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In reviewing your "statement", I find it laughable at best.

On June 3rd- Tom NEVER informed me of the east tech services. I was in fact assisted by the easy tech. Tom didn't join the conversation until the end, after the purchase was made. The bottom line, on that day it was your "tech" was the one that recommended the computer chip that destroyed my computer.

One June 4th- your "tech" told me the chip was in backwards, and not upside down. It became apparent your West Hartford store was only interested in charging me money and not interested in doing the advertised "free diagnosis", asI was greeted by a manager, who wanted to charge me 39.99, when the supposed tech turned the chip around, on the grounds he "installed my memory" As for the "flicker". There was no response on the screen,before or after the tech opened the machine, which is why I asked for in your quote unquote "free diagnosis".(That suddenly cost 59.99) Had you honored your advertisement, we could have come to a conclusion on the spot. I went to (3) competitors of Staples, who assured me that their was no possible way the chip could be installed any other way but correctly (Office Depot, Geek Squad, and PC Ware house).

While at Office Depot, it was noticed upon start up that my computer was beeping a diagnostic code of 1-3-3-1. Upon researching this it was discovered that the code is a signal that there was something wrong with the ram (something your "A-1 certified" tech failed to notice). This code signals something is wrong with the Ram,the ram you sold me. Since the computer was working just seconds prior to installing your defective merchandise, and nothing else was seen as wrong after your defective merchandise was installed, and the diagnosis code your tech could not be bothered to recognize, it all comes back to your defective merchandise being responsible for the disruption of my computer.

Further, I contacted PNY, after I returned the chip to the West Hartford store. PNY has asked to see the defective merchandise. Now one would think that Staples would cooperate in this matter, if for no other reason to clear their name, as an expert is willing to examine the equipment and render an opinion.

That couldn't be farther from the truth.

West Hartford Staples has refused to release the defective equipment.

Summary:

1) Your defective equipment has destroyed a 5 year business, as records that were stored on the computer will never be able to be recovered.

2) I have lost earnings because your defective equipment has caused me to miss deadlines. As for my secret shopping with Second to none, I have refused any and all assignments involving Staples, and have submitted to them a full, detailed report on exactly what occurred. Should I find that Second to none suddenly has no future assignments for me, I will hold you accountable for any and all lost earnings.

3) It absolutely amazes me that 3 different computer specialists, who didn't compare notes, who have examined my computer themselves, all come to the same conclusion, yet when Staples is confronted by the facts, dismisses them as, "being given bad information".

No ma'am, this is not over, and it is not going away. I think I have been very reasonable/clear as to what I expect from Staples. I will not go away until the problem is resolved to my satisfaction. I expect to be made whole, and right now that is 140.00, the cost of the replacement computer. PC Warehouse recognized the need for immediately remedy and cleaned up your mess.

I would also advise you that should this become a legal matter (and I invite you to make it so) I will be asked why I am calling you. It would be my pleasure to explain to a judge:

1) your faulty advertising2) your sale of defective equipment3) your poor(this is being kind) customer service abilities.4) the fact that you seem not to be able to speak to me directly,and that I had to call your executive offices to get any type of response5) my loss of earning power6) Your refusal to present the defective chip for examination ( something to hide??)

Please make sure that when you "document" your dealings with me that your are truthful in your records, and try not spin a story to make you the victim in this, when in fact you are the villain.

Barbara Shaffer

-----Original Message-----From: Marshall, Stacey (Cust. Relations) To: shadow819641@***.comSent: Wed, Jun 9, 2010 7:14 pmSubject: Staples

