Industry Giant's Computer Repair Services Questioned
We talk frequently about the difference between big-box and small-time computer repair services - and how the latter is likely to deliver both superior work and value in many cases, to say nothing of the improvement in comfort level.
Well, a recent post in the Consumerist may not accurately portray the general nature of computer repair at Staples, but it certainly doesn't make the chain look stellar.
According to this account, the office giant attempted to charge a senior citizen $390 for basic computer repair services.
The senior - who had been lulled into Staples for a free tune up that suddenly cost $39.99 - didn't understand why he needed to spend more on diagnostic screening ($49.99), virus removal services ($150), and RAM ($150).
His PC had four viruses, the technician explained, but they would need to run the diagnostic to determine the extent of the infections on the machine and to determine if any hardware needed to be replaced.
At this point, a bystander intervened. Having done some computer repair of his own in high school, he "couldn't stand to watch a senior citizen get bilked that much to simply have some unnecessary security and anti-virus software installed, run, and then (presumably) removed since it was just a 'service.'"
After convincing the older man that he would try to fix his problem for free, the bystander and the problem-stricken citizen left the store. After offering his own computer services, he was shocked by what he found.
Opening up the PC did not reveal a melted motherboard, fried circuits, or anything visible at all. Everything seemed alright, except that the DRAM had been partially ejected from its slot. This only could happen if the buttons holding it in place had been pushed.
Since he had never opened the PC case, there was only one explanation for this turn of events: While rummaging inside his computer, a computer repair technician there had (either accidentally or on purpose) hit the button and caused damage they were now trying to charge him $390 (plus tax) to fix.
Crazy stuff. Follow the link above to read the complete account of this computer repair horror story in the Consumerist ...
