usvi-on-line
Coral Bay Computers
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coralbaydigital
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:24 am
- Location: Coral Bay - St. John
Coral Bay Computers
Coral Bay Computers - Cocolobo Plaza, Coral Bay
(Computer Repair)
Recently, my laptop needed a manual reset - a fairly simply job that involved opening the case and pushing a small recessed button on the motherboard. No big deal. However, seeing as how I did not have the proper screwdriver for the job - I decided to give these guys the business.
I brought my laptop in, explained the problem to them, and was quoted $60 for the 1-hour they said it would take to do the job. A little steep IMHO (considering that with the right tool, I could have done it in 15-20 minutes), but still, fairly reasonable. I like supporting local businesses and was willing to pay for the convenience of getting it done that-day instead of waiting until I could get over to St Thomas for the right screwdriver. Especially considering the fact that I was knee-deep in a web-design project and needed my machine back ASAP.
Something told me to be wary, so I negotiated with them that I leave the laptop, pay them $30 up-front (half) and then pay them the other-half ($30) upon confirmation that the job had been done correctly (which required me taking the laptop home and putting it through it's paces). In other words, I made it quite clear that if the job was not done right, I was not going to come back and pay the additional $30. They said they were fine with that.
Later, upon getting the machine home and testing it, I found that - in addition to them not properly resetting it (the whole purpose of my visit) - my laptop's wireless switch had been physically broken-off. Rather than apologize and offer to refund my initial $30-down, they had the nerve to demand the other $30! Their argument being that an hour's worth of labor is an hour's worth of labor. Fruitless or otherwise. Good thing I already had the machine back in my custody.
To add insult to injury, (when I protested) they then offered to solder-in an after-market WiFi switch (as-in: to modify the actual motherboard) for an additional $60!!! No way! I wasn't about to let them take a soldering-iron to my machine at that point ... Much less pay them more for repairing damage that they themselves had done.
I walked out.
About a week later, I received word via the coconut-telegraph / grapevine that they had posted a sign in their window, containing a list of names of local patrons that they claimed owed them money - along with the amounts they supposedly owed and a notice stating that there would be a $2 a-day charge for every day that the debt went unpaid...
AND (get this) next to my name was listed the amount: $60 !!!
Charging me $90 total to break my laptop?!?
I was so completely beyond furious at this point, that all I could do was laugh about it!
(it is kind-of funny in a sick way, when you think about it)
Suffice it to say, aside from the initial $30 they got from me (which I still think they should refund). I never paid them the rest and never will.
I heard later that the signs were eventually removed. Apparently, there was a strong community opposition to the whole sign-posting-thing. Some of the other names that were listed on the signs later approached me and told me stories similar to my own about their dealings with CBC. Wow!
What an easily-avoidable kerfuffle it all was!
Other than writing this single forum entry (which I am mirroring on my <a href="http://coralbaydigital.com/blog" target="_blank">blog</a>), I am through with Coral Bay Computer for good.
I just wonder how long it will take them to alienate their way out of business.
(Computer Repair)
Recently, my laptop needed a manual reset - a fairly simply job that involved opening the case and pushing a small recessed button on the motherboard. No big deal. However, seeing as how I did not have the proper screwdriver for the job - I decided to give these guys the business.
I brought my laptop in, explained the problem to them, and was quoted $60 for the 1-hour they said it would take to do the job. A little steep IMHO (considering that with the right tool, I could have done it in 15-20 minutes), but still, fairly reasonable. I like supporting local businesses and was willing to pay for the convenience of getting it done that-day instead of waiting until I could get over to St Thomas for the right screwdriver. Especially considering the fact that I was knee-deep in a web-design project and needed my machine back ASAP.
Something told me to be wary, so I negotiated with them that I leave the laptop, pay them $30 up-front (half) and then pay them the other-half ($30) upon confirmation that the job had been done correctly (which required me taking the laptop home and putting it through it's paces). In other words, I made it quite clear that if the job was not done right, I was not going to come back and pay the additional $30. They said they were fine with that.
Later, upon getting the machine home and testing it, I found that - in addition to them not properly resetting it (the whole purpose of my visit) - my laptop's wireless switch had been physically broken-off. Rather than apologize and offer to refund my initial $30-down, they had the nerve to demand the other $30! Their argument being that an hour's worth of labor is an hour's worth of labor. Fruitless or otherwise. Good thing I already had the machine back in my custody.
To add insult to injury, (when I protested) they then offered to solder-in an after-market WiFi switch (as-in: to modify the actual motherboard) for an additional $60!!! No way! I wasn't about to let them take a soldering-iron to my machine at that point ... Much less pay them more for repairing damage that they themselves had done.
I walked out.
About a week later, I received word via the coconut-telegraph / grapevine that they had posted a sign in their window, containing a list of names of local patrons that they claimed owed them money - along with the amounts they supposedly owed and a notice stating that there would be a $2 a-day charge for every day that the debt went unpaid...
AND (get this) next to my name was listed the amount: $60 !!!
