We have talked at length about how, if you are seeking Fort Lauderdale computer repair or network support, it usually makes the most sense to go with a small, independently owned and operated provider.

This is true throughout South Florida and well beyond. A recent hidden camera investigation by CBC Canada into computer repair only supports this theory, finding that as many as 70 percent of computer repair technicians failed to diagnose problems and overcharged for their work.

A majority of computer support organizations spent a majority of their time trying to diagnose the problem, only to recommend costly solutions - often times the replacement of an entire computer.

The report unmasked three technicians who worked for computer support providers such as Best Buy’s Geek Squad, whose repair technicians relied on customer desperation and cashed in on ignorance of those who blindly trusted their so-called expertise.

Even when technicians correctly diagnosed problems, they either charged a markup of over 200 percent for parts, or even repaired the computer for cash without an invoice, leaving the customer with no recourse should the computer repair fail to solve the problem.

In and beyond Ft. Lauderdale, computer repair has become a crap shoot. Solutions are almost always based on the bottom line, not quality.

More often than not, there is no standard pricing structure, no training of technicians, no aversion to recommendations for costly data backups that simply aren’t needed but sure do help make money for the company.

And, as if that weren't enough, with repair technicians having access to a customer’s private data, this investigation found that 20 percent of the technicians actually snooped while working on customer’s computers.

Of the 10 major players in the computer repair industry visited, not a one received an adequate score for customer service or fixing problems.

Buyer beware. This has never been more true when seeking computer repair in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County and throughout South Florida.

Make sure you take all necessary steps to protect yourself, such as the backing up your data and other easy, preventative maintenance that is so often neglected by even cautious computer owners.

Then, if seeking repairs or network support from a computer service, get more than one opinion, solicit some online advice before getting your computer support, and go with a small, independent provider.