Complaint Review: Best Buy Extended Computer Warrenty Is Worthless

I purchased a Build To Own Compaq Presario 5000 a year and a half ago. Came with ME operating system. Has been nothing but problems. Most recently...I've had it into Best Buy service 3 times because it wouldn't run and/or restore. Each time they've fixed it and returned it to me.

The last time it went in, Jan 2003, they had it almost a month. At the time I brought it in, it would not even restored. They took the machine and said they were sending it back to Compaq.

3 days later they called saying it was done. I questioned that and they checked. Turns out they needed the software. They hadn't even sent it in yet.

When it did come back from Compaq, about 3-4 weeks later, the Service Order said: "Tested Unit. No defect or improper operation was found." (Gee, I guess it was my imagination) During the time they had it, I was forced to purchase another machine (Sony this time, not Compaq). I work at home, and couldn't do without.

I brought my machine back from being repaired (or not), I turned it on, booted to Windows, and shut it off. Okay, it works. Didn't turn it on again for two weeks. (Was using the new Sony). When I did turn it on for the second time, it wouldn't boot up. So back to Best Buy.

I have the extended warrenty. Says after 3 repairs, they will replace the machine. Well, come to find out...it's only hardware replacements. Not software problems. And since the last time they had it, they claimed nothing was wrong...that as well as one other visit that was software related doesn't count.

I have not been able to use this computer since Oct 2002. I bring it in, they fix it, I bring it back, they fix it...and so on and so forth. It's a lemon. And they won't back their product or their warrenty.

I will not buy from Best Buy again. And at this point, I'm stuck with a computer I can't use.

Carla
Grand Rapids, Michigan
U.S.A.