On Feb. 14, my old laptop imploded without warning, so I decided on a new laptop
at Staples in Queensbury (I actually had to drive to the Saratoga store that
evening to get one out of inventory) and bring it to North Country Computer, South Glens Falls, first
thing Friday to have the new one programmed and transfer files from my old
laptop. I used NCC in November 2018 to have the old laptop cleaned and tuned
up, without a problem.
Friday morning, owner Alan Turner was at the store to handle the matter and,
without me asking, said I "should" have them both back sometime that afternoon.
I then called him 90 minutes later to provide another password that would make
transfer of my email system easier; however, a woman who answered the phone said
Turner was busy, so I asked to have him call me back to provide the password.
There was no call back as I stayed at home, plus I have voice mail. I called
again at 4:30 p.m. and only got voice mail (the hours of business are advertised
as 9 to 5).
As a result, I was without a home computer all weekend, with no warning or
explanation. I again drove to NCC first thing Monday (Presidents Day) to find
the store closed for the holiday. I never received a call from NCC all weekend.
I returned AGAIN on Tuesday morning and spoke with the senior tech (no
one else was coming in that day, he told me), explained the situation and he
confirmed that my computers were on the work bench in back with directions on
what had to be done.
In other words, NOTHING had been done on the computers since they were dropped off,
despite the assurances. My understanding was the new computer hadn't even been
taken out of the box yet. In his defense, the tech didn't know what was happening as
he wasn't at work Friday as I voiced some frustration but did so calmly since it
wasn't his fault. I was so close to just taking my items and take it back to
Staples --- in Queensbury or Saratoga --- to have their "geeks" do the work, or
to the Queensbury computer store that was ranked No. 1 by Post-Star readers last
year. Somehow, NCC was ranked second. I went ahead and left it in the tech's hands for one last try,
and I got the computers back Tuesday afternoon.
How is this any way to run a small business, or any business for that matter? I
suspect Turner closed the store even earlier than 4:30 p.m. Friday, without any
regard for at least my business -- no phone call or communication of any kind to
at least say the work wouldn't be done, as expected. I was and still am
disgusted. I see Turner shows off his chamber of commerce membership, yet treats me in a
totally unprofessional, shoddy manner. If you haven't caught on yet, I want
nothing to do with Turner or NCC, and you can bet the mortgage I'll be spreading
word of this business' ethics.
I'm a big supporter of small business --- from haircuts at Kip's to dental work
at Village Dentistry (just got my teeth cleaned Wednesday morning) to dropping
off food at the community center (they did my income tax returns for free
Tuesday night) to Noble's hardware to eating at the new Mexican restaurant ---
but this experience was really maddening.
I was the communications manager for a large chamber of commerce in the Capital
District, and if I purposefully or willfully didn't return even one phone call
or email from chamber members or the inquiring public, I would be, at the very
least, excoriated by my boss and probably fired. Here I am, a repeat paying
customer and I get ignored. At least one South Glens Falls-Moreau chamber member needs to get specialized training.
In closing, I would recommend anyone who needs computer work done to go elsewhere; you'll never know if you will be next to be treated like dirt. read more
