In article <[log in to unmask]>,
[log in to unmask] says...
>
>We are very close to finalizing a purchase of a used 937LX to replace
our
>Series 70.  One stumbling block that just came up is HP's "Return to
>Support Charge".  Neither HP nor our hardware provider mentioned
anything
>about this in prior conversations until just recently.  Aparantely, if
the
>used system that our hardware provider located for us is not currently
>under software support, HP will charge us over $9,000 (18 months
>back-support) in order to start a software support contract.  Now it
seems
>to me that *we* shouldn't be penalized $9,000 because the system that
our
>hardware provider found (a HP Channel Partner) happened to not be under
>support.
>
>Does this sound right???
>-Mike-
>
 
Mike:
 
HP's policy is to charge UP TO 18 months of back support AND a 12 month
forward support contract to receive the latest operating system.  They
don't care if you are buying a used system or if you simply let the
contract on your existing system lapse.  They charge UP TO 18 months,
meaning that if you let your existing contact lapse for, say, two
months, you would only be charged the two months of back support.
 
The Channel Partner selling you this system should know that they can
resell *HP* refurbished equipment that comes with the current operating
system at no charge, just as if you were buying new HP gear.  Obviously
the 937 you are purchasing is from some source other than HP.  Needless
to say, HP wants you to buy from HP!
 
John Painter
Computer Solutions, Inc.
http://home.navisoft.com/csi6000