Geek Squad — Local services in Columbia

This is for BESY BUY as a whole, not so much as Geek Squad in Columbia, SC - which is where I brought my computer to be repaired.

I dropped off my computer to be repaired on Wed, 10/15/2025. I was given a tracking link to check status and "should" be ready within 3 days. Today is sunday 10/19/2025 and no update. The local number to call the store switches you to a call center. There is NO outside line the local store can use to receive phone calls from customers. The chat app said they would put in a request for the store to contact me back within 2 hours (on saturday). After 2 hours and no phone call, I texted back. I was assured I'd get a call by end of business day (8pm). At 530pm I tried again calling the local number again. I was switched to Geek Squad tech support and they can only give me the same update, that its being worked on. I was told they could switch me to a machine and I could leave a message and someone would call me back. I left the message and NO CALL BACK. How can you expect customers to leave their devices (my work computer) with them to fix and no give me a way to contact them personally. I have questions about the repair process, steps they are taking, and approx time/day it will be ready! I am left with "chat agents" who give you the same basic response back. Tech support who lie and gives you false information. This HUGE company that does not allow their customers a way to SPEAK to the person actually working on their computer./device The only way I can talk to someone, is if I go to the store personally. And to top it off, I had to pay UPFRONT for a service that I cant even talk to someone about. All other repair shops Ive been too, I have paid after the work has been completed. I will NEVER use Geek Squad...

Leaving a 3 because this is kind of neutral. This question is for anyone who might understand and be able to help. A N Y W A Y S... So I took my HP15 apart and upgraded it my self from 4gb Ram/500hdd to 8gb Ram/1tb hdd, offline rebooted it with my digi product key.. worked fine. Then a buddy of mine kind of carelessly sat his laptop down on mine to use my charger. When I used my laptop that night, i noticed my screen would display what it was supposed to when I turned it on, but there was no back lighting. I had to use a flash light at an angle. So I figured I would take it apart again, and see if I could maybe find a loose connector or something. There was nothing. And when I put it back together, it no longer turned on. The LED that indicates the laptop is being powered/charging lights up orange. (dont remember if it goes to white). But the power button LED on the keyboard does NOT light up, and it doesnt sound like the HDD is spinning up either. Is there a tiny fuse blown for it to NOT turn on now? And even if that can be bypassed and averted, will my screen work correctly? Or would it need replaced due to a damaged back light? Asking for a friend. Me... Im the friend... Anyone is welcome to answer. Any advice would help. Wether I can repair it my self or if Im best off taking it to a professional...

'Inside job' scams are perpetrated through this service. Called for in-person tech support on desktop computer, and when they scheduled the appointment, they asked scripted questions about the nature of the problem. Four hours later, got a call referencing the appointment, using same scripted questions but saying they were a senior tech, then saying they may be able to resolve online. Required taking control of my computer via download, requested additional paid download, and did not resolve problem. Called to complain, and both Best Buy and Geek Squad passed the buck and said I was scammed. When I asked to speak to security/privacy division at Geek Squad, they said they didn't have one--Seriously? You are sending randoms into people's homes and onto their computers but don't have a security division? Had to report incident to the feds. Insiders at Best Buy who know your appointment details are flagging you for follow-up scams, and the company will not accept responsibility or refund for services not rendered. DO NOT TRUST THEM...