CibbuanoStaples tried to rip off senior citizen with bogus computer repairs
March 2nd 2008 01:53
From The Consumerist, a vile story from a reader, who watched as a Staples technician tried to sell more than $400 worth of services to a senior citizen who had brought in his laptop for a "free" tune up.
He writes:
That's a hefty bill for services that could probably be done within the hour. Think about what else you could get for that amount of money. A new laptop, almost. A great evening out with your partner. A PS3.
Even worse, the reader offered to look at the man's laptop for free, and found something rather insidious:
"Everything seemed alright, until I came to the RAM: His DRAM had been partially ejected from its slot, which only could happen if the buttons that held it in place had been pushed. Since he had never opened the PC case up, there was only one explanation: While rummaging inside his computer, a technician had (accidentally or on purpose) hit the button and caused the damage that they were now trying to charge him $390 tax to fix."
That's unreasonable... why would the Staples employee look in the DRAM slot? I hate to think that it's intentional, but it brings up an important point: they're not really trying to help you - they want to see what other services they can sell.
Got a grandmother or grandfather that's setup with the internet? Try and help them yourself when they have computer problems...
He writes:
"He had brought his PC in for a free "tune up," and now was being charged $39.99 for that service, plus the service technician was explaining that he needed to purchase a diagnostic screening ($49.99), virus removal services ($150), and more RAM (~$150) to get his computer working."
Even worse, the reader offered to look at the man's laptop for free, and found something rather insidious:
"Everything seemed alright, until I came to the RAM: His DRAM had been partially ejected from its slot, which only could happen if the buttons that held it in place had been pushed. Since he had never opened the PC case up, there was only one explanation: While rummaging inside his computer, a technician had (accidentally or on purpose) hit the button and caused the damage that they were now trying to charge him $390 tax to fix."
That's unreasonable... why would the Staples employee look in the DRAM slot? I hate to think that it's intentional, but it brings up an important point: they're not really trying to help you - they want to see what other services they can sell.
Got a grandmother or grandfather that's setup with the internet? Try and help them yourself when they have computer problems...
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
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Adelaide - no, I'm pretty sure this was in the US. Is there a Staples in Australia?
Comment by Brett.
i bought my pc from staples
theres one computer tech at the staples near my home town who is 100% unbelievable when it comes to computers.
he knows everything about the new windows vsta, how to fine tweak it ect.
this is a bunch of bullshit
this staples most be located in germany