Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 14:34:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Chad <fitch609@yahoo.com>
Subject: a former CompUSA Employee
To: CyberPagan@OutoftheDark.com

I used to work at CompUSA(Store #154, IL) and I have seen everyone of these horror stories posted here come true.  Be it rebates, horrible customer service, playing phone tag, or the horrible Technical Support.  In my year and a half of working in the wretched hell hole I call CompUSA, I learned that I will never want to shop there ever again. 

When I first started off I was a cashier learning the ropes.  I quickly rose to a Customer Service Lead and was there for about a year.  That's where I got the blunt of all the crap CompUSA customers dish out.  I had been yelled at, threatened with physical violence, and management staff that had no balls.  That's when I just stopped caring.  "You don't have a receipt for that computer?  Oh sure, here's $2000 in cash for you.  Not a problem."  After a year in Customer Service, I finally got moved to the tech shop as a technician.

I had known what warrantech was previously from my encounters from Customer Service, but had never really actually dealt with them.... Until now.  Everything that these people say about CompUSA tech support and their warranties, is 100% true.  They give you the run around.  They purposely put the phones on unavailable so they won't have to deal with customers.  Your machine might have been done in an hour, but they forget to call you until a week later.  When I left, almost all warranty work had to be sent out because none of the technicians had any certifications or any authority from the major OEM manufacturers to do authorized warranty work even though there is a big sign out in the front of the Tech Services area that states they are an authorized repair center.  I found that to be amazing.  Another thing that happens in the Tech Shop that you never knew about will get your
blood pumping profusely.  Almost all of the technicians will go through your computer files and
look for dirty pictures and movies and anything else they can get there hands on.  That's a very deceptive practice in my book.

One last thing before I stop rambling on.  Anytime you have a problem trying to return something be it within the 14 day return policy or just after it, and the customer service rep tells you no for some reason or another, just climb your way up the management ladder.  Try the teenager that's usually managing the front end first off.  If he stands his ground just go the MOD (Manager on Duty).  If you yell loud enough and threaten calling the BBB (Better Business Bureau), they will get down on their knees and kiss your feet.

The one good thing that I got out of CompUSA was the friendships I made with my Co-Workers.  I also enjoyed getting free software from attending dumb conferences but that's another story.  One valuable thing that I learned from my work experience there was an good knowledge of their computer system.  Talk to all of you fellow compusa haters later.