I'm willing to bet than not

Submitted by Jox on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 2:54pm

I'm willing to bet than not to many of the Maximum PC readership make regular use of the Geek Squad

Does this include going to the store to intentionally mess with them?

-Jox

Login or register to post comments

Judging by the usual quality

Submitted by gendoikari1 on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 2:37pm

Judging by the usual quality of that kind of support, RETARD FIGHT!

Login or register to post comments

Box store tech support

Submitted by awhadford on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 9:26am

The reason box store tech support is so bad is that, when you boil it down, they are not in the business of fixing your computer.  They are in the business of cleaning out caches, defragging hard drives and cycling power.  Anyone who works tech support for home users knows that well over half the problems they have with computers are user error, or poor maintenance habits.  Geek Squad can train up some nerdy looking guys with the most basic troubleshooting skills, pay them $10 an hour, and then charge $150/hr for the service they provide.  If any problem goes beyond "rebooting the computer and clearing the internet cache", they declare the computer a lost cause and begin selling you a new one.

It works great. The majority of Best Buy's customer base are people who not only know nothing about computers, but actively refuse to learn anything about them.  All a tech has to say is "Linksys router" and their eyes glaze over while they sign a blank check.  I think the only problem with it is I didn't think of it first.  Obviously, those of us reading MaxPC are not ever going to Wal-Mart for tech support.  As far as the rubes go, they are going to pay whatever they are told to pay, so they may as well pay it to Wal-Mart.  Good on them. I say.

 

Login or register to post comments

The GS gives "computer

Submitted by Wildebeast on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 8:39am

The GS gives "computer repair" a bad name. I can't figure out if they just radically over-charge, prefer to sell people a new machine, have massive insurance, or their estimates are based on the dire worst-case. I live in a small town, fix computers, and I'm delighted to have them for a competitor though.

I expect much the same from Walmart... but if/when Walmart has quality people working, they run a very fine operation. The best I've seen, have always been the small stores, however --mostly in rural towns, in Missouri and across the South. --That's going back years, though; to before every store had to be a "super" Walmart. (BB, on the whole, used to be better too, maybe for similar reasons.)

It's just my guess, but I believe that how well the management makes the people you see feel "valued" makes a huge difference. (It gets really bad, in large markets, where there's a Walmart every 15 miles.)

The bit about Service Plans, makes me think they will continue their tradition of Bigger + Crappier = Better...

Login or register to post comments

HAHA

Submitted by TheFreeman on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 6:20am

I imagine that this will be quite a laughable endeavor. I suppose that this only stems from the fact that I do everything that they do by myself. IMO, the Geek Squad guys are not the brightest crayons in the box and surely Wal-Mart's attempt will not be up to par with the Geek Squad's. If the people who already work in the electronics department at Wal-Mart will be part of this I can only imagine how terrible it will be.

However, the not-so-technologically-inclined (e.g. the people who need this service) most likely will not be able to tell the difference between good service and crappy service so my entire argument is moot.

Login or register to post comments

Considering it's Walmart...

Submitted by DogPatch1149 on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 6:20am

They probably received the lowest possible price from N.E.W., and if that company is anything like the other common break/fix field service providers, the techs will be:

1) Getting paid by the job

2) Using their own vehicles

3) Getting screwed over on both the actual cost of the work and the mileage reimbursement

Now, if N.E.W. has actual company vehicles and fleet fuel cards, it might work out better...but Geek Squad has their own vehicles, and most of the techs I've met from them could barely walk and chew gum at the same time.

Oh, well - Geek Squad has always given me some of my best customers as a result of their botched work and ridiculous prices, and if Walmart wants to help me out as well, it's fine with me.

Login or register to post comments

Walmart taking on Geek Squad?

Submitted by Mikeytron on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 5:57am

Walmart copies everything. Locally here in Illnois they recently started doing flu shots now its installation/geek squad. How long are we as a populace going to tolerate Walmart? They sell inferior products but Walmart has brand name recognition and to many that is king. The puppets and sheep who regularly shop there adjust their purchasing habits to suit Walmart just fine. #1 Walmart is NOT ALWAYS the lowest price. #2 The customer service sucks #3 People are just too stupid. But hey its your money. I like to have CHOICES. Walmart doesn't want us to have choices. Its the masses or nothing. They say this what we have take it or leave it then those of you that shop there think that is all that is on the market. This is not the case. Walmart wants their Geek Squad to get you into their store and then they hope you will ignore others. Not everyhting is Walmart. Obviously we as MaximumPC readers do not use the Geek Squad much if at all. But as long as the uninformed public feeds Walmart cash then we will continue to lose jobs and lose choices. Walmart dictates more than you think especially to vendors and I have fiirst hand knowledge of this. Stick with the Geek Squad if you need it. Stay away from Walmart as much as possible! Walmart is putting everybody out of business. How many Walmart stores are there in your community? One every mile like here in Illinois. Illinois politicians are for sale and they have sold out to Wamart hook line and sinker. Competion yes, but if you want competition shop somewhere else to keep this competition or sooner than later Walmart will be your ONLY choice.

Login or register to post comments

First of all, this is an old

Submitted by jchadday on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 3:21am

First of all, this is an old picture. Walmart Associates have not worn Vests in 2 or 3 years if any one cares.

 

Second. Walmart will simply sell the cards to customers buying the electronics. When a customer buys the card they are simply buying a contract for service from the N.E.W company who will provide the service using there own techs not actual walmart associates.

 

hope this answers some questions

Login or register to post comments

More like Goon Squad

Submitted by jarchack on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 3:08am

I'm not sure about other cities but in this one the Geek Squad is 1. Unexperienced and 2. Is trained to sell unnecessary services and parts, not fix things. I have 5X the experience the average BB tech has and charge a fraction of what they do. I just don't have their marketing budget or cute little vehicles.  

Login or register to post comments

Competetion Is Always Good

Submitted by s3kShUn7 on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 11:10pm

I really like this, actually. I do not like the captive hold that geek squad has on the national PC support market. I mean, it cost $100 for them to install your gps. Which includes mounting on your windshield, plugging it in, and turning it on. 10 minutes of work, tops. I think this should give best buy some competition, but I don't know if it's the right target audience. <p>I'm still down for a corporation that does nothing but provide support. It doesn't sell any products, except for replacements needed for repair, and it doesn't have any hidden fees. In this economy, with the low price of real estate, now would be the perfect time to start a business like that. Just saying.

Login or register to post comments

Really?

Submitted by arch20002013 on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 10:45pm

So wal-mart feels they have to dip their hands into every cookie jar?  The joined the phone service market and now they think they can do the tech department too?  This is absolutly rediculous.  I have not and never will shop there even if I am flat broke.  I doubt the people that buy there for "bargins" will be willing to pay for the services.  Best Buy's geek squad is another subject...thats not good...

Login or register to post comments

no mention of staples

Submitted by nate714 on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 10:07pm

no mention of staples easytech or the now dead circuit city firedog?

Login or register to post comments