Tag Archives: computer repairers

incompetent computer repairers

Computer Aid Posted on by

Sadly, stories like these seem to be all too common.

I was called out to a small company, as they seemed to be having ongoing computer problems.

Once on site, i would see the XP PC errors like:

  • Invalid file structure.
  • Applications suddenly shut down, displaying various error messages.
  • Windows explorer would just freeze.

A scan with malwarebytes, can’t complete without some kind of lock-up.

While the scans are running, i ask a few more questions, and find that computerdrive.com.au have tried twice to fix the problem.

Initially, they scanned the drive for infections, fixed corrupted files, did various updates. The second time, they imaged the drive to a new drive. Once problems continued, the customer asked if they know what the problem is, and they admitted they didn’t know what was wrong, and could only suggest a new computer.

Back to the PC, i decided to eliminate any hardware problems.

I ran a simple RAM test, and everything seemed ok until the test did a block move… then the test gave an error. A few more tests showed that only 1 of the 2 RAM sticks was consistently faulty.

I replaced the RAM, and after a few more tests, i found no more problems.

Of course, i wonder why another computer company doesn’t have the tools to diagnose a problem that should be relatively easy to find… But then, in the last 4 years, I’ve seen many companies shut down after a year or two, and others just take any opportunity to milk customers who know little about computers.

Oddly, customers are also to blame… I’ve heard many of my own customers say (almost as soon as i walk in the door), that they know nothing about computers.

To the unscrupulous operator, its like saying: “please rip me off”.

Watch out for shady computer repairers

Computer Aid Posted on by

While paying for some shopping, the lady behind the counter asked for my business card.

About 12 months later (!) she calls, saying that she has a problem, and would like to know how much I charge, if I have a callout fee, how long I think it will take, and how much it will cost. I think: she seems very concerned about the costs…

When I got there, I started looking at the computer. After 1 minute, she says something like: “oh, I forgot to check when you arrived, as I can’t afford to pay if you go over an hour”.

I just say “don’t worry about it. I’m not strict with my times”. if I go over by 10 minutes, I won’t charge any extra.

During my time there, she admits to why she was edgy about the time and costs:

Apparently, the last time she had a computer problem a very large technician had a look, decided that she needed a new motherboard, installed a “top quality” motherboard, and then charged her $450.00 (I believe he charged $40 per hour plus a callout fee, where I charge a flat $65 per hour)

She didn’t have that amount of money at the time, so he became threatening, and demanded payment. So she gave him all she had, and he returned a few days later to collect the balance.

She also said the PC made a rattling noise after he worked on it, but she wasn’t going to ask him to fix it (she didn’t know how he would react, and didn’t know how much he would charge!).

Since I had reason to take a look inside the case, I could see that the motherboard was only attached via 2 screws (hence the rattling noise), and there was no backing plate for the various plugs at the back of the computer. Given the shoddy installation, I also wonder if there was anything wrong with the original motherboard in the first place.

I inserted 2 new screws, but couldn’t do much about the backing plate (I can’t carry every backing plate ever made), but I told her what I found and what I had done.

She was very happy with what I had done. It took me slightly more than 1 hour, but only charged her for 1 hour.

Although my “competitor” made a lot more money than I did (in the short term), I now have a loyal customer who is very likely to call me again for any of her future computer requirements.

I find that my good customer service often leads to repeat business. In fact, I’m guessing that repeat business now represents at least 20% of my sales.

So be careful out there, there are some unscrupulous people, who will seem inexpensive, but who will charge (and can look like) like a herd of elephants!