More about bulling IT man

Sorry to post something negative, but I feel in need of comfort. This is the IT man I wrote of, on a previous thread but the thread failed [a technical issue]. I've had repairs and second hand computers off him since 2019,  gradually realizing he didn't know as much as he claimed - several times I saw him looking up Microsoft 'how to' for things I discovered to be easily resolved.

I'd asked him to get me a new PC and laptop after he said windows 11 could be updated on my computers but would not be stable. I paid him £500 as he asked. The laptop developed a fault just over a year later. He blamed me for not shutting it down properly, yet this was the advice he gave. I paid £60 for this ten minute visit. During this, he boasted he buys cheap parts he gets, '4 for the price of one HP,' which last 4 years whilst the HP last six, which he considered insignificant. Thus he benefits not the customer, getting more callouts - £60 for an hour then £30 per half hour. 

A week later, the laptop would not load a windows 11 update. I'd tried and failed to detach the battery, following a Utube video explaining how to cure the update issue. He offered to come out - another £60. I said, surely it should be under guarantee, being just over a year old. Then he said it was reconditioned and this was on the receipt. I'd never asked for a receipt (foolishly) as I trusted him. He never supplied receipts. I asked if the PC was new, and he said it was. So, why one new and one reconditioned - it made no sense.

I offered to deduct £60 of the paid price (£250) for work he did initially, transferring Microsoft Office and Scrivener, if I returned the laptop to his shop. It will certainly develop faults due to cheap parts and be a headache - especially the advice he gave about using a knife to detach the battery! I suspect the battery is a tight fit because it's not a HP part. But he wants £165 for wiping data and cleaning if I return it. This is ridiculous - paying him so he can re-sell it.

Parents
  • A huge thankyou to everyone. I've learned a lot more about computers. Also, that I am capable of doing more for myself, rather than relying on traders. I tried to mediate but he offered to sell me a new laptop [one of his hybrids, no doubt) or 'repair' mine [£60 callout] or deduct £165 for 'cleaning' the laptop if I took it back.  I told him that rather than argue I will mediate via CAB/trading standards - then small claims court if that doesn't work. For the sake of £180 he's lost his golden goose.

    It's so great to have this chatroom. In times past I would have spent sleepless nights wondering worrying also getting angry. Also, because I find trusting people difficult, this might have set me back. Instead, I feel encouraged and empowered by your responses. Candle

Reply
  • A huge thankyou to everyone. I've learned a lot more about computers. Also, that I am capable of doing more for myself, rather than relying on traders. I tried to mediate but he offered to sell me a new laptop [one of his hybrids, no doubt) or 'repair' mine [£60 callout] or deduct £165 for 'cleaning' the laptop if I took it back.  I told him that rather than argue I will mediate via CAB/trading standards - then small claims court if that doesn't work. For the sake of £180 he's lost his golden goose.

    It's so great to have this chatroom. In times past I would have spent sleepless nights wondering worrying also getting angry. Also, because I find trusting people difficult, this might have set me back. Instead, I feel encouraged and empowered by your responses. Candle

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