Dick,
I empathize with you – been there, done that. However, I sense that there is
something more here than meets the eye. I, too, have purchased a new HP with
Vista and new Office 2007 less than 3 weeks ago. This was not my first
computer, but HP, Vista, and Office are all new. Based on previous
experience, I never expected a whole new setup, including wireless, to go
without glitches. I was right. (I rate my skill level at low to medium.)
Even before I plugged in the HP PC, I encountered a mechanical problem with
the new HP monitor that should have been easy to resolve. After a half hour
of frustration and near anger at HP, I called the HP service number they
provided. A couple of menus and about three minutes later, I was in
conversation with a live HP person (and this was Saturday afternoon). He
patiently, but unsuccessfully, worked with me for about 30 minutes. We
agreed that before I broke the monitor, I should return to the retailer. (I
did and it was OK.) But before we ended, he offered an unsolicited promise
that he would call back to see how things went. A week later, after I had
determined his promise to be standard BS, he called to check on the status.
Not only that, a person alleged to be his supervisor, wanted to talk to me.
My point here is, based on only one experience, HP is available and willing
to help.
I also had frustrating head scratchers with Vista, Mail, Outlook Express,
and Word even though I had obtained a few reference books from the library
before I started the setup. I eventually found Microsoft Communities and
submitted my problems and questions there. In my personal experience and
after having read a lot of threads, I believe the MS-MVP members are the
most valuable, and most available, free assets you could ask for. I do not
know any of them, I had never heard of them before this month, I don’t know
their status with MS, and I don’t know what their rewards are for tuning in
almost every day to help you and me, but they seem anxious to help and it
seems as though at least one is available all the time for a quick response.
My point here is, you have a valuable free asset which you should take
advantage of before demanding your money back.
Before you go any further, I suggest you contact HP to discuss your problems
(hopefully, you already have). Then, or at the same time, throw a few of
your problems and questions at the MS-MVPs. Maybe it’s the software, maybe
it’s not. You didn’t describe any reason why you hate the products so no one
could propose a solution based on your posting.
In any event, you need to be able to express the problems you are
encountering. Probably no one will return your money without knowing what
the problem is, so be prepared to tell them. Why not start here? If it's
hardware or software problems, you will probably learn exactly what the
problem is and be in a better position to demand a refund.
Please don’t take my post as being critical. It’s not.
Thanks
Janter
