Computer repair shop holding computer to ransom!

Cendrivian

About 2 weeks ago, my the hinge on my sister's HP laptop broke- a very common problem with this make, and as the warranty had run out, she took it to a small computer repair shop in town (is it wise to post the website address here?). She signed a form before handing it over which, apparently, stated in v. big letters that there was a £40 minimum fee (she said that she remembers no such thing, and was not told this when she went there - but has no copy of this form to prove it). After being quoted £90 to fix this problem, she told them no, that it was too much, and she was going elsewhere. Earlier today, she got another call from them, and was told that it'd be £40 to have the laptop back - £40 she doesn't have. Is there anything that can be done? Should I just give her the money to get her laptop back? It's for university, so she needs it back for September. Thank you for your help!

jimboban

Hi,

I don't think you'll have any option other than to pay the £40 (or the £90 and get the work done!)

No doubt in the small print, it will probably be described to the effect of "Inspection Fee £40 - refundable if client chooses to have work done" - this is normally the approach.

Basically they're charging for their time to investigate and quote - and by the sound of things she's committed to paying at least £40 - so the choice is to either pay an additional £50 and have it fixed - or just pay the £40 to get the laptop back.

Sorry it's not better advice.

JB

[Deleted User]

Stand in the shop, tell them to hand back the laptop or you'll call the police.

This is theft. If they want to give you a bill, let them give you a bill. If they can produce the signed form i'm afraid she should pay it. If they can't; tough luck on them.

If they don't then i'd be a little tempted to stand in the shop deterring customers until they give the laptop back

arcon5

Just agreeing with the above.

It is likely the form stated this in which case they have provided the service and you must pay for.

Check the sheet she signed though before paying as if it doesn't mention it then you could argue you asked for a quote, wasn't happy with it so they have no grounds to charge you now.

Not sure there was any point taking it there though as I can't imagine many repairs being below £40 anyway.

bingo_bango

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Stand in the shop, tell them to hand back the laptop or you'll call the police.

This is theft. If they want to give you a bill, let them give you a bill. If they can produce the signed form i'm afraid she should pay it. If they can't; tough luck on them.

If they don't then i'd be a little tempted to stand in the shop deterring customers until they give the laptop back

Seriously?? On what definition of theft are you basing this? Old Theft Act, or the Fraud Act?

I don't see any intention to permanently deprive by nefarious means here.

What I do see is a breach of contract by OPs sister though. If she needs the laptop so badly, then she should pay the fee and try to reclaim the costs (but I suspect that will be a beaten docket).

arcon5

ringo_24601 wrote: »

This is theft. If they want to give you a bill, let them give you a bill. If they can produce the signed form i'm afraid she should pay it. If they can't; tough luck on them.

Well.. not quite since they voluntarily left the laptop there.

But I imagine the shop is right in that it is on the form, remembering consumers regularly fail to read the documents they are signing. But if not, agree on the rest of the points.

scheming_gypsy

Cendrivian wrote: »

She signed a form before handing it over which, apparently, stated in v. big letters that there was a £40 minimum fee (she said that she remembers no such thing, and was not told this when she went there - but has no copy of this form to prove it).

So why didn't she ask to be shown the form she signed where it stated it? Which is pretty much the reason they ask you to sign a form, it's so you consent to the charges

nomoneytoday

So the computer shop has done some investigation work on her computer, incurred costs, and now they should be accused of theft because she won't pay?

vyle

This sounds pretty common tbh. There can be a lot of work involved in finding out what's wrong with a computer and to see if there is a remedy and to work out what the remedy may be.

That's why so many companies charge an inspection fee before quoting the repair cost: Because it can take a lot of time and effort to even get that far.

It's silly that the repair shop didn't give a copy of the contract signed, because that's one thing I always do. The forms customers sign where I work state that they have backed up any data and we cannot be held responsible for any data lost during repair.

Even then, after I give them copies, they still claim a: that they were never given one.

B: that they never signed it.

C: that the form I have shown them (which carries their signature) was not the same one they signed.

d: all of the above.

I don't see how it's theft. OP's sister has signed a contract saying, "I'm giving you this laptop to check, and this will cost £40 which must be paid if you want the laptop back."

If anything, she is attempting theft by denying the shop payment for the work done. If she doesn't have £40 though and expects an inspection and repair for less than that, she is pretty naive.

MeanSnark

This is a very common problem with Clevo laptops and I recently had to replace the hinge on mine. The cost of the hinge alone was £55 so I don't think £90 is that unreasonable or that you'll get it much cheaper anywhere else.

patman99

So, the total cost is £90. That's £55 for the part and £35 to fit it. Having done a hinge replacement myself, I know it is a 15 minute job. So, they are charging £150 p/hr. That's steep.