• What days are you open and what are your hours?

Our stores are open Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, and Closed Saturday and Sunday. (Both stores are temporarily closed on Saturday)

We would love to meet you, so come on in!

 

• Do I need to make an appointment to bring my computer in for repair/service?

No, you do not. We do not even take appointments. All our repairs are on a first come first serve basis. We do offer same-day and business rush services if needed or desired.

 

• How important is my privacy to PC P.I.'s?

Your Privacy is Our Guarantee! We believe that what you have on your PC is YOUR business, not ours or anyone else's! We take your privacy very seriously and we do not have to look through, view, or read any of your private files to service your computer or back up your data and we will not look at your data without permission from you or at your request.

 

• What does PC P.I.'s Stand for?

Our name if typed out fully would be Personal Computer Private Investigators (the PC stands for "Personal Computer" & P.I.'s stands for "Private Investigators"). Do you remember the detective TV show Magnum P.I., well we are PC P.I.'s? We do not investigate computer crimes, but we do investigate any computer issues you have and we always offer a solution to your problem, so as it pertains to computers we are among the world's best Private Investigators. Our logo contains the letter "P" wearing a Deerstalker hat and a magnifying glass for the "I" in our name. We chose these because the most well know detective (or P.I.) of all time used them (although he was fictional) Sherlock Holmes.

 

• Do you offer FREE diagnostics or How much does it cost to find out what is wrong with my computer?

Yes & Zero! We will diagnose any issue absolutely free. Why take your computer somewhere and they charge you $70, $90, or more just to tell you how much they will charge you to fix it. This allows the computer store to charge you more for the repair because they know that even if you find a better value then you will not be saving any money if you have to pay their diagnostic/bench fee first (so your only choice is to let them fix your computer). PC P.I.'s Computer Store will diagnose any problem free of charge and give you a quote upfront with no hidden charges. If you decide to have us fix your computer, then you will only be charged what we quote you and if you do not want us to fix it, then you are welcome to come to pick it up at no cost.

The only exceptions to the free diagnostics are if you have built your own computer and it is not working or you have a gaming computer, we do charge money to check your work and see what you did wrong or what went wrong, also gaming computers require a lot of time to diagnose properly. For custom-built and gaming computers, the charge is $89 for diagnostics.  We also have a $50 diagnostics fee for the iMac and Mac Mini computers, due to the difficulty and risk involved in getting inside them for hardware scanning.

 

• Can you give me a repair estimate over the phone or by email?

Not really. It is almost impossible to guess what your problem might be without actually seeing your computer. We prefer to give you the exact price quote. The only way for us to do this is to actually run diagnostics on your computer. Our diagnostics are totally FREE, so it will not cost you any money to get a detailed price quote to fix your computer issue.

 The only exceptions to the free diagnostics are if you have built your own computer and it is not working or you have a gaming computer, we do charge money to check your work and see what you did wrong or what went wrong, also gaming computers require a lot of time to diagnose properly. For custom-built and gaming computers, the charge is $89 for diagnostics.  We also have a $50 diagnostics fee for the iMac and Mac Mini computers, due to the difficulty and risk involved in getting inside them for hardware scanning.

• How long does it usually take to remove viruses and spyware?

It normally takes 2-5 days depending on how busy we are at the time you bring your computer in and how fast your computer is and in what condition (how badly damaged or infected) your system is when you bring it in. We scan your Hard drive and memory to check for any problems and those scans alone can take 2 - 6 hours. Then we try to run a scan of your computer if possible to see what kind of viruses and/or spyware we are dealing with, this can take 2 - 4 hours. Actual virus removal can take 1 - 8 or more hours and then we repair all the damage that has been done to your OS and get any updates you need. To sum it up most are completely cleaned and updated in 2 - 5 days while some although rare, have taken as long as 5 - 10 days. Repair times can increase during the Christmas Season due to retail sales traffic increasing, which can limit the time we have to dedicate toward repairs.

 

• Do you offer a rush service?

Yes, we can offer you our same-day *Nitro* service for an additional $49. This can only be purchased with our re-installation services (with or without data backup). We will have your repair done the same day as long as it is in by 2:00 PM and you have no more than 10 GBs of data. If you bring it in after 2:00 PM or you have over 10GBs of data to transfer it will be done by the next business day.

 

• Do you offer a business rush service?

Yes, we can do a business rush for an additional $89 charge. This charge moves your computer ahead of all the others in the store and to our bench where it will be started immediately. Computer repair takes as long as it takes, so we cannot speed up the repair time, but we will have someone working on it from the moment you bring it in until it is finished.

 

• What do I need to bring to have my computer fixed?

