I've went to AYCH multiple times for computer issues. Let me start off by saying that the staff at the store are very friendly and nice.
However, here are some issues I've ran into:
- Cost Changes: Whenever I brought my laptop into the shop, I was given a cost as to how much I'd have to pay for repairs. The prices were low ($25 for first, $35, $45), but when I came to pay, I was told a different price (the new cost would increase by $40-60, sometimes even more).
When I asked why it cost as much as it did, they would state that's just simply how much it costs. But when I told them the initial cost I was told, they would tell me that the deal doesn't exist or I was never offered such a deal.
I would then tell them which staff member told me the initial cost, then I would be told that they performed additional services for my laptop (I was not contacted beforehand nor was I asked) such as cleanings, diagnostics, etc., and that this was the reason why the prices were higher.
Sometimes, if the staff member was there (the one who told me the initial cost), they would clear things up and I was able to pay for the initial cost. Other times, if they performed additional services such as cleanings, I would pay the higher price because it seemed reasonable to me.
However, this changing of costs seemed to happen each time I went there. This was the reason that lead me to go elsewhere for services.
My thoughts are this: a higher price is okay! I just don't want to deal with the prices fluctuating, from what I was told versus what I have to pay. (It comes as a big surprise at the counter!)
And if the price does go up due to additional services, that's fine! I just want to know beforehand (like a call) letting us know what services were performed, and preferably, if we could have a call before services are done to ask us if we'd like to have one.
-Installation of Programs + Deletion of your files/programs: I wasn't told of any changes to my laptop, and only found out after I asked due to my laptop being different (and missing some files).
If some programs need to be installed and or removed for better protection, that's okay, but please tell us. If I had known beforehand, and if it were possible, I would have liked to have made backups to prevent loss.
-Questionable Installations? (Important)
Some of the programs that were installed into my laptop from AYCH were Malwarebytes, Avast, CCleaner, and many others. I asked about these new programs, and was told that they were for cleaning and protection, and that I should keep all of them. (Note: I only found out yesterday but you should only keep one cleaning program, as having multiple can cause them to interfere with one another and can cause problems + slowdowns of your laptop.)
A few days ago, I got a Bluescreen. After taking it to a different repair shop, I was told that whatever I had installed had caused my laptop to Blue.
What had I installed? What Avast told me to do.
I had received a notification from Avast stating I had to update CCleaner and another program (programs installed by AYCH), I clicked "okay", and after my laptop updated, it Blued.
The new shop told me that the programs on my laptop (the ones mentioned) seemed to have come from questionable sources. (I did not tell him that someone else had installed these for me (he thought I had installed them), and he was the one to bring up the programs first.)
When I asked further about these programs + how it may have caused the problem, he said that the programs seemed legit, but was probably not downloaded from a secure site, thus, whenever the programs updated, it would sometimes install additional programs and viruses (without me knowing) that caused issues for my laptop.
In regards to this issue, I do not think it was necessarily done on purpose or with malintent or ill-will. It could have been a mistake!
I am, however, bringing this issue forward as it's important to address + look into to prevent from happening again.
- Communication/Customer Service: I was told I would receive a call for updates + when my laptop would be ready for pick up, but I would rarely receive calls, and I would instead, have to call them.
One instance, a week had passed with no word, I called, and was told they needed more time. Another week passed, I called, and repeat. When I came to pick it up, however, the repair staff told me the laptop had been fixed the day after I left it, and they were just waiting for me to come back for it.
All in all, I think these issues are important to address, but are definitely fixable. read more
