Experimax Houston Heights — Local services in Houston

Let me begin by saying that the staff I did interact with in person and over the phone were extremely kind; however, in my case, that's all I can say they provided me.

I did a lot of research trying to locate a business that performed motherboard socket repair/replacement. Those that work in this industry should understand that this involves intricate soldering (reflow) work. On my initial call I indicated that I have a motherboard with damaged CPU socket pins and would like for them to perform a 1366 LGA CPU socket replacement. I offered to buy the socket if needed too, and also explained I'm familiar with the process, but I do not have the equipment or time currently to perform the work myself. The person I spoke to agreed all the way through and assured me for $150 to $200 it would be done.

I brought my motherboard in at the end of that same week. Upon dropping it off, the person at the front counter immediately asked me why this part looked this way (referring to my motherboard). This was a big red flag to me as you have a person receiving equipment without knowledge of what it is. That can easily translate to mishandling of the equipment and the process of getting it repaired. I suppose my concern caught their attention and from that point on there was a superficial aura of confidence about them. Claiming industry knowledge to ease my doubt. I ignored it considering that the person that accepted the item would not be working on it.

About 3-4 days into having my motherboard, I called to ask what the status was. I was told that the technician had left a note simply stating that the pins were bent and that's why the motherboard didn't work. Holding back some of my frustration at this obvious lack of attention to detail, I told them that I was well aware of this. And that's why I brought it to them along with a CPU to test the board once the socket was repaired or replaced.

Another 3 or so days go by and I get a call late in the evening stating the technician would not be able to perform the work because the entire motherboard needs to be replaced. And that I could pick it up at my earliest convenience. At this point, I'm thinking why did I waste my time and gas for something I clearly explained multiple times--in person and over the phone? In speaking with the representative that left the voicemail, I asked "why was I asked to drive this distance if you weren't capable of providing the service?" I was then told that they perform logic board repairs if let's say a fuse blew out or something like that." In the 15+ years I have serviced consumer level PC's myself, I have never seen a fuse on those motherboards. Amps, receivers, appliances, PSU's, vehicle or industry level logic boards, yes. But never a post 2005 consumer PC motherboard...

Again, they seem like nice people, but wasting my gas and time like that was extremely frustrating and disappointing. Sadly, I'm very familiar with this tactic where businesses say something promising to get you in the door, but no one needs to be misinformed like that. And, if you're going to advertise your services, understand what your people and equipment can actually do.

I can't honestly say I'll be recommending them moving forward if they're incapable of assessing their service limitations and understanding what a customer has clearly...

"Now, I have a phone that is in worse condition than when I brought it into the store, and have to buy a new one."

I purchased a Desktop Computer and phone screen repair at the Houston Heights location. I brought my phone with a cracked screen for Patricia Maddux - the owner, to repair yesterday, 10/17/18. My phone functioned great, I was just tired of looking at the cracks in my screen. I was able to make calls, texts, and use apps simultaneously during and not during charging.

She was friendly, and glad to do it. When I returned, to retrieve my phone, there was a new screen on it. It looked good. When I took the phone home and plugged it up to be charged, I noticed it would not stay on. I decided to let it charge to full capacity before reusing it. The phone never went past a 3 percent charge, and would not stay on, even while plugged in. I took the phone back to Patricia. I remained in the store for an hour and a half awaiting the repair. She insisted my phone had an old battery, and that she would switch it out with a new one. That did not mend the issue.

Ultimately she put the old, cracked screen, back on the phone, and refunded my money. The phone continued to shut off and maintain the same issue, even after changing the screen back to the original. I asked Patricia if something happened during the repair that caused this issue. I explained to her that I have never had this problem with my phone until I gave it to her.

Patricia became defensive and raised her voice a bit and told me. "I didn't butcher your phone, I don't know what's going on with it. I don't know if you had that issue before, but I do this all the time and that has never happened before," she went on to insinuate the issue was likely my fault, and there was no possible way she caused the damage. I continued to explain to her that my phone functioned well, prior to my visit. She maintained a hostile, non apologetic attitude.

Nonetheless, I received my refund and carried on. I did not like the way she treated me, with 0 integrity, especially because I still purchased the desktop from her location. Now, I have a phone that is in worse condition than when I brought it into the store, and have to buy a new one.

I just wish she would have at least been more apologetic and provide customer service. She made me feel inferior, and as though I was a liar. Now, I'm without a phone. It would have been nice if she could have provided me another iPhone at a discounted price, but she offered me one...

Anyone who has ever written even two or three reviews has written one where you said, "I wish there were 0 stars as .... does not deserve even one! Well, with Experimac I wish there were 10 stars. I have a 17" Macbook Pro that I love from 2011. The wifi started failing intermittently and I took it into another place to get help and they replaced the wifi card for just over $100. A day later I was still having the same problem and they gave me my money back, put in the old card, and told me it was "probably the motherboard" and they don't work on motherboards. By chance I had lunch with a friend who mentioned he was taking his daughters Macbook to a place called Experimac that he had used before and they were great. I went in and they told me it would be $39.99 for the diagnostic which seemed fair to me. Two days later they let me know it was fixed and that the problem was the OS. They had uninstalled and reinstalled the OS and the computer was working great. I went in to pick it up today and the total charge was $64!! As I was walking out I remembered I needed three screws in the bottom and asked about that and they immediately took it back and a minute later were out with it. No charge. That is how a good business works! I recommend anyone who has a Mac problem go to Experimac. Pleasant, knowledgeable team and a real commitment to...