Charging me $90 total to break my laptop?!?
I was so completely beyond furious at this point, that all I could do was laugh about it!
(it is kind-of funny in a sick way, when you think about it)
Suffice it to say, aside from the initial $30 they got from me (which I still think they should refund). I never paid them the rest and never will.
I heard later that the signs were eventually removed. Apparently, there was a strong community opposition to the whole sign-posting-thing. Some of the other names that were listed on the signs later approached me and told me stories similar to my own about their dealings with CBC. Wow!
What an easily-avoidable kerfuffle it all was!
Other than writing this single forum entry (which I am mirroring on my <a href="http://coralbaydigital.com/blog" target="_blank">blog</a>), I am through with Coral Bay Computer for good.
I just wonder how long it will take them to alienate their way out of business.
<img src="http://coralbaydigital.com/images/card.jpg">
I appreciate your frustration, but may I respectfully request that this is not the only time you use this forum? As someone on island, you probably have a lot of knowledge that people using this forum will be seeking.
Stick around, share your experience. But please don't limit your time here to post a negative business review, albeit one that sounds like it was deserved.
Thank you!
Lovermont
Stick around, share your experience. But please don't limit your time here to post a negative business review, albeit one that sounds like it was deserved.
Thank you!
Lovermont
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coralbaydigital
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:24 am
- Location: Coral Bay - St. John
You Bet!
Lovermont,
Absolutely! I just discovered this forum and intend to make full use of it. It seems like a great resource.
-CBD
UPDATE:
Someone just asked me if Coral Bay Digital (not to be confused with Coral Bay Computers) is a competitor.
We are not.
Coral Bay Digital provides computer-consulting and web-development/design services only.
We do not do computer repairs and are in no way-shape-or-form a competing business.
We used to have a small repair shop back in `03-`04 but gave that up after getting more heavily into web-design and development.
Sorry for any confusion.
Absolutely! I just discovered this forum and intend to make full use of it. It seems like a great resource.
-CBD
UPDATE:
Someone just asked me if Coral Bay Digital (not to be confused with Coral Bay Computers) is a competitor.
We are not.
Coral Bay Digital provides computer-consulting and web-development/design services only.
We do not do computer repairs and are in no way-shape-or-form a competing business.
We used to have a small repair shop back in `03-`04 but gave that up after getting more heavily into web-design and development.
Sorry for any confusion.
Last edited by coralbaydigital on Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
<img src="http://coralbaydigital.com/images/card.jpg">
Anthony -- Astroturf Alert!
I'm sure that if you'd like to advertise your business and trash other on island businesses in the process, then Anthony will take your money.
But this forum does not appreciate astroturfing and your message will be deleted by the moderator.
Now if you genuinely want to be part of this on line COMMUNITY -- as many other local business owners are -- and provide free advice to people on travel to the VI then please feel free to join us in the sandbox.
Otherwise.... move along.
I'm sure that if you'd like to advertise your business and trash other on island businesses in the process, then Anthony will take your money.
But this forum does not appreciate astroturfing and your message will be deleted by the moderator.
Now if you genuinely want to be part of this on line COMMUNITY -- as many other local business owners are -- and provide free advice to people on travel to the VI then please feel free to join us in the sandbox.
Otherwise.... move along.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
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coralbaydigital
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:24 am
- Location: Coral Bay - St. John
Anthony
Gromit,
I am not on here to "astroturf", "advertise [my] business" or to "trash other on island businesses"... Simply to share and to participate in the community.
BTW:
I fully intend to stick around, so if anyone has a computer or internet-related question that they need answered free-of-charge, please feel free to PM me. I am here to help.
Thanks for the "alert" but - in an effort to ensure that everything was 'kosher' - I made sure to discuss this post extensively with Anthony before I ever posted."I'm sure that if you'd like to advertise your business and trash other on island businesses in the process, then Anthony will take your money.
But this forum does not appreciate astroturfing and your message will be deleted by the moderator.
Now if you genuinely want to be part of this on line COMMUNITY -- as many other local business owners are -- and provide free advice to people on travel to the VI then please feel free to join us in the sandbox.
Otherwise.... move along."
I am not on here to "astroturf", "advertise [my] business" or to "trash other on island businesses"... Simply to share and to participate in the community.
BTW:
I fully intend to stick around, so if anyone has a computer or internet-related question that they need answered free-of-charge, please feel free to PM me. I am here to help.
<img src="http://coralbaydigital.com/images/card.jpg">
May I suggest - in future then - that you become more engaged before posting something so clearly negative out of the blue?
For folks who have been around for a while this approach just comes across as "fishy" to say the least.
For future reference a topic on a subject matter like this should be directed to the "Off Topic" forum. We generally stick to travel realted stuff on this side of the forum.
If indeed to you are here to play nice, then welcome.
If not, see my previous post.
For folks who have been around for a while this approach just comes across as "fishy" to say the least.
For future reference a topic on a subject matter like this should be directed to the "Off Topic" forum. We generally stick to travel realted stuff on this side of the forum.
