Anyone ever have Geek Squad from the Best Buy in California Md. do any work for them?
My parents bought a HD TV from Best Buy and had Geek squad install it yesterday. I was out of town so couldn't be there. They paid several hundred dollars for the installation when they bought the TV but by the time Geek Squad was done yesterday, they were out about three hundred more; a hundred and some for "calibrating the TV" and one sixty five more for an additional cable. They had already purchased a monster HDMI cable so I'm not sure what they bought.
Both parents are in their 70s and not very technologically savvy and I'm afraid they were taken advantage of.
I'm going down later to look over what was done and wanted to hear fom others who had used Geek squad as to how it went...

My parents bought a HD from Best Buy
I didn't know Best Buy sold Harleys.....

I didn't know Best Buy sold Harleys.....

Fixed it for ya.

Most geeks could do all that stuff themselves, but to answer your question it's probably all legit...

The calibration was probably getting the black/grey/color levels correct for the set using a specialized DVD most likely. You can buy those DVD programs online...

Monster cables are where they make their money. I didn't have time to order my last one online and it cost me $140. They're half that much online...

If they wall mounted the unit, there's a lot of specialized stuff they can sell them. The mount, flat cables, and other stuff such as miniature surge protectors or power conditioners...

This whole conversation really revolves around how much was the TV? If you blow $4k on a set, don't complain about the little stuff to optimize and protect it. Kinda like buying a Lexus, and then complaining about the cost of the floor mats...

:popcorn:

They had bought the mount and monster cable with the tv and were told the cost of installation covered everthing they needed...

Think this over. A DVD player will need it's own HDMI cable. The Directv or cable box comes with one, but they're really cheapos, so you need another one. Any other toys might require yet another one...

Get the picture?

:popcorn:

Got the picture. Thanks for your input

Have you ever had them do anything for you?

You mean when I finally break down and spend a bizillion dollars on a HDTV I can't just bring the sucker home, take it out of the box, plug it in and whalla...:mad: WTF. :mad:

You mean when I finally break down and spend a bizillion dollars on a HDTV I can't just bring the sucker home, take it out of the box, plug it in and whalla...:mad: WTF. :mad:

They wanted it wall mounted and it was easier not to argue with them about who mounted it. We had it hooked up and they watched it for a week or so before Geek Squad came out.

If you plug an expensive HDTV directly into the wall, you be a dumb-azz...

You should be using a power conditioner, but please buy it online for 1/3 the price before getting the TV...

:popcorn:

Bought it with the TV.

If you plug an expensive HDTV directly into the wall, you be a dumb-azz...

You should be using a power conditioner, but please buy it online for 1/3 the price before getting the TV...

:popcorn:

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I'm hoping I can get the stuff from the same place I get my monitor toner and screen white-out. :smile:

FYI, you don't need to buy the high priced Monster-type HDMI cables. One brand's as good as another when it comes to HDMI. I bought some $9.99 GE cables from Target when I got my Hi-Def. :yay:

As long as the cable isn't damaged and the signal is getting through, there isn't any noticeable difference.

That's kinda like the 7-11 and Starbucks coffee argument...

I'd rather be seen with the Starbucks cup in my hand...

:whistle:

Even if it's the exact same coffee, just two different cups?

To the person that gave me:

12-31-2007 03:10 PM so a $100 charge seems practical for you, best buy paid $10 for that DVD one time and are making a killing off it. Just wrong.

More bad news...

Your auto mechanic paid $4 for his wrench that he's charging you over and over to use on your car...

:jameo:

what's a good brand, any power conditioners for less than $100? Right now I'm using an $80 surge protector, and have noticed problems lately on my lcd tv.

The Directv or cable box comes with one, but they're really cheapos, so you need another one.

Actually if you did your research you'd know you'd be wrong..

After side by side testing NO expert was able to tell the difference between a $140 MonsterCable and a $12 internet special cable.

So them selling you a $140 - 200 cable is in itself a rip-off.

But you probably rent your cables so nothing lost for you.


ITSBOB....

If you plug an expensive HDTV directly into the wall, you be a dumb-azz...

You should be using a power conditioner, but please buy it online for 1/3 the price before getting the TV...

:popcorn:

Salesmen must LOVE you!!

