Next time you try to f*** me, at least kiss me first.

aka My Review of “My Computer Mate” computer repair service.
I'm not a spiteful person, but when someone claims to provide a service, then does a piss poor job of it, and has the gall to say if you want it done right way, pay up again.
The Monitor on my Acer All in one Z5761 was intermittently failing. Called around and did some research, and was told that the 'inverter board' was failing and needed to be replaced. Off I went in search of part, and located it, bought it.
Then shopped around for a repair tech. Called a few of them before Wing found My Computer Mate, and suggested to call.
I did, and spoke at length with David, who appears to be the sole proprietor of the place. He said he was well versed in All in Ones, and swapping out the inverter board would take about an hour. He sounded so knowledgeable, a time was arranged for him to come and swap out the part.
I set up a work area, and when he arrived, I asked him repeatedly if there was anything he needed (you know, keyboard, mouse, speakers, or other computer items). He kept assuring me that no,nothing needed, and he proceeded to dismantle the computer. After an hour, he couldn't locate where the inverter board should go. So, he took a few more things apart, still no joy.
What set my spidey sense a-tingling was when I saw him looking at an online parts list for my computer right there and then. I thought he knew about them, and what went into them. Turns out, there is no inverter board for my computer. That the seller of the part had juxtaposed two digits in the model number. If David was so well versed in All in Ones, why didn't he know this ahead of time? Or why didn't he at least look this up prior to the attempt to fix mine?
I admit, he worked for three hours and only charged me for two. That isn't the issue.
The issue is this: he put my computer back together incorrectly. The monitor no longer had touch screen abilities (which it did even if the monitor was off), the webcam is now angled up and has a great view of the ac vent, and the audio for my blu-ray drive wasn't working.
When I informed him of these things, he told me he asked if I was satisfied with his reassembling of my computer and that I said I was satisfied.
I called the ACCC and gave them the whole story. According to them, someone who provides a service must do so with due care and skill. Seeing as I went from having an intermittently working screen, to having it, the webcam and the audio from the bluray not working, he didn't not do so with "due care and skill".
So yes, he said he will give me a full refund, but will NOT fix his f***ups unless I am willing to pay him more.
Sorry, but I never give a dog a 2nd chance to bite.

Say what? You're joking.. right?

After I sent and email, text messages, and then a contact request via their own website, the repair tech guy, finally called me back. 
I told him that no only wasn't the touch screen working, that the monitor doesn't even flick on then go off, but as I posted yesterday, the webcam is pointing at the ceiling now.
His response was (and this is almost verbatim) "I was there for 3 hours and only charged you for two. And you said you were satisfied with the results."
"How could I be satisfied when I didn't have the computer set up and tested. Yes, you worked for three hours, charged me for only two, but you made my computer problem worse."
His reply "Well, I could come out there and fix it, but I would have to charge you for that time, too."
Ok, I admit, I got pissed off... but I didn't swear.
"You didn't fix my computer, you made more problems (the touch screen not working, the webcam not seated), and you want me to pay for you to come back and fix YOUR mistakes? " (he started muttering something about having customers, and this is where I my temper got the better of me) I'm sure in you're in a big hurry to screw other people over."  and I hung up.
Then I called the ACCC and got some information to file a formal letter of complaint to him about charging me for services that were not performed with due care and skill.
It seems that my sending him email about the touch screen not working and the webcam not working right the very next day was one of the best things I could do. It started a 'paper trail'.
Will wait for Wing to get home to get the legalese terms correct.

Ok, now I'm annoyed

Yesterday, I hired someone to come to the house to install/replace inverter board for my all in one computer monitor.  He spoke as if he knew both where the board was, and how to fix it, and that it would only take one hour.

After dismantling the back of the computer, he couldn't find the inverter board. He checked online, and yes, the part I had was supposed to be the part for the Acer Aspire Z5761. but it wasn't anywhere to be found.  So, he took my computer down to its component parts.  No inverter board to be found anywhere.  Only then does he look at a list of parts for the computer, a list that only professionals or tech stores can access.  No inverter board for my Acer Aspire all in one, but there is in others.

He put my computer back together (I thought) but now, the monitor doesn't even 'try' to come on, and touch screen functions don't work, and the webcam is staring at the ceiling. 

He made my computer worse than it was, and I paid for the fucking privilege.

According to their website, they guarantee the computer gets fixed, or you don't pay.  I want a refund.

Wasn't quite the results I was hoping for.

Turns out the seller of the Inverter Board listed wrong model compatibility.  In home tech spent hours taking my computer down to its parts and there is no, I repeat, no inverter or inverter board located anywhere in the machine.

I have informed the seller of inverter board of this, and the out of pocket cost for having a tech work in my home ($110 ph labor. Luckily for me he didn't charge me for all 4 hours, just 2. )

The goodish news is it. Everything is set up again as it was, using two external monitors.  Also, whoever designed this computer had oatmeal for brains. There is an hdmi out cable that goes no where.  So, after bank account recovers from this expense, since the computer itself is in great condition, I am going to get an HDMI out compatible monitor, and an HDMI extension and just rock two monitors. 

Problems solved!

Mega kudos to Alan for helping me get everything set up again.  Worth his weight in gold, he is.

1, 2, 3, 4, get the laundry off the floor

Would be great if Loki would stop deciding to make himself a 'nest'.

Still feeling "Con Hangover", mostly because Wing unwisely planned for activities the day after. My plans were get laundry washed, hung on the line, folded, put away, do some reading, some photo processing and general vegging out.

*sigh*

SwanCon #39, "Conjuration"

Opening ceremonies were rousing, as usual. Coman is a great emCee.

Sat in on panel about using social media to keep a strong web presence. The pros and cons, and how we (collective we) each have a different way to handle the faceless trolls whose only claims to 'fame' are being able to type FIRST on a blog post or seem to enjoy just being nasty.  Jim Butcher said it wonderfully: The first person who gets mad loses. 

That's pretty much what I live by.

This is why I will be giving "Canon Shine" a miss

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