Time to Call The Geek Squad? - Comments Page 2

Agreeing "brick and mortar" face-to-face engenders more engaged service and accountability, I've always purchased our custom-ordered laptops for delivery to local Staples (in case of damage) honoring online savings I bring in, and always purchase Staples in-store initial set-up and Staples-managed outsourced Hardware and Internet protection/service plans:

1. Staples In-Store initial set-up a)remove bloatware, b) update since factory, c) install Staples-managed outsourced service/protection plans:

2. Sophos Anti-Virus Protection/Internet Service Plan administered by a quality American fourth party tech support group we utilize enough for malware and internet speed streamlining to merit renewal annually;

3.Hardware Service/Replacement Protection beyond free mfr help, that local Staples can renew as an inspected "used purchase" not available for remote renewal.

Staples outsourced protection/service plans don't forfeit face-to-face help my good American Pennsylvania store techs helpfully answer questions and when needed help when their managed outsourced plans cannot--such as when malware prevented our remote internet connection--and guide us to our free mfr and product warranty when applicable. Staples also advertises fixing cracked screen phones.

4.So far it hasn't, but if a laptop need develops for a local independent geek, I would select from community reviews/recommendations/referrals via NextDoor.com, Angie's List, Yelp, and any other you recommend except anti-West Apple/i-/Google NSA PRZM not called G-mail for nothing. As always, Bob and commenters, thank you for your amazing collective knowledge and experiences! :D

I've always built my own computers, and typically do all my own repairs. But, I now rely more on mobile devices, which as small and harder to work on as I've gotten older (eyesight issues.) Even so, software problems I tackle myself. If a hardware issue were to occur on a small device that was too much of a pain for me to deal with, I would find a local shop.

As for Geek Squad, my understanding is that their techs are not even required to be A+ Certified. That's disheartening for the folks who are relying on them. That's not to say there aren't some good techs on staff, but it suggests that there are some who are both inexperienced and lack formal training. That doesn't sounds like a good mix.

Even though Geek Squad is a subsidiary of Best Buy, I don't throw out the baby with the bath water. I've been a Best Buy customer for several years, and have only had very positive experiences. I am fortunate to have a great Best Buy store near my home. I have gotten to know some of the staff there and build a good relationship with them. They are friendly and knowledgeable about the products they are selling. I am greeted with handshakes, smiles and even hugs by some of them. They have always honored price matching and had no issues with taking a return or swapping out one model for another if I change my mind. They have always been good about reminding me of my options for post-purchase price matching. On top of that, their rewards program has saved me hundreds of dollars on purchases. So, while I won't choose to use the Geek Squad, I have no issues with Best Buy in general.

"You did save all the original packaging, right?"
Damned right I did!
How else would one ever transport it or what if you move?
Only an idiot would throw away the box and packing.

Stay away from the out of country anti-virus programs. They are nothing but trouble as far as I'm concerned. PC Matic is USA based and has worked very well for me and my 3 laptops, a desktop and a android cellphone. I don't trust any foreigners with my antivirus or pc issues. Stay all American.

I use Hello Tech (based in Redwood City, California). If you signup for their gold program, you pay $19 per month and get unlimited online support and three on site computer repair visits a year. I've tried many computer support companies and I really like them. Plus they install/hang TVs and other at home services.

If you want to learn how to build and fix computers start watching the YouTube videos that Carey Holzman puts out - https://www.youtube.com/user/CareyHolzman

Let windows defender (windows 10)do the long scan if you have a virus. It is much improved but scan takes about 1 hour.This has repaired my laptop several times.Try this it will only cost an hour

My 14 year old laptop started overheating => shutting off...

I took it into uBreakiFix...

Two days later I went to pick it up. The fella' said they vacuumed out "a lot" of dust/lint around the fan...did "a number" of tests (my browser history showed 6-7 testing sites)...then let it run YouTube videos for 3-4 hours to "test" it...and found NOTHING wrong...

When I asked what the charge was he said that since they could find nothing wrong...there would "of course" be NO charge!!??!!

Bought a Dell Laptop with Win 8 some years ago. When delivered, I tried to partition HD, and screwed it up. Called Dell and they tried to fix over the phone, but it would not start up. They sent me Win 8 install discs and I re-installed the OS. It started but there were about 8 partitions that the software set up by mistake. The tech on the phone walked me through getting rid of the partitions and the laptop has worked fine since. Now running Win 10. I also have had experience with Dell’s in Home warranty and they have twice come to my home and replaced parts in desktop and laptop. I would highly recommend Dell and their service.

Steven wrote, "I use Hello Tech (based in Redwood City, California)."

Steven this looks real promising. Terrific reviews on Yelp, though it may depend on your particular location. In my area they come up virtually all five-star.

