11 days ago I took my laptop into Best Buy. I had plugged in my adapter and the computer wasn’t charging.
I looked at the adapter and thought that from all the twisting and turning that one of the wires disconnected inside.
I had the laptop under warranty so I said, might as well get it checked out. At the very least, they can check my adapter to see what was wrong.
When I took my laptop in, this was the discussion I had with the Geeksquad member.
Me: Yea, I think my adapter is bad. Do you have a meter back there you can check it with?
GeekSquad: Yea, let me check it.
Five minutes pass
Geeksquad: Your adapter is working fine, it is probably the dc jack that went bad. This happens all the time
Me: Do you mind plugging another adapter to make sure. I would hate to send my computer out if it was just an adapter problem.
Geeksquad: Sure (brings back another adapter and plugs it in). Doesn’t work, has to be the jack.
Me: Yea, it looks like you’re right man…
Geeksquad: I’ll send it in and you should have it back in 2-3 weeks
11 days later I get a call that my laptop is ready for pickup…
After twenty minutes of waiting, he finally finds my computer in the back. I flip the laptop upside down and it doesn’t appear to have been opened and the jack looks exactly the same.
Me: Hey Geeksquad guy, can I see the repair order?
Geeksquad: Sure
Me: (reading the repairs)…..”Tested units dc jack with our AC adapter. DC Jack is not faulty. Replace AC adapter”
Me: So nothing got fixed
Geeksquad: I don’t understand sir
Me: I told you guys that the AC adapter was bad. You tested it here and said the adapter was fine. You used an in-store adapter to check and you said it was the DC Jack
Geeksquad: Ok
Me: You don’t get it do you?
Geeksquad: I’m confused
Me: You guys sent away my laptop for no reason. The guy who tested the adapter either lied or is a moron and the backup in-store adapter he used wasn’t working.
Geeksquad: Oh, I get it now
Me: So basically, I just went 11 days without my laptop because you guys didn’t do your job right.
Geeksquad: Sorry
Me: That’s fine. Just give me an adapter and I’ll be on my way.
Geeksquad: Well sir, you actually have to order one yourself from Best Buy and they will ship it to you in a couple of weeks
Me: Excuse me?
Geeksquad: Well, since the problem was with the adapter, that’s something that’s ordered from somewhere other than where we maintenance computers.
Me: Wait, let me get this straight. You took my laptop, you screwed up the diagnostics, you never told me until it came back and now you want me to go without an adapter for a few more weeks?
Geeksquad: I’m very sorry sir
Me: Right you are. Go into the back and get me an adapter right now.
Geeksquad: I can’t do that
Me: Do you want me to?
Geeksquad: Sir, I understand you’re upset but we can’t do anything.
Me: Well, let me tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to the computer section and go to one of your display laptops and pull out the adapter from there. Then, I’m going to walk out of the door with it. Will that be better?
Geeksquad: That’s stealing
Me: Well, you stole 11 days from me so I would call it a wash…
Geeksquad: Ok, give me a minute or two
Another 5 Minutes pass by…
Geeksquad: I found an extra adapter for you sir
Me: Thank you
Geeksquad: But you have to return it when you get the new adapter shipped to your house
Me: We’ll see…
And this folks, is why people have problems with the Geeksquad. A simple task of checking an adapter could not be done correctly. A five minute problem turned into an 11 day ordeal.
Well done Best Buy, Well done! I’m so glad I have that warranty
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October 22, 2008
#1
So you get upset because they can’t do what you should be able to do yourself. I’m wondering who the moron is now. I’ve got two electronic meters and if something went wrong with my laptap I’d start at the source like I was taught in Electronics School (in the Navy). If I couldn’t fix it on the spot I’d just breadboard something together that would work. Hmmmm….(Oh, and I can go inside the box and make repairs too…hmmmm….) Next time think it through-most repairs can be done by yourself and won’t cost you a service charge or missed days on your ‘box’. I would never let anyone else touch my machine. Still wondering who the moron was in this story…
October 22, 2008
#2
Yes, every single person out there carries a meter in their house.
And yes, every single person who owns a computer also is a repair guy on the side
Don’t you have to take an IQ Test to get in the Navy?
hmmm
October 22, 2008
#3
Oh, I like you…I’m also a psychometry technician and give IQ tests (my score is more than high enough) and 60 other tests. I can also fix autos, bikes, motorcycles, do almost all home type repairs, lay concrete, landscape and I’ve been a nurse for 40 years and a substance abuse counselor for 20. Hmmm…guess you’re young, hot headed and perhaps under-educated (I’ve 14 years of higher ed.) or just lame. What say son?
October 22, 2008
#4
You’re the moron for two reasons.
