HP laptops: 170 consumers file complaints

More than 170 Chinese laptop users have filed complaints against US computer giant Hewlett-Packard, requesting a recall of products they say are faulty, a lawyer in Shanghai said yesterday.
The individual complaints were sent separately to China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Friday, Jiang Suhua, a lawyer representing some of the consumers, told AFP.
Most of the cases, dating back to 2007, focus on overheated graphic chips and display screen problems.
The consumers are asking the product quality agency to investigate and order HP to recall the products involved, he said, adding that not response has yet been received.
A HP spokeswoman said the company had a limited warranty service enhancement programme starting November 2007 for some models of HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario laptops.
She did not directly comment on the complaints, only saying the company “is committed to putting the needs of customers first and the continuous pursuit of enhancing customer satisfaction”.
Jiang said a class action lawsuit against HP could not be ruled out, but he hoped the government would help more consumers.
He said individual court claims against HP had already been successful.
“Consumers’ claim to their rights were fulfilled in several individual cases filed to courts. But we are resorting to administrative agencies because it would provide a centralised solution.”
No one at the quality supervision agency was available for comment.
China has detailed rules on the recall of automobiles, food, toys and medicine but has yet to establish a law governing the recall of flawed products such as consumer electronics and home appliances.