San Marcos Computers — Local services in San Marcos

I brought my computer here in December 2020. My laptop would not power up, so I took it here because they offered "free diagnostics". I thought it was rare to come across a company so confident in their skills that they would do something like that. Kind of like finding a mechanic you can really trust. They said they would get back to me by the next day. They didn't, so I called them. They hadn't gotten around to it and said they would call by the end of the next day. They didn't, so I called them. They quoted me a repair price (that was about average according to a quick internet search). I asked what part was bad according to the "free diagnostics". They said they won't do the diagnostics until I agree to pay for the repair first. How can you ask me to pay for a repair if you don't know what is wrong with it yet?

I am shamed to say that I needed the laptop, so went ahead and paid for the repair. It now does power on... so they did fix it. But my trust in this enterprise is completely non-existent and (because the price of the repair was average for what it cost anywhere) I will certainly research other options the next time I need computer repair!

Update: It is now June 2021 (6 months later) and the computer won't turn on again. Shoddy workmanship and unreliable repair!

Update: I left a negative review because I spent 7 years in the US Armed Forces defending my right to do so. You have that right too. You are welcome. This seems to have become a case of "he said, she said", but you most certainly did tell me that you would not do the "free" diagnostic until after I agreed to pay for the repair. No, I do not believe that 8 months is a decent amount of time for a computer to work. If my car starter died again after only 8 months, I most certainly would not bring my car back to the same mechanic. And in my original review, I said that I would not bring it back to this business and why, so that answers the question of why I didn't. Everything I said in my original review still...

So glad I found this place! Great customer service and varied selection to browse for a used laptop or tower. If they don't have what you want there in the shop, they can probably get it for you within a week. Mike really helped me get what I needed for a very affordable price and went above and beyond during this process. I'd give 10 stars for customer service if I could. After shopping around for other options online, I decided that this shop (with their 6 month warranty on their laptops) was the best place to buy a used laptop without risking a bad refurbished computer experience. Yes, there are slightly cheaper used laptops online at other places, but you don't really know what you're getting with those other shops and you're definitely not getting the same customer service experience. Mike won't sell you a piece of work like some of the online refurb shops (I've read a ton of reviews about other shops selling non-working laptops), and Mike and Casey update the software and set up everything for you prior to the sale. If something does indeed go out on your computer within a very reasonable time frame (6 months), they'll take care of it. In comparison, I've seen online shops only offer a 30 day warranty. In the end, after buying from San Marcos Computers, I'm here using my new awesome laptop that has everything that I need and I'm super satisfied with the price that I paid. Very honest shop, I'd trust them to sell a quality refurbished computer to anyone. Give Mike and Casey a chance if you're debating buying a used computer from San...

Mike is a man of impecable integrity! I used to own a tech support (software, system optimization. and diagnostics) and tutoring business in Hawaii, so I know if someone is conning me about computers. Mike knows his stuff, and although I was willing to spend money on a friend's old computer (just to browse the web etc), to have Mike replace the CPU thermal paste (complete tear down $125 + $20 fan). After his thorough diagnostics, he wouldn't let me. Being totally honest about the futility of repairs on that model of laptop and it needing an upgraded fan. He found everything bad with it that I already had (dead battery, bad hard drive sectors), but also knew more about that model's substandard cooling and video chip failures etc. He never suggested buying anything from him, except when I asked. In the end he ended up not charging me a dime, despite the time he had invested with diagnostics and writting me very descriptive emails. He has earned a loyal customer, should I have a future need, that will gladly drive the 25 miles to him, because he has earned my trust. I wish I could do more, to show my appreciation, than just thanking him and leaving this review. Thank you Mike! In our industry, integrity and service like...