They were just trying to make the guy's PC wireless. I don't see the problem here.

how do you have 7 years of Quickbooks 2005 data?

This really doesn't seem innocent. I have no idea how this could not be malicious. And wait: 7 years of QB 05 data?? but 2005 was only 3 years ago.... I'm guessing he never closed out his previous year's books and kept a BACKUP of the QB file on a CD or something. Rookie mistake.

Holy Crap that can't be true. Either they have some big BALLS at that GeekSquad, or they fully expect normal people to never look at computers. I call BS, who would do something so blatantly obvious when you could do a simple thing like remove the heatsink and crack the processor.

You could have 7 years of QB 05 data if you are keeping books for more than one person/entity.

ITA that this looks really suspicious. Those are some clean-cut wires to be a "mistake."

Obviously they thought his computer was a bomb and tried to disarm it.

"OK, now, do you cut the green one first or the red one?"

"No, dummie! First, you remove the stick from the second blue slot, THEN you cut the green one."

Full disclosure: I work at Best Buy and worked at Geek Squad

I never want to blame the OP, but the power supply cables look like they were cut clean across with scissors. I cannot fathom why anyone would do this,or how it can happen by accident. For a data backup when the unit is DOA, we pull the HDD, put it on a sled, and back it up that way. If the precinct did break the HDD, which is entirely possible, it would be covered under our liability agreement.

What I'm saying is there's no reason to hide this if it happened by accident; a new HDD would be charged to the store's warranty.

Further, there is very little incentive in selling a new computer as the margin on PCs is less than $30 at most with the hopes of making up margin by selling accessories, services, and the beloved PSP.

Something is fishy... We screw up, it absolutely happens, but this seems a little too... spectacular!

you cant cut both the IDE and the power cabs and jack a stick of ram by accident. Fuck i hate these guys. I hate them so much my neighbor had them over one time and literally went over knocked on the door and exclaimed, whatever their charging you I'll do it for free, if you want to keep your property and your identity safe you wont use these college drop outs.

Its obvious that Ben needs to work harder in making The Consumerist a hand book that all Americans must read daily. If that were the case, we wouldn't even have such companies, everyone would be smart enough to not use them.

@B: You just made my day.

@B: Yeah, genius.

Ben, I think you need a "Fishy" tag.

Not surprised at all. I used to work for these jack asses (many moons ago) and I regularly saw people break computers, physically break them, then just hand em back and claim it was like that when it got there. I've also seen 'agents' almost get punched in the face for that kind of behavior.

that is plain old criminal... even if it was really broken. Maybe the guy could of sold the guts for parts!

Wow this just makes me sick. (I love computers too much.)

In my opinion, it looks like something truly malicious/criminal went on here, and probably by a GeekSquad employee. An investigation needs to happen...

@phnxamg:

Quick books has been around for awhile. He is probably referring to past quickbooks archives he brought up to QB2005.

I understand exactly what happened here. The Geek Squad people brought the computer to the Auto Installation people. Since the stock harness wouldn't fit into the newer chassis, they cut all the wire in order to splice a new harness on. When they tried to turn the key to turn the electrical system on, they realized it was not a car. They called up Geek Squad, who came over and said "Yes, this isn't a car. We can fix it now!"

@pianos101: you can import data into Quicken 2005 that was entered in Quicken 2000, or older version of Quicken or Microsoft Money.

This makes me wonder, are local computer resellers any better or worse than this?

Perhaps the BB folks completely fried the hard drive, managed to extract some data, told Mr. Propane his computer was shot, got him to buy a new one, and then, just in case, tried to cover their initial screw up by amateurishly destroying the innards of the computer.

If they sold him a new machine, it probably didn't dawn on them that he would do anything except discard the old one. Surprised they didn't offer to do it for him.

@pianos101: When you load Quickbooks, you can import data from earlier versions into it, otherwise it would be pretty useless as a finance program. Also, keeping 7 years of financial data is standard for a business.

Well it is possible he only had 1 stick of ram to start. Rare but it should run. Anyhow, I bet they screwed something up when "fixing" the pc, so made sure it was dead to cover their mistake.

