Chuck's Computer Repair
reviews and complaints

Chuck charges $75 for diagnostics, unless you buy old used parts from him at exorbitant prices, and he never gives refunds under any circumstances!

The first time I went to Chuck's computer repair shop (in July 2015), it was because when I turned on my desktop computer, the monitor was always completely blank, but I couldn't figure out what the problem was because when I connected the monitor to a different computer, the monitor worked fine. So I took my computer to Chuck's shop, and then Chuck turned on my computer and as soon as he saw the blank screen, he told me that my video card was bad. Then he told me he could sell me a used PCI Express video card with 512 MB of memory for $25. I told him that I didn't want it because my original video card had 1 GB of memory, and I wanted to get a video card which was just as good as my original video card. Then Chuck persuaded me that 512 MB of memory is enough, so I paid him the $25 and he installed the video card in my computer.

As soon as I got home, I ran a diagnostic software called "CPU-Z" which told me all the specs about my computer (the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, video card, etc.). The diagnostic software said that the video card had only 256 MB of video RAM! Then I ran three other diagnostic programs to make sure it was right, and all three programs said that the video card only had 256 MB of video RAM! Then I uninstalled the video card, and I noticed that a sticker on the video card said this: "256 MB DDR2 DRAM". There's no way that Chuck could have missed seeing that sticker when he installed the video card in my computer!

Then I called Chuck and told him that I wanted a refund because he told me that the video card had 512 MB of video RAM, but it actually had only 256 MB of video RAM. (I didn't directly accuse him of lying because I didn't want to make him angry.) Then he told me "I'm sorry, but I never give refunds." Then after complaining about five minutes, he finally said "I'll tell you what I'll do. I won't give you a refund, but I'll give you another video card which really does have 512 MB of RAM. I'll leave it at the massage parlor next door." (This is when his shop was at 6136 Bandera Road, before he moved to Still Brook Street.)

Then I drove to the massage parlor and picked up the video card. But as soon as I got home, I noticed that it didn't fit in the PCI Express slot in my computer! I assumed that it must have been an old AGP video card, so it was useless because my computer doesn't have an AGP slot. The next time I went to Chuck's shop, I returned the video card to Chuck and I told him that I didn't want it because it was an AGP video card. Then Chuck told me that actually, it was an old PCI video card!

The speed of PCI Express x16 2.0 (which is the video card slot in my computer) is 5 GT (billion transfers) per second, but the speed of the fastest version of AGP 2.0 (AGP 4X) is only 266 MT (million transfers) per second. And the speed of PCI is only 33 MT per second! So Chuck tried to give me a video card which had a speed of less than 1% of my original video card!

The next time I went to Chuck's shop (in February 2016), I told him that I didn't want his old PCI video card (the video card which was supposed to be a replacement for the 256 MB video card that he lied about). But he said "Sorry. I don't have any PCI Express video cards." Then I put the old PCI video card on his counter and he took it, but he didn't give me any money for it.

Then recently, my computer had another problem. My computer wouldn't boot up, and I thought that the power supply was bad, but I wasn't sure, so I took my computer to Chuck's shop. Chuck plugged in my computer and turned it on, and only about 30 seconds later, he said "Your power supply is fine, but your hard drive is bad. You're need to buy a new hard drive." Then he showed me an old 80 GB hard drive and he told me that he would sell it to me for $40, or two for $50.

I knew that 80 GB wouldn't be enough for all of my files, so I bought two 80 GB hard drives for $50. But then I found out that Best Buy currently sells a 500 GB hard drive for only $55 (made by Seagate) and Best Buy also sells a 1000 GB hard drive for only $60 (made by Western Digital). Then I realized that I had been ripped off by paying $50 for two very old 80 GB hard drives when I could have bought a brand new 500 GB hard drive or even a 1000 GB hard drive for almost the same price.

Then I immediately called Chuck and told him that I want a refund. Then he flatly told me that he never gives refunds, and he lied to me, saying that at his shop, there is a sign which says "No Refunds." As a matter of fact, I was standing at his shop when I was on the phone talking to him, so I told him that he was lying because in fact, there is no sign at all at his shop which says "No Refunds"!

Then Chuck told me that if I hadn't bought those hard drives, he would have charged me $75 for diagnostics because he gives free diagnostics only when a customer buys at least one part from him (which is always an old used part because Chuck doesn't sell any new parts).

I found out that used 80 GB hard drives currently (as of February 2016) sell for only $7 on eBay including shipping! So the hard drives that Chuck sold to me for $50 are almost worthless! Even if I sold both hard drives on eBay, I would make less than $5 each ($10 total) after deducting the postage!

The next day, I went to Best Buy and brought a brand new 500 MB hard drive for only $54.99 ($59.53 including tax). But now what can I do with the old used 80 GB hard drives? I pleaded with Chuck several times to give me a refund, but he flatly refused, and the last time I asked him for a refund, he told me that if he gave me a refund, then in fact, I would owe him $25 because if a customer doesn't buy a part from him, he charges $75 for diagnostics!

