Rent-A-Geek

I can’t believe I have gone 7 years since needing Rent a Geek. I was hoping they were still in business when I started having issues with Time Machine on my Mac. Quick response, friendly approach, and amazing expertise. Solved what I thought was a huge issue with a couple quick tips. I can’t recommend them enough. As someone who relies on technology but has limited knowledge of how it works, I am so glad there is a service like this available.

Nothing these guys can’t do! Knowledgeable, friendly, and reasonably priced. Once you work with these guys you won’t ever call anyone else.

I am hesitant to write this review because I want to keep this gem all to myself, but then again I know how hard it is to find IT help, so here goes…
The small business I work for in DTLA has grown 3x’s larger over the last few years and we’ve used Rent-​a-​Geek for all our computer and networking needs. They’re always quick to respond and we have not had one problem they could not fix. I go to Ashkaan, our Rent-​a-​Geek specialist, for recommendations on which computers and IT equipment to purchase for our office. We are too small of a company to employ a full time IT person and have found that Rent-​a-​Geek can step in on an as-​needed basis to fulfill all our IT service needs. I don’t know what I would do without this service.

I don’t write reviews because most businesses do a poor job, and I find myself wondering why I just didn’t fix the thing myself. Rent-​A-​Geek is different. Ashkan and Ben provided superior service, not only taking care of my computer, which had more viruses than they’d ever seen, but also removing a host of unnecessary programs that were ruining my computer’s performance. Along the way, they kept me informed and explained exactly what they were doing and why. Much appreciated. Even better, they charged me less than the estimate! And get this, the computer RUNS BETTER THAN IT EVER HAS!!! Thanks so much!

An absolute life saver!

edit march 2012: After I spoke to Benjamin and emailed him our emails he is not removing his comment below or correcting it. In fact he ignored my later communications trying to find out from him what happened with the service he had provided. (I still have the emails). He is saying I admitted to being confused in his comment below! Wow!
Original review:
I was not impressed. After spending $ 250 at a 1^st computer place on ocean ave in santa monica and getting back a laptop that did not even turn on, I tried rent-​a-​geek based on the reviews here. I paid them $ 200 price tag for fixing an alleged chip for AC connector. The computer was still making noise and needed a fan.
I decided to hire a person from craigslist (CL is a box of chocolate, never know what you’re going to get) to open the laptop in front of me. I was shown the chip that was supposed to have been changed and I photographed it. It was not touched. No soldering. Just the mini-​jack was fixed which according to rent-​a-​geek was a $ 100 job.
The other issues was that they never gave me a quote, after 5 days of silence they called me and said it was done. In the beginning when I called them, I explained to them the problem is either a jack or a chip and if a chip, I would not like to pay over $ 200 and if an AC not over $ 100. I did not want them to take 2 days to tell me I need to pay say $ 400. They said that was reasonable. I guess they figured I was a sucker for $ 200.

I took my sad computer to Rent-​A-​Geek after reading the Unilocal reviews. I then had a week long experience with them, during which my opinion of them fluctuated greatly, but it ended on a decent note, so 4 stars it is!
My issues were that the communication from them was non-​existent during the first 3 days. I don’t just mean that no one called me, I mean that I could get no one on the phone to give me any information, nor would anyone return my messages. I found that extremely frustrating! However, during the last 2 or 3 days of my time with them, I actually got calls in a timely manner, so I stopped being so annoyed. So, I guess be prepared to be kept in the dark for a few days?
My other issue was that I picked up my computer after a couple of days, and was told it was all better. In fact, it still had the same problem I brought it in for! It was at this point that Ben really kicked into gear and stepped up to make the situation right. Ultimately, I learned it would be cheaper to buy a new one instead of making an expensive repair on my old one. :-/​Ben was very patient with my stubborn insistence that I needed to put my old hard drive into the new computer, so everything would be exactly as it was. So, he did that for me and he worked very hard to make it run and nicely as possible for me. He gave advice on how to make it run even better in the future. And I think the price he charged was very fair.
In short, I wanted to be mad at them, but they completely redeemed themselves in my eyes after the great treatment I received from Ben during those last couple of days that he held my very life in his hands! :-)

This is a great place to have your computer fixed if you have any problems!
My laptop’s monitor was ruined and they offered to pick it up the very same day to check it out. When they gave me an estimate for the laptop, it included labor AND delivery so there were no hidden charges. They even offered to help me find another laptop if the problem turned out to be a little more expensive.
The repair was quick and I had my laptop back in no time.
I even had a couple questions about my other computer and Jacob was nice enough to help me with that as well.

