This Hippo Won’t Swim

We’ve all seen the commercials going on and on about “state of the art” computers for a “low” weekly fee. In reality, the Blue Hippo scheme is one big scam that rivals that of Nigerian check fraud.

After initially signing up with Blue Hippo, you will soon realize that you won’t actually get your new computer until after your sixth payment has been made. What they don’t tell you is that it takes up to 8 weeks to get the computer in the mail. So 2-3 months later, you will have your computer.

The real scam here is the cost. Let’s take a quick look at one of the laptops that they offer. These are the specs for the Lenovo Thinkpad R52, which they offer for a slim and trim affordable $47.99 a week:

• 1.86GHz Intel Pentium M Processor 750 w/Centrino Mobile Technology
• 512MB RAM
• 60GB Hard Drive
• CD-RW/DVD
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• WiFi 802.11a/b/g
• 56Kbps/V.90

Doesn’t look very impressive now, does it? Well, not even close to mildly impressive, especially when you figure out the numbers. Not taking into account the down payment, you are looking at $47.99 each and every week. Soon enough, you’re looking at a commitment worth 52 weeks. The total amount paid for this “state of the art” computer is: $2495.48! After you pick your jaw from the floor, it gets worse because, you see, you could get this laptop for less:

• Intel® Core 2 Duo mobile T5450 (1.66GHz) processor
• 2GB installed memory
• 160GB Hard drive
• 8x Super Multi DVD+/_]R/RW with Double Layer Support
• 17″ WXGA Acer CrystalBrite TFT LCD display
• 5-in-1 card reader Weight 7.41lbs
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• 1 year warranty

Much better, considering the hard drive is nearly 3 times the size of the previous laptop from Blue Hippo, and the memory is 3 times the size. In addition, the processor is a dual core, which means it runs cooler and more efficient. So twice the stuff means twice the cash, right? Nope. In fact the price tag on this is $750.00 – nearly 1/3rd the cost. You can get a laptop similar to Blue Hippo’s for about $400-$500.

Blue Hippo preys on people with bad credit with their disguised cheap plans. Use your common sense and do the math. If you can afford nearly $50 a week for a hunk of cheques, bank that cash and buy yourself a decent system WITH a warranty. Don’t be fooled and taken in by these shysters. Beyond the usual day-to-day price gouging, Blue Hippo also has a track record of losing your personal data and not reporting it to the proper agencies that handle possible identity theft. They also make it a practice to sell your contact information to any telemarketing firm that pays for it.