PCs for People — Attraction in Saint Paul

I was so hopeful that the low cost internet plan that PCFP offers through Sprint would work for me. I did tons of research before I went to the St. Paul store today to sign up. I looked at the Sprint coverage, I looked up the Hotspot device, I called the store and asked questions about whether my laptop would be compatible with the service and device...I was thorough and responsible. The staff at the store was kind and helpful, even with a huge line of people waiting, in a horribly uncomfortable physical space, in freezing cold weather...nonetheless, for all of that research and all the help, I got home to spend 4 HOURS trying to get the Sprint ZTE Warp Connect to work with my MacBook, and I failed. It connected for 10 minutes, and then stopped altogether, refusing to accept the password, and eventually giving me the message that the signal couldn't be recognized. I ended up having to call tech support, and have them take me through a factory reset, and now, 36 hours later, the hotspot works, but it's a total mystery why it did what it did, and I feel like its health as a device is rather tenuous. I'm glad PCFP exists, and has resources to offer; I think, though, that it was a telling moment when I asked the staff person at the store, "So, does this internet truly work well? Is it dependable?" and she paused a long, long time. There was definitely some unspoken information in that pause.

UPDATE as of September 25, 2018: I dropped my 3-star review to 1-star. In the nine months that I've had hotspot wifi from PCFP, I have made 20 calls to Sprint Tech Support because of lack of internet. I got my ZTE device replaced four days ago, with a different hotspot modem, and I have had to call tech support EVERY SINGLE DAY because getting a brand-new modem did not solve the disappearing internet that happens EVERY SINGLE NIGHT BETWEEN 7PM AND 1:30AM. Here is the sad, sad fact: This is poverty internet. It's for people who are poor. The world does not care about people who are poor. It's your fault you're poor, says the world - and you should be duly ashamed -- so, here: have the crappiest internet service that we can still label "internet service." I would strongly STRONGLY recommend that anyone who needs internet but can't afford it do something else to procure it. Have a fundraiser. Pawn some jewelry. But...

PCs for People lied to me about the laptop computer specs and told me I had 90 days I could return it. I was very clear that I have disabilities and was in severe pain when there. A friend gave me a ride and was waiting for me. He heard the same as I was told. I was given very little info on the computer specs as well as wrong info about the computer even when I was clear I needed certain specs. I feel I was targeted and preyed on to make a sale of an inferior computer not appropriate for my uses despite my being clear what I needed. After buying it and home with it, I looked up the specs on a different computer. I never used the computer I had just bought. I immediately called them explaining I was not sold what I was told I was being sold. I was then told I can't return it for my money back to be able to get a computer I can use. I cannot read the 14" screen size laptop. They may have low cost repair prices, but they have no honor to tell the truth about what they are selling and return policies. I qualify for and would like to be able to get repairs on computers if and when I need, but, I don't like being rushed and lied to to make a quick sale. Their sales policy is in such fine print difficult to read and I was rushed to just sign "here". Beware...

I placed an order online for 3 laptops on November 18th, and it is now December 8th and I have only received 2 so far! The first 1 (shipping from Denver), arrived in time and without issue. But the second 2? They were “BOTH” supposed to be shipped out together. Got an email confirming this, with a tracking number. When I checked their status in the website, it also said both had been shipped. SURE ENOUGH, the package arrives with 1 LAPTOP IN IT. No paperwork or any mention of the other laptop that was supposed to be included in the shipment. I went through the process of informing them of this, ALMOST A WEEK AGO, and STILL NO 3RD LAPTOP. NO CONFIRMATION OF SHIPPING IR TRACKING NUMBER. NO COMMUNICATION. NOTHING. I was told I would be hearing back ASAP about my product being on the way to me. What a joke. I need to purchase a 4th laptop before Christmas and was initially planning on purchasing it from here…but why would I do that when I’m still waiting on a laptop I paid $250 for ALMOST A MONTH AGO??! My kids are currently doing online school and this whole situation has messed us up BIG TIME. I spent quite a bit of money and am extremely disappointed with this place and, at this point, will not be spending anymore money with them or recommending them to...