# How to piss off a new customer: computer repair. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 8, 2014, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618 "2014-07-08T07:02:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/81 "2014-07-11T14:10:53Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > First of all, Fuck You for implying that the first quote is ‘padded’ or dishonest. [Moderating] Saying “fuck you” to other posters is against the Pits language rules. Please avoid this in the future. No warning issued. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/82 "2014-07-11T14:34:13Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > I can see why she’d get them to go ahead with the repairs. The lower price isn’t outside the realms of reasonable IMO - comparable to most computer shops, particularly if it includes, say, a Norton licence. People still pay for Norton products? Like, on purpose, and not because they forgot to uncheck the free trial bundled with something else? ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/83 "2014-07-11T14:41:43Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > People still pay for Norton products? Like, on purpose, and not because they forgot to uncheck the free trial bundled with something else? They might, if the computer shop installed it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/84 "2014-07-11T20:48:04Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > People still pay for Norton products? Like, on purpose, and not because they forgot to uncheck the free trial bundled with something else? Yes, sadly they do… and McAfee too > [@Eliahna](#): > > They might, if the computer shop installed it. 🙂 … or they just renew the trial, since it came pre-installed with their Laptop/PC … …then forget to un-tick the Auto-Renewal option and keep paying, while their installed software is expired. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/85 "2014-07-11T22:45:27Z")
I was all set to defend you until you admitted you went ahead with the repair. You realized that you could get a whole new laptop for that amount. Why in the world didn’t you, instead of letting them continue? Heck, I was all ready to show you a W7 laptop on eBay that would work for you. I got mine with 2GB for US $120 (around AUS $130 for you). And I know places that will walk you through cleaning up viruses and junk for free. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/86 "2014-07-12T00:37:27Z")
I can think of one legit $300+ scenario. If the OP has a pirated windows install and the virus clean up was going to be backup personal files and reload windows, install drivers, apply updates, restore customer files, basic app loadout (flash, java, stuff like that). 3 hours @ hourly rate (lets say $60/hr) $180 RAM @ $20/GB x 3 = $60 Legit windows key = $100 Giving us about $340. When she balked, any shop can toss on a cracked copy of windows and call it good, if its a name brand box they can even use the OEM slp keys and activate. Thus dropping $100 off the price tag and most customers will never know. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/87 "2014-07-12T00:40:51Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Heck, I was all ready to show you a W7 laptop on eBay that would work for you. I got mine with 2GB for US $120 (around AUS $130 for you). And I know places that will walk you through cleaning up viruses and junk for free. You know Australia is another country, with differing product availability and power compatibility, right? ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/88 "2014-07-12T00:51:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You know Australia is another country, with differing product availability and power compatibility, right? Laptops are made to be used world wide, most run on 16V to 20V depending on model and brand. The charger works from 100-240V - [the thing looking like this](https://www.chargers.ie/asus-a8-laptop-charger.html) Only thing different is the lead with the wall socket, that’s made to suit the country. [UK Lead](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31hm%2Bicb6OL.jpg) [Continental Europe](http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/431043037/Free-shipping-European-EU-AC-Power-Cord-3-Prong-Laptop-Charger-Cable-100pcs.jpg) [Here with US version](http://www.eachbattery.com/images/HP%20463958-001%20Laptop%20AC%20Adapter.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/89 "2014-07-12T01:24:00Z")
> [@Doughbag](#): > > Laptops are made to be used world wide, most run on 16V to 20V depending on model and brand. > > The charger works from 100-240V - [the thing looking like this](https://www.chargers.ie/asus-a8-laptop-charger.html) > > Only thing different is the lead with the wall socket, that’s made to suit the country. > > [UK Lead](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31hm%2Bicb6OL.jpg) > [Continental Europe](http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/431043037/Free-shipping-European-EU-AC-Power-Cord-3-Prong-Laptop-Charger-Cable-100pcs.jpg) > [Here with US version](http://www.eachbattery.com/images/HP%20463958-001%20Laptop%20AC%20Adapter.jpg) There’s no warranty on laptops purchased overseas. If it has a manufacturing default and it’s faulty out of the box, or if it packs it in within a month or two, then it’s useless and the consumer has no recourse. My SO’s company would prefer to buy him a laptop in the UK (they’re based there) and ship it to him to save hundreds of dollars, but the warranty issue makes it impossible. