My roommate just bought her first computer, and where she chose to buy it was Best Buy. Unfortunately for her, she had no idea she was being ripped off by being charged $126.00 for Geek Squad to "set up" her $750.00 computer. All they did was install SpySweeper and some generic anti-virus program. The next day we had to trade in the cable modem they sold her... she needed a wiireless router. I went with her and the salesman told her that she HAD to have Geek Squad come set up the router for $150.00. When I said that I could do it, I was asked whether I had done it before because "it takes an hour and a half and is about as complicated as taking apart a car engine."
Preying on people who know nothing about computers (or whatever product they're buying) is nothing new, but I was shocked how far Best Buy took it.
My roommate just bought her first computer, and where she chose to buy it was Best Buy. Unfortunately for her, she had no idea she was being ripped off by being charged $126.00 for Geek Squad to "set up" her $750.00 computer. All they did was install SpySweeper and some generic anti-virus program. The next day we had to trade in the cable modem they sold her... she needed a wiireless router. I went with her and the salesman told her that she HAD to have Geek Squad come set up the router for $150.00. When I said that I could do it, I was asked whether I had done it before because "it takes an hour and a half and is about as complicated as taking apart a car engine." Preying on people who know nothing about computers (or whatever product they're buying) is nothing new, but I was shocked how far Best Buy took it.