Don't forget most cable or communications co. have there own squads i.e Cox Tech Solutions in AZ  

Best Buy Riverside, Ca. is absolutely terrible.  I've heard horror stories of them charging upwards of $200 for a simple backup of e-mail and documents (no photos)  They've called whole computers bad for a $100+ diagnostic fee.  9/10 of those computers, it's only a bad power supply that is easily fixed, and Netseller fixed mine for about $50.  Check them out, good, inexpensive prices and reliable customer service if you're in the Inland Empire.  www.netseller.com

Geek Squad is like anything else. They are there to make money. If you are willing to pay more they are going to charge you. You also have to realize that they are working on hundreds of thousands of computers nation wide, so yes, it probably will take a few weeks to get something sent off and returned. There are issues with the service. But then there are great experiences with the service. If you don't like them don't go there. If you do appreciate their service, then use them. People don't realize that there are people who don't know what their start button is. THAT is who geek squad is for. NOT for someone with all the certifications that could fix it themselves, of course if you know how to fix it any price is going to seem like too much. But for the average user, who can't fix their own problems it is a perfectly reasonably priced service. I have had lots and lots of experiences with the geek squad ranging from a $6,000 network install that included 3 computers (which by the way, a "mom and pop" shop quoted us over $12,000) all the way down to the basic mounting of a 42" LCD ( For my grandparents) It saved money the first time, and it saved an afternoon of arguments the second example. Quit your complaining and realize everyone has had a bad experience at sometime or another with a company.

USE FIREDOG FROM CIRCUIT CITY IF YOU WANT REAL SERVICE TECH's

I am a Geek Squad agent and proud of it. I do agree our Prices are a little steep, but compare our prices and serivices to Firedog. Geek Squad has very well talented Techs, most of these commnents are based on bad experiences, which are unavoidable with any retail chain. I say this if you dont know what you are doing with your PC and need help Geek Squad can help and just like anything their is a service fee.

There are plenty of third party computer repair shops around. There are plenty of companies that will repair your broken hardware. There aren't many good IT guys who can tell -  in under an hour - if that 'just seems kinda slow' condition is a virus or a hard drive on the edge of croaking or just a blibbit.  Those that are good enough to tell usualy don't work for Best Buy. At least not for long.

Do you treat your IT guy a professional or a repairman? Should they be paid more or less than the guy who tunes your Honda?

Aaron,

I heard that GS was doing most of their work remotely.  I can't imagine that working very well though.  Most of the virus' I see today have to be manually removed by slaving the hard drive to a working machine, then removing the files by hand.  Gone are the days of turning off system restore and running a few scans.  Most have to be extracted by brute force.

Wonder how GS handles bad hard drives, power supplies and motherboards?

I've heard about the installation charge to install RAM, but thought it was an urban legend.  Takes longer to get the case open then to instal RAM.

after 2 encounters with the 'dummy' (aka geek) squad it will never happen again. Even on minimally geeky subjects these guys have no clue what they are talking about. If they don't have a script to work from or better yet, a more senior geek around to ask, who actually has some idea what he/she is talking about, they're lost. If this is Best Buys market advantage they may as well shut the doors.

Geek Squad charges WAY TOO MUCH!! And, so will Target and Wal Mart!

In the DENVER METRO area, I charge 1/3 of what Geek Squad charges, and have over 25 years experience in computer programming and repair.

                                                 www.wags-pc.com

my husband works for best buy and he is actully a part of geek squad but for audio. he installs the gps and stuff like that...they have never once had problem at their store. i think the geek squad is a good team.