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PC Superstore Admits Linux Hinge Repair Mistake

Posted by Zonk on from the there-are-some-happy-endings-after-all dept.

Erris writes "PC Superstore says their store manager was wrong to turn away a client with a broken hinge whose machine should have been repaired. 'El Reg put a call in to the DSGi-owned retail giant to get some clarification on PC World's Linux support policy. A spokesman told us that there had simply been a misunderstanding at the store and that, in fact, the normal procedure would be for the Tech Guys to provide a fix. [PC World] will provide a full repair once the firm has made contact with Tikka.'

13 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. It appears... by msauve · · Score: 5, Informative

    that the manager didn't get the news.

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
    1. Re:It appears... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      For those too lazy to read the link, PCWorld is still refusing to fix the laptop. They aren't blaming it totally on Linux, now it is a mix of Linux and saying that the warranty doesn't cover the hinge because that is basic wear and tear.

      And now, my own opinion about PCWorld. They are technological idiots. I've lived in the states and now in the UK, and compared to these idiots those guys at BestBuy are hackers. I honestly don't believe you have to be more qualified to work at PCWorld than at, say, Burger King. You can manage a register, sweep floors? Good enough. They couldn't help even if they wanted to, which they don't. Extrapolating the behaviour of their workers to their management and I'm not surprised at all that it's PCWorld which pulls some crap like this.

    2. Re:It appears... by BlueParrot · · Score: 5, Informative

      I bet you this guy didn't quite expect that his name would be linked by one of the Internet's most busy web-pages, and not in a good way... I mean seriously, slashdot will accidentally DDoS news agencies due to the large number of visitors. Companies pay small fortunes for that kind of attention... They have now managed to get worldwide bad publicity TWICE due to this laptop. The words "the most expensive $94 Orbitz will ever make" springs to mind. For those of you who don't know what I mean, here's the link: http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=orbitz_blows

    3. Re:It appears... by l33t_f33t · · Score: 5, Informative

      Your fears are correct, I have a friend who did work experience at PC world. None of the staff had any idea what they were talking about, including those who were supposed to be fixing computers. In fact, the PC fixing unit was one of the worst. If they cannot solve the problem by putting a CD in, or opening it up and checking all the parts are there then they send it back to head office. There is also a "Service" they offer called something like a PC health check. They charge £50 for it. This service involves putting a CD in the PC to check for viruses.

      This is why, despite needing a job I am not applying to PC world.

  2. we're sooo sorry! by v1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    We'd like to apologize for getting an unexpectedly large backlash due to our usual behavior of being dicks to the linux users. In the future we will strive to continue our inexcusable treatment of our linux based customers without attracting such public negative PR in the process. Thank you for your support in these difficult times!

    --
    I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
  3. Only a misunderstanding if you get caught. by SeaFox · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And the question on everyone's mind is "Would this have happened had the plight not been so well discussed on the internet?"

    Also, how many other people have already been turned away for hardware warranty repairs based on what software was on their machine?

  4. Not surprised... by cyberjock1980 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So PC World pissed off a geek. He told all his geek buddies. Word got around and now PC World has either changed their mind, or announced their mistake as loud as they can for fear of reprisal from tons of geeks. Why am I not surprised? I'm sure they want to stay in business, and even if that was their policy, i'm sure it changed VERY quickly because the community they target is the same community that's now talking bad about them. Change their policy or risk going out of business? Slashdot wins! PC World - 0 Slashdot - 1

    1. Re:Not surprised... by dfgchgfxrjtdhgh.jjhv · · Score: 5, Insightful

      sorry, but pc world dont target geeks, they target people that don't know any geeks at all & have more money than sense.

      i'm amazed that a pc world customer had heard of linux, nevermind installed it.

      --
      Web Design
  5. As usual... by Speare · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A junior employee or contractor made an error that is against our policy.

    Translated:
    A local store manager is foolishly given broad discretion to run the local store and making ass-pulled risk estimates such as "this guy can't possibly escalate his complaint from porch-seat grumbling to global public-relations catastrophe."

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    [ .sig file not found ]
  6. How to fix all of this by SlappyBastard · · Score: 4, Funny

    Take a crowbar and a fish. Pry the broken hinge open so as to free the penguin, then toss the fish to give the penguin an incentive to get out of the laptop. You may need to clean out the accumulated penguin filth.

    Then take the laptop to a replacement window specialist to put windows back in the laptop. Once that is done, take the laptop to have the hinge serviced. Tada! all is well.

    --
    I scream. You scream. I assume that means we're both acquainted with the problem. We proceed.
  7. Re:Not a big deal by compro01 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If I owned a store... I wouldn't worry about it at all.

    3 words : word of mouth

    Us Linux users are the ones that friends/relatives/etc. turn to when they need computer advise. If they piss us off, guess who we aren't recommended to those friends/relatives/etc.

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    upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
  8. Re:it was a theme by deniable · · Score: 4, Funny

    If the hinge problem persists with Windows it wasn't an OS problem.

  9. Re:Ready to burn some karma. by marcello_dl · · Score: 4, Funny

    > There is no such thing as an "admin". In windows everyone has administrator rights.

    I know, my other computer is your windows box.

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