HP Continues its Despicable Treatment of Customers

HP Continues its Despicable Treatment of Customers

HP has released a new range of printer cartridges which are embedded with a chip that can trigger a firmware update of the laser printer without the need of the internet.

Firmware updates, which include security and quality enhancements also have a “lockout” function that only allows the printer to accept HP branded cartridges to work in the printer. Any use of third-party or aftermarket supplies is “locked out.” These firmware updates were all activated via the internet.

Third-party or aftermarket supplies include both remanufactured and new-build printer cartridges.

Last month, in May, the scam was been found out by an industry whistleblower who informed RT Media. HP launched a new range of W1106A/106A cartridges embedded with a chip that triggered a firmware update of the laser printer without the need of the internet. The HP W1106A/106A cartridges are used with HP Laser MFP 135a/135w/137fnw and HP Laser 107a/107w series of printers. Read more.

The HP original cartridges were trialled firstly in Italy. Consumers were forced to continue purchasing and using the more expensive HP original cartridge.

Now HP is yet again using this mean trick in its W2080A/118A cartridges sold in the booming China market. This new range of printer cartridges is embedded with a chip that can trigger a firmware update of the laser printer without the need of the internet. Once the cartridge is installed in the printer it communicates with that printer and updates the firmware of the printer.

Consumers are angry too. Hundreds have taken to social media, particularly during the global COVID-19 lockdown in homes to express their frustrations with HP.

HP Customer, Donald Jeff has also sent a concerned email containing a link to a video he has made which reveals how HP’s latest lock-out strategy works. It shows how a perfectly working aftermarket cartridge ceases to work after a cartridge with the new embedded chip updates the firmware of the printer. As a result, his aftermarket cartridge, when returned to the printer again, ceases to work.

Industry analysts and company CEOs are telling RT Media that similar HP products with the same technical performance may be rolled out to other global regions.

Another angry whistleblower spoke to RT Media. “HP’s latest firmware upgrade strategy is telling us a terrible fact: end-users have no choice but to buy HP cartridges for their HP printer because non-HP cartridges simply won’t work in their HP printers.”

“Both eco-friendly remanufactured cartridges and patented new-built compatibles are all on HP’s blacklist,” a company CEO said. All third-party supplies are impacted.

This lock-out strategy, probably a first for HP, is much sneakier than what the iconic OEM has ever done before. Some distributors of third-party supplies are now contacting their customers to say:

1. If you are using compatible cartridges and they work fine, do not switch to original cartridges because originals may “lockout” your use of compatibles;
2. disable the auto firmware update function on your printer;
3. share the news of HP’s Despicable tricks with your friends and colleagues and online in social media to create awareness, especially if you are a victim of HP’s firmware updates, or if you believe every user has the right to know of HP’s despicable tricks before they purchase an HP printer.

Related:

• Latest Despicable Trick by HP Exposed
• HPs Dirty Tricks During Coronavirus Shutdown
• HP Action Angers Printer Cartridge Association
• HP Continues to Target Workers at Home During Crisis
• Ninestar’s Solution for HP Firmware Update Ready to Go
• HP Acquires Samsung’s Printer Business for $1.05 Billion

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