Time to Call The Geek Squad? - Comments Page 1

Category: Hardware , Software




(Read the article: Time to Call The Geek Squad?)

All Comments on: "Time to Call The Geek Squad?"

Comment Page: 1 |  2  |  3 

Posted by:

Dave S
20 Oct 2017

I would definitely NOT go to Best Buy Geek Squad. Here's why:
During "Cyber Monday" my young daughter bought a laptop that she had saved for going on 2 years. At the 29th day the screen developed a spiderlike "crack" and was black. I called Best Buy who told me that the screen was not covered in the 30 day period if abused. I told them it wasn't abused.

The Geek Squad took the laptop, and two weeks later they told me it was user abuse and wanted to charge me close to $400 to replace the screen.

I ended up contacting Asus who paid for the laptop to be shipped to them. If their diagnostics showed abuse they would quote me to repair it, otherwise they would replace free. They said that the MOST anyone should have charged for screen replacement was $190.

Asus determined that it was a manufacturing defect and they replaced it free.

So much for trusting the Geek Squad from Best Buy. Never again.

Posted by:

Martha
20 Oct 2017

I have recently visited both Staples and Office Max in search of computer repairs. Both told me they do NOT make house calls.

Posted by:

Tom
20 Oct 2017

I used to work for the Geek Squad and find your experience unfortunate but don't let one experience sour your viewpoint of a service. If your Chevy fails and the dealer can't fix it, are you never going to go back to that dealer? Do you get everything correct the first time, all the time? In this case Best Buy probably could have handled it a little different and could/should have sent it to the manufacturer for you.

Posted by:

Kenneth Maltby
20 Oct 2017

The post from Dave S (20 Oct 2017) has made me totally distrust, and re-think my views on, Geek Squad. I would love there to be an ideal, trustworthy, installer and maintenance source for electronic purchases. I had been seriously considering Geek Squad for assistance in this area. Seems we still have some trust issues here

Posted by:

ben
20 Oct 2017

Geek Squad can be expensive, but at $349.99 for 3 years for up to 3 computers it is cost effective. They saved my computer which was locked up by a scammer and they were able to crack the encrypted I'm guessing) and saved my computer. This alone would have been fifty bucks, but they included it when I took out the 3 year plan. The great thing about it is you don't have to deal with them on the phone when you have a virus if you are willing to bring it to them they will take care of it on site.

Posted by:

Joe
20 Oct 2017

My personal opinion on this or other services, is to GO LOCAL !! Do a little research (BBB.ORG, "Google" local names. etc).
A local businessperson is reachable, and usually friendly. They will apply thought and logic when working with your equipment. My experience is also, that they will be candid with you on repair/replace decisions.
Another part of this puzzle is pre-planning.
That is always be in a position to have a FULL IMAGE backup of your device.

Finally, IMHO pay attention to noises. If the noise from your PC changes deal with it!

Posted by:

Phil
20 Oct 2017

Having trouble with your computer? Before you go to the big box repair companies ask the manufacturer, your family, neighbors kids or someone you work with first. This action could save you hundreds and a lot of time. Never hesitate to put a second set of eyes on the problem first.

Don't forget that there are many small repair companies in most urban areas. Home based or small store front places that can save you a lot of money and heartache.

And take all of Bob's harping on backups serious. When the time comes that you need that repair because of a fatal failure you will be happy you have that backup stored away.

In 37 years of owning and building PC's it's happened to me once. Boy was I happy for that backup.

Posted by:

Charles H.
20 Oct 2017

If your PC is operational to the degree that it can connect to the Internet, here are two Remote Desktop Repair possibilities to consider.

1. Dennis Faas, the owner of http://www.infopackets.com, can connect to your PC via the Internet and see what's going on with it. He's got over 30 years of computer experience. It's likely he can either fix it or tell you what's wrong so someone local can fix it.

2. http://thundercloud.net/direct/ is a service that's been helping teach PC users how to use their PCs for years. Owned by a married couple, they also do remote PC repair, like Dennis does. Check out that page for more info.

Both of these sources are good folks who do a good job for their customers. Their services are likely to get you going sooner and cost you less than using a Big Box store's services.

Posted by:

MmeMoxie
20 Oct 2017

NObody touches my computers but me! Years ago, back in 1997, Geek Squad and Staples computer repair service were not in existence.


I was having great issues with my new computer. It was only 6 months old and had a 1-year warranty. I talked with Tech Support that was located in Canada. My long distance phone bill was unbelievable. Finally, they sent out a technician to my home to replace my motherboard. They had determined that it was the motherboard. Well, the tech came out, replace the motherboard and when he turned it on - The motherboard blew immediately!!!


When that happened, I instantly decided that I could do just as well as he did. I told myself - Never will I spend over $500 to only have a supposed computer technician to destroy a motherboard. I felt I could do that by myself for FREE!!! I have held to that promise and learned how to take care of maintenance of computers.


I learned how to change memory modules, that was the very first thing I ever did to my computer. I learned how to put in a CPU Unit, using thermal paste and how to find the best CPU Fan for the CPU. All of this learning was from my dearest friend, may he RIP. Then I kept reading on my computer more and more about what to do and how to do it.


When I felt comfortable with the maintenance of a computer, I decided to build my own computer, from scratch. Was I nervous? Not really, I know that I had done a lot of reading and asking questions of my buddy Norm. I did it and it worked perfectly! Let me tell you, I was so proud of myself. Since that time, I have built 12 computers from scratch.


My greatest joy was when my own computer mentor Norm, asked me to fix his computer. He said that the student far surpassed the teacher. Now that was something that is still very dear to me to this day.