I tried these guys based on the Unilocal reviews. I can’t quite give it 5 stars because I did all the legwork, but it was good service.
Pick up and delivery? Awesome. Scan and check, then fix all my wonky software bugs? Also awesome. $ 200 price tag? Not so awesome, but that’s ok I’m getting reimbursed from work and heck, 200 bucks for a 5 day turn AND pick up and delivery is pretty good.
The fact that I had to make every call and contact myself and not once did anyone from Rent A Geek call me or contact me on their own? Annoying. In the entire process, from initial contact, to estimate, to the work being done, to the several weeks of work being done, to getting the computer back to me, not ONCE did anyone from Rent A Geek contact me. I initiated every call. Even when they would tell me «it will be ready tomorrow, we’ll call you to set up a pickup time» I still didn’t get a call, and 48 hours would pass before my calls would be returned.
(At one point I voiced my concerns that they weren’t interested in contacting me, and demanded they bring me my laptop back, unfixed. They apologized, responded perfectly with «we’ll, clearly you like more contact. We will definitely communicate with you more frequently during the rest of the process.» Except that never happened, and I still had to do all the work.)
In the end, I’m really torn. They really went above and beyond with the repair itself, including mirroring my drive by hand which took two full days, after every automated program they had crapped out. They saved all of my data, increased my hard drive size, and didn’t charge me an additional dime for all the extra work. On the minus side, they didn’t tell me what they were doing throughout the entire process, had my computer for nearly a month, were completely unreachable the entire time they had my laptop… hell, I couldn’t even get a copy of the BILL out of them at the end. I want to bang my head with a hammer just thinking back on it! ARG.
Would I use them again? I would be hard pressed to say yes, even with the good work. So I suppose my review is twofold: be prepared to suffer, and reap the rewards of vigilance.

Love these guys. Was looking at adding RAM and possibly upgrading my processor on my PC laptop. called another place (Qucik N Easy PC Repair) who told me that I could not upgrade my processor. without even asking specifics on my laptop. When Jacob from Rent A Geek called me back he was great. He did the research on his own (even calling Dell to speak with a tech about the processor) and found out I can upgrade the processor. I will turn to Rent A Geek for all of my computer needs.
Jacob called me, texted me and emailed me as needed … communication is great!
When Jacob came over to install the RAM, he was well dressed, very polite and worked fast. He took notes on what I use my comuter for (gaming) and is researching possible setting changes for better gaming performance.
Again. love Rent A Geek!

Once upon a time I was really graceful. I used to be a professional bellydancer, and I still get asked on occasion if I am a dancer.
That said, I’m a total freaking clutz lately. I have no idea what my damage is, Heather, but in the last week I have spilled a cup of tea, a bottle of wine, and two glasses of water. One glass of water spilled all over my computer desk and dripped down onto my computer. My computer went PZZZT! and died and no matter how much I recited a mantra of, «Please turn back on, please turn back on,» it just wouldn’t.
Enter Rent A Geek. I called my father in a panic, b/​c when I panic about emotional things I call my mother but when financial or technical crises occur, my dad is where it’s at. He suggested calling someone who was actually in the state, such as Rent A Geek, since he did not find my crisis worth jumping on a plane over. Not having internet to search craigslist for the cheapest option and needing to deal with this asap, I texted «Rent A Geek L.A.» to Google on my phone, and thus, my multi-​person journey began.
$ 200 later, my computer is back and as good as before– it’s way too old to be as good as new. It was worth paying to get fixed for an array of reasons I won’t bore you with, as this review is already seriously lacking in brevity. They get four stars instead of five for three reasons: 1) I had to talk to 3 or 4 different people over the course of a few days before someone actually came and picked up the computer, 2) the tech didn’t show for our appointment Monday night, and didn’t call to explain his lateness till 1.5 hours later, after I had already made numerous calls to the assortment of numbers I had for these people, and 3) one guy I called asking why the dude didn’t show texted me back that my computer was being worked on and was not yet ready, to which I was like, ummm NO, my computer is dead in my home and your tech didn’t show and is this just a joke business and really you are a bunch of dudes sitting around eating pizza and smoking pot?
Well, no, they are not that. They are legitimate and they fixed my computer for a reasonable price, and I am hopefully not going to be a clutz anymore.

Ben at Rent-​A-​Geek is AMAZING!!!
I am embarrassed to admit I am not the most proficient on the old computer especially with my web site. Ben has changed all that. I now am able to upload, make changes and understand this side of my business — without spending a fortune — and Ben and Rent-​a-​Geek have made that possible. And as you can imagine I have quite a few qestions and Ben is great. Even with taking my phone calls and emails about other computer related issues that are continually coming up. I really can’t say enough about Rent-​A-​Geek or Ben… CALL THEM!

