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If you take your computer to a repair shop

Oldjim
Resting Legend
Posts: 38,460
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Registered: ‎15-06-2007

If you take your computer to a repair shop

You had better remove all confidential information first and delete all stored passwords
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Sky-News-Undercover-Laptop-Investigation-Repair-Shops-Caugh...
and if you thought garages had a bad reputation http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Sky-News-Laptop-Investigation-PC-World-Digitech-Micro-Anvik...
14 REPLIES 14
HairyMcbiker
All Star
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Registered: ‎16-02-2009

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

Well it all comes down to paying peanuts to the staff, I personally wouldn't go anywhere near a repair shop. I fix it myself, but then again I have been using computers for 30 years, pc's for 20 of them, & I used to fix mac's for a living (don't ask!).
Ask someone else if possible before using any service like this, and try and goto a recommended repairer but not pcworld :D, their experts may have played computer games all their life but ...
I may have been unemployed for 2 years but I wouldn't sink to that level, even if I am going slowly mad.
dvorak
Moderator
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Registered: ‎11-01-2008

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

If I can't fix it myself I'll buy a new one.
Someone I know took their lappy to PCWORLD with a corrupt win install and they wanted 100 quid to reinstall without backing up any of their data. So 100 quid for a format and install or probably just using the recovery partition. Joke.
Customer / Moderator
If it helped click the thumb
If it fixed it click 'This fixed my problem'
ReedRichards
Seasoned Pro
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Registered: ‎14-07-2009

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

There are quite a few independent computer repair experts who work from home and come to you (I should know)!  Ask around to see if anyone can give you a personal recommendation or check your local newspaper/newsletter.  If you don't trust the expert not to meddle with your data or hardware just stand and watch whilst they carry out the repair.  If you are worried about the price ask for a quote first.     
HPsauce
Pro
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Registered: ‎02-02-2008

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

Quote from: ReedRichards
independent computer repair experts who work from home and come to you (I should know) 

Indeed, I get virtually all my business through personal recommendation.
Lurker
Grafter
Posts: 1,867
Registered: ‎23-10-2008

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

I'm also available in my local area (Leeds) and get a fair bit of [unpaid] work, just from colleagues of mine and my wife.
The price you pay for being cheerful and happy to help (plus most people blanch at the fees to engage me professionally - a half-bottle of vino and some banter seems a more 'affordable' choice)
Be3G
Grafter
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Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

I used to have a bit of a reputation as being an on-tap supplier of computer advice and assistance to all of my friends... which was alright to an extent, but eventually it got to the point where friends seemed to expect me to help them, with barely a 'thank you', and even if the only reason they ever talked to me was because they wanted help. I soon put a stop to that. Roll_eyes
HPsauce
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Registered: ‎02-02-2008

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

I find "drawing the line" is actually quite easy.
Think about your friend who is a builder or plasterer, whatever. What would he do for you in his trade, as a mate, for free.
Generally, not a lot unless you're a really good mate and in real trouble. But he'd probably give you a very good service at a very fair rate.  Wink
Advice, for good friends is usually not charged. Very good friends get work done for "beers/wine/bottles of whisky etc." as appropriate, everyone else pays the going rate. It saves any arguments.  Smiley
Be3G
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Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

See the thing is, I don't mind doing stuff for friends, and I would feel uncomfortable accepting payment for it too - for example, last year I offered to spend a day sorting out a good friend's move from a PC laptop to a Macbook, and I had no qualms about doing so (or any expectation of any kind of reimbursement). But that friend is quite computer literate, so hardly ever actually asks for help from me, which probably endeared me to her cause. If it had been a friend who's always expecting me to help him/her, I probably wouldn't have offered in the first place.
Lurker
Grafter
Posts: 1,867
Registered: ‎23-10-2008

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

*her*
/becomes clear
</cynical>
Be3G
Grafter
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Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

Hah, no, being a female didn't mean she got any special treatment... more the fact that I felt strongly a Mac would suit her (perhaps contrary to popular belief, I don't go around telling everyone to get a Mac), so was keen to get her up-and-running, and as I say, she was a good friend.
Lurker
Grafter
Posts: 1,867
Registered: ‎23-10-2008

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

I had a woman as a 'best man', and frequently spend time with with a number of 'wives' where most folks would expect a 'traditional male' to have more in common with their husbands.
A Brian Adams concert was not my finest moment though - I think the guys had a point when they all refused to be an escort.
Actually, wasn't just the guys who refused, the women recognised the folly of the event too.
Santiago
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Registered: ‎10-08-2007

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

Quote from: James_G
I had a woman as a 'best man'
and was she called.... "Bob"
Lurker
Grafter
Posts: 1,867
Registered: ‎23-10-2008

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

A certain Claire of ex-PN fame...
Santiago
Grafter
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Registered: ‎10-08-2007

Re: If you take your computer to a repair shop

Bob was Blackadder's friend who was really a girl

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