Geek squad experience?

[Dustyg]

Has anyone had experience with hiring the Geek squad? I understand you pay an annual fee of about $200 and then have a year to call upon Geek squad to help with computer stuff in person or on phone? Do you recommend this? Any better ideas....so far it seems like a good idea? dg

[Dustyg]

Ach, forget it. I just found out more about it and it is expensive....annual fee is for phone or website, you need to carry your computer in (not an option for us oldies) to Best Buy and a home visit is extra....Not interested after all, but thanks anyway, dg.

Has anyone had experience with hiring the Geek squad? I understand you pay an annual fee of about $200 and then have a year to call upon Geek squad to help with computer stuff in person or on phone? Do you recommend this? Any better ideas....so far it seems like a good idea? dg

[Sara S]

Personally, I'd call Mark Wiley (see Wacco Business Directory) who's local, really good, and not as expensive....

[podfish]

Has anyone had experience with hiring the Geek squad? I understand you pay an annual fee of about $200 and then have a year to call upon Geek squad to help with computer stuff in person or on phone? Do you recommend this? Any better ideas....so far it seems like a good idea? dg

I'll respond to the "better ideas" part, since I haven't had direct experience with them (though I've heard both good and bad stories about their service). But an annual fee of $200 is essentially buying insurance. It's a good deal if you end up with computer problems that cost more than $200 to get repaired, and a bad one if you have few or cheaper-to-fix issues. I quite like the guys at the computer recycle center, and a lot of problems maybe can be dealt with yourself after doing some internet research. There are a several places around the county that offer "computer repair". I'd talk to one of them about their typical rates and what kinds of problems they typically solve, before I'd sign up with a corporation.

If you're truly unable to tackle any computer-maintenance issues on your own, you're at a big disadvantage. Windows PCs especially are hobbyist-grade engineering monstrosities and even the pros have trouble figuring out their problems. It's probably a good idea to know who you'd turn to before you're stuck with a problem. I'd just recommend trying to find someone local.

[Dustyg]

Thank you. I just yesterday remembered the computer recycle place and was going to call and see if they deal with community repairs, or just refurbishing computers. I like them. While I was talking with John at Shutterbug about where to go, a customer there recommended strongly that I get an Apple and gave me a lot of good reasons why. Next computer I get will be an Apple. In the meantime, I'll call around and also call the recycle guys. Thanks again, dg

[Barry]

There are several local Mac and PC tech support people listed in our Business Directory

[cocreator]

Computer Recycling Center is an excellent resource for both Mac and PC purchase and repair. I bought my first laptop from them in 2004 and it was still chugging away when I bought a new one two years later, and gave the refurbished one to a friend's 10-year-old.

CRC does not charge for diagnostics, only repairs, so it should save you quite a bit of money. They will also provide free, limited phone support afterwards.

I have always owned Macs, and their Mac tech, Derrick, is the best Mac tech I've ever worked with. I would choose his expertise over the Apple "Geek Squad" any day! Their # is 707-528-8340, and they're located on the south end of Santa Rosa Ave., close to the freeway entrance to Rohnert Park.

Good luck!

Thank you. I just yesterday remembered the computer recycle place and was going to call and see if they deal with community repairs, or just refurbishing computers. I like them. While I was talking with John at Shutterbug about where to go, a customer there recommended strongly that I get an Apple and gave me a lot of good reasons why. Next computer I get will be an Apple. In the meantime, I'll call around and also call the recycle guys. Thanks again, dg