Jay Z ruins everything!

My computer has official died. Or kind of died. Or more aptly, the software has crashed (at this point I hope it is just that). I noticed last week that my USB port was not working on my computer. This only became noticeable when I tried to transfer new songs onto my ipod. At first I thought it was the cord itself. I have had problems in the past with usb wires.

But my math lessons from school paid off. Or maybe that's science lessons. Instead of buying a new usb cord I tried to use the usb port with another device (printer). The same message popped up. That the device could not be located on my computer. I put two and two together that it wasn't the cord it was the port itself. Frustration bound I called best buy, who of course told me that I would have to come in and get a diagnostic test on the computer before they could do anything.

I nixed that idea and instead called Compaq (my computer brand) to better understand the issue. The number that I found (before my computer completely crashed) directed me to a company called IYOGI. I have never heard of this company before. But all of the IT questions located on the Compaq site leaded me there. The first time I called, the sales person blamed my USB problem on me, and then insured me that if I paid him 139.99 that he would fix the problem I had created for myself. I told him, I'd call him back in an hour. I never did.

But then on Friday, my computer completely froze as I was listening to a Dixie Chicks song. I blame you Natalie Maines! I immediately shut my computer down the illegal way, and then tried to restart it. But I got nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. My computer went from working to not working in a matter of seconds. I paced. I wanted to cry. I paced again. I realized I had no pants on and then paced again. I didn't go to sleep that night. I watched my lifeless computer the whole night wondering how I