Instant Ink - free plan ending

[Kumar0307]

@Yellowal

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP.

They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact.

Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details).

If you are unfamiliar with how the Community's private message capability works, you can learn about that here:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/First-Time-Here-Learn-How-to-Post-and-More/How-To-Send-A-Private-Messa...

Thank you for visiting the HP Support Community.

[luke023]

Is that for everyone? Will we all receive a private message? Clearly there is a mistake or wider issue going on here. 

I have also submitted a complaint to the advertising standards authority. 

[sm89]

Just got the same email, got told the same "Lifetime of the printer" not sure how you can advertise that then take it away.

PM would be much appreciated

[Yellowal]

I have tried to find an email address to contact the Instant Ink Team but there is no email address on the website. I have tried to contact them on Twitter (my handle is @alastairjduncan if you want to retweet, I haven't had a response from them yet) and will fill in the form they have sent me in a PM- though it seems to me that this is an issue for all customers, not just individuals like us - they should be giving or withdrawing the same offer for all.

[Resonance1]

Got the same email. Pretty disgusted with HP. Not only does it effect me, but I advised my parents to get a HP printer because of the free ink. I'll certainly be steering clear of HP in the future.

[Jacob190]

Hi,

I posted a complaint about the same issue on another thread around two weeks ago and a HP support agent PM'd me to put me in touch with customer support.  Surprisingly, HP customer support phoned me last week to go through my concerns.  I raised the same issues mentioned in this thread, making the case that this new plan is a forced 'upgrade', which I didn't ask for, and there's nothing good about paying 99p/month (£12/year) if you're not using your printer every month. The fact that HP haven't given a transparent explanation as to why it's making this change also annoyed me (apparently part of the reason is due to the cost of ink cartridges, and that some users are abusing the plan resulting in more ink cartridges being dispatched). I also mentioned that the free plan was still being advertised on the HP instant ink website, and was told that the web page content will be changed on 28 October 2020 to reflect the new plan prices, and going forward new customers will be offered a free plan trial, before being asked to choose what is essentially a subscription plan.  I was also told that it was highly unlikely that HP will change its mind about the implementation of the new plan charges. I argued that within the scope of the soon to be discontinued free plan, you could make adjustments with the charges made for the extra page sets outside the 15 free page limit or the unused page rollover for example, which would mean that HP could still stand by its statement that the instant ink free plan is 'free for the life of your printer' for light use printing.  I think that statement may (and probably has already) damaged their reputation with this new plan, and deter new customers from investing in HP products.  

[Ichisuke]

"apparently part of the reason is due to the cost of ink cartridges, and that some users are abusing the plan resulting in more ink cartridges being dispatched"

What? And how could someone abuse the free plan since you only have 15 pages per month....? And the ink cartridges are shipped automatically.... I don't think someone requests ink cartridges just for fun. Nonsense....

[Zusann]

I couldn't believe what I just read either. I need no such thing  as more pages as I make very light use of my printer. The free plan was just fine for me and I don't see how it could even be abused.

Forcing an upgrade after advertising "free for life" is such a scummy bait-and-switch method I wasn't expecting a company like HP to be capable of.

Guess I'll have to look elsewhere in the future for my printing needs!

[garethwill]

have very same complaint. exactly two years to day bought hp printer with a minimal use 'free for life of printer' package hp declares its going to  just cancel the package. don't remember being sold a printer with a two year life expectancy. disgusting behaviour should be ashamed of themselves. somehow can't see me continuing with hp in any current or future scenario when so obviously deceitful and untrustworthy a company

[luke023]

Well guys I did the private message as requested and do you know the response I got?

basically told me to read the terms and conditions. 
what a joke!!!!

Has anyone gone to Which? Or Martin Lewis with this?