Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs: 
|  [Rant] Geeksquad Stinks!
What a joke! My Aunt called them to fix her computer, I wasn't around and able to do it at the time, and she couldn't wait to have it done. Well, anyways, they come out and try to fix it. They spend a few hours and then tell her the hard drive is bad and needs replaced (like it takes a few hours to tell this). So, she had them do this as well as remove a bunch of Spy ware and some bad programs the grandkids installed and to block my space.com. To make a long story short, $500.00+ later, I still had to go down and fix her machine!!!! They never did anything but restore the OS from the Dell CD. They didn't remove the softwares or spy wares either!! What took them a few hours + $500 and some took me less then 20 minutes and a hug in payment.
Now, for the best part!!! They told her that it is impossible to block My space.com from being loaded on her machine unless she purchased some very expensive (forget the amount) software to do so!! mm.. I added it to the Firewall list, IE Blocked List as well as the HOSTS file for redundancy, but, it can't blocked!!! The software they were trying to push on her was f-sing freeware yet to boot!!!
Moral of Story, Geek squad is a bunch of know nothing kids being instructed to blatantly feed on the lack of PC & software knowledge of older people or computer illiterate people and rip them off for as much as possible, but in reality not do anything to really fix the problems!
--
"Photography is 50% being at the right place at the right time, 25% gut, 10% skill, 10% luck, 5% equipment" -JKS |
|
Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT
clubs: | Yeah I would never use GeekSquad, overpriced!! |
|
signmeuptoo
Tune in to XM 120. BOO
Premium
join:2001-11-22
LOSTinSpace
clubs:
 ·Future Nine Corpor..
 ·AT&T Southeast
| reply to Gemologist
I suspected it was such a rip off thing, it just seems common sense. The sad thing is how people get sucked in.
My roomy was too block headed or something to have me change out the thermal compound on his Compaq, he tried it himself and did something because it stopped working.
He refused to ask me, and since I have to live here, I kept quiet and let him have his foolish pride.
He ended up hiring someone in Clarksville to work on it, some shop, listen to this: When the system came back his bill was nearly 400 and they had replaced the motherboard and CPU, they CPU power header had burn marks on it where it had been shorted. I don't know if my roomy did it or the shop, but he clearly got ripped. He could have built a new system for that, but does he listen to me?
It is just sad that people are all being taken like this. And by lamers that don't know what they are doing.
--
God Bless us all. Pray for the starving in the world. Pray the Rogue nation's change their ways and our nation can resolve to not force itself always on others. Protect Taiwan from China. Peace to the world. |
|
Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs:
| reply to Gemologist
Yeah, it does suck. In some ways, I hate to say it, but if people won't listen and are dumb enough to call these places then they sorta deserve it, but at the same time I don't get why these places have to basically steal from people just because of the customers lack of knowledge  I mean, heck, they tried to sell my Aunt freeware (not open source freeware either)!!
They (Geeksquad) are also now being sued by Winternals for pirating their software!! ROFL, ironic they rip everyone off including other Companies, lol. I know the Judge granted Winternals the restraining order against Geeksquad, so this stuff must be legit enough for a Judge to do this. »www.winternals.com/legal/
I have also since heard about possible Class Action Lawsuits against Geeksquad for violating customers privacy rights by removing pictures and such off their computers while repairing them, but I can't seem to find out whether this is true or not.
--
My Pbase Gallery |
|
mchill
Premium
join:2001-01-18
Parlin, NJ
clubs:
| reply to Gemologist
I agree that they suck and have seen them rip off a neighbor who did want to bother me with her little problem that ended up costing her 400.
But if the did a OS restore from the Dell CD then there would no more spyware or software to remove. |
|
E_V
Premium
join:2000-09-29
Vancouver, BC
clubs:
| reply to Gemologist
said by Gemologist  :In some ways, I hate to say it, but if people won't listen and are dumb enough to call these places then they sorta deserve it... Some of these people are elderly and they don't deserve to be exploited because of lack of knowlege. |
|
PlatinumX
join:2006-04-12
San Francisco, CA
1 edit | reply to Gemologist
Sounds a LOT like typical GS stuff I've heard about.
--
- Lisa J. Williams AKA PlatinumX
»lisaplatinumx.blogspot.com/ |
|
lhamp
Premium
join:2000-02-20
Stone Mountain, GA
clubs:
| reply to Gemologist
I posted about the ineptness of the "Geek Squad" a while back. I won't dig into the archives but here's a brief overview. It was about a year or so ago.
