Wednesday, September 04, 2013

On wanting to be anywhere in the world that's not PC World



So I went out and bought a new laptop, my old one doing a reasonable impression of a brick. Like some sort of moron, I took myself to PC World, there being nowhere else in the Farnborough – Aldershot – Fleet Bermuda Triangle that sells computers, and was not surprised in the slightest at the following exchange.


PC World: "Would you like to buy Norton anti-virus?"

Me: "Err... no thanks. I'd rather eat my own foot."

PC World: "WHAT? You'd rather surf the internet without protection? ARE YOU MAD?"

Me: "No, I'm not a moron."

PC World: "But you'll be surfing the internet without protection. End times! Fire falling from the skies! Dogs and cats living together!"

(He might not have used such florid language)

Me: "Also, it's Windows 8. It comes with Microsoft's own anti-virus software as standard. So stop trying to sell me something I'll never need, because I am not a moron"

PC World: "Oh. Right."

Me: "In fact, just sell me the laptop and let me get out of here."


They sold me the laptop, and I got out of there feeling smug.

Then I got the thing home and the most important key on the keyboard (F5) fell off. So... back to a store where I had just insulted everybody to ask them for a replacement.

Pie has never tasted more humble.

(And credit to PC World, they were very nice about it)

8 comments:

  1. Should have bought a Mac. You get a better class of w*nker selling you that Apple gear.

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  2. I'm still trying to find the "ANY" key on my computer.

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  3. Audrey11:32 am

    FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFf...........

    Windows ffffffffffffffffkkkking 8!!!!!


    GAAAAAHHHH!!!!!

    (Guess who was at work an extra four hours last night trying to get someone's new Windows 8 laptop to connect to the wireless here...)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had a similar experience at PC World, probably worse because I'm a woman! (See Joy Wodhams Pollyanna Page (Computers, Male Store Assistants and Women, 13/06/13). The pressure was high and the condescension even higher!
    Love your blog!
    Joy

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  5. Don Gell5:19 pm

    How did the F5 key fall off? Are you a bat?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Went to PC world for a hard drive. Got one too, they sent me to Maplins...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very funny post - thank you!

    ReplyDelete