Their website is https://www.hellotech.com/.

Mac

Went to Best Buy to see if the GEEK SQUAD could help with my laptop not charging. A friend determined that the power jack probably needs soldering.
The in-store associates said they don't do those things there, and they'd have to "send it away." They told me that I'd end up paying more than the price of the laptop, so I left.
I saw someone on YouTube offering to do the job for $100 and I'm tempted, but I still haven't gotten it fixed.

About 1985 got my 1st, a Compaq, knew nothing about computers except by reading. Got it up and running, Wordstar the same, but after couple of years it would not do anything except error #..... so I contacted Compaq & local vendor but neither could help. I bought an Everest, outgrew its capabilities, went to a SONY. When it stopped a local shop tested power supply for free, sent me to SONY dealer 'cause it was a proprietary part only through dealers. The order got sidetracked & had to be sent to me and I installed it myself. Since then I've done it all myself including installing boards, memory, drives, etc. Did get my niece to replace bad HD with new SSD in laptop - she was head of Geek Squad until BestBuy downsized the store & she went independent. She already had a 2-yr tech school degree and is really good! Geeks are not always inefficient but ask questions if in doubt - anywhere. Still doing my own as a total amateur who can READ, think, try.

The ticking sound and "runs slow" sounds like a hard
drive failing. I have just gone through this. In
my case, the failing drive was a warranty replaced
unit itself, which started running slowly or the
computer would freeze and this occurred at the same
time an obvious ticking sound started coming from
the replacement drive. Yet another warranty unit
and I am now posting from my now-functional laptop.

A couple of years ago, when the Windows 10 "upgrade" bricked my Foxconn motherboard, I didn't know what had happened. Geek Squad in the BestBuy in Nashua, NH, sent my machine to Nebraska. After a few weeks, I told them to give up. They returned my machine, with a report that the motherboard needed to be replaced. It took them forever, but they were right. (I replaced the Foxconn board with an Asus board. I didn't know boards differ at a very low level. It required mighty labor on the part of the tech in the Apex computer store to get my Windows 7 working on the new board.)

Anyone running around in a Geek Squad car is something I stay away from. When I have a problem that I cannot solve I look for local talent online. It seems every town has tech guys that work out of their home. I found a good one 7 minutes away and very reasonable. He repaired two and the price was WAY below what the Geeks charge. Look for and use local talent when you can.

I have been repairing computers now for 30 years. Your best bet is at a local,well established shop.These tend to keep well versed techs and with a LOW employee turnover rate! I have done Contract repairs when I was dispatched to Rescue what Geek Squad and other nefarious "Repair Techs" have misdiagnosed, screwed up or Intentionally Inflated the costs for Profit.

ALL you will get from 800# repair services is hit or miss AT BEST! DON'T USE THEM!

I used The Geek Squad to help me with a minor computer problem. I was chatting with the person helping me and I asked them what type of education they needed to be Geek techs. The tech. told me that they did not need any type of education or degree at all. They just had to take a test and if they passed, they would be considered for employment. I was very surprised about this. They were able to fix my problem by coming into my computer remotely but my problem was minor. I wonder how much they could have actually done, if the problem were more involved? I hope I never have to find out.

I'm a member of Geek Squad since last September and so far I'm pleased w/their performance in repairing my Computer I was w/Staples and frankly I wouldn't recommend them to no one they just don't know what the heck they're doing. But when I was told to go to Best Buy they (Best Buy) introduced me to GEEK SQUAD and I'm happy they did, a friend also cousin of mine and my niece are impressed w/Geek Squad so if anyone needs help w/your computer I would advise going to Geek Squad and their not expensive whatsoever, not like Staple their too costly.

I use Data Doctors and have been very happy with them when I needed my Dell fixed. They also have an I-Fix-It sub-contractor in my local Data Doctors store that works on things like tablets and phones. Used them to put a new plug-in port on my Samsung Galaxy 4 phone for $40 in about 10 minutes while I waited. Saved me having to buy a new phone for $500+.

Bob, Thanks much for addressing this issue.
I have had the 24/7 Geek Squad protection plan for about five years. It does originally cost $199; but, after the first year, renewals cost $99. I live in a small town in MS, and there is no one available to work on my computer, so the Geek Squad agents have been a big help. They will remotely connect to fix the problem, but I have also had them come to my house if the problem cannot be resolved by the remote connection. Since i have the protection plan, I am charged $50 for an in-home visit.
So far, the Geeks have been able to deal with all of my problems, although sometimes it takes more than one agent to get the job done.
Agreed, if I lived closer to good computer help, I might give them a try; but, for now, the Geek Squad is my go-to repair shop.