing. That includes thier servers.

- Brian

No they didnt plan it that way............. I can parts for the current models so I guess you are ust making an assumption there huh.

Again...........there other products are good too, but I guess if you guys have one bad expirience, manufactures fault or not, then the product line is garbage............

HP chose to not support their product "once it is out of warrentee". So a HP camera that is out of warrentee is instantly obsolete and you must upgrade.

Ummm that is similar to nearly every electronics brand out there . Thats why retailers offer service plans. So if you do drop you camera after 3years AND the manufacture no longer carries parts, THEY GIVE YOU a brand new comparable model for nothing.

So using your logic that I broke it so that is why it's broken, then if you break you car and there are no parts to fix it, its OK because its your fault its broken?

If I was being careless and thats how it broke then I certainly wouldnt be upset with the manufacture since they dont carry the part I broke anymore.......with a camera anyways . You have to admit that a car is a different story.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

If I was being careless and thats how it broke then I certainly wouldnt be upset with the manufacture since they dont carry the part I broke anymore.......with a camera anyways . You have to admit that a car is a different story.

I sure hope Bombardier don't adopt that attitude.

It's not exactly a disposable camera...I mean, heck $450...

 

[Pony]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

Jtex I was still editing that post when you posted

 

[jtexas]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

fixed

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

I've used several different models of HP printers and I have been impressed by all of them.

However I have used SEVERAL different models of HP computers, and IMHO all were garbage. (IMHO compaq is no better)

I'll admit I'm speculating on the obsolete-the-day-you-bought-it part, but look at it this way: How to make more money - sell you the part to fix your camera or sell you a new camera?

That camera was probably in production for less than 1 month. After that parts became scarce. If they had to warantee a repair they would have given you another camera.

- Brian

 

[tommays]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

There really should be a required time to supply parts on costly items


Tommays

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

I have HP computers, printers, dell laptop, and a epson printer. All very good quality and running strong.

I have a 3 yr old nikon that is obsolete and parts are NLA however people sell them all the time on ebay for parts. If it ever fails and needs a part I will hit ebay. To date the nikon has taken over 7000 pictures and all on the original rechargable battery. The nikon has been dropped off the table at least 2x.

I just acquired a canon digital SLR and it is impressive however, I doubt it will ever survive a fall.

Check ebay for parts.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

Chrysler purchased Jeep from AMC in the mid-1980s. Using your logic... Chrysler = AMC = Junk

Bad analogy. 1986 to be exact. They ditched the Scrambler, J10, J20, and started making YJ's. The YJ's were so disappointing that by 1995 sales of the true Jeeps were failing miserably. So much so that there was no model even produced in 1996 as everything was revamped and the TJ was born. Only recently have they even got close to what they were building in the AMC days. And they just figured out how popular the Scrambler was and reintroduced it as the "Unlimited". What did that take, 20 years? So yes, on a relative scale and compared to what AMC built, Chrysler's Jeeps are, in fact, "junk."

 

[Mark42]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

I don't think their products are junk. In fact, I like the HP printers I have. They work well.

I just expect a digital camera to have product support for more than the warrentee period. And that is what they told me, once out of warrentee, service is not available. And 3 years of support and service is not out of line with other brands of cameras.

There is absolutely no need for me to take an extended service plan or warrantee plan in order to protect my purchases. That is just more money in their pocket, and inflating the cost of the product.

Accidents happen. My wife dropped the camera. Actually it got knocked off a bed onto the floor when she was packing up the camera/video case.

There is no excuse for HP's policy. They are just ripping you off and that is the bottom line.

I sent HP an email stating that if they do not produce a method of repairing or servicing the product or I do not hear from them in the next week I will not purchase any more HP products EVER. I have also informed them that I will post this unfortunate experience with HP service all over the internet, on every product review board I can find if they do not resolve the problem to my satisfaction.

It was their decision to drop support of the product, and I am holding them accountable for their decision and they will pay the consequences for their action or lack of.

If you don't let manufactures know this sort of behavior is unacceptable, it will continue unabated.

 

[Pony]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

It's not exactly a disposable camera...I mean, heck $450.

.

$450 was 3 yrs ago. That same camera now in a brand new model would be half that cost if not less..


I deal with these companies on a daily basis. Mark I think you ust got unlucky on your camera.........Hp is one of the better companies as far as customer support IMHO. If ther Hp rep ha been in tonight while I was working I would have asked him a few questions. One of my good friends works at Hp too, I see him tomorow and ask him a few things.

All I know is I deal with this sort of issue day in and day out. I see everything that we sent out for service and repair. I can tell you as far as electronics are concerned you will find very few things that can be fixed after 3 yrs, and that goes for any supplier. Think about it.................I remember our old consol TV being repaired a few times. Now when a TV goes, you buy a new one. The cost of the electronics has come down so much that it really isnt feasable a lot of the time to fix something. I look at a 3yr old camera and think that if the repairs are $50 I might as well just a little more than double that and get a brand new one with newer better features.

FWIW, Hp and other suppliers dont see a penny of those service plans. $40 to me is worth it knowing that if in 4 years my camera breaks and the supplier cant fix it, I get a new one at no additional cost.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major dissapointment

It's not exactly a disposable camera...I mean, heck $450.

.

$450 was 3 yrs ago. That same camera now in a brand new model would be half that cost if not less...

and, we're back to, that's what you get for buying a camera from a computer company.

In the mind of the budget-minded consumer a $450 camera 3 years ago is still a $450 camera. In the mind of the computer company a $450 camera should be tossed out within 3 years.

[but, "rip-off"? Mark? a bit of hyperbole maybe? surely you got a $450 camera for your $450? dismal customer service maybe? just my 2¢]