Lemme share a Geek Squad story with the group. Anyone who's read my comments frequently already knows I'm a freelance computer technician. One time I had a customer come to me after getting the run around from BB after taking his desktop pc in to have more ram put in. Even though it takes no more than ten minutes to insert, AND test a stick of ram, BB had his computer for about a week before calling him to tell him that it wasn't running, and he should buy a new one. After a little more back and forth with them, he got frustrated, and went in and demanded his computer be given back to him. Here's where I come in. His computer was indeed not working, so he brought it to me. When I opened up the computer to look inside and see what was going on, I saw something somewhat unexpected - scorch marks on the inside of the case. Apparently, at some point, somethihg either gave off an extremely potent jolt of electricity, or something was on fire inside the computer. That would probaly explain why his motherboard was fried beyond repair.

I don't know what they did, but I do know that in seven years of repairing computers proffessionally, I have never seen one that caught fire, or had bolts of electricity occur in the case on it's own. Avoid BB, CC, and any other chain store in your area that may offer computer repair. Find a local shop, or a local technician on craigslist - you'll get better results - I can guarantee it.

@B: "They were just trying to make the guy's PC wireless. I don't see the problem here."

Best comment in a long time - thanks for the laugh...

This story is a little strangey strange. While I believe the RAM theft, the sheer audacity of clipping the cables (ostensibly because they were in the way?) just sounds implausible. It may be possible, however, that they swapped power supplies and other bits and cut and broke the cables to cover the swap...

@Geekybiker: If you look at the picture, there's 4 RAM slots, and one is empty. You install in pairs unless you have a machine that uses CRIMMs.

@wellfleet: Look, I don't mean any of what I'm about to say as an attack on you personally - you seem like a decent, honest person. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I certainly don't rule out the possibility that a cheap store manager would:

1. Take shady steps to avoid having to fulfill a warranty claim.

2. Pull parts from a customer's "broken" computer for later use.

3. Try and sell the customer a new computer complete with five year warranty because "you never know when somehting like this could happen to you again"

I'm not saying it's right, or that it happens everywhere, but I strongly suspect, based on what I've seen in my own work, that these sort of things do happen at the wrong store. Just because you work for BB, and you and your store are honest and decent, don't assume everyone who works for the company is.

Good lord, don't hand your computer to any of these repair-in-a-box places and expect them to act in your best interests. They've proven AGAIN and AGAIN that they'll assume that if you don't know enough about your computer to fix it, you don't know enough about it to tell that they've hosed it more, either to cover the tracks of their poor work or to "find" more things wrong with it so they can either charge you more to fix it or upsell you to a new computer.

Find a small computer shop and do a few deals with them BEFORE your computer has a major problem...buy a mouse or a wireless card from them, talk to them about upgrading your video card or something if that's something you might be interested in. If your BS alarm doesn't go off during those minor dealings, then THERE'S your shop you take your computer to when it goes blark. If not, look for another one. It's worth driving a bit or paying a little more for service if you're dealing with honest people who won't do more harm than help.

@kathyl: I agree completely - and you know what's funny? Most of the shops and freelancers in my area (myself included) charge significantly less than BB for superior service. I don't know why people continue to pay more to have their stuff broken.

@Git Em SteveDave is a poor substitute for LindsayJoy: By the looks of it, the ram is something like PC133, which I don't believe you have to install in pairs.

As for Geeks Squad, I used to own a small computer repair company. Every now and then some one would come in and tell us a story of how they went to BB to get their computer fixed, they had it for over a week, didn't fix anything, and then charge the customer for nothing being done or wanting to replace a lot of parts. Most of the time it was simple stuff like bad ram or a screwed up windows install. I never got around to sending them a fruit basket for all the business they drove to me though...

@Git Em SteveDave is a poor substitute for LindsayJoy:
It looks more to me like a motherboard from a few years ago, when they were still putting in two sets of ram slots -- one set for PC3200 and one set for PC133. My old motherboard was like this. In the picture, you can see that each set is a different color. So he may have only had one stick of ram to begin with.

@B: OMG, I love you for that comment!

@phnxamg: You upgraded from previous versions.

@gregcuc: @jackal676: Some of my Dells have two different colored slots. It's meant for ease of non-tech people to install RAM. You first install pairs in the white slots, then the black.

Does anyone know what kind of comp this is? I'm guessing a Gateway or Compaq?

As to the Hard drive, the OP says he wants to solder the power connectors back on. I would say to be very reliable, I would get a similar HD, and take the controller board off a good one, and attach to this one. I have done this in the past to success.