Dear Ms. Shaffer:I am writing to follow up with your in regards to the difficulties you experienced as a result of your attempt to do business with Staples. The matter has been investigated fully and determined that no further action will be taken by Staples pertaining to this case.ร‚ยท On June 3, 2010 you made the purchase of memory chip at our Bristol, CT store. You were greeted and personally assisted by Tom during your visit. Tom helped you locate the memory chip you needed and informed you that Staples Easy Tech does offer services to install the memory for you and you declined.ร‚ยท On June 4, 2010 you brought your computer to the West Hartford, CT store to have our Easy Tech evaluate your computer because it was not turning on. The Tech opened up the unit and after review determined that the installation of the memory chip was done incorrectly (upside down) which as a result then caused the unit not to function. Our Tech then removed the memory chip and installed it correctly which provided the machine with a flicker but it did not completely function. The Tech then advised you in order to properly repair the machine it would require a diagnostic to be performed. This service would provide the Tech with a detailed analysis of what repairs and parts it would require in order to make the unit operational. ร‚ยท Our West Hartford, CT Tech team was the initial evaluator of the unit and recognized immediately that the memory chip was installed "upside down" which caused the connector to contribute to the failure of the computer. The store fully refunded you the cost of the memory $39.99 on June 4, 2010. The stores currently do have a "Free PC Tune Up" we offer through our Easy Tech center which can be done with a fully operational unit. In your case we were not able to conduct the PC Tune Up because your computer would not boot up and therefore you were then offered the diagnostic services $59.99 in order to determine the issue.ร‚ยท On June 4, 2010 you contacted our President's office to report the experience. It was at this time you reported that you had contacted our Mystery Shop vendor to withdraw yourself from the Staples shop. Records of your experience have been well documented along with all correspondence from all parties involved.Given these facts Staples will not comply with your request of compensation or replacement of your computer.

Stacey MarshallCustomer Relations Team Manager508-253-****

Monetary Loss: $140.

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

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Guest

I did have more ram/memory installed by Staples tech to my Gateway Laptop and have nothing but trouble. I went back to see if they could see what was wrong, but they said nothing was wrong.

As time goes by the blue screens and problems are getting worse. I took it back and said that I was having problems with the memory, that the computer keep saying take out any new memory recently installed. Staples said they wouldn't and couldn't take it out.

I just wanted them to help me see if there was something wrong with the memory they put in my computer. I was very unhappy with them and will never buy a computer there or have anything done to a computer there again.

Guest

Shadow.

You're a business owner? With 5 years of business information stored on a pc. Why did you not have a second computer with all the same programs and files on it for back-up?

Guest

So much angst here, can't anyone be civil (or have a semi-sound grasp of the Englist language)? Wow shadow, sounds to me like you got hosed. I'll admit it, I work for Staples, and I take the comment of crawling under a rock kind of personally, as personally as I can by anything posted on the Internet.

A few comments:

1) I do recall our diagnostic offer last year, and from what I recall it was advertised in my store as a "diagnostic guarantee." Basically that if we could not offer a solution, you're diagnostic fee would be refunded. I admit the advertising at the store you visited may have been worded differently.

2)It is entirely possible that RAM could be installed backwards. Not correctly mind you, but inserted in such a fashion that it appears to be secure. In 3 years I've only run into this situation once, and the customer was lucky she did not cause irreparable damage to her PC. Of course it was my fault that her son had put it in backwards, destroyed the RAM itself, and I wanted to charge her 74.99 for a new piece of memory (waiving the installation fee out of the goodness of my heart, out of idiocy in the end as it almost cost me my job).

3) After the memory was returned it was most likely "damaged out" and in the case of an item like that "code 16ed", or in other words thrown in the trash. They probably should have just told you that when you asked to have the RAM sent to PNY.

4) You're files were not forever lost, as the data should have been readily recoverable from the hard drive. I would also suggest that if you're using a computer for business purposes, it would be wise to have a backup plan in place.

5)Staples EasyTechs are hamstrung by policies, procedures and bureaucracy. Tools and software that would normally be part of any technician's arsenal are explicitly denied to employees of Staples. This does not, however, excuse them not being able to look up a beep code.

6)Staples EasyTechs are not required to have any sort of industry-recognized training in the computer repair field, such as the CompTIA A+ certification. All training outside of Staples published materials is solely at the employee's expense and explicitly not reimbursable by Staples.

Guest

Oh and are you seriously trying to imply that the store has anyway of knowing if their product are DOA before they make it into your hands?

It's called a return/exchange policy for a reason.

And why in the world does Staples owe you a resolution in the form of financial/product compensation or services just because you bought a 40 dollar stick of RAM and wanted to install it yourself?

Get over yourself.

Guest

Wow....

I read this letter and I laugh to myself because, yes, I am an employee of staples and I see your type of people all day long.

For some reason, people are under the impression that because they do not take the time to fully read descriptions of advertised products and services or at least enquire regarding the specifics of said products/services, that they can basically scream, holler, ***, and moan, and get what they want anyways.

THINK AGAIN.

I'll introduce you to a small term called personal responsibility.

And lets get the facts straight.

1. Staples offers a "Free Pc Tune up" which if you read on the service description clearly states the following:

-Hard Disk Analysis/cleanup

-virus check

-dusting out of case (if desktop)

-registry cleaning

Now, unless my command of the english language fails me, the word diagnostic is not in that description.

