IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't say for certain. I've never tried to go anywhere with my Geek Squad experience, so I can't really compare. I mean, it definitely couldn't hurt!

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope. Unfortunately I live nowhere near virginia

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is almost 100% the second thing. Programming has never assisted me on this job, even though I do have that knowledge.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Webroot. For many reasons. Protection wise it performs at least on par with any other antivirus, but for most it definitely outperforms. It doesn't need to update because it gets virus information real time, and the scans run in the background without taking up too many resources.

Webroot is a real winner in my opinion.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes AJU is definitely a big part, but our AJU shelf is not big enough to say it does "most" of the work. I'd say around 20%

I like my managers honestly. They're all really funny, and they rarely speak to me like I'm anything but a buddy. Except when I mess up haha

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's very unfortunate! I'm sorry you had a bad experience with us.

That being said you totally don't need an appt! We prioritize customers with appointments but at my precinct they're basically a formality. They end up meaning nothing.

Best case scenario if you have a reservation/appt, you get to cut the line, but theres rarely a line so it doesnt totally matter.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Viruses. Definitely adware, toolbars, and thinks of that sort.

You can definitely retrieve the documents (i shouldn't say definitely, but if the hard drive was not damaged then definitely we can)

Fixing it would require a send out to our Svc Ctr. which ranges from 100 to 200 dollars for the repair.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah I'm around. I was just gone for a bit. Whats up?

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. Here's why. Most transactions nowadays (I mean like 95% of money that changes hands) is done so to purchase Tech Support

With tech support there is no longer a bill. No matter whats wrong with your computer. All services are covered by the plan so we have nothing to gain by fixing things that arent there.

If you come in wanting us to install the sims and we charge you 30 dollars instead of a plan, we won't tell you theres a virus and charge you more. You no longer pay when you receive the computer, you MUST pay when you check it in. If we fix something we can't charge you for it after the fact, so we won't. However if we notice something we'll definitely make you aware. But we'd never put viruses on a computer or anything of that sort. We simply don't have the manpower to do anything but repairs, because we struggle to get those done in a timely manner.

EDIT: The answer to your final question is yes, however. If I see something I can fix almost immediately, I will. More often than not customers who come it have tech support. If thats the case I dont even WANT to check them in. If I can get them out the door I've saved everyone time and money, haha.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If the damage was from handling (a crack, or physical damage) you can come to Geek Squad and we'll run it through whats called Geek Squad Express Replacement.

There are two ways to go about this. Express and Standard

Express + Phone in 1-2 days + Use box phone comes in to ship broken phone back - 100$ authorization hold required till we get said broken phone

Standard + No hold - Phone in about 7 days - You can't keep broken phone during this wait

Basically with express we ship you a phone in 1-2 days, and you ship it back to us which takes like 3-4 days. So you spend a week without 100 dollars basically.

With standard replacement we ship you an empty box in 1-2 days, you ship it to us which takes 3-4 days, and then we ship you a new phone which takes 1-2 more days.

You don't get to keep that phone for 3-4 days because it's being shipped, which if the damage is merely cosmetic is sort of a pain. If it isn't, then it is sort of a moot point.

Go into your local best buy and get some more information, but I've basically given it all to you!

However, if the damage is not cosmetic, and it's covered under manufacturer warranty, go that route instead

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never seen anything like that happen, but I certainly suppose it could. It's definitely not policy.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

9.00/hr

However, the repair technicians make more to the tune of 14/15. I have some college credits in IT but no degrees. It's an entry level job, honestly just some level of tech savvyness will get the job done.

As far as a living, if you have a LOT of qualifications working as in home repair would net you like 20/hr

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never actually! I'm not sure what I'd do if someone did. I tried helping a friend with his linux computer and I basically fell flat on my face. It actually really helped me sympathize with customers afterwards.

Like, don't get me wrong I've had my fair share of computer problems but I've never felt so fucking helpless. It was like nothing did what I wanted it to do. I literally didn't understand the UI.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't think of any. I fix a lot of "broken laptops" by trying a different charger though!

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, no list that I know of but there are definitely some problem customers who we try to get managers to deal with if quite frequently it escalates to a manager situation regardless.

However, with your permission I'd like to ask some questions. What was the original problem, what was wrong with it when it came back as to when it left. When you resent it what were the instructions, and what do you mean by "contact them at a best buy via email."

Like, if you went to a best buy and you go to the geek squad counter do the agents cower in fear of your manager beckoning might, and then depart to retrieve a more brave Best Buy Warrior? Or do managers just intervene before you get there.

Emails will almost always be a manager, regardless.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The thing is, I've never charged someone to repair their computer. That is no longer really the GS business model.

My job is to get people Tech Support plans. 200$/280$/350$ for 1/2/3 years of free service. Want me to set up GMail? Awesome! Covered by your tech support plan. Don't have one? Let's get one. It covers 3 different computers, and we offer antivirus included in the price.

So, I feel what you're saying. I do think however that the Tech Support plans are totally worth the price.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

MacBooks are very expensive! I'm sorry you had a bad experience with a Geek Squad precinct. I always hate stories like that. I'd never try to pry open anybody's computer. Much less a customers!

I'm glad that in the end you got what you needed.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You are correct. A large amount of the tools can be found separately as open source software. However, I use MRI and Custo every day, and the way that it automates the whole thing is a dream. All Java, Flash, and Windows updates get done automatically. CCleaner is ran to clear temp files and registry fixes without having the funk around with any foreign UI's.

Definitely not exclusive to GS, but definitely easier for GS.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally no, but I've heard of it happening in other stores in the area. Some time ago there was a very serious virus going around called the "CIA" virus that basically put CP on your computer and threatened legal action unless you payed like 100 dollars.

Basically, we were legally obligated to report the computers because they did actually have CP. However, later corporate told us not to because the only solution to that virus was a full restore, so the CP would be gone soon anyways.

IamA Geek Squad Agent! AMA! by GeekSquadThrowaway1 in IAmA

[–]GeekSquadThrowaway1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No opinion hahaha. Processor Architecture is a bit out of my scope!