1. Not testing this yourself. You really can’t find someone who owns an electronic meter?
2. Owning a warranty plan from Bestbuy.
October 22, 2008
#5
Its never a good argument until someone uses the word “son”.
Its such a clever term and at the same time, so unique.
October 22, 2008
#6
that’s odd…
Lucky was the same name of my Geek Squad guy
coincidence?
October 22, 2008
#7
Yes, you are stupid for not getting a warranty that everyone knows is usually a complete scam. link
October 22, 2008
#8
I think that your biggest mistake was going to Best Buy at all. Have you never dealt with them before?
October 22, 2008
#9
haha . . you entered Best Buy hell
October 22, 2008
#10
Usually I don’t use condescending terms, but after looking over your page a second time I feel it fits to call you son. My gawd, buns, sports and boobies. And your web page name says it all: Hey, I’ve got an ego so large I have to walk through double size doors so my head will pass. Have a nice life. I suspect with your attitude it will take you a long time to do so or you’ll die from your ‘type A’ personality. I hope you don’t hurt anyone on the way.
October 22, 2008
#11
Hilarious Jack.
Thanks for the page views buddy
October 22, 2008
#12
I work for a local pc repair company and we get horror stories all the time from them. Just today a customer had a computer that GeekSquad claimed was just bad ram, we physically opened it up and discovered 2 completely blown capacitors. They’re complete idiots and lazy.
October 22, 2008
#13
INVASION OF THE ANGRY GEEK SQUAD EMPLOYEES!
By the way, I also am a SUPER GENIUS (certified by my use of Parenthesis and TRAINING IN THE NAVY) and I can tell you that I simply would have fixed it with my MIND POWERS instead of being a moron and taking it somewhere who deals with that sort of thing on a regular basis.
October 22, 2008
#14
I love how Jack says the guy who runs the blog has a big head, but then he gives his resume in his post
hypocrite?
October 22, 2008
#15
I used to work at Staples myself doing their PC repair at launch of the program. Moral of the story is that I had to deal with a lot of people upset with Geek Squad service. Most commonly, they would try to completely reformat the PC rather than do a real diagnosis and claim no files could be backed up. They’re all just lazy and poorly trained (I blame Best Buy, not the employees for this). Oh, and to Jack… stop stroking your ePeen, no one gives a damn about *your* qualifications, because you’re not the guy who had the issue. Yes, some of us are capable of fixing such a problem on our own. But hey, obviously Isaac’s skill set is good enough for you to read his website…
October 22, 2008
#16
@Jack Alexander:
We are all dazzled by your wide array of skills and experience. Here’s a tip for you: get skilled in the nuances of social grace.
October 22, 2008
#17
Whenever Geek Squad or Applecare or whoever screws up my computer repair, I limit my anger by reminding myself to be a little bit grateful: If the day ever comes when the Geek Squad Guy is as good at computers as I am… that will mean that the economy has gotten so bad that people with computer skills like mine have been forced to get jobs with Geek Squad.
October 22, 2008
#18
good point
October 22, 2008
#19
I am laughing out loud, and laughing on line @ Jack. He really missed the boat.
Your computer breaks, and then you take it to the computer place.
They mess up, and it is 100% OK to call them out on it. That is there job.
By the way, Anonymous was really on his toes today. Those were some great comments.
October 22, 2008
#20
and yes, as soon as the new adapter comes in, I’m going to return theirs
October 22, 2008
#21
You should really keep the adapter. I would have just punched the guy in the face.
Why is Jack calling your laptop a “box” Seems kind of antiquated no? Shame on you Isaac for not carrying an adapter meter in your back pocket!
Don’t ever get a warranty from Best buy. the cheapest way to get repairs done is go to a real repair shop or better yet get the warranty direct through the manufacturer. Next time send it to WCA.com for repair. Best buy is like the pizza hut of retail technology.
October 22, 2008
#22
Sounds like the Geek Squad didn’t “adapt” to the conditions. That’s really bad, I know.
October 22, 2008
#23
Hah, a concrete laying nurse with 60+ years of work experience just owned Isaac. The guy is clearly lying, because 80 year old men can barely check their e-mail.
Oh wait, they learned how to blog on those huge computers equipped on Navy ships during WWII.
October 22, 2008
#24
Oh yeah well the jerk store just called, and they ran out of you!
Jack’s blogger profile says he is into “Mutual Understanding”. Maybe aim a little higher.