For a desktop, we normally do not need any parts except for the tower (no power cords, keyboards, mouse, or monitor - unless they are giving you problems and you would like us to check them out)

For a laptop, we ask that you bring your power adapter (cord).

For an All-in-One Desktop Computer, we ask that you bring your power adapter (cord).

 

• Will I lose my personal files or data?

98% of the time our customers lose no personal files or data unless a virus was attached to them and it could not be removed without damaging or deleting a file. Unlike most computer repair shops that just reinstall Operating Systems, which leave you with huge costs ($100 to $300 or more) for backing up your data or total data loss and the problem of finding all your disk to reinstall your important or favorite programs and printer drivers etc. We strive to clean up your system totally without removing your files or software. In the event that your Operating System must or needs to be re-installed (such as hard drive failure or viruses and spyware that have done so much damage that your system may never run as it should.), we will back up your files for $50 and then put them back on your newly restored computer along with all your drivers and any software that you want to bring to us to install.

Does not include advanced data retrieval or data recovery.

 

• Can you backup or transfer my programs if you have to reinstall my Operating System?

No. Unfortunately, most programs cannot be copied or transferred. Unlike data (pictures, music, documents, etc.) the programs are not located in one location, they are installed throughout the Operating System, which makes it impossible to find all the pieces and move them. We can, however, move the data that goes with your software, such as we can backup your documents that go with your Microsoft Office. We can backup your data file that goes with your accounting program (Peachtree, Quicken, QuickBooks, etc), so when you reinstall your accounting software, your data can be imported back into it and you won't lose a thing. Just remember that most programs require a key code (which you get when you purchase them), but if you lose that key code you will probably have to repurchase the program because even if you reinstall it, it will usually only work for a few days as a trial.

Software “Key Codes” are like the Deed for your home or the title for your car. They prove to the software maker that you have purchased and own the right to use the software.

 

• Are all repairs done in your store?

Absolutely! All repairs will be done by us and in our stores. The only time that we would send your computer off, is if it is under the computer manufactures warranty and they want to handle the repair for you under their warranty.

 

• Do you make house calls?

Sorry, but we do not do house calls. In the many years, we have been in the computer repair business we have come to the conclusion that a computer cannot be repaired correctly in a couple of hours at someone's home. 90% of all our computer repairs in the store take between 6 and 24 hours, so if someone says they can fix your computer in an hour or two then they are not doing a very good job and it will cost you 200% - 400% more than we charge.

 

• Do you offer pickup and delivery?

Depending on where you live and how quickly you need it picked up, we may be able to send someone to get it and deliver it to you, for a small fee.

 

• What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, all major credit cards (including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, JCB, DinersClub, etc), Apple Pay, PayPal, Square, PC P.I.'s Credit Card, and Acima (We no longer can accept checks (personal or business) as a form of payment).

 

• Can I pay for my purchase/repair with a credit card over the phone?

Sorry, but we can not take credit cards over the phone, but we would be happy to send you a Square or PayPal invoice via email so that you can pay online (with a computer or smartphone) securely with your credit card.

 

• Do you offer gift cards or gift certificates?

Yes, we do offer PC P.I.'s Gift Cards and they make the perfect gift for the computer lover in your family. Gift cards may be purchased for any amount of $10 or more.

 

• Do you offer layaway?

Yes, we will be happy to put your new computer on layaway. Our normal (December 26th through October 31st) layaway policy is 30% down, 30% in 30 days, and the remaining balance in 60 days. Christmas Layaway (any layaway after November 1st each year) has a minimum down payment of $150 and must be picked up by December 15th.

 

• Do you offer financing?

Yes, we are very excited about being able to offer you financing with our PC P.I.'s Credit Card. The PC P.I.'s Credit Card has special financing options available, such as no interest if paid off in a certain amount of time (deferred interest time based on the total dollar amount spent) or a low fixed-rate financing option to help you budget. Please visit our store for full financing options and details. We also offer lease-to-own options through Acima You can apply for Acima here.

 

• Do you sell computer components (internal parts), such as hard drives, memory, video cards, etc.?

We do carry most computer parts, but we DO NOT sell individual computer parts, such as motherboards, CPUs, CPU coolers, graphics cards, hard drives (except SSDs), PSUs, ram/memory, etc. for end-user (customer) installation. Our parts are for our custom builds, PC P.I.’s University builds, and customer repairs. If you are interested in a part or upgrade, you can check your computer in as a repair and we will install your purchased from us part FREE of charge.**

**Free labor on in-stock purchased part installation excludes motherboards (which actually require installing multiple parts and an OS).

 

• Do you buy laptops, desktops, or computer parts?

