Computer repair

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

Anyone use one of those mom and pop computer repair places that are around?   In theory they seem like they'd be great, but their storefronts and the fact that I've never heard of anyone having used one always leave me wondering...

The only other alternative I know of for something not under warranty is Best Buy Geek Squad. 

Comments

[inahandbasket]

Most IT guys/girls I know will happily barter their services.
Check with your office/school's geeks and see if someone's willing to help out.
(And yes, I am one, no I don't have time right now.)

[ron_newman]

I tagged this 'computer repair'. In the past, people have said good things about AngelTronics in Ball Square. (Some old posts refer to them as being in Davis Square, or being called CompuGeeks, both of which used to be true.)

If you want a more corporate place that isn't Best Buy, try Micro Center in Cambridge.

[mysticalchild_isis]

I would NOT recommend AngelTronics. I'd heard good things about them previously, but I had a terrible experience.

[ron_newman]

If it isn't too painful, can you say more about your experience?

[mysticalchild_isis]

It's actually still ongoing. A couple of MONTHS ago, the backlight in my Mac laptop screen stopped working, so I brought it to them. It took them forever to get a replacement in, and then they had trouble installing it, and then they managed to break the whole screen. I'm still waiting for them to finish fixing it. They're also really not good at returning calls.

[ron_newman]

I didn't even know they did Macs -- they (at least used to) advertise only PC repair. If you want a non-Apple Store place that fixes Macs, my suggestion is Tech Superpowers on Newbury St. in Boston, as Macs are all they do.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

Modern Mac Repair in Somerville gets my vote for Mac Repairs. Sean has reasonable rates and is a really nice guy. The only down side is he's often quite busy, but I've found him to be worth the wait.

[ron_newman]

Where are they located? The web site doesn't say.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

I suspect he works out of his house, but I don't know that for sure. I work for a business and he always comes to us to pick up our machines, and he drops them off when he's finished. I'm not sure what he does for other clients.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

http://modernmacrepair.com/

[laryu.livejournal.com]

Had a non-so-great experience also. Lots of promises in-store followed by lack of follow-up and no returned calls.

[curiositykt.livejournal.com]

I second this.

[anu3bis.livejournal.com]

Seconded. I gave them a meh review based on a fairly bad experience with my HP laptop (came in with one ailment, walked out with another), took forever, were uncommunicative.

That whole uncommunicative thing went away the second they found the bad review. Then they hounded me to remove it. I said no, it was based on my experience, and they were _really_ snarky about it.

[ron_newman]

Ouch. If the bad review is still online, can you link to it? Now I'm sorry I even mentioned the place -- it had some positive reviews earlier in DSLJ.

[anu3bis.livejournal.com]

http://www.yelp.com/biz/angeltronics-somerville#hrid:ErvOm5RYt9ESre4g1qgXhQ

[ron_newman]

That page has a mixture of good and bad reviews -- which one is yours?

[anu3bis.livejournal.com]

for some reason, it is filtered. Look for Daniel A.

[ron_newman]

Thanks. Strangely, most of the filtered reviews are 'good' reviews (4 or 5 stars). Only yours and one other filtered review are 'bad' (1 star). I have no idea how Yelp makes these decisions.

Based on this current post's comments, I won't recommend the place again to anyone.

[teko.livejournal.com]

Another poor experience here. I took my housemate's computer in for repair, and they called to tell me that they'd fixed it and it was ready for pickup. When I arrived, the owner was running around panicking while his employees stood around doing nothing. The computer hadn't even been touched; the owner opened it up, told me the video card was dead, and it could be weeks before he could get one it to repair it. I took the computer, left, and put in a new video card the same day myself. Terrible service. Don't go there.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

Try Mark Bildman. He's great. I've been using him for almost 10 years now. He even comes to your house.

http://computerhandymanllc.com/

[findingthegirl.livejournal.com]

There's a tiny shop in Union Square called Somerville Computers. I don't have any experience with them but they do seem to be independent.
http://somerville.patch.com/listings/somerville-computers

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Do not, repeat, DO NOT take your computer anywhere near a Best Buy. The "Geek Squad" mostly exists to rip off people who don't know any better. Micro Center is likely a better option.

Micro Center Highly recommended.

[davissq.livejournal.com]

I suggest going there. They have a whole section dedicated to helping people. Schedule an appointment and they will help you. Friend brough in a linux os laptop and they fixed it for 0$.

TimeTrade

[tequilamckngbrd.livejournal.com]

Well, I might get into the TimeTrade thing and help people out with their computers. If you want me to look at it to fix it, I'm pretty capable.

I can teach you how to diagnose and troubleshoot it yourself while I'm looking at it, and just pay me whatever you want, cash or barter.

[thelauraism.livejournal.com]

AngelTronics is awful. Their customer service was heinous and they made me feel like I was the dumbest person on Earth.

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

That is too bad about AngelTronics?! Usually in the past they have been helpful with me- but recently my experience was similar where they could not really fix my problem but in the end they did not charge me because they hit a wall with actually improving the condition. I do not think they are a bad shop, but might take on more than they can handle.
I will say regarding there customer skills that in general I believe there people skills are not the best

[hakamadare.livejournal.com]

i’d recommend Modern Mac Repair (http://www.modernmacrepair.com/) if you have Apple hardware.

full disclosure: the proprietor is a friend of mine. however, he’s also done work for me, and i can recommend him without reservation.

-steve

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

Oh whups, I see you beat me to this. I second this recommendation.