The Geek Squad is regarded as Best Buy’s computer specialists. The company offers computer repair, support, maintenance and upgrade services, as well as online support and 24/7 phone support. They offer some pretty interesting prices, and have a pretty interesting background in repairing peoples’ computers.
I’ve been repairing computers and helping people with their computer problems for the majority of my lifetime so far, and there is one thing I can say for sure: Geek Squad is a scam.
Take, for example, their “Wireless Network Setup”. The service is valid for configuring up to two computers, with additional hardware (wireless access points, wireless adapters) not included. The cost for this service is $150 USD. Compare this to my $40 setup which includes configuring up to three systems, and I’m making a decent profit off this. But this isn’t about me.
Why would a company charge so much? Because they can, of course. The Geek Squad is making an easy 80% profit margin off most or all of their services. Most of the people purchasing their support have no idea how quick and easy it is to set up a wireless network, or install anti-virus software onto their computer until after the service is complete. I would compare these people to car mechanics, but I’ve found that car mechanics are much more reputable than them.
They also look through your computer, and stalk your children. Multiple reports have come in from technically-savvy people that installed discrete tracking software before hiring a Geek Squad technician to come in and take a look at their systems which had been planted with explicit photographs. A good percentage of employees looked through the explicit photos and in some cases even saved the material onto a drive to take with them! In one case, a woman found a camera phone in her bathroom that she claims was left by a member of the Geek Squad, attempting to record her 13 year old daughter. It’s unknown what the woman hired the Geek Squad to do, but I’m pretty sure it didn’t involve peeping on her daughter taking a shower.
Among other things, the Geek Squad has been accused of using pirated software for their computer diagnostics, leaving customers’ computers unfinished, and monitoring users’ activities without their consent. Still, people purchase their services on a daily basis.
If you know of anyone that uses or wishes to use the Geek Squad for their services, please link them to this or one of the many other articles about the company’s bad practices.
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