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- First reviewNovember 14, 2009
- Last reviewNovember 14, 2009
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- Average rating2
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ChrisSF's Reviews
Service Highlights Set up newly purchased TV Connect up to 7 components in 1 room (e.g., DVD player, gaming system) Set up speakers and receiver in 1 room Mount speakers on wall, in wall or in ceiling Secure customer supplied mounting bracket and mount TV (33"~60" class) Conceal wires (from TV to single tuner AND speaker wires) Neatly dress exposed wires Program the basic functions of manufacturer-supplied remotes Ensure all equipment works properly and demonstrate how to use Have questions about this Geek Squad service? Ask fellow shoppers and Best Buy staff. Share your answers.
Customer Rating
2
Eyeball it, off center, too low... yeah...
on November 14, 2009
Posted by: ChrisSF
from SF, CA
I bought the $800 installation service because my new home's walls came pre-wired for surround sound. We informed best buy of this when we purchased the installation.
The two guys from Best Buy arrived on time, were nice enough, and seemed to understand what I was talking about. The head technician was wonderful, competent, and conscientious. His assistant was nice enough, but not bright.
When the two arrived, I explained roughly where the wires were. The guy at the store told me that they had devices that would find them. The wall punch for the speakers was what caused me to upgrade my service from the basic install, as the conduit and power was already run to behind the TV. The batteries for the device that could locate the speak wires were dead.
*Lead technician leaves to go find batteries - leaving assistant to map out the bolts for the TV on the wall*
I had carefully explained how high I wanted the TV, I provided visual references on surrounding furniture. They made a mark on the wall where the top of the TV was supposed to be.
*Lead technician returns with batteries after 45 minutes*
Technicians begin punching holes in the wall. Drill battery dies (no joke). They have to get the other drill from the truck. That battery is also about to die. Back to the truck again. Back up battery has a little juice, so they start drilling again.
Oops. Not the correct spots. Move two holes over 2 inches. Now it works. Mount connected to wall. I exit room for a couple minutes so as to not directly hover over them while they work. "Chris, the TV is up." I come around the corner to find the TV a full 5 inches lower than it was supposed to be. I think about making them rehang, but decide not too as it is not *terribly* low and I really don't want a ton 1/2" molly bolt holes in my new wall.
OK, now he uses the wire finder and it turns out it wasn't really where I wanted the speakers, so I buy a Rocketfish remote surround sound base off them for $100. This is fine, not a Best Buy issue, but rather my issue. However, now that they are not punching holes in wall, they are doing nothing more than the basic install - do I get refund? No.
Then they mount the one and only speaker that I asked them to mount on a wall. Assistant tech is taking the lead on this project. "Hey, Chris, can you tell me when it is centered?" (No joke, for real, he asks me this.) I respond... "You know, do you guys have a tape measure? Because I have one if you need to use it?" He proceeds to use the eyeball method and hang the speaker off center. (Lead tech later took the speaker down and re-centered and hung it without my asking).
They beautifully wrapped the wires, but they were about to leave a gapping hole in the wall behind the TV where they pulled wires through the conduit. "Do you guys have a plastic thing for that hole?" I ask. Yes, he does and he goes to the truck and gets one, and puts it in, no complaints.
In the end, things look nice, but was it worth $800? No. $400? No. $200? Maybe. Or you could just get a case of beer, a nice bottle of whiskey, 2 pizzas and con your friends to do it for $100. It will be the same result. Even if you are not tool friendly.
What's great about it: The lead technician was really great.
What's not so great: His assistant wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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