Geek Squad and Firedog, put to the test, and fail

[geokilla]

Found this thread over at Legit Reviews. The thread can be found here and the video can be found here.

 

[eplebnista]

Interesting links.

 

[Twsmit]

Interesting however doing some tech support for my university the response from the big box stores is not too surprising. They are most likely minimally trained and probably deal with so many hard drive failures that they have gotten in the habit assuming that is what has failed.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

Back in the day, I bought a system from Best Buy, to complete my purchase I grabbed a Creative sound card and a 7.1 speaker system. I was sitting pretty. Unfortunately, Creative's drivers would randomly crash my system if I turned sound on. I was but a wee little nooblet at the time, so I brought the system to Best Buy... then again, then a third time. It always had the issue at the end of the day, all the Geek Squad could do was reformat my HDD. I soon made a friend that worked at Best Buy and found out they only spend so much time per rig and occasionally only check for bootup.

Interesting however doing some tech support for my university the response from the big box stores is not too surprising. They are most likely minimally trained and probably deal with so many hard drive failures that they have gotten in the habit assuming that is what has failed.

Not before they assume user error and reformat and reinstall.

 

[0roo0roo]

tech incompetence = profit!

 

[Zap]

Nobody mentioned Micro Center. Though they charged for the service they were able to properly fix the problem and not try to upsell it.

I've only shopped at Micro Center online, but from what I hear about them they're almost like a computer shop, not just a big box electronics retailer. That may be the difference, though of course crappy techs and unethical repair outfits can be found anywhere and under any name.

 

[RebateMonger]

I've seen similar reports and videos in the past.

It's not THAT easy to stay in this business. Many big chains have tried and few have suceeded. The stores have a lot of overhead and can't pay people enough to retain those with a lot of experience.

 

[Soundmanred]

In OT

 

[Roguestar]

At least Microcentre did well. Maybe they could have combined this with the previous Consumerist investigation and checked if Microcentre only got it working so they could steal their porn? :laugh:

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Zap
Nobody mentioned Micro Center. Though they charged for the service they were able to properly fix the problem and not try to upsell it.

I've only shopped at Micro Center online, but from what I hear about them they're almost like a computer shop, not just a big box electronics retailer. That may be the difference, though of course crappy techs and unethical repair outfits can be found anywhere and under any name.

MicroCenter B&M really is pretty much a computer shop. They do have a few small separate showcase rooms for console gaming, TVs, and prebuilt systems, but most of it is devoted to computer gear. It's more chaotic feeling than a regular big box retailer.

- boxes of Antec and CM cases stacked up in random places
- watercooled Antec 900 demo systems on display
- whole section devoted to watercooling gear (real DIY stuff, including pumps, not just low-end prefabbed kits)
- tables with open box heatsinks/network adapters/other crap
- decent PSUs stocked

Their "bargain aisle" section at the front of the store last time I visited consisted of Zalman 9700s and Tuniqs. Mainly though, I appreciate the fact that I can browse without some sales rep running up to pester me . They mainly keep to themselves unless you explicitly ask for help, or you get too close to them :laugh:. The sales reps also seem a bit older than the kids that work at Best Buy.

NewEgg still beats them on pricing, more often than not, but for small stuff and the occasional sale, they're ok.

 

[jterrell]

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: Zap
Nobody mentioned Micro Center. Though they charged for the service they were able to properly fix the problem and not try to upsell it.

I've only shopped at Micro Center online, but from what I hear about them they're almost like a computer shop, not just a big box electronics retailer. That may be the difference, though of course crappy techs and unethical repair outfits can be found anywhere and under any name.

MicroCenter B&M really is pretty much a computer shop. They do have a few small separate showcase rooms for console gaming, TVs, and prebuilt systems, but most of it is devoted to computer gear. It's more chaotic feeling than a regular big box retailer.

- boxes of Antec and CM cases stacked up in random places
- watercooled Antec 900 demo systems on display
- whole section devoted to watercooling gear (real DIY stuff, including pumps, not just low-end prefabbed kits)
- tables with open box heatsinks/network adapters/other crap
- decent PSUs stocked

Their "bargain aisle" section at the front of the store last time I visited consisted of Zalman 9700s and Tuniqs. Mainly though, I appreciate the fact that I can browse without some sales rep running up to pester me . They mainly keep to themselves unless you explicitly ask for help, or you get too close to them :laugh:. The sales reps also seem a bit older than the kids that work at Best Buy.

NewEgg still beats them on pricing, more often than not, but for small stuff and the occasional sale, they're ok.

Microcenter is an awesome lunch break stop, lol.

It is like Fry's but with competent employees.
I visit Fry's over lunch as well~

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: jterrell
Microcenter is an awesome lunch break stop, lol.

It is like Fry's but with competent employees.

Hahhahaha

AmberClad, thanks for the description. I think I'd like the place... if only they'd open up one closer to me. But not in my state please - shipping's cheaper than tax, haha.