October 23, 2008
#25
My neighbor down the street called me to get their printer, scanner working with a computer they had. They also asked me to do a number of customizations to the desktop for them to use. In the process, I discovered that their cd drive was faulty and wasn’t responsive. My neighbor said he had bought their computer from Best Buy and that it was under warranty and that he would have them replace the drive. So I finished up the changes and called it a day. A couple of days later, I ran into him and he said that he took the computer to them but not only did they replace the CD drive, they also replaced the hard drive. I asked why did they replace the hard drive and he said that they said it needed to be replaced. I just looked at him and said to him that they should have never touched the hard drive – that there was nothing wrong with it. I just shook my head in frustration for people having to deal with that kind of non-sense. Does the GeekSquad make more money by the amount of warranty work they provide?
October 23, 2008
#26
People like Jack may know a thing or two when it comes to manual labor and device trouble shooting but may be totally lost when it comes to the OS and software. And by the way, referring to someone as “son” just makes you look sorry.
October 23, 2008
#27
So pissed at you right now…I woke up this morning and my adapter is f-ing dead. Now, I have to go Best Buy!
October 23, 2008
#28
It’s funny how many bloggers have flocked to this post. The Geek Squad. Were you guys googling yourself again?
October 23, 2008
#29
hi isaac -
jack’s comments were hilarious. boobs, sports, and buns, who likes those?
got here randomly on stumbleupon.
gibbs
October 23, 2008
#30
gibbs,
I believe they play for the other team in the Navy
November 21, 2008
#31
Jack stop being such a motard. Just because you went to school for something doesn’t mean everyone did. Basically what you are saying is that there is no need to go to school for Electronics and my tax dollars were wasted on a twat like you. Another thing: those warranties do come in handy, I know, I’ve been through a hard drive, motherboard and 2 AC adapters. I’m going to school to become a doctor, but I guess you should already know how to prescribe meds, where is your stethoscope?
November 21, 2008
#32
Oh and geek squad does suck, they sent my buddy’s laptop off for a wireless card, when it was nothing but a driver issue.
November 22, 2008
#33
lol jackfail.
December 6, 2008
#34
Let me translate Jack Alexander’s first comment for everyone:
LOOK AT ME!!!1 I’m really intelligent and awesome and stuff! I can do all kinds of really clever things that you can’t!
I have absolutely no friends or social skills whatsoever, so I call random strangers morons because it makes me feel superior and important!
LOOK AT ME! I HAVE NO LIFE! SOMEONE PAY ATTENTION TO ME PLEASE!!!
End Translation.
December 7, 2008
#35
Well bud.
Here’s the deal.
I work at Best Buy.
And in my opinion, it’s people like you that make the Geek Squad agents do shit like that.
Yeah they’ll mess up every now and then, but that’s only because they’re recovering from the stupid assholes that come in every day and bitch about every single thing.
Every time I walk over to customer service, I’ll see someone yelling at a Geek Squad agent for no reason.
People get asked to leave all the time because they can’t handle their problems.
We’re here to help you.
And if you bitch and moan and make our jobs worse than they need to be, then yes, expect poor service.
We get paid to help you, don’t make us not want to help you by being a fucking whiny prick.
The guy made a mistake, and instead of just accepting that and moving on, you threatened to steal from the store.
You good sir, are a moron.
December 7, 2008
#36
This comment thread has officially died! My profession allows me to make that determination.
December 7, 2008
#37
true
he is a doctor
December 17, 2008
#38
Wow, for those posts I read at the top of this thread. Ok, maybe this guy should have been able to do this himself. Is he getting paid to do this himself? Who is supposed to be the expert. Ahh that’s right it is THE GEEK SQUAD. They should have known these things. Especially for how much they charge to do a job and how long it takes them.
January 4, 2009
#39
yea, i hate the geek squad. theres alot of local alternatives which I have heard are better.
But I suggest poeple do the research and attempt to fix their own problems.
http://kernaloop.itgetson.com
help this become a free geek squad alternative
May 16, 2009
#40
well there aren’t alot of local alternative everywhere and they aren’t always cheaper depending on what the issue is. And no, not everyone can fix these issues themselves all the time. It sounds to me like the agent did everything right and it was the fault of the service center for not repairing the unit. After all, according to your story you agreed with the agent and his diagnosis. Not everyone can be perfect all the time especially techs who are probably some of the lowest paid in the industry and receive little training after being hired. Many Geek squad agents are very intelligent people however corporations such as best buy have protocols and limitations to protect both their interests and the interests of the customer. Not to say this is always a bad thing, but it is the type of thing causes more complex problems to turn into OS reloads and no retrievable data. That is to say, It’s not that they don’t have the knowledge, just not the means. In either case warranties can be very valuable for some customers especially those who are new to computers. However if you feel you know as much as a geek squad agent why are you wasting your time going to one to get a repair? And if you think retailers of any size can keep spare parts for every model of every computer then you deserve your problems for your ignorance.