Any advice please?

Guardsman

I bet he enjoyed that.

consultant31

sadiej wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys. The OS was already installed yes, it was pretty much ready to go when bought. Sadly both parents are too old for computer classes and after the last 3 days I think that letting the laptops go is a wise decision. I will give currys a call and ask if they would allow me to return both, the worst that they can say is no,if not i will let them go on ebay and prepare mum & dad to take a loss.
They even talked mum and dad into a deal on ink? Yet a printer wasn't purchased :S They only went to look at tumble driers because they bought a vented one last month when they actually needed a condenser, they walked away with 2 laptops,ink and a £25 copy of norton :S

My Mum was 81 when she went to the local community centre for basic computer lessons. She wasn't the quickest in the group at picking it up but she can send emails and browse the web and it's taken 10 years off her

flutterbyuk25

My nan is 78 and did computer classes this year! She loved it, and is now a whizz on the laptop. She does insist on 'liking' everything I do on facebook now though!

righter

my mum was 73,when she got her laptop..bought by her sister. She was adamant she would not be able to use it..and had no need of it

Ha ha....two years later we would have to prise it from her dead fingers!!

we gave her some basic lessons,she went to a class,and we use "team viewer " (free) to remotely sort her out if there are any problems.

she is with Talk talk,who have a bad reputation,but have always been more than helpful with her when problems have occured.

pmduk

Guardsman wrote: »

I bet he enjoyed that.

The app was downloaded specifically for him, on the basis of using a subject they're interested in as a teaching aid.

Hmm71

righter wrote: »

my mum was 73,when she got her laptop..bought by her sister. She was adamant she would not be able to use it..and had no need of it

Ha ha....two years later we would have to prise it from her dead fingers!!

we gave her some basic lessons,she went to a class,and we use "team viewer " (free) to remotely sort her out if there are any problems.

she is with Talk talk,who have a bad reputation,but have always been more than helpful with her when problems have occured.

I wonder if I could buy my sister a laptop when we're older and get her to use it. She hasn't got a computer and is a bit of a technophobe but she's quite happy to ring me up at all hours and ask me to look something up online. She asked me once if I could find one of her old teachers on Facebook; I said maybe, what's their name? "Bob" she says as if there's only going to be one Bob on Facebook!

righter

buy her one...saves your google-fu! I am amazed at some of the things by mum gets up to on hers...ha ha

paddyrg

Ask at the local library, there will be some classes suitable for seniors which will have a very patient tutor going over the basics and building confidence. I recommend these highly - my parents are both nudging 70 and both are online, search for stuff, use email etc. My friend's mum is 85, and whilst not exactly ripping into it online, is perfectly capable of emailing her son in NZ etc. It is well worth it, even if they keep 1 lappy to share and flog the other

fozmcfc

I don't like the fact that they went into Currys for a tumble drier, but came out with 2 laptops.

Be interested to know, just how much pressure the sales person put on them. I can understand sales staff, trying to push on extras, such as warranties, a slightly higher spec model, but not something completely different to the original item gone in for.

Yes ok just cause they are in their 70's doesn't mean they are daft etc and doesn't mean they couldn't refuse.

Fair enough also if they showed in interest in laptops, but if not, I don't think it is acceptable they were talked into buying them.

Being sold ink for a printer, they didn't even buy/already own, suggests an out of order sales person to me.

Having said that, unfortunately I think reselling them on or computing lessons are the only real options.

miduck

As well as the excellent suggestion of silver surfer classes, why not sit down with them yourself and go through some of the basics, making reminder notes for them as you go along? My parents and I have had hours of fun and laughter whilst they have been learning!

I do find it sad that you have been "very stressed" by them asking you questions - they spent years teaching you things, now it's time to return the favour.