ITSBOB

Anyone ever have Geek Squad from the Best Buy in California Md. do any work for them?
My parents bought a HD TV from Best Buy and had Geek squad install it yesterday. I was out of town so couldn't be there. They paid several hundred dollars for the installation when they bought the TV but by the time Geek Squad was done yesterday, they were out about three hundred more; a hundred and some for "calibrating the TV" and one sixty five more for an additional cable. They had already purchased a monster HDMI cable so I'm not sure what they bought.
Both parents are in their 70s and not very technologically savvy and I'm afraid they were taken advantage of.
I'm going down later to look over what was done and wanted to hear fom others who had used Geek squad as to how it went...
I don't like using Geek Squad. I only use them when I absolutely have to. The last time I used them, it was because my one piece of my wireless internet connection stuff had somehow copied itself onto the other piece.

When I called the hotline to make the appointment, I was told the cost for someone to come out and fix my problem would be no more than $80. When the guy came to fix it, he said the charge was $160 and that I must have heard wrong.

I know what I heard. Anyone who knows me, knows one of the things I pay very close attention to is where my money is going.

Actually if you did your research you'd know you'd be wrong..

After side by side testing NO expert was able to tell the difference between a $140 MonsterCable and a $12 internet special cable.

So them selling you a $140 - 200 cable is in itself a rip-off.

But you probably rent your cables so nothing lost for you.

ITSBOB....
As an electrician, I know cables. As long as they meet the standards for their rated transmission rates, copper is copper. Pekohertz, baud rate, Cat. 6, sheilded, etc.... In other words, Giant brand equivalent to excedrin has the same ingredients but at 1/3 the price.

A Mercedes and a Yugo will both get you to work...

:popcorn:But both use the same gas to run.

As an electrician, I know cables. As long as they meet the standards for their rated transmission rates, copper is copper. Pekohertz, baud rate, Cat. 6, sheilded, etc.... In other words, Giant brand equivalent to excedrin has the same ingredients but at 1/3 the price.

:yeahthat: but some people need that designer name tag.

Not true, my luxury ride requires premium fuel...

:popcorn:
:bs:

The driveshaft is made of the same material. Better? :duh:

I actually design cables, connections, power filters etc and I think Best Buy will rip you off. Its funny how a power filter (made in low quantities specifically for military/aviation use only) that will filter out EMI that is strong enough to make you go sterile costs less than what people are putting on their flat panel televisions (made for general purpose in the millions).

Why is nobody cracking Geek jokes in here? Have I lost my touch? :bawl:

Why is nobody cracking Geek jokes in here? Have I lost my touch? :bawl:

Been waiting for you to chime in and I'm surprised it took you so long:howdy:

Anyone ever have Geek Squad from the Best Buy in California Md. do any work for them?
My parents bought a HD TV from Best Buy and had Geek squad install it yesterday. I was out of town so couldn't be there. They paid several hundred dollars for the installation when they bought the TV but by the time Geek Squad was done yesterday, they were out about three hundred more; a hundred and some for "calibrating the TV" and one sixty five more for an additional cable. They had already purchased a monster HDMI cable so I'm not sure what they bought.
Both parents are in their 70s and not very technologically savvy and I'm afraid they were taken advantage of.
I'm going down later to look over what was done and wanted to hear fom others who had used Geek squad as to how it went...
You should have just stayed in town to watch the Steelers lose.:lmao:

You should have just stayed in town to watch the Steelers lose.:lmao:

:biteme:

:biteme:

How about those Chargers???? :banana: :dance:

How about those Chargers???? :banana: :dance:

:smack:

:smack:

Sawry about your luck. If you had been delivering meals to the homeless, perhaps the Gods would have been on your side.

Man I must be doing it wrong here with my 58" DLP plugged into a surge suppressor and running generic Component Video Cables. But DAYUM it looks soo pretty.

Also just as an FYI if your using Best Buys or even Circuit City's Home Audio/Video guru's your paying way too much. How about you support the local guys as they are cheaper.

AVX (http://www.a-v-x.com) Ran all of my surround sound here in my living room and ran some killer structured wire through out my entire house and were better in price then the big stores when it comes to hanging LCD and Plasma's.


BTW does anyone have one of those Harmony remotes? I need a remote that can control everything a little easier.

Not true, my luxury ride requires premium fuel...

:popcorn:

Did you buy or lease that luxury ride that wil only be worth 1/2 of what you paid for it in 3 years??

