I'm sorry Staples but no.

[Amaris]

I don't think so.
I wouldn't let them near my stuff.

Plus if I got a new computer- sometimes they charge all this money to "set it up" -setting up a computer is dirt simple, and I think it's a good thing for new computer owners to do.

Setting up a computer is simple for you. That doesn't mean it's simple for everyone. I have setup several computers for older couples, and the fee to do so is very minimal. Plus, if I set it up, I also do a quick spring cleaning and remove programs that are bloated and will slow down a computer, and optimize it for hassle free operation.

Older people can still learn, maybe a tech savvy friend could be present, but some of those setup fees are plain robbery. I've seen fees like... 100$ to set up your new computer. Insane.

$100 is outrageous. My company charges $10.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I don't know how the chain is doing overall, but the Staples near me has a big parking lot that's always, always empty.

What motive does someone have to follow the privacy policy when they're probably going to be out of a job tomorrow anyway?

Probably general complete indifference to your personal information combined with either a lack of knowledge on how to profit from your info or a conscience of some kind.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I wouldn't let a company transfer my info for me. I'd insist on doing it myself.

That being said, I don't have much TO transfer in the first place. For what little info I do need to save, I find that Dropbox is an excellent way to back it up.

 

[Kestra]

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8D1e3kD4W8&CMXID[/yt]

The actual video, in case anyone cares.

I guess the "joke" is that their computer wasn't even good enough to steal, which indicated to the materially-obsessed yuppie couple that they should get a new one that is worth stealing.

Is a couple who has bought a new computer in what looks like 30 years really going to have that many files needing transferring over? I mean if you haven't beaten Space Quest IV yet then it's time to give it up.

And going from a desktop to a small laptop is a pretty odd move to make. Laptops these days, yes, can be very, very capable bu I still think a desktop PC is the better route for people to go.

I doubt the average person is going to choose a desktop over a laptop. If you're using the desktop for your job or gaming it makes sense, but more and more people can get away with using a laptop. Especially when it's a beast of a laptop like the one I have.

 

[KJbushway]

Plus if they have a kid. More than likely that kid will want their parents to have a fast and easily upgradable computer that will last. That screams pc.

 

[Myasishchev]

The actual video, in case anyone cares.

I guess the "joke" is that their computer wasn't even good enough to steal, which indicated to the materially-obsessed yuppie couple that they should get a new one that is worth stealing.

Interestingly, if you spend enough to get really big things, they can become too unwieldy to steal. Which is how my spendthrift ways saved my awesome television from robbers. USA!

 

[STR]

Right, and I get the joke part. But even though staples is a big store like office depot. I just can't see myself having my computer files(lets say its without internet) being transfered, when I can do it on my own. It just doesn't seem safe to me.

If staples employees are anything like Geek Squad, they really don't care about your tax info. They're just going to make a quick search for any porn on your hard drive, and if your wife/gf/chick from the internet is hot enough, they'll copy it onto a thumb drive for later enjoyment and possible posting on 4Chan.

Moral of the story? If your woman is nice enough to pose for you, return the courtesy and two-factor encrypt the photos.

For the record, I have never worked for Best Buy, but I know a lot that did and one that still does (a lifer it seems).

 

[Sector 7]

Setting up a computer is simple for you. That doesn't mean it's simple for everyone. I have setup several computers for older couples, and the fee to do so is very minimal. Plus, if I set it up, I also do a quick spring cleaning and remove programs that are bloated and will slow down a computer, and optimize it for hassle free operation.

Older people can still learn, maybe a tech savvy friend could be present, but some of those setup fees are plain robbery. I've seen fees like... 100$ to set up your new computer. Insane.

$100 is outrageous. My company charges $10.

I do clean up, virus removal and set up for a small fee. I have 2 fee levels: $25.00 if it is fairly simple; $50.00 if it is difficult. Most of my clients are Mom's nurses and home health aides. I helped one and now I have a referral customer base!

 

[Amaris]

I do clean up, virus removal and set up for a small fee. I have 2 fee levels: $25.00 if it is fairly simple; $50.00 if it is difficult.

Yeah, we use a tiered system based on difficulty, too. It just makes sense, and I like it better than per hour metering.

Most of my clients are Mom's nurses and home health aides. I helped one and now I have a referral customer base!

That's a good idea!

 

[archeryguy1701]

The problem is that the average user generally has no idea how to transfer all of their files over. And in my experience, the crowd that doesn't know how to do things like that are split down the middle between being too paranoid and not paranoid enough. Is it the best idea in the world? No. But if they don't know a friend who is technical, I doubt they're going to run around looking for that someone when they have an easy option like this.

Plus if they have a kid. More than likely that kid will want their parents to have a fast and easily upgradable computer that will last. That screams pc.

The thing is that if they don't know how to transfer their own files, then they definitely won't know diddly about upgrading. To them, if their computer can't run something, it's either suck-it-up-and-deal time or it's new computer time..

 

[KJbushway]

Yes, but more than likely their kids will know far more about computers than their parents.

 

[sojourner]

^Kids don't write the checks.

 

[KJbushway]

True, but Parent's do and today for the most part Kids rule their parents.

 

[Amaris]

The problem is that the average user generally has no idea how to transfer all of their files over. And in my experience, the crowd that doesn't know how to do things like that are split down the middle between being too paranoid and not paranoid enough. Is it the best idea in the world? No. But if they don't know a friend who is technical, I doubt they're going to run around looking for that someone when they have an easy option like this.

Plus if they have a kid. More than likely that kid will want their parents to have a fast and easily upgradable computer that will last. That screams pc.

The thing is that if they don't know how to transfer their own files, then they definitely won't know diddly about upgrading. To them, if their computer can't run something, it's either suck-it-up-and-deal time or it's new computer time..

Unless they happen to find a PC repair business that is willing to explain things in layman's terms. That's actually a focus of my business. The repair businesses around here have ultra-nerds, while they're pretty good on the repair side (if they're honest and most aren't), they're also guys who get frustrated if you ask questions, guys who expect you to know your computer inside and out whether you're 4 or 94, guys who can't relate to people on that very important customer service level. I can, and that is part of my strong suit.

 

[KJbushway]

Yeah its most people expirence that computer specialist have this thing about them that makes them think they are the bee's knees and everyone is below them.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah its most people expirence that computer specialist have this thing about them that makes them think they are the bee's knees and everyone is below them.

Well, I wouldn't say it's arrogance, it's more likely to be impatience. At least, that's what I have experienced when dealing with many PC repair specialists (at least small town types).

 

[KJbushway]

Yeah I can kinda see that.

 

[Amaris]

Fortunately, I have a great deal of patience, and a desire to be honest and upfront.

 

[JoeZhang]

Then of course there is the free technical support that family members tend to expect from any of us with any technical knowledge...

 

[Guitarded]

Then of course there is the free technical support that family members tend to expect from any of us with any technical knowledge...

http://xkcd.com/627/

I gave that to my mom at one point.