Let me finish with this bit of knowledge. When you hear clicking or ticking noise - For me, that is when I make sure that all of my important documents, my product key numbers for all of my items, all of my photos and music recordings and anything else of great importance to me - Is immediately backed up on my external Hard Drive or put in my cloud. To me, that sound almost always means the HD is ready to "bite the dust!"

Posted by:

Ted Martin
20 Oct 2017

I've used online services brought up by Google in the past. Beware of traps and viruses when you do.
Nothing like running a free scan and then they want money to give you the results.

Posted by:

Rodger
20 Oct 2017

I have used Geek Squad in the past, NEVER AGAIN! Several years ago I was looking to buy a new Dell. Best Buy had the model I was looking for in stock so I bought it from them. I had had some concerns about Best Buy before but thought hey, this is a new Dell, what can go wrong? I got it home and loaded my personal items and pictures. I then realized that something that came with the computer didn't work. I don't recall now what it was. I took the computer back to Best Buy and they said to leave it and they would fix it. A couple of days later I went to the store and was told they couldn't repair my problem and would replace my computer but I would have to pay to transfer my pictures, etc. This turned into a shouting match and I told the person I was talking to to get his manager. When he returned he said his manager knew about this problem and I would not be charged, computer would be ready the next day. I went to pick up computer the next day and they said your computer is repaired and there is no charge. I said, repaired?, I thought you were replacing it. They said no, we found the problem and repaired it. When I hooked it up at home, the problem was still there. I then called Dell. With my permission they accessed the computer remotely. The tech said the only thing wrong is that item was never configured after being installed. he said he could fix that remotely which he did and everything was fine.
Never again for Best Buy or Geek squad.

Posted by:

Franou
20 Oct 2017

Recommending the Geek Squad???
I am a recently retired computer consultant with 50 years’ experience. I live in a village in southern California.
You have no idea how much money I made thanks to the lousy job the Geek Squad has done over and over since they started. Not to mention how they force unaware clients to buy software that can only be accessed/renewed through Best Buy.

Staples is not better… they even made total fun of one of my clients while pushing him to simply buy a new computer.

In both cases, behavior towards clients and repair jobs are inconsistent at best and can totally suck!

Posted by:

John
20 Oct 2017

I heard of a fellow who took his computer to a repair shop. The shop technician found child p**n on the computer. If you're going to take your computer to a third party, don't be surprised if a fourth party then wants to talk to you.

Posted by:

bob rice
20 Oct 2017

First, avoid those 'free scan' deals you find online. Nobody works for free so they want to sell something and usually add junk malware.

Second, I don't know if other suppliers do this, but they probably do. Dell has very detailed online diagnostic tests. You need your make and model number and the ID Tag to create a free account. Find the customer service link and run the tests. I am very impressed with the thorough Dell diagnostic tests and think other suppliers have the same.

Posted by:

Sam Williams
20 Oct 2017

I had two b ad experiences with Geek Squad and would not recommend them.

Posted by:

pdsterling
20 Oct 2017

I wish you would allow me to recommend my tech for people in Central Florida - he is the best and very modest rates.
Second tier is the shop who built my computer, but in any case, a personal recommendation trumps cold calling any corporate chain store.

Posted by:

Scott Orten
20 Oct 2017

AT & T Connect Tech is a scam They played with my desktop for over an hour and never got to check what was wrong an charged me $15 per month for a year.
It took 3 months to get AT & T to stop the $15 per month
Scott 10/19

Posted by:

Kenneth Maltby
20 Oct 2017

Thanks Tom - for you advice on Geek Squad. Hopefully we get further input in their defence, so I can re-think my views on them

Posted by:

Mac 'n' Cheese
20 Oct 2017

My experience with Geek Squad is that whatever you tell them, they'll put your computer through their standard battery of tests, and if it passes the tests, they figure they fixed it, and they'll charge you.

It's sort of like if you take your car to the car wash and tell the guy, hey, I've got road tar all over the back fender. And he says, don't worry. We'll take care of it. Then he runs it through his standard car wash and expects you to be happy, even though the tar is still there.

I have a Dell service contract, where they'll send someone to my home office to fix my computer--IF THEY CAN'T HELP ME FIX IT OVER THE PHONE FIRST. Big if. I've been on the line as long as seven hours with them, then spent days trying to the things they want me to do, only to find the problems resurface a few days later.

I guess I'll go look for a hands-on shop in my local area.

Thanks, Bob, and the others who share their input on this widespread issue.

Mac

Posted by:

Mark
20 Oct 2017

Laptops and desktops have become commodities. You can get a decent refurbished laptop for about $150 now. Just search for "refurbished laptop" on amazon. You can legally install unactivated Windows 10 and Linux on these machines (so you can dual boot) and be good to go. But, yes, backup your data.

Comment Page: 1 |  2  |  3 

Read the article that everyone's commenting on.

To post a comment on "Time to Call The Geek Squad?"
please return to that article.

Send this article to a friend. Jump to the Comments section. Buy Bob a Snickers. Or check out other articles in this category:





Need More Help? Try the AskBobRankin Updates Newsletter. It's Free!

Prev Article:
Geekly Update - 19 October 2017
Send this article to a friend
The Top Twenty
Next Article:
Can You Fall in Love With a Phone Company?

Link to this article from your site or blog. Just copy and paste from this box:



Free Tech Support -- Ask Bob Rankin
Subscribe to AskBobRankin Updates: Free Newsletter


About Us     Privacy Policy     RSS/XML