@What The Geek: someone actually paid a BB to install a stick of RAM? My lord, I know next to nothing about the innards of a computer and even I, of the female race can shove a stick of RAM into a computer. Heck, getting the case on my box to come off is the hardest part cause it sticks a little. The only reason I had to call my stepdad for help to put the stick in was I needed his sheer muscle to help me snap the stick into place- the darn port/slot thing was so stiff I couldn't get it in and even he had to work at it.

Paying BB to put in a stick of RAM is like paying a mechanic to check your oil level, or to refill your windshield washer fluid because you "don't know how" o_O; why pay someone to do something simple like that when you can do it yourself in minutes, for free? Eesh. Admittedly, I am lazy. I would love to be able to change my own oil in my car for free, I just don't want to take the time to learn right now. Maybe when any oil change jumps up to $40 instead of $30 for my car, I'll get around to it.

I mean like, google up "how to install RAM" and in like, 30 seconds you should have your answer. Same for formatting/wiping or installing an OS. There's no need to pay someone to do something so simple that anyone should be capable of it if they can read and follow a few directions.

People are silly, silly. My $400 student Dell box still runs great after 6 years- needs another stick of RAM soon to max it out, just don't have the disposable income. A little love and some work on your own to maintain it and you can keep a computer running for years. I'd love a new dual core to run photoshop better with, but I just can't afford a new computer right now. Every scrap of change someone can save by doing work themselves helps.

Seriously people, avoid BB like the plague. Support your local guys. Make some friends with some tech savvy people if you don't already have any, I have several tech friends and they are always offering free advice regarding computer repairs and performance. None of them live near me, but they can tell me what's wrong with it usually so I can go to a shop and ask them to fix what it needs, or get the parts to do it myself if possible.

@Yurei: Try Newegg. I got 2gb of Ram for an old Dell Box for under 100.

Sadly, they might not be able to get anything out of taking Geek $quad to court. When you take a computer in, they make you sign a contract that says they're not liable for any damage whatsoever as a result of their inability to actually fix computers.

Generally these contracts limit their liability to the cost of the repair (aka, the most you can get is a refund). I wouldn't be surprised if it also said something about, "...and if you're our lucky 100,000th vict-- er, customer, then we will cut your cables, steal your RAM, and damage your hard drive for free!"

@What The Geek: I once set my computer on fire by accidentally pinching some wires against the side of my case and thus stripping them. Within literally one second of hitting the power button my room began to fill with a dark burnt plastic smoke.

So...Geek Squad isn't the only one capable of burning things.

This doesn't surprise me at all. I used to "work" in the computer department at BB. The people at Geek Squad (with the exception of one) were useless.

My processor fan wasn't working for some reason and my computer would turn on for maybe a minute, and shut down. I was telling the head guy about it and he told me to bring it in. He tells me that a processor fan wasn't working and that it is very hard to find a replacement and that I should just get a BB credit card and buy a new computer.

I went to a local computer repair shop and bought the supposedly rare fan (Intel socket 775 lol) for like 10 dollars and installed it myself.

I do have respect for their car audio installation people. My brother smashed up my car one early morning in a McDonalds Drive-Thru drunk out of his mind and I woke up for work to see my car destroyed. They got me the parts I needed for crazy cheap because they knew a guy who owned an auto wreckers and fixed my car in the install bay free of charge.

My God. As someone who used to work for Geek Squad, I have to say I am appalled. My jaw literally dropped when I read about the drive connector being snapped off. Shame on these geeks!

I have no idea how this could happen short of either malicious intent or utter stupidity.

@Git Em SteveDave is a poor substitute for LindsayJoy:

You don't have to install modern SDRAM (or DDR_SDRAM) in pairs.
The configuration shown (4 slots with pairs color-coded) is usually for dual-channel DDR-SDRAM, but even those only have to be installed in pairs if you want to use them in dual-channel mode.
CRIMMs haven't been used in desktop PCs for years (RDRAM), and yes you had to install those in pairs.

@wellfleet: Breaking the connector on a hard drive is hardly a screw up. It could be a screw up at best if you disclose the damage when returning the computer to the customer. If you do not, it is destruction of property. Which is a crime. There is no way that happened without someone noticing.

@pete: That's what I thought. pairs was only for dual channel mode.

