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Is this for real??


http://hp-at-home.com/topsecret/coupons/calculatorsCoupon.html

Iqbal ! This might be the long anticipated "going out of business calc sale" or they migh be making room for more gameboy stuff..

This is exactly the kind of thing that would make me very annoyed if I had bought one of the calcs just outside the qualifying period or had bought one that did qualify but missed this hidden 'top secret' offer. The discounts are not trivial!

Has anyone in HP considered the negative effect such hidden and short term offers have? I'm sure there are better ways to promote their offerings.

Example: If I missed this offer I might not buy a HP calc until they did another offer (which might never happen) because I may feel such a fool for missing this one.

P.S. Isn't it a sad state that HP calcs has got into when people are seeing the demise hidden in every bit of news.

It is a real rebate. When I called the toll-free number to ask if it was real, he mentioned $10 rebates, but when I mentioned it is on the internet, he asked what was the PO Box number on the form. He confirmed it is real, and the form is only available via the internet.

I've noticed the address to which the form is to be mailed starts "HP Employee Exclusive Summer Offers".

Of course, I notice this AFTER committing almost $90 on an HP-48G+, hoping to get $50 back. (I don't work for HP.)

Nothing else on the form seems to indicate it's an HP-employee-only offer, and I meet all the "Terms and Conditions" explicitly listed. It's only the address line that has me concerned . . .

So, cross my fingers (and work up an excuse for my wife!)

I broke down and ordered an HP-41GX. I will also keep my fingers crossed ...

Chris>I broke down and ordered an HP-41GX. I will also keep my fingers crossed ...

41 on the brain? :) I know what you meant.. 41BII ;^)

Check this out: http://topsecret.hp-at-home.com/topSecret/products/calculators.html

I can't believe they were able to cram all those new features into the 30S, not to mention the 48GX.. either that, or the layoffs at HP are getting serious (proof-readers must be non-essential staff).

Good thing these descriptions are Top Secret.
Matt

HP recently changed the mail-in address for these top-secret rebates.

Apparently, they are now trying to stiff customers who bought the items in good faith, having read about the rebates previously.

What they did is this: Until around 8/1, the mail in address for these rebates did NOT indicate "HP Employee Specials" or such. Just a "Top Secret Rebate" address.

Now they changed it on calcs (as well as CD-burners, etc.)

Shame on you HP!
Gene

So is the offer only open to HP employees?

After reading the conditions it does not appear to demand that the applicant is an employee of HP (e.g. by requesting a payrole number). So is the 'new' address simply meant to put off non-HP employees from applying? (I note that if any of the conditions are not 'met' they can simply dump the application in the bin.)

The 'rebate' offer is now appearing on Ebay (e.g. item number 1262249540) with some shops appearing to off-load HP48's and HP49's with the offer of $75 rebate (to be completed by the buyer) and prices seem to be in the order of $150. This has had the effect of depressing the prices of second hand 48's and 49's to about $65! This may only be temporary.

So is this just a sequence of cock-ups by HP or are they dumping the high end calcs?

So long and thanks for all the RPN.

Gene>What they did is this: Until around 8/1, the mail in address for these rebates did NOT indicate "HP Employee Specials" or such. Just a "Top Secret Rebate" address.

It appears the only rebate form that isn't now addressed to "hp employees exclusive summer offers" is the Scanners rebate at: http://www.hp-at-home.com/topsecret/coupons/scanjetCoupon.html (it still says "hp top secret deals"). However, the P.O. Box and Zip codes are different and the General Terms and Conditions refer to the "hp employee purchase program", whereas the Calculator Terms and Conditions thankfully, do not.

I'd really like to hear of someone from the general public who did or didn't get their rebate, but I guess that won't happen for 8-10 weeks.

What to do??? Keep the 49 I ordered, or return it unopened for a refund?

Matt

I guess one encouraging sign is the Top Secret deals opening page (http://topsecret.hp-at-home.com/topSecret/home.html) doesn't say squat about HP employees only. It does say this: Welcome.. You just arrived at our customer savings site with exclusive offers just for loyal hp customers like you.

If I haven't been loyal Carly, then what do you call those boxes of calculators in my closet and garage? ;-)

Matt

What ever you do, you are going to have to do it REAL FAST. I think the offer expires on the 11th. And that apparently means they must have the rebate form in their hands by then. You may have to send it express mail / FEDEX to get it there in time.

i don't have a lot of faith in hp rebates. in the early 90's i sent in a form for a free interface cable for the purchase of a 48. they (hp's cupon redeemers) ignored it. so i bought an interface kit from educalc.