Electronics

[qualityshopper]

I am having a weird problem with the HP laptop I bought from QVC that was a TSV back in November. I have never had this issue with any other computer that I've ever owned and at a loss as to how to correct it. HP tried a few things, but couldn't seem to figure it out either. In fact, the tech support guy apparently had never encountered this problem either.

So, here's what happens. Whether I'm on Edge (which I never use) or on Chrome, if I search for anything near me (example: doctors near me, plumbers near me, etc.), the results are what one would expect--doctors, plumbers, whatever that are in my city. However, if I go to a specific retailer's website, the site has me located in a completely different city, miles from me. Now, obviously, I can change the store location on the sites I go to (or sign into my account), but I shouldn't have to do that. The sites should be able to detect where I live without any problem. All of my other computers, past and present, have always been able to do so until this one. I do not understand why the search engines (Bing or Google) know exactly where I am, but individual sites do not. Both myself and HP have played with the settings to correct this, but it's not working.

Would anyone have any idea why this happens and what to do about it? Thanks.

[hckynutjohn]

@qualityshopper 

Have you checked everything in your Settings? Never heard of this, but I know I have to set the time zone we live in, when setting everything else up to work.

Not sure that has anything to do with your issue, just throwing it out there. I know that makes a difference when I set up my Dish Network equipment, when it comes to Google earth.

hckynut 🇺🇸

[NYCLatinaMe]

@qualityshopper It may be a wifi issue, or an issue concerning the routing of your signal to the retailers website.  Many times the websites for the retailers are in a centralized location and handles the location issue in a different way than a browser.

Honestly, I wouldn't give it any thought.  I always block the location and enter it manually when I want to.  Sometimes before I enter the location the websites guesses my location anyway, and it's never exactly right.  If you allow cookies, it will remember your location the next time you visit the website.  Or I should say that is what happens to me.

This mislocation happens to me in a more significant way when I am web browsing in my phone using wifi signals in places other than my home where the host network, I guess I would call it, is in a different state.  The websites think I am in that state.  If location matters, I just enter the info.  No biggie.

[qualityshopper]

@hckynutjohn --Yes, I've checked those settings, and everything is correct. It's a real mystery to me. Am wondering if I should try going to Privacy & Security and under Location, choose the option that lets you select a Default Location. I've never gone to that setting before (never had a reason to use it, nor do I really know what it's for). Don't know if that will help or not. The HP tech guy thought I might end up having to reset the computer in an attempt to fix the issue. Don't really want to do that since I've pretty much got everything set up how I want it, but if I have to, guess I will.

[qualityshopper]

@NYCLatinaMe --Not sure about it being a wifi issue. I took a chance & contacted my internet provider, but they said I needed to contact HP. My other computers have no problem, and they're all using the same modem & router. 

I'm used to the local retailers not getting my precise location (or the exact store I shop at), but the locations that are selected are, at least, still in my vicinity, which means the ads and pricing for sales pertain to me. Unfortunately, the sites don't even come close to where I am. You're right, it's no big deal to simply select my location. It's just that I shouldn't have to. Also, I'd rreally like to figure out why this is happening. It puzzles me!

[Snowpuppy]

ITA, can be your internet provider or your wi-fi.

While I'm not a tech guru I do have an HP laptop and Samsung tablet. For the longest time I was in Chicago. 🙄  I'm in Northern MI.

About a week ago it's now locating me in a Detroit suburb. 😁

[Tori3569]

My suggestion is to just change the location if you are going to make a purchase and not worry about it.  

It happens to me all the time on my laptop or my iPad.  It's an issue with the specific website, not with your computer.  Many seem to have a default location they use, unless or until you log in. 

For example, I was putting in a pickup order for ShopRite yesterday and the location defaulted to something in Pennsylvania.  I live in NYC.  I am registered with that website, so it changed when I logged in.  It has happened with CVS, Michael's, Nordstrom, etc. 

[millieshops]

@qualityshopper  I've been having a similar problem and have to reset my location more often than I like.  My laptop is old, not bought through QVC; I blame my problem on Edge or old age (of the laptop and me!)  

[qualityshopper]

@Snowpuppy --I checked with my internet provider. All they could say was that it had nothing to do with them. They blamed it on the computer.

[qualityshopper]

@Tori3569 --Actually I don't think it's anything to do with the websites because I'm using all of my computers at home, so the locations that pop up should be exactly the same on all of them. All of the websites I visit on my other two computers come up with the exact same store locations, ones in my area. It's only this stupid new computer that's coming up with something different. Can't figure it out. I've even checked to see if any of my settings differ on this computer from the other two, but they're identical. As you said, I'll just have to change the location at each site, but it's just that I shouldn't have to.