geek squad mafia

[takanyo]

i had my laptop repaired by the geek squad for a minor problem, which was covered by the best buy protection plan. when i came to pick it up the geek informed me that my hard drive was replaced and i would have to pay $300 for data recovery process if i want the information on it- a low class shake down.
did anyone else have a similar experience? is there anything that can be done?

[AJK]

i had my laptop repaired by the geek squad for a minor problem, which was covered by the best buy protection plan. when i came to pick it up the geek informed me that my hard drive was replaced and i would have to pay $300 for data recovery process if i want the information on it- a low class shake down.
did anyone else have a similar experience? is there anything that can be done?

I'm not sure I understand, but your hard drive was replaced without your consent? And now they want to charge you $300 to get the data off of your old one?

[elikay]

Did they give you back both the old and the new drives?

[takanyo]

I'm not sure I understand, but your hard drive was replaced without your consent? And now they want to charge you $300 to get the data off of your old one?

yes exactly.

Did they give you back both the old and the new drives?

the old hard drive will wiped clean and returned to the manufacturer if i decline the data recovery.

it sems like this is standerd practice by the geek squad, see this story: http://www.crn.com/blogs-op-ed/the-channel-wire/218800088/my-laptop-hinge-broke-so-geek-squad-replaced-my-hard-drive.htm  but he provides no solutions,

[Chaikel]

yes exactly.the old hard drive will wiped clean and returned to the manufacturer if i decline the data recovery.

it sems like this is standerd practice by the geek squad, see this story: http://www.crn.com/blogs-op-ed/the-channel-wire/218800088/my-laptop-hinge-broke-so-geek-squad-replaced-my-hard-drive.htm  but he provides no solutions,

Can you refuse the new hard drive and get back the old one?
I would immediately report this to the BBB and FTC, and try and get the media involved. Maybe OYS from PCWorld will help out

[ChAiM'l]

I would immediately report this to the BBB and FTC, and try and get the media involved. Maybe OYS from PCWorld will help out

+1. And let them know that you are going to do that.

[Chaikel]

Call them and tell them you need another day to decide, as the lawyer you contacted couldn't see you until tomorrow

[YudiG]

charge to amex and dispute?

[ceejay]

Before starting WWIII did you try to contacting speaking to manager/corporate? I think it should be pretty simple to resolve. They officially have a 30 day guarantee.

[bhphotoman]

what they are doing is called bait and switch just a dif form of it and it is highly illegal and i am all most postive they have been sued in other states over this they are not allowed to do any thing with out ur consent its a invasion of ur privacy 

[sguitarist18]

Best Buy tends to have a lot of policies that seem to be very unethical, and possibly illegal.

[takanyo]

Before starting WWIII did you try to contacting speaking to manager/corporate? I think it should be pretty simple to resolve. They officially have a 30 day guarantee.

i spoke with corporate they just rattled off well practiced double talk

what they are doing is called bait and switch just a dif form of it and it is highly illegal and i am all most postive they have been sued in other states over this they are not allowed to do any thing with out ur consent its a invasion of ur privacy 

they seem to have a clause to back them up on a basic level, to the effect of "i agree to have anything broken fixed"

charge to amex and dispute?

great idea, does it stand a chance?

for now im trying chAiM'l and chaikel's idea, ill see where that gets me

[Chaikel]

they seem to have a clause to back them up on a basic level, to the effect of "i agree to have anything broken fixed"

Do they still have the clauses that they had in the link you posted

great idea, does it stand a chance?

I think there is a descent chance Amex will realize the scam and side with you

[takanyo]

after contacting some executives from this list: http://consumerist.com/2009/05/updated-contact-info-for-best-buy-execs.html without a response, i got a call from the service center saying they recalculated the price to $160. may or may not have any connection to my emails.
gonna pay with amex and keeping my fingers crossed for either a positive response from the execs or amex backing up my dispute

[clownaparte]

Despite the clause (haven't seen it, just assuming it is so) that they can replace whatever is broken, does it specifically say they don't have to return your old one? After all, it never belonged to them. They can charge you for the new one, for installation, but what gives them the right to wipe and/or ship away your old one?

Also, you may want to contact a large tech blog such as techcrunch. If someone is in the mood they may publish your story which will put a nice amount of pressure on best buy...

[Dan]

Despite the clause (haven't seen it, just assuming it is so) that they can replace whatever is broken, does it specifically say they don't have to return your old one? After all, it never belonged to them. They can charge you for the new one, for installation, but what gives them the right to wipe and/or ship away your old one?

Also, you may want to contact a large tech blog such as techcrunch. If someone is in the mood they may publish your story which will put a nice amount of pressure on best buy...

And Consumerist.com, your state's attorney general, an EECB to BB, a chargeback with AMEX, etc.

[clownaparte]

And Consumerist.com, your state's attorney general, an EECB to BB, a chargeback with AMEX, etc.

Sounds like a plan...