Beware Computer Repairmen

Consumerist has posted "10 Confessions of a Circuit City Firedog" that pretty much apply to any repair place, be it Best Buy's, Fry's or a local store. The full confession is here, but the gist is buyer beware, the not really computer experts will try to rip you off with unnecessary repairs and will snoop on your computer for pics and the like, further supported by a TV stations investigation here.

If you’re bringing in your computer to be repaired, be on the look out for any strange out off the wall claims of damage. If they try to replace a part, demand to see what they are talking about and demand the original (supposedly broken) part back. For the stores, the profits are in charging high costs for cheap repairs so don't make it easy for them. The people may actually want to help you, but store policy and sales tactics (with incentives) is basically to rip you off at every opportunity so go in knowing this.

Don't assume your data is safe. If its important data, you should be backing it up anyway such as an external hard drive. If its data you don't want people to know you have, such as nude photos, porn, etc back it up temporarily to CDs, flash drive, iPod and remove it from the computer then bring the machine in. You can move it back after your machine is fixed. If you’re a gorgeous woman especially assume this is the case because most techs are horny guys. I like to think I am honest, but if that "intern" from the news report above brought her computer to me, for damn sure I am hoping she has a nude pic on that hard drive somewhere and will seek it out. Its wrong but by nature and genetics, guys can't pass up a chance to check out tail. Make sure to empty your recycle bin, temp history, etc so they don't know what you tend to do online. To do this easily I recommend CCleaner.

Use Google. It’s your friend. It’s amazing how much good advice is out there that allows you to fix your machine yourself. If help sites recommend downloading software...Google it. Make sure to verify it’s trusted. I recommended CCleaner. Don't just assume I am not up something, verify. Find out for yourself on why I might think its worth using.

Lastly, get to know a computer geek. Geeks can be good friends, generally low maintenance and will fix your computer for as cheap as a lunch (or a kiss if you’re hot). Just don't abuse them by only being friendly when need the machine looked at.