And in case you're not sure, this is what that word means:

1. Something, such as exam, that is intended to identify a problem.

2. The process of determining the state of or capability of a component to perform its function(s)

So now that we've established that staples in no way advertises a free diagnostic service (using the actual definition of the word not your warped interpretation thereof), lets address a few other issues with your gripping story.

Quote:

1) Your defective equipment has destroyed a 5 year business, as records that were stored on the computer will never be able to be recovered.

2) I have lost earnings because your defective equipment has caused me to miss deadlines. As for my secret shopping with Second to none, I have refused any and all assignments involving Staples, and have submitted to them a full, detailed report on exactly what occurred. Should I find that Second to none suddenly has no future assignments for me, I will hold you accountable for any and all lost earnings.

Well for starters, your RAM being bad has nothing to do with your hard disk's storage, and has no power to overwrite or erase sectors of your hard disk. RAM being volatile, and your hard disk being NON-volatile.

Secondly, NO SERVICE PROVIDER OF ANY KIND ASSUMES LIBABILITY FOR LOST WAGES, INCOME, OR OTHER ASSOCIATED EFFECTS OF YOUR NOT HAVING YOUR MACHINE. How in the world can companies pay for you to be on the clock while they service your machine, car, etc? In what fantasy world do you live in?

Also, the real joke of this whole novel you wrote is this interesting fact:

Quote, Staples Response Letter:

"On June 3, 2010 you made the purchase of memory chip at our Bristol, CT store. You were greeted and personally assisted by Tom during your visit. Tom helped you locate the memory chip you needed and informed you that Staples Easy Tech does offer services to install the memory for you and you declined.

ร‚ยท On June 4, 2010 you brought your computer to the West Hartford, CT store to have our Easy Tech evaluate your computer because it was not turning on. The Tech opened up the unit and after review determined that the installation of the memory chip was done incorrectly (upside down) which as a result then caused the unit not to function. Our Tech then removed the memory chip and installed it correctly which provided the machine with a flicker but it did not completely function. The Tech then advised you in order to properly repair the machine it would require a diagnostic to be performed. This service would provide the Tech with a detailed analysis of what repairs and parts it would require in order to make the unit operational.

ร‚ยท Our West Hartford, CT Tech team was the initial evaluator of the unit and recognized immediately that the memory chip was installed รขโ‚ฌล“upside downรขโ‚ฌย which caused the connector to contribute to the failure of the computer. The store fully refunded you the cost of the memory $39.99 on June 4, 2010. The stores currently do have a รขโ‚ฌล“Free PC Tune Upรขโ‚ฌย we offer through our Easy Tech center which can be done with a fully operational unit. In your case we were not able to conduct the PC Tune Up because your computer would not boot up and therefore you were then offered the diagnostic services $59.99 in order to determine the issue."

So not only did you get refunded for the defective product that you had purchased, but you did not at any point purchase an EasyTech Service. I fail to see how that makes my company liable for your issue.

In otherwords, please explain to me how us not doing any services for you entitles you to anything from Staples.

Guest

Staples is right next to Walmart in terms of the worst store to give your money to. They treat their employees like *** and depend on you to not see the expiration date on your rewards checks.

Guest

Good solution Mulch. Bad RAM or Motherboard will not destroy a hard drive.

Most likely what happened is the memory chip was indeed installed backwards, though the notches will prevent it from installing fully, it will not prevent it from going most of the way in and shorting out the contacts, damaging the memory chip and possibly the motherboard. Based on the letter from Staples, this is what happened and since the customer installed the chip, that is why Staples will not offer to help further.

Guest

This customer doesnt know what his talking about computers dont get *** by a wrong memory install get your story straight and buy a new computer ***.

Guest

I guess staples was notified by the BBB of Mass, the only reason this "reply"would be written.

And for the record, I read just fine, and my camera sees what I see (I have proof of my claim)

In this case they did not offer a solution, and made no effert to offer a solution. As a result of staples incompetent actions I lost business.

Get over myself? Staples is the biggest bunch money grabbing losers in the business. Screw over enough people and Staples will be the next business on the way out.

I DREAM OF THAT DAY!!!

As for you, crawl under your rock, with your fellow staples employees, where you belong, and try not to sell any more defective equipment.

:roll :grin :roll

Guest

Dear shadow,

It's too bad you had an 'awful' experience at Staples. However, let me clear up a few things.