If indeed to you are here to play nice, then welcome.
If not, see my previous post.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Welcome CBD! What a beautiful island you live on!
I understand your frustration. I am often shocked that companies are allowed to charge for a service that they didn't properly complete. I understand that they have time invested and possibly materials but . . . they should know their expertise well enough to know if they can complete the job . . . if they can't they should swallow their pride and admit it before they spend more time on it. Instead they tell us that they couldn't do it and here is my bill. And then to break something and not even mention it? Wow! I don't know the company and I am only talking in general terms about the service industry. I can't believe that they get by with it.
The sign in the window is pretty funny. I have seen on cash registers "don't take checks from" and I can't help but read it. I have wondered it that is legal.
Gina
I understand your frustration. I am often shocked that companies are allowed to charge for a service that they didn't properly complete. I understand that they have time invested and possibly materials but . . . they should know their expertise well enough to know if they can complete the job . . . if they can't they should swallow their pride and admit it before they spend more time on it. Instead they tell us that they couldn't do it and here is my bill. And then to break something and not even mention it? Wow! I don't know the company and I am only talking in general terms about the service industry. I can't believe that they get by with it.
The sign in the window is pretty funny. I have seen on cash registers "don't take checks from" and I can't help but read it. I have wondered it that is legal.
Gina
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coralbaydigital
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:24 am
- Location: Coral Bay - St. John
If it's any consolation Gromit, I asked Anthony which forum this should go in and he advised me that this was the proper place."
Gromit:
May I suggest - in future then - that you become more engaged before posting something so clearly negative out of the blue?
For folks who have been around for a while this approach just comes across as "fishy" to say the least.
For future reference a topic on a subject matter like this should be directed to the "Off Topic" forum. We generally stick to travel related stuff on this side of the forum.
If indeed to you are here to play nice, then welcome.
If not, see my previous post."
Obviously, I'm sort of new here and don't really know the proper etiquette yet.
...My Bad!
<img src="http://coralbaydigital.com/images/card.jpg">
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California Girl
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coralbaydigital
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:24 am
- Location: Coral Bay - St. John
Thanks for the encouraging words XOXO.
I don't really know about the specific legality of signs like that, but I too have seen them in bars and restaurants.
There are a few notable differences here:
1) The signs you see in restaurants are typically designed for the staff (as-in: to alert them about who's credit-cards/checks to refuse)... Sort of an 'internal memo' type of thing.
2) Restaurants usually only do this sort of thing reluctantly and as a 'last-resort', after someone has genuinely stiffed them.
3) The signs in-question were posted on the outside of the business - broadcasting this message to the public in high-traffic area (as opposed to an 'internal memo' type of thing).
Typically, if you say something negative - about a business or an individual - that is true, there is nothing illegal about it. Where-as, if you spread lies, you can be held liable for slander.
I felt that these signs were slanderous but decided against taking any kind of legal action as I had no physical evidence - only eye-witness testimony. Also, the frustration made me want to just wash my hands of the entire event.
I don't really know about the specific legality of signs like that, but I too have seen them in bars and restaurants.
There are a few notable differences here:
1) The signs you see in restaurants are typically designed for the staff (as-in: to alert them about who's credit-cards/checks to refuse)... Sort of an 'internal memo' type of thing.
2) Restaurants usually only do this sort of thing reluctantly and as a 'last-resort', after someone has genuinely stiffed them.
3) The signs in-question were posted on the outside of the business - broadcasting this message to the public in high-traffic area (as opposed to an 'internal memo' type of thing).
Typically, if you say something negative - about a business or an individual - that is true, there is nothing illegal about it. Where-as, if you spread lies, you can be held liable for slander.
I felt that these signs were slanderous but decided against taking any kind of legal action as I had no physical evidence - only eye-witness testimony. Also, the frustration made me want to just wash my hands of the entire event.
<img src="http://coralbaydigital.com/images/card.jpg">
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coralbaydigital
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:24 am
- Location: Coral Bay - St. John
That would be my fault Anthony.Anthony
"I should have suggested the off topic - or maybe even the relocation. I wasn't sure what type of business it was beforehand."
I should have given you more info, but I was trying to be brief.
Now I know.
Last edited by coralbaydigital on Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
<img src="http://coralbaydigital.com/images/card.jpg">
Welcome CBC....I'm looking forward to reading your posts about on Island life! As was stated, there are several (locals) on here who have extremely valuable information from which we glean information.
Anyway, isn't there another computer repair shop in Cruz Bay, or did that one go away? Seems like I remember reading somewhere that one was for sale over there. I guess if you're the only business in town...or on Island....you can post whatever posters you want on your front window......doesn't make it right, or wanted, but I guess they can do it...
Welcome again!
-Bert
Anyway, isn't there another computer repair shop in Cruz Bay, or did that one go away? Seems like I remember reading somewhere that one was for sale over there. I guess if you're the only business in town...or on Island....you can post whatever posters you want on your front window......doesn't make it right, or wanted, but I guess they can do it...
Welcome again!
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