@pete: Most manufactures want you to install in pairs. You CAN get away with not doing it in pairs, but most consumers do go w/pairs. Unless the original owner, whom is friends w/the OP, lied and said he installed four when he only installed three, then one was taken. I have no trouble believing a place like Geek Squad or even your mechanic will ever expect someone to ask for the ORIGINAL part if it is broken. My mechanic looked at me in dis-belief the first time I did it, but he expects it now. They probably took a RAM card out to match one they had sitting in a drawer, and upgraded someones CPU with "Virgin High-performance" RAM at a premium.

I am horribly shocked at the actions of Geek Squad. Cutting cables just to profit from selling this guy a new laptop? What major douchebags! Before going through the trouble of suing in small claims and calling the police, the customer should do an executive email carpet bomb.

This is one of the many reasons why you shouldn't trust those big-chain electronics stores to fix your computer. If your computer's broken, your local neighborhood Geek or IT guy probably can fix it faster, better, and cheaper than BB can.

I needed a new hard drive for my computer a few years ago (before I knew anything about computer hardware) and decided to call my a tech-savvy friend of my parents. He came to my house one night and installed it in about an hour for dirt cheap. That hard drive still serves me well now and I'm calling this guy next time I need any computer repair.

I used to work at Geek Squad, shortly after the acquisition by Best Buy. In the early days, knowledge of computers and technical skill ruled in sought after skills. Sadly, as the push for more revenue came, managers took the interviewing process away from us and handled it themselves. No longer was aptitude important, but sales ability. I watched as we were slowly hobbled by the bean counters and went from a department founded on customer loyalty to one that only cared about revenue.

Eventually, I grew tired and switched from an in-store supervisor role to being a field agent (Double Agent in the bug) but even then, I was constantly harassed for more sales even though I hit all the numbers and had people that would specifically ask for me. After that, I just left. I once enjoyed the job, even going to so far as to turn down many other opportunities but it had lost its charm.

When people ask me now, I tell them to stay away from Geek Squad. I know the corners they cut and the level of 'expertise' there. All of us who formerly worked there in the beginning have all moved on and those left, well, let's just say I wouldn't trust them to even put RAM in.

To the OP: If the friend were to go in and create a big enough stink about it, there is a good chance of seeing some type of result. Managers, in my experience, will give up just about anything if there is enough of a problem. I am loathe to suggest creating a scene as I've been on the receiving end when things weren't my fault, but it is true that a squeaky wheel gets the grease.

@B: yes i know, but thanks. I use quickbooks and set my parents' business up to use it. But every few days it should automatically back up, and after every year you are supposed to close the previous year's books and create a "closed" file for every year. If this guy wasn't backing up his business's QB data then i think there's no help. Why would you rely on ONE hard drive to store 7 years worth of your business financials????

When all else fails... either kick the computer or cut the wires... they were just following standard Best Buy protocol.

First thing, I am a member at geek squad and have been for nearly two years (Hey, extra money through college).

There are two types of geek squad members, tech and salesmen. Techs are just that, they can actually fix computers and know what they're doing. Salesmen can come from any department and can talk a good talk but for the love of god all they do is cause me frustration when they decide to touch a computer. Problem is, they're all in white shirts.

I've been at two stores now and it's completely changed my views on geek squad. My first store EVERYONE was a tech, we did amazingly fast work there, I learned a shit ton about repairing computers and about getting things done quickly without losing customers data. I figured every geek squad was like this.

Then I went to my current store (moved to live with the g/f). I'm one of two techs at that store, the rest know exactly dick about computers. On a day I'll work I'll finish up about 6 to 12 computers. Then I'll come back two days later when I work at the same machines and still on the bench. Worse, things are sometimes in worse shape and for the life of me I can't figure out what our own agents are doing. The Geek Squad software is the best software repair program there is and a monkey can be trained to use it. Wtf are some of these geek squad agents doing?

Anyways, don't rip on all the geek squad members. When someone asks me about keeping their data confidential I tell them the truth "I've got to much crap to do to bother looking at your files". Other geek squads, no idea.

@pianos101: Like most people, he will NOW. It takes losing your data to make you back up. Except in my case. I was waiting for my Zip Drive to show up so I could back up my 160mb HD. I decided to clean all thr garbage out before I backed up to make it easier. I clicked the wrong box, so instead of "wipe free space" I clicked "wipe drive". In the end, I could back up on a floppy.

@B: Best. Comment. Ever. Award!

@Mistrez_Mish: I think if you do anything, you should mess w/the underside of the board. If you want to be sneaky. Being overt is just wrong. Snip a few transistors, slice a few circut lines w/ a exacto knife, switch the power supply to 240, etc...