A friend in the neighborhood had purchased a new PC from the company the "Geek Squad" is associated with. We all know who they are. Anyway she calls me and says her 3 month old "New PC" won't turn on. Since I'm the neighborhood "Geek Squad" I go over to check it out.
I push the power button. Nada, zilch. I open the case and find the power switch connector was loose. Push it back in and the PC started up. She thanks me very much.
Now being the evil SOB that I am, I pull the connector off. I tell her that since the PC is under warranty, and just for shits and giggles, lets take it to the "Geek Squad". The store was only a mile away.
So we bring the PC in and tell them the problem. The guy at the counter says it's going to take a while to check it out. No problem we say. We'll just do a little shopping.
About 45 minutes later I went over to the repair window to check. "Yes sir. we've checked the PC out and unfortunately the hard drive has failed. The good news is that the PC is under warranty. The bad news is that we have to order a new HD from the manufacturer".
I ask him if he had opened the case to check to see if it might be another problem. He said that wasn't necessary. They used the latest diagnostic equipment to check these type of problems.
I said just for the Hell of it open the case. After some argument he complied. I pointed out the disconnected power switch and politely ask him to reconnect it. Well LO and Behold. It powered up.
My friend looked at me and I winked at her. I looked at the dumb ass behind the counter and told him he was an idiot. Next time check all your bases and not what your Dumb Ass company tells you.
We walked away smiling like Hell. With my backed turned I could still feel this "GEEK SQUAD" member flipping me off. |
|
muffins
join:2006-04-04
Chicago, IL
| reply to Gemologist
Instead of ranting about it on a forum, why not actually complain to a manager at Best Buy, or hell, ask for the DCI (Supervisor) of the Geek Squad.
Complaining on a forum isn't going to prevent other customers from getting poor service. I'm not going to try to defend Geek Squad, since I'm biased because I work with them, but I'm not going to let people rag on them.
You can't blame an entire company, for one person's lack of troubleshooting or "technical advice."
I can only personally speak for the precincts in my area, so obviously my saying this has no relevence, but come on now.
Again, I want to reiterate that instead of being a baby about it on a forum, and trash talking a company--why not put them in there place, like lhamp had done so. And speaking of which, I'm not sure why the agent didn't even try to open up the case to look into it.
If your computer didn't turn on in the first place, he would've had to of opened the case, to take out the HD and put it into their own enclosure to test the hd out. Honestly, I really hope you mentioned this to someone, because quite frankly, if you just went up there to prove him wrong, and left it at that, it was pretty much in vain.
Granted, he probably wouldn't have gotten in much trouble (pending their management) but at least it would be known that he wasn't doing full troubleshooting.
eh, i'll probably get my ass chewed out for this, but i'm completely fine with it.
--
orly |
|
Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs:
| Why don't you get a real job with a real company. It is not my job to call a manager and chew them a new ass, it wasn't my PC.
As for the rest, what is your excuses for them pirating software!!?? That was the Company as a whole? Any reply for this? This fairly well sums up what kind of Company it is.
I posted it here in a public Forum so others would be well aware of the BS they pull and that they prey on unsuspecting clients. If others know then maybe they will think twice before calling and allowing themselves to be ripped off. Calling the Manager wouldn't do crap, since obviously the Company could care less, why would a lowly Manager!
--
My Pbase Gallery |
|
ilikeme
I live in a van down by the river.
