What began as a troubling rumor has evolved into a troubling fact. Walmart will soon be launching its own version of the Geek Squad as pilot program in 15 stores in the Dallas area. The new “Solution Stations” will supposedly help customers with such tasks as flat panel TV installation and computer repair and will be managed with Dell Inc. Details, inside…
PCMag’s article says,
In a statement on its website dated July 14, Wal-Mart says the “program provides an opportunity for us to understand more about what our customers need and expect in home installation and technology services, within a specific market.”
Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, describes the program as a small pilot.
“There are no plans at this time to expand the service outside of Dallas other than to 15 select stores,” Wal-Mart states.
When we hear the words “Walmart” and “computer repair” together, it’s difficult to be optimistic. We just hope that they excel in all aspects of technical support and not just porn-recovery.
Wal-Mart Computer Repairs – Solution Stations vs Geek Squads [TrendHunter]
Wal-Mart Using Dell to Provide ‘Solution Stations’ [PCMag]
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I’ll bet this is going to be as high-quality as Walmart’s auto repair!
@TCameron: That’s not a person behind the counter. That person is on the “poster” on the back wall.
*Soul Shudder*
@unpolloloco: Walmart can’t be any worse than Geek Squad? You’ve been reading Consumerist a little too much…
Geek Squad, at least, does have a foundation in skilled employees (even though they are working very hard to utterly destroy that) and does have some managers who honestly care about the brand and customers. Furthermore, Geek Squad tends to draw from the most talented Best Buy employees (I know that was painful to read… bear with me).
But you are comparing them to Walmart? A Best Buy employee is generally not hot stuff, but they’ll be much more skilled than a Walmart employee (it may sicken you to know that within the retail industry Best Buy is considered to be a good employer). You can still list Geek Squad on your resumé and not be laughed out of most employer’s interview rooms. Solution Center at Walmart? What self-respecting person would ever want that? And let’s not forget how the workplace environment affects work ethic and productivity. Best Buy is fairly decent when it comes to soul crushing, but compared to Walmart they are just sheepish imps, barely schooled in the art of ruining lives. Walmart is the all-powerful demon, capable of crushing thousands of souls all at once while eating Bon Bons and watching soap operas. It is something Walmart does in its spare time.
What a terrible thought… trusting Walmart with a computer… or even trusting them.
Just say NO! (to Wal-Mart)
@XianZhuXuande: Unfortunately Best Buy’s geek squad prices are rediculous. $130 to install an OS is not just excessive it’s robbery. [www.geeksquad.com] I have no doubt that they can successfully install software, but it’s just another item in the list of horrible deceptions that best buy pulls on unknowing consumers.