No, we do not buy used laptops, desktops, or computer parts. You might want to try a website like Facebook marketplace, eBay, or Craigslist.

 

• What is your return/refund policy?

All items purchased from PC P.I.’s LLC (except where Final Sale No Refund is marked) must be returned within 7 days of purchase for a refund.

After 7 days, a computer may qualify for our trade-in policy.

Non-Receipted Returns:

• We cannot do any type of refund without a receipt. Don’t worry if you do not have your receipt all we need is the date of your purchase and we can find and reprint it for you.

Receipted Returns:

• Cash:  If the item was purchased using cash then you will get cashback (cash refunds over $100 will be refunded via company check and will require a wait of 3 to 5 days for PC P.I.’s LLC corporate to get a check to the store or it can be mailed directly to you).

• Check:  If the item was purchased using a check then you will get cashback (We cannot refund check purchases until 7 days have passed. Cash refunds over $100 will be refunded via company check and will require a wait of 3 to 5 days for PC P.I.’s LLC corporate to get a check to the store or it can be mailed directly to you).

• Debit Card:  If the item was purchased using a debit card, the refund should be placed back on the debit card if available, or cash can be provided. If the debit card is not present, the refund will be processed onto a PC P.I.’s Computer Store gift card.

• Credit Card:  If the item was purchased using a credit card, any refund is required by Federal Anti-Money Laundering Laws to be issued back to that same credit card. If the original credit card is not present, the refund will be processed onto a PC P.I.’s Computer Store gift card.

 

• Do you take trade-ins?

If you purchased the computer that you are wanting to trade in from us and it is less than 3 years old, then yes. If you did not purchase it from us, then the answer is no.

 

• What brand of computers do you service/repair?

We service and repair all brands of computers.

 

• Do you repair phones and tablets?

No. We quit repairing phones and tablets in February 2015. Due to the fact that the quality of the replacement parts was becoming so bad. 50% - 75% of the new parts we were receiving were bad right out of the box. We tried several different part suppliers, but all had the same failure rate. We pride ourselves, not only on our superior customer service but also on our superior work. These parts would not allow us to feel completely confident with our work, so we had to make the hard decision to not repair phones and tablets any longer.

 

• Do you repair Apple Mac products?

Yes! We can remove Mac viruses, and service, and repair every Apple Mac computer, including iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air.

 

• Do you service printers and/or monitors?

We do not repair or service printers or monitors, due to the fact that you cannot get parts for them. We can troubleshoot them and assess whether your printer or monitor needs to be replaced. We do carry several different printer and monitor models in stock at all times, in case you do need to purchase one (and we will set it up and install it on your computer for free).

 

• Why is it sometimes so hard to get you guys on the phone?

We get this question a lot. Although we strive to answer every call, unfortunately, our phone issue is not easily resolved. Being a privately owned small business with limited finances, we are unable to hire someone solely to answer the phones. First, let me say that we are a customer-centered full-service retail computer store that not only fixes computers but also sells them as well as computer accessories. Most of the day our staff's time is split between the sales floor waiting on our customers, handling computer check-ins, pickups and repairs, and the phone (in that order). We have tried to lessen the problem by creating a message to inform our calling customers who do not get an answer that we are with in-store customers and by developing a website, www.pcpis.com, which can answer most customers' questions. We also give everyone an estimated repair time when they drop off their computer for service and we let every customer know we will call you with your free quote, any questions we have, and the instant your computer is finished (because like everyone else we want to get paid). Just know that we are open, working hard to take care of customers like you, and are always available in our store Monday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm. As always you are welcome to use the phone and we will do our very best to get to it.

 

• Will PC P.I.'s Computer Store price match the big box store prices?

First, we would have a hard time price matching since we do not carry the very cheap and underpowered products that most of them do.

Second, we can put you in a better product for around the same price (come in and see us and we will prove it).

Third, if we did have the exact same computer we could not price it the same, because we do not sell eggs, bread, dog food, shampoo, lawnmowers, paper towels, shoes, ceiling fans, deodorant, or bologna (pun intended). We make all our money off of selling and servicing computers. The Big Box stores have a super low-profit margin because they do not offer any real customer service to speak of and they do not solely depend on computer sales to stay in business.

Without mass volume, no retailer can stay in business with their types of profit margins. If they were to offer actual customer service with these low-profit margins, they would be out of business very quickly, and that is why they do not offer any services. If you can find a Big Box Computer Store that will give you all the services and warranties that we do, and not charge you an additional cost for them, then we will not only match their price, we will give you that laptop for FREE (How's that for a price match). Please visit our The Real Price Comparison page for the truth about the Big Box store's so-called low prices.

You may also be interested in the article "Harms of Big Box Retail".