I dropped off my PC at a repair shop a week ago because I've been having significant issues with it since I bought it. After a factory reset didn't help, my friend and I decided to get it checked out. When we first visited the shop, they informed us there would be a $50 fee for diagnostics, which they would subtract from the total if we went ahead with the repairs. However, the next day when my dad and I went in, they didn't mention the fee at all, just took the PC and promised to call us with updates. It's been a week, and after we called them, they said there might be a hard drive issue. They also mentioned they were testing the PC with games, which seems odd to me. They promised to call back on Thursday but never did. Is this kind of poor communication typical for repair shops? Should I be concerned and just retrieve my PC instead of waiting for their call?
5 Answers
Just a heads up, expecting a diagnostic to be free isn’t the norm. They probably considered your dad just a drop-off person and didn’t explain the fees to him. Testing by loading games could be their way of trying to replicate the issue. Even if they're not great at communication, they may still have done some work on your PC, so be prepared for that when you go to get it back.
I used to work at a tech repair shop, and a week is quite normal for diagnostics. However, communication about fees and updates is lacking in many places. If you feel they're not handling your repair well, you have every right to retrieve it and take it elsewhere.
Honestly, a lot of these PC shops come and go because they struggle with business management. If you haven't been given a clear estimate or proper updates, I'd suggest you ask for your PC back. If they push back, remind them they didn't diagnose anything yet and you weren't informed about the fees upfront.
Good point! No, my PC is still with them. Thanks for the heads up!
It sounds like they might be doing some normal troubleshooting to see if they can replicate the glitches you've experienced, especially if you mentioned those issues while gaming. But yeah, communication is key—it's totally unprofessional not to keep you updated.
Haha, I just remembered I did mention that! Thanks for reminding me!
If you're in the U.S., consider visiting Best Buy's Geek Squad. They might not be the most exciting option, but they typically offer consistent service, often without charging for initial diagnostics. If you're outside the U.S., definitely take your PC back and find a shop that provides clear communication about their services and fees—it's essential!
I never said I expected it for free, though. Just wanted transparency!