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/90 "2014-07-12T02:00:53Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > There’s no warranty on laptops purchased overseas. If it has a manufacturing default and it’s faulty out of the box, or if it packs it in within a month or two, then it’s useless and the consumer has no recourse. > > My SO’s company would prefer to buy him a laptop in the UK (they’re based there) and ship it to him to save hundreds of dollars, but the warranty issue makes it impossible. It was already a used machine that was bought by the OP, and likely (but not assuredly) out of warranty. It was also a desktop, but that only matters price-wise. **drachillix** , I can definitely see that pricing, assuming a new windows key. And I could see why they wouldn’t ‘advertise’ that the reason the price dropped is that they are using a cracked copy (though I still wouldn’t want to use a shop that ‘sells’ cracked copies, but that’s me). ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/91 "2014-07-12T06:17:17Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > I can think of one legit $300+ scenario. If the OP has a pirated windows install and the virus clean up was going to be backup personal files and reload windows, install drivers, apply updates, restore customer files, basic app loadout (flash, java, stuff like that). > > 3 hours @ hourly rate (lets say $60/hr) $180 > > RAM @ $20/GB x 3 = $60 > > Legit windows key = $100 > > Giving us about $340. > > When she balked, any shop can toss on a cracked copy of windows and call it good, if its a name brand box they can even use the OEM slp keys and activate. Thus dropping $100 off the price tag and most customers will never know. Again, I said before that $44 for diagnosis probably means they charge $80/hr, plus tax of 10% for a total of $88 an hour, or $44 for a half hour. $88 x 3 = $264, plus $20/GB for RAM, plus 10% tax on that = $330 without the need for any Windows keys at all. Kam mentioned Geeks2u upthread. They come out to your home to do repairs on-site. In her area, they charge $79 per half hour, with a minimum 1 hour call out fee, billed in half hour increments. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/92 "2014-07-12T08:27:19Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Heck, I was all ready to show you a W7 laptop on eBay that would work for you. I got mine with 2GB for US $120 (around AUS $130 for you). And I know places that will walk you through cleaning up viruses and junk for free. > [@Eliahna](#): > > There’s no warranty on laptops purchased overseas. If it has a manufacturing default and it’s faulty out of the box, or if it packs it in within a month or two, then it’s useless and the consumer has no recourse. > > My SO’s company would prefer to buy him a laptop in the UK (they’re based there) and ship it to him to save hundreds of dollars, but the warranty issue makes it impossible. Used laptops on ebay come with a warranty these days? Awesome! Also, many Laptop manufactures give you and international warranty. Sure as shit am I (as a shop owner) not covering that, but Lenovo, Sony, Fujitsu, Acer (Medion, Packard Bell), etc… do just that - you just have to deal with them directly. It may be a pain in the ass, but so are many warranties these days. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/93 "2014-07-12T09:38:11Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > But is the repair actually impracticable? That seems unlikely, if they’re offering to do it. It might be a little impractical to do so, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/94 "2014-07-12T13:51:55Z")
> [@Doughbag](#): > > Used laptops on ebay come with a warranty these days? Awesome! > > Also, many Laptop manufactures give you and international warranty. > Sure as shit am I (as a shop owner) not covering that, but Lenovo, Sony, Fujitsu, Acer (Medion, Packard Bell), etc… do just that - you just have to deal with them directly. > It may be a pain in the ass, but so are many warranties these days. Why are we buying a used laptop from eBay now? is it cheaper than the $80 used PC? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/95 "2014-07-12T23:14:19Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > **drachillix** , I can definitely see that pricing, assuming a new windows key. And I could see why they wouldn’t ‘advertise’ that the reason the price dropped is that they are using a cracked copy (though I still wouldn’t want to use a shop that ‘sells’ cracked copies, but that’s me). At that point they are not really “selling” a cracked key, they are basically just making the customer whole again as they came in. I have used SLP keys under similar circumstances where customers had damaged but present stickers. If they were planning on charging the $100 and not giving her a COA sticker then yes they are a dishonest shop. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/96 "2014-07-13T00:20:43Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > Why are we buying a used laptop from eBay now? is it cheaper than the $80 used PC? I had to go back and re-read the OP yet again myself, as I figured out I got confused by it. She said she could buy a laptop for the cost of the repair, which got me thinking that the original $80 PC was for a laptop as well. So kind of like taking a junker car in for a repair and then claiming you could buy a motorcycle for the repair cost. Kind of the same thing, but rather confusing. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618/97 "2014-07-13T14:49:53Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > Why are we buying a used laptop from eBay now? is it cheaper than the $80 used PC? Don’t ask me, I wasn’t the one that raised the topic about buying a laptop from ebay. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-piss-off-a-new-customer-computer-repair/692618.md?page=4)