Man I must be doing it wrong here with my 58" DLP plugged into a surge suppressor and running generic Component Video Cables. But DAYUM it looks soo pretty.

Also just as an FYI if your using Best Buys or even Circuit City's Home Audio/Video guru's your paying way too much. How about you support the local guys as they are cheaper.

AVX (http://www.a-v-x.com) Ran all of my surround sound here in my living room and ran some killer structured wire through out my entire house and were better in price then the big stores when it comes to hanging LCD and Plasma's.


BTW does anyone have one of those Harmony remotes? I need a remote that can control everything a little easier.


I have had the Harmony 880 for a year and some change now - it works pretty darn good!

I recommend it! :yay:

Been waiting for you to chime in and I'm surprised it took you so long:howdy:

:tap: Still no joke :tap:

:tap: Still no joke :tap:

I saw something about geek squat over in fight club :shrug:

Check this out, I need to buy one, but haven't done it yet...

Amazon.com: Monster/ISF HDTV Calibration Wizard DVD: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Monster-ISF-HDTV-Calibration-Wizard/dp/B000EEXEIW)

:popcorn:

Make sure you read the Customer Reviews (a great thing about Amazon) before you order one.

It's best to price search it on something like Dealtime or Pricegrabber. I bought my power conditioner online for $270. Best Buy sells the exact same one for $499...

:popcorn:

WTF - I got a 30 Amp Smart Ups 3000 RM from ebay for less than that + batteries for my server cabinet


:whistle:

No need to spend more then $20 on an HDMI cable. Its a digital signal not analog like the older cable technologies.

We're discussing "power conditioners" not UPS...

They are two different animals...

:popcorn:

You don't think my UPS conditions the power ...........

Anyone ever have Geek Squad from the Best Buy in California Md. do any work for them?
My parents bought a HD TV from Best Buy and had Geek squad install it yesterday. I was out of town so couldn't be there. They paid several hundred dollars for the installation when they bought the TV but by the time Geek Squad was done yesterday, they were out about three hundred more; a hundred and some for "calibrating the TV" and one sixty five more for an additional cable. They had already purchased a monster HDMI cable so I'm not sure what they bought.
Both parents are in their 70s and not very technologically savvy and I'm afraid they were taken advantage of.
I'm going down later to look over what was done and wanted to hear fom others who had used Geek squad as to how it went...

I had them set up my wireless network. It was $75, I think, and the guy also took care of a couple other little issues for no extra charge.

You don't think my UPS conditions the power ...........

Probably does, but that doesn't mean a power conditioner provides power during a drop out.

No need to spend more then $20 on an HDMI cable. Its a digital signal not analog like the older cable technologies.

And either the ones and zeros get through or they don't.... hard to have ones and zeros cleaner than others..

And either the ones and zeros get through or they don't.... hard to have ones and zeros cleaner than others..

How about when the ones are only 3/4s?

:lmao:

Did you buy or lease that luxury ride that wil only be worth 1/2 of what you paid for it in 3 years??

Geek Squad 01-01-2008 06:15 PM you can even help your kid you loser

Which kid are you talking about coward??

Geek Squad is a rip off. Geek Squad's services can be done by a novice if they took time to read the instructions. Half the people at Geek Squad know's very little about computers.

Half the people at Geek Squad know's very little about computers.
nice!

Your auto mechanic paid $4 for his wrench that he's charging you over and over to use on your car...

:jameo:

:nono: No self-respecting (or at least one that makes a living at it) auto mechanic would use a $4 wrench. BF's wrenches are probably $30-$50 each. :nomoney:

Geek Squad is a rip off. Geek Squad's services can be done by a novice if they took time to read the instructions. Half the people at Geek Squad know's very little about computers.

I use to do part-time work at a local retail store recently as a pctech... you hit it right on the head, these are NOT technicians. any type of tech these days requires a certification, one store has 0 certified, the other store has a couple, with better pay. their main job is to sell items, and if that is not going well, they focus on selling services, at rediculous prices. if the minimum requirement is not met (sales, service, warranties sold, customer surveys) then their whole section takes a pay hit (which is why new workers all the time). they can probably get the job done, but did they do it right is the question. they make very little off selling retail items, but actually selling their own brand =$$$, and services=$$$. ie, that bestbuy cable for $35 is really $5.

Three ways to adjust your HDTV - HDTV - MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18726612/wid/11915829/)