This past week Circuit City started heavily advertising their “Firedog” service. Firedog much like Best Buy’s Geek Squad is a service designed to do technical things for you in your home that you might not otherwise know how to do.
I have always been a reasonably technical minded person, so I take things like knowing how to install your software for granted. I decided to look up the prices for some of the services Firedog offers and I was absolutely appalled.
For instance to have someone set up your Internet service for you costs around $160. I installed my Internet service myself. The box from my cable provider came with some pretty simple instructions.
1. Plug Modem Into Wall
2. Plug Modem Into Computer
3. Put in Install CD
4. Follow on Screen Instructions
I think the entire process may have taken ten minutes, and that’s including the time it took me to fight through the plastic wrap that my modem box was covered in.
To have Firedog come set up a wireless network in your home will run you $160 for 2 PC’s. Again, setting up a wireless network in your home is around the same process as setting up a modem. I actually wonder if they would change you separately or setting up your wireless network and setting up your Internet connection. In that case you would be looking at $320 for something that would take you fifteen minutes and some instruction reading.
I’m amazed that any company could justify these prices. True, there are people who don’t understand technology and need help setting their computers up. I personally feel like if you purchase a modem or an internet service from someone then they should be responsible for helping you set it up and making it work.
What do you think? Do you think it’s reasonable to charge these types of prices to set up computers?
If you guys have any questions about how to do anything with you computer PM me, or comment to this article and I will make them topics for future blogs.