HSBC Watch News Release Forum Index
Forum Name: - Best Buy
Topic Title: Geek Squad Poor Communication, Questionable Charges
Fri Aug 12, 2005 7:36 am
Here's a nightmare scenario compliments of the Geek Squad at Best Buy:
My computer contracted a virus. So being somewhat of a dolt (hindsite is 20/20), I brought my computer to the Greek Squad. They were to do a backup first, then reformat. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? (Oh yeah, and outside of some relatively lightweight items on my computer, I had all my records pertaining to my business ... )
When I dropped it off, the tech taking the info stated they were very backed up due to power outtages. I'd have my computer back by Weds. Weds came, and no call from the GS.
I called ... and they stated the computer wasn't ready. In fact, they're having a problem with the backup ... it's not reading right. They stated they'd call back in 15 minutes. They never called back. The next day I spoke with a tech who stated something about an "injection" device to retrieve the data, and the computer would be ready by Friday.
On Friday I called ... because no one from GS had called me ... and they said the computer is ready. I picked it up on Saturday, installed Norton, Spysweeper, etc, and then tried to install the data from the disc they had taped to the top of the tower. The disc was blank. On the disc someone had written "backup," but ... there was no backup.
I then looked at the tech's notes on the activity sheet provided. The second line he wrote, "backup completed?????" He apparently didn't bother to check if the disc actually had anything on it. (Possibly someone else had taken a blank disc and taped it to the top of the PC ... as a reminder to do the backup.) So it appears the tech went ahead and reformatted ... wiping out all my files in the process.
When I called Best Buy and spoke with "one of their managers," he wasn't much help, and turned me over to the lead GS tech. That tech stated my system was corrupted and no data could be retrieved. I told him, "You know, I'd almost buy that except for two things: first off, why was there a disc taped to the top of the tower with backup written on it? Secondly, why in the tech's notes did he write, 'Backup completed?'
The lead tech stood his ground, defending the tech who worked on my computer. I then asked the final question, "I paid for the backup, right? So do I get a refund for that?" His answer was, "No --- because we made the ATTEMPT to retrieve the data."
What is my recourse? Is there someone in the corporate office I can complain to? From what I've gathered thus far, all I'd get would be more insult added to injury. I would never recommend the Geek Squad to anyone.
Fri Aug 12, 2005 12:51 pm
if you ask me, you have little recourse.
do you honestly mean to say you had a pc running windows which included all your business records- and no backups?
that's horribly pathetic!
windows= worst OS in existance, unsecure, viruses, etc
no backups= invitation for disaster
Wed Aug 17, 2005 7:30 am
In 2002, electronics retailer Best Buy purchased the Geek Squad. Today, Geek Squad Precincts can be found in every Best Buy store in North America, and are offered at Future Shop in Canada. Best Buy and Future Shop also sells a line of Geek Squad-designed computer accessories, such as assorted cables and USB flash drives, and Uninterruptible power supplies.
Contacting consumer electronics retailer Best Buy (BBY)
Best Buy Stores Inc.
7601 Penn Avenue South
Richfield, MN 55423
(612) 291-1000
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