Best buy, buyer beware

[Skydiver]

18 month old home HP computer was unable to print from M-soft word program. Would print from other programs. After staying on from 2 hours sometimes 2 days the symbol not the word of the icon on the deck top would disappear. No other problems. This is my second computer from best buy.



To the geek squad on 4-21. Was told last Friday the diagnostics program was running. Yesterday was told the monitor was hibernating. Asked how long the diagnostic program would take. Geek said 5 hours.

Today at lunch wife went back and they said hard drive was bad. Would not explain why after asked. Wanted $200 + fees to replace.

When I got on the phone with geek and asked for our $59 prepaid diagnostic to be refunded he said NO. Still would not explain our problem.



I will go by today and try to get my $59 and a refund for the new Garmin Maps.

Any one have problems with Best buy? Google is loaded with Best buy complaints including a $54 million lawsuit.



Will try to boot up tonight.



I am sure I can get my HP repaired. If not I will be needing info on trouble free (lol) home computers to purchase.

Thanks

 

[JApol]

Worst Purchase and Open Circuit town are rip offs.



Geek squad and firedog are just as bad or worse than their parent companies.

It sucks that you are another victim of their business practice. I have been building my own computers since 2000. Once I realized how easy it was to do it, the only manufactured computer I have purchased since is this laptop. Do some research on building your own computer. Can you disconnect and reconnect electrical connectors on your truck? Then you can build a computer.

 

[DJW]

Skydiver, I am just about able to turn computer on plus elementary use. I've had desk and one HP laptop, but now using an Apple laptop to get away from the trash garbage collector of the others. I also have the $99 yearly learners program, one hour one on one, I find them very helpful and instructive, no question too dumb, a very enthusiastic staff, it's not a sell and hide outfit, they live and breath computers, also will show and explain right in the shop to clarify a procedure. In all I've bought 4 as I use them for a time then give one to my sons and G/Daughter, frankly you can't go wrong with them, a solid product and solid staff. Throwing money at repairs is money wasted, you can also buy a repair contract. Apple knows what goes into their computers, not always searching for the cheapest parts to palm off to customers. As Country singer George Jones sings, "When you've had the Best". Too True.

 

[Joe G.]

I stay with Microsoft because Apple won't run some software I have that I use a lot nor will it work on a website I use a lot. The last three computers I have purchased were from Costco. No problems, just plug them in and go. I usually price shop when I buy a computer because they become obsolete so fast. This one is a real hot rod as far as I can tell. However, I am going to investigate building my own the next time I upgrade. The drawback to building your own is the varification that Windows is not stolen. That seems to be a big PITA according to a friend who built the system he has now.

 

[JApol]

There is just a one time cost when you buy a copy of windows. I have reloaded my copy of windows multiple times and countless reactivations. Windows can sence major hardware changes and will prompt you to re activate. Usually its totaly painless over the internet but sometimes i have had to call in, even t hat only takes a couple of minutes, just talk clearly to the computer on the other end of the line.

 

[AMink]

Poke around Komando.com, Website for The Kim Komando Radio Show®. I've found good info there. It's odd that you computer will print from other programs and not Word. That sounds more like a software problem, not hardware. Good luck!

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

thanks for the info on best buy was not aware of there bs policies appreciate the heads up also check out tiger direct.com they have a very good selections of new and refurbished laptop and desktops with great prices and they go over them with a fine tooth comb and you can always go with dell have had several and never ever had a problem

 

[Missouri Mule]

You can always try an independent fix-it computer shop. We have pretty good one in the city my businsess is located.

 

[DJW]

Missouri Mule, excellent information one seldom thinks of an independent repair shop, face it, a store depends on selling, and repairs even if fixed, the customer repair is the last concern vs. a new sale.

 

[DodgeWarlock]

I don't trust the geek squad either. My mom took her computer in to have them install a web cam she already bought there. They charged her over $300, lost a lot of saved info, and then told her that her two year old printer/fax/scanner/copier would have to replaced because it would not work with the new software package they installed without asking. I fully believe their only purpose in life is to sell unneeded products to people who don't know any better.

 

[Missouri Mule]

When I got my new computer I checked out the geek squad for transfering files $99. 00 for 8 GB and under. My sister came down and bought a Store-n-Go memory card (on sale for $16. 00) we switched the files in 10 minutes.



On my HP the printer doesn't work sometimes so un-plug and do restart right away (or it will print a copy everytime I hit the print box).



But my Gateway used to the same thing except a box would pop up telling me the printer wasn't hooked up, which it was. I would just un-plug and try again.

 

[sarj]

I'm a pretty computer-literate guy. I'm a field engineer that deals in software/hardware interfacing with mechanical and motor control. In the next two weeks, I'm changing out everything in my house and going with Apple. I'm doing it for one reason; I have more important things to do than to mess with computers. It's not because I can't, it's because it simply isn't worth the time, and I'm tired of the crashes. I literally can't afford them anymore. I spend too much time figuring first if it's hardware or software, and then resolving whichever it is. There are simply too many links in the chain where trouble can reside in a Windows based, PC machine. The only good reason to stay with a Windows PC is if you run a $4,000 gaming PC, and my bridge program doesn't need that. I can't imagine running a PC and depending on a consumer-based tech-support business to fix issues. It sounds like a black hole to throw money down.



Apple has a very nice desktop that was just updated last week. I'm getting both the 20 & 24 inch imac's, and a macbook-pro for a laptop. I'll be running two 24" screens on my desk and the 20" is for the woman. I run 3 printers. Their wireless network for the house can't be beat. You can run Windows-based programs in a program called Parallels, so that you run both on the same 24" screen at the same time. They sell the Mac version of Office for $150, so beyond that, 'm not sure how many programs you'd need to buy to change over. I have one program that is Windows based & port specific, but even XP doesn't support that one, so I have a Sony laptop running 98 that I keep under lock and key. Apple's market is consumer based, as opposed to corporate, so their product is layman-friendly, and the support from Apple stomps on Microsoft. An extra little bonus is that Apple has a cute little wall-plug wireless hub where I can run speakers (and printers) anywhere in the house, and run the music off the remote computer through itunes.



The reason I'm finally switching is due to a good friend of mine's testimony. He and his boy (25 year old boy) have been trouble-free since they changed to Apple. It's an adjustment, to be sure, but in the long run, Apple runs a better machine, and I think it's worth the trouble to change over.

 

[GAmes]

The HP you bought should have a pamphlet that came with it. In the back there is troubleshooting procedures and one should be repair using the set-up disc. I figured it out after the geeks promised a repair in 3 days but hadn't touched it in 4. I won't go back to Best Buy again.

 

[JNailor]

sarj,

I have used macs since the mid80's. I just retired my G3-266 and got an imac 20'' loaded with 4 gigs of ram. I'll say this machine ROCKS! In the 10 or 12 years with the G3 I never had a breakdown or virus, just turn it on and work. Now that macs can run Windows, if you have an odd program you can't get in mac version you could still run the PC version. I would surely hate to dirty up my mac that way though!

Dana

 

[WKruger]

HP blows! No discs, have to make a retarded rescue disc that works one time. Gateway is the only way to go. Have 2 of em, no problems.