But that doesn't make any sense at all! Instead of giving me a refund, he would actually charge me money to return the hard drives! Isn't that ridiculous? And Chuck had never before told me that his policy is to charge customers $75 for diagnostics unless the customer buys something.

I wanted to get rid of the junky hard drives that Chuck sold me, but I didn't want to have to pay the $75 fee for diagnostics, so I went to Chuck's shop when he wasn't there, put the hard drives on his counter, and walked away. I wasted $50, but I learned a valuable lesson: BUYER BEWARE!

!Watch out for this ad from Chuck's computer service.
As soon as I arrived, he tried to force me to pay for a tune up and other additional services he claimed were needed in ORDER to remove any virus. He then failed to find the virus eating away at my system, yet charged me, and did not stand by his so called warranty. Had to take it elsewhere, pay a second time to resolve the issue. Would not honor refund policy. Called me very unprofessional names. Full details:.Violation of CL terms of service-false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent content; bait and switch;

Please beware of Chuck's Computer Repair. (CHARLES OTTE) He lures you in with a 25 price for a virus removal, yet attempts to sell you a PC Tune Up from the start claiming that they are the same thing. Though he texted me to come by, when I arrived, his attention was fully on the game and he and his visitors were watching. So why schedule an appt. (In his hot garage among the worse smelling cat feces/and an overwhelming smell.)

He actually said, he needed to get back to the game. I quickly explained to him that I have a virus and laid out the symptoms. His initial take was that if there is no pop up, then there is no virus. First sign that he was incompetent. All viruses do not make their presence obvious with repeated pop ups. Some dig in and and work stealthily. He then told me I would need a tune up at another 25 BEFORE he could remove a virus should he find one. $50, I said, no I came for the virus removal, I can get a tune up free at office depot. He said he does more than they or Best Buy's Geek Squad will do. (He was using Avast) one I have used before & that misses virus which is why I sought a professional. Then he refused to provide me with a receipt for leaving my system with him. I left it since he said he only need an hour. He took less than that because he texted me for the password which I had repeatedly given him but he was too preoccupied with the game to write it down. 20 min following the text he texted me the system was ready.

Well, my system showed same signs same day. I eventually took it to a reputable company that discovered 3 nasty virus. I later complained to Chuck. He called me the B word, and bragged that he has 5000 plus customers and to come get my measly 25.00. Yet, when I said I would he said he was in no financial position to pay right now although he has so many customers. BTY he says he is a USAF Vet so as a USAF vet also, I gave him my business. He does not stand behind his work. He was too busy watching the game to due a diligent job on my computer.
Also claims there is a warranty.. Not so.
Here is the ad:
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cps/4654849722.html
Computer Repair, Virus removal, Networking (7435 saddlewood)

Serving San Antonio and Leon valley. Chuck's Computer Repair
Virus Removal and Pc Tune Up's $25.00 each
Any Windows Re Installation, with Anti virus, Office, and Saved data $100.00
Military, Police, Fire and Rescue $20.00 off Re Installs
Mobile Service available $50.00
Free Estimates, and Free Diagnosis on Desktops.
Call Chuck [protected]
USAF Veteran, 25 Years Experience in The computer Industry.
Affordable and Honest Computer Repair by Chuck.Please beware of Chuck's. He lures you in with a 25 price for a virus removal, yet attempts to sell you a PC Tune Up from the start claiming that they are the same thing. Though he texted me to come by, when I arrived, his attention was fully on the game and he and his visitors were watching. So why schedule an appt. (In his hot garage among the worse smelling cat feces/and an overwhelming smell. He actually said, he needed to get back to the game. I quickly explained to him that I have a virus and laid out the symptoms. His take was that if there is no pop up, then there is no virus. First sign. All viruses do not make their presence obvious with repeated pop ups. Some dig in and and work stealthily. He then told me I would need a tune up at another 25 BEFORE he could remove a virus should he find one. $50, I said, I came for the virus removal, I can get a tune up free at office depot. He said he does more than they or Best Buy's Geek Squad will do. (He was using Avast) one I have used before & that misses virus which is why I sought a professional. Well, my system showed same signs same day. I eventually took it to a reputable company that discovered 3 nasty viruses. I later complained to Chuck. He called me the B word, and bragged that he has 5000 plus customers and to come get my measly 25.00. Yet, when I said I would he said he was in no financial position to pay right now although he has so many customers. BTY he says he is a USAF Vet so as a USAF vet also, I gave him my business. He does not stand behind his work. He was too busy watching the game to due a diligent job on my computer.
Here is the ad:
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cps/4654849722.html
Computer Repair, Virus removal, Networking (7435 saddlewood)

Serving San Antonio and Leon valley. Chuck's Computer Repair (Charles Otte)
Virus Removal and Pc Tune Up's $25.00 each
Any Windows Re Installation, with Anti virus, Office, and Saved data $100.00
Military, Police, Fire and Rescue $20.00 off Re Installs
Mobile Service available $50.00
Free Estimates, and Free Diagnosis on Desktops.
Call Chuck [protected]
USAF Veteran, 25 Years Experience in The computer Industry.
Affordable and Honest Computer Repair by Chuck.