As with men and any service related relationship, I value follow up. No I don’t need constant attention. My name is not Jennifer Aniston. But I do enjoy proper follow up and communication when I give you something of value — in this case namely my dad’s laptop that I have been borrowing.
Jacob is very good with phone, emails and most importantly texts. This is still kinda rare these days for companies to text you [too personal maybe? who knows] but its nice that i don’t have to hop on a computer [hello. no laptop] or get on the phone everything I need to shoot over info to Jacob.
He picked up my laptop from my apt last Saturday and he kindly dropped it off today fixing a broken hinge that I snapped. I inspected it and it works perfectly now. Whew. Now I won’t get that «responsibility» talk from my daddy.
Granted I would have liked a faster return but not watching porn for a week is probably good for the soul and baby jesus.

Ben is awesome-​sauce! I called him about adding RAM to my old Mac computer and he talked to me for close to 15 minutes on the phone about whether Ram was the right choice due to my specific situation. At the end of the call he actually suggested purchasing a refurbished computer — woa! He definitely kept it real and didn’t try to profit off me!
Later he sent me an email laying out the cost benefits of his services and a new computer — and suggested the latter, so I’m off to purchase a new Mac — and I’m singing Ben’s name — so happy that he gave me the right advice for my situation.
Rock-​on Rent A Geek!!!

$ 100+ to do a virus scan on my hard drive. Meh. Did not take the service.

My computer completely stopped working, which for me is a serious pain. I’m no good at fixing my own computer, and I was annoyed that I would have to send it out for repair. Then I got the bright idea to check Unilocal.
Good idea. I found Rent a Geek after searching Unilocal for computer repair, hoping to find something near my house. I went to their website, filled out the online request form, and Jacob called me a couple of hours later. He was willing to come to my house and work on my computer, but when I asked if I could take it to him instead, he was cool with that too — he ended up picking it up from me at work, which was really convenient. He was great about calling me and letting me know what was going on, and discussing prices before doing the work. I had my computer back within a couple of days, and now it’s running great and I don’t have to be disgruntled anymore! Hooray!
I would definitely use Rent A Geek again for future computer repairs. They have great service and fair prices.

See, this is why I love Unilocal.I would never have known about Rent A Geek without this site!
My laptop’s lid had gotten all loose and floppy. Clearly something was messed up, but I wasn’t about to go taking my computer apart to figure it out. Less valuable and crucial electronic devices in my home have met their demise that way. So, I come onto Unilocal and search for a computer repair place. Voila… Rent A Geek! Went to Rent A Geek’s website and filled out a form asking for assistance. They called me like 5 seconds later. The guy on the phone, Jacob, says he’s happy to help and can he come by in the morning to fix the computer. Wow, now that is service!
Jacob arrived the next morning right on schedule. He was friendly and helpful, and in no time at all he had figured out the problem and tightened up the laptop lid. It is now in great shape! Boy, do I love handing out five star reviews when I find an awesome new business, and Rent A Geek fully deserves the praise. Hopefully nothing will ever go wrong with my computer again, but if it does I know who to call.

Ben, you are the best! Thanks so much for saving me not only tons of time but tons of money. He understoond the needs of a student/​resident in a 90 hour work week. Thanks dooooood!!!
I had a huge emergency that requried urgent service and Ben not only stayed after working hours, it was also the weekend. I feel that I have to report what a great person Ben is to work with and hope that he gets swarmed by the Unilocalers in need of his services.
Everyone should know that you saved me several hundreds of dollars. I can only say I hope more people discover what a great service you offer at rent-​a-​geek.

Ben at Rent A Geek is the best! Extremely knowledgeable about Macs. I just called him up in a crisis thinking I would need a house call. In 5 minutes on the phone he solved my problem, and then offered a solution for another issue that the Apple Store’s Genius Bar had no answers for weeks before.
What a find!

So I leave my office for one week and come back to find that somehow our printer is offline and my boss has no idea how it happened or how to fix it. What to do, what to do… I need a superhero and fast…
Enter Rent-​a-​Geek, who tells me that they can get me a technician the next day at noon. The guy who came (Daniel?) was not only early (that never happens with technicians!!!) but he was super sweet and, yes, a geek. But in an «I can still talk to you and understand what you are saying because it’s not all technical» kind of way.
Anyway, he fixed the problem, explained what he did to fix it and didn’t get upset when I could answer exactly zero of his questions. And he only charged us for an hour (even though he was there a little longer)!!
So yeah, Daniel saved the day and all is well again in my office.