That Free Diagnostic is NOT a FREE diagnostic...it is a guarantee that if Staples cannot offer a solution to your problem (after your paid the $59.99 for the service) then you will be refunded the amount. Now, nobody will EVER receive a refund because Staples can ALWAYS provide a solution, no matter the price. It could be something as simple as a bad sector in a hard drive or the unit may need to be sent off for a depot repair...but they can ALWAYS offer you a solution. So clearly you do not know how to read (since I myself saw that fine print on the sign in the store).

I know this seems like a ripoff but it's not.

They have always offered a solution to me (though it may be expensive). So get over yourself and stop trying to get the money back just because you don't know what you're talking about!

Guest

I doubt very much who you say you are.

First it's called RAM (Random Access Memory) I don't know where you get Ramm.

Secondly, you seem to gloss over key issues and focus in on only what you want, or what makes staples look good. Staples obligated itself to do a "free diagnosis" (sign on door and didn't). And 3 different competitors have all stated the RAM chip was the cause of the computers death. Finally the fact that had staples presented the defective chip for examination, I wouldn't be talking to someone who paid for an online certificate and didn't bother to study. PNY, the maker of the chip, volenteered to examine the chip and the mother board, but Staples has refused to present the chip, even for cash.

Mulch your an ***- go back to the Staples break room and continue to pretend your something your not.

Guest

Holy *** you are the ***! I try to help and you insult me and puke out very false ***.

I run an IT department for a major insurance company in Germany. I don't even know if there is any staples stores here. so your *** is wrong.

A RAMM chip with the wrong freq will not "fry" your board. Most board built after 1998 will see that the freq is different from the already installed chip(s) and set the freq to the lowest installed. Before you had to set the jumpers yerself.

Since you think yer so smart, I say ignorant and smug, please tell me the difference between IDEO and DDR RAMM. Please I would like to know how many pins both have.

You still failed yourself and your "customers" by never doing a simple backup. Depending on the amount of data involved would only take abotu 30 min. And there is a feature where you can allow the program to "wake" your computer so that you can let a backup run while yer in bed. But the lazy and ignorant have struck here again. Yes I am saying you are lazy and ignorant. By your own words this has been proven.

I sent a link of this to my people. And you were a huge hit at our coffee break. We haven't laughed so much in such a long time. thanks for the ***!

Guest

You odviously are a staples employee...most likely a two bit nobody who works at the Framingham office.

Let me help you with a few things..

1) If in fact you are right and my mother board couldn't except the memory chip, then it really doesn't matter who installed it, as the chip would have fried the mother board anyway. Something the "tech" didn't warn me about when he was asking probing questions to determine my need.

2) as for the age of my computer, it was 3 years old. If you had read the post correctly you would have seen that it was physically imposible to put the chip in any way but the right way.

3) Staples saw this as a money making moment and didn't do what they advertised (free diagnostic my foot!)

4) Staples had the opportunity to present the defective chip for examination, and yet have refused (hiding something?)

Mulch please hide back under your staples rock, as that's all anyone who works for Staples is good for.

Like I said, when confronted with the facts, Staples will run and hide like the cowards they are. God forbid they should own responsibility for their mistakes.

Oh, and for my 50 cent lawyer the picture I have of the free diagnostic sign in the front of the store will make the explaination of why no diagnostic was done worth every moment in court. :grin

Guest

OK I waded through the drivel and the rants and I think I understand what happened.

You HDD can in fact be recovered unless someone opened it, it has a crack in the housing or the seal has been broken. So basicly your data is OK.

It seems the RAMM (not ram or Ram)was installed incorrectly. This can happen and has happened to me in the past. It could also be that because the computer was so old that the RAMM you bought would not be accepted on your board. In which case is no real problem but with a 5 years old machine it could cause problems if the board was not jumped right.

Have you ever done a data backup? If oyur data is so important to you and your business then you should have been doing daily, weekly, monthly and yearly backups. But obviously you have not so any lost data is your fault and if you do get to court any defense lawyer worth 50 cents an hour will present this to the judge. Windows does infact provide by default a backup solution installed since Windows 2000. Your fault if you didn't use it.

So here is what I would suggest to you. But a new PC or latop as well as a (I am assuming you are refering to a PC therefore a 3.5" HDD) case for a hard drive. You can pick those up fairly cheap. Drop your HDD in to the case. Saart the PC and login ONLY THEN hook up the case with your old HDD and copy the data to your new PC.

Simple and easy.

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