You only accept what you want to see. Paul asked them in verse 2 if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed (assuming they believed) yet their answer in verse 3 reveals that they were not yet believers. They had received the baptism of John but did not realize that Jesus Christ was the One to whom John's baptism pointed. Paul gave them instructions about Jesus and after they believed Paul's presentation of the gospel and came to saving faith in Christ, they were then baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul laid hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit (which was not the case in Acts 2 and Acts 10, so this does not conform to your biased church doctrine. It signified their inclusion into the church. Apostles were also present when the Samaritans (chapter 8) were included. God's purpose was to emphasize unity in the church.
The key is that they had not yet believed in Christ. They did not know about Jesus’ saving work or about the Holy Spirit until they met Paul. A careful reading of Acts 19 reveals these facts. They were “disciples”, but not of Christ. Rather, they were self-identified disciples of John the Baptist. They were not believers in the risen Lord Jesus Christ and Paul’s question about their conversion experience reveals they knew nothing of the Holy Spirit (verse 2).
Another piece of information to glean from the record in Acts Chapter 19 is that individuals are well aware if they have received the Holy Ghost. Otherwise, Paul would not have asked the question. If the infilling of the Holy Ghost is not evidenced by speaking in tongues how is one sure they received it?
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." Acts 19:2-6