Geek Squad

Powerage66 · December 23rd, 2004, 04:53 PM

I almost feel sorry for people who pay that $159. I read a different article a while ago, a lady paid $250 for a simple PSU replacement and was happy about it! My jaw about hit the floor reading that. I don't care how much money I have, there is no way I would pay those types of prices. Computers are not that tough to learn. They also have a little fix it yourself, and I noticed they neglected to mention anything about ESD before going into your system. I always use a wrist strap.

http://www.weeklyplanet.com/cover.html

http://www.weeklyplanet.com/cover2.html

**RicheemxX** · December 23rd, 2004, 05:03 PM

Quote:

After double-checking the network and optimizing the desktop PC's performance, Pennington sells the Gaudets an application designed to keep the latest scourges of the Internet -- sneaky, ubiquitous information-ferreting programs known as spyware -- from defiling their system

hmm i wonder how much he charges for copies of adaware or do yall think its spy-bot??

$159 does seem a bit pricey especially for only an hour or so of work, but I see nothing wrong with some people not being willing or not havingthe time to do some of these things themselves.

emterbse · February 28th, 2006, 12:32 PM

That price for a PSU replacement was in home service and the cost of the PSU, which Best Buy does not sell at the least expensive price. I had a customer walk into the precinct asking if I thought she could install a new video card on her computer. I asked her if she felt comfortable using a screwdriver inside her computer. She said no and brought the unit in for us to do the install. Most average home users are willing to pay for the convenience.

Der Erbsenkörper

erhan28 · February 28th, 2006, 12:54 PM

Circuit city offers a service as well that is in competition to them and is cheaper.
$ 29.99 is the price for a PSU replacement I belive. Makes me wonder if I should open up my own Shop.

buckaro · February 28th, 2006, 12:54 PM

Links aren't working...

You can't do anything about it, if people aren't willing to find cheaper prices elsewhere then its too bad.

Ignorance, is bliss.

**GroundZero3** · February 28th, 2006, 12:59 PM

I would have to disagree with the statement that "computers are not tough to learn" there are just some people out there who doesnt understand technology (older generation still have some serious issues and there are some people who have others things to do that are more important than learn how a computer works)

Sucks people are taking advantage of others but hey if people are willing to pay it and the job gets done who am i to complain?

*edited for correction, just forgot one word

buckaro · February 28th, 2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

I would have to disagree with the statement that "computers are tough to learn" there are just some people out there who doesnt understand technology (older generation still have some serious issues and there are some people who have others things to do that are more important than learn how a computer works)

Sucks people are taking advantage of others but hey if people are willing to pay it and the job gets done who am i to complain?

He said "computers are NOT tough to learn".

.

But either way it can be for some people, for others its not worth their time. In the past my dad's normally either had a warranty to sort it or asked a friend, so many people know about PC's nowdays anyway you can always find someone who will help as a friend. What do you think the TechIMO community is doing so often?

electric · February 28th, 2006, 02:57 PM

most people are scare to death when electricity comes into play
thinking they are going to be electrocuted thats why they
rather some one else did the dirty work no matter how
much it cost

i think these companies make more money on their maintenance agreements
than the hourly rate

FatalException · February 28th, 2006, 03:22 PM

I think it really varies depending on the specific technician you have. Just as there are great car mechanics and doctors, there are also great computer technicians. Unfortunately, having an MD behind your name or an A+ certification to one's credit doesn't necessarily mean that they graduated at the top of their class in terms of repairing things and providing those services at a fair price to consumers.

When I was a technician at Best Buy, back when we were technicians, not silly Napoleon Dynamite wannabe's with the skinny ties, I knew a large number of good AND bad technicians. What defined a person as a technician wasn't just how skilled they were at solving a problem or performing an upgrade, it was how they worked with the customer. There were many times when we'd take a computer in for "one hour of diagnostics - $60" and we'd work on it on-and-off for two or three days to get it fixed. The total time spent on the machine was probably closer to 4 or 5 hours, but we never charged the customer more than the $60, as a convenience to them and to keep them coming back to us for service. Some techs would keep a tally of the hours worked on a machine, others would estimate, and still others enjoyed sticking it to Best Buy (since we were all grossly underpaid for our abilities) by giving customers a great deal on repairs.

It's all a matter of who you get and what mood they're in that day; at least that's how it was when I was there. Who knows, maybe now that everyone is wearing ties, they've also had some mind-control chip implanted in their brains that requires them to screw the customer on prices at every turn. That's not how customer service should be, and in fact, that's the reason I no longer work for Best Buy.