Premium
join:2002-08-27
Houston, TX
clubs:
 ·Comcast
| reply to lhamp
said by lhamp :I posted about the ineptness of the "Geek Squad" a while back. I won't dig into the archives but here's a brief overview. It was about a year or so ago. A friend in the neighborhood had purchased a new PC from the company the "Geek Squad" is associated with. We all know who they are. Anyway she calls me and says her 3 month old "New PC" won't turn on. Since I'm the neighborhood "Geek Squad" I go over to check it out. I push the power button. Nada, zilch. I open the case and find the power switch connector was loose. Push it back in and the PC started up. She thanks me very much. Now being the evil SOB that I am, I pull the connector off. I tell her that since the PC is under warranty, and just for shits and giggles, lets take it to the "Geek Squad". The store was only a mile away. So we bring the PC in and tell them the problem. The guy at the counter says it's going to take a while to check it out. No problem we say. We'll just do a little shopping. About 45 minutes later I went over to the repair window to check. "Yes sir. we've checked the PC out and unfortunately the hard drive has failed. The good news is that the PC is under warranty. The bad news is that we have to order a new HD from the manufacturer". I ask him if he had opened the case to check to see if it might be another problem. He said that wasn't necessary. They used the latest diagnostic equipment to check these type of problems. I said just for the Hell of it open the case. After some argument he complied. I pointed out the disconnected power switch and politely ask him to reconnect it. Well LO and Behold. It powered up. My friend looked at me and I winked at her. I looked at the dumb ass behind the counter and told him he was an idiot. Next time check all your bases and not what your Dumb Ass company tells you. We walked away smiling like Hell. With my backed turned I could still feel this "GEEK SQUAD" member flipping me off. LOL good one! I call Geek Squad, Dork Squad or Idiot Squad.
--
Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum |
|
muffins
join:2006-04-04
Chicago, IL
1 edit | reply to Gemologist
[deleted]
It's not even worth it to try to explain something civilly, if I'm going to be insulted with something that doesn't even pertain to the topic. |
|
Gundy
Premium
join:2002-10-29 | reply to Gemologist
The Geek Squad looks like a joke, the uniforms.. the car... yeah you get the idea.. |
|
Dan
Hamilton Tigers?
Premium
join:2002-12-17
Eh? | reply to ilikeme
I thought idiot squad was designated to the general sheeples.  |
|
kevinloydw
join:2001-08-18
Gresham, OR
| reply to Gemologist
I used to work for them, back before they were in Best buys, etc.
In the old days they hired people that knew there stuff.
I quite when they started hiring people with the theory they could be trained (such as waitress that did not even own a computer and personal trainers that did not know a modem from a hd)...
KLW |
|
Owlbet
Ignite the Ice
Premium,MVM
join:2002-09-24
Palmer, AK
clubs:
·MTA Online
1 edit | reply to Gemologist
My Space Blocked | | 
Check Spybot or other Host File Protection Programs | |
said by Gemologist :They told her that it is impossible to block My space.com from being loaded on her machine unless she purchased some very expensive (forget the amount) software to do so!! mm.. I added it to the Firewall list, IE Blocked List as well as the HOSTS file for redundancy, but, it can't blocked!!! Are you sure it cannot be blocked? Is something blocking your Hosts file from being edited, ie Spybot S & D or an anti-malware product? I was able to add myspace.com to my Hosts file.
Sorry to hear that your Aunt got taken for an expensive ride to nowhere. |
|
captnhook
join:2001-02-20
NY
1 edit | reply to Gemologist
LOL @ your story "lhamp".
This thread reminded me of an article I'd read in PC World back in April 2005 »www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/···4,00.asp
"PC support on call" where regarding the Geek Squad they said "This seems funny at first, when you book an appointment with "Double Agent Joe." But you won't laugh later when you get the bill--this service option is among the most expensive we encountered in the course of our investigation."
"MacroMan" I would've sought out the Store or District Manager for your Aunt. From what you've told us she's experienced the worst type of consumer fraud imaginable. It sounds to me as if she has a $500 refund due. If she can't get any satisfaction from Geek Squads upper level management I would confer with your State Attorney General regarding this incident. |
|
Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs:
| reply to Owlbet
said by Owlbet :Are you sure it cannot be blocked? Is something blocking your Hosts file from being edited, ie Spybot S & D or an anti-malware product? I was able to add myspace.com to my Hosts file. Sorry to hear that your Aunt got taken for an expensive ride to nowhere. No no, It can be blocked, what IU listed above is what I did to block it. It was just ironic that GS told her that unless she purchased this software (forget name) for this crazy price they wouldn't be able to block myspace.com but cause it is impossible to do it without this software. I was just being a smart ass after I blocked in 3 different ways, that gee, but it can't be blocked.. lol.
--
My Pbase Gallery |
|
Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs:
| reply to captnhook
She may or may not carry it any further. I don't know if she will be or not. She isn't the type to roll over and take it, so I would assume she will be making some phone calls, or atleast I hope she does, I told her to, lol.
--
My Pbase Gallery |
|
Owlbet
Ignite the Ice
Premium,MVM
join:2002-09-24
Palmer, AK
clubs: | reply to Gemologist
Thanks for clearing that up.  |
|
