The other day I purchased a brand new HP-17BII from the local Staples and received a most disturbing shock. An entire row of keys was dead. It was the fifth row from the top ( [V] [4] [5] [6] [X] ). I have purchased many new HP calculators over the past 20+ years but have never before received a malfunctioning unit, nor have I ever heard of anyone who did.

Needless to say, I hope that this doesn't mark the beginning of a new trend in quality control at HP. I can only pray that my concerns are unwarranted.

Has anybody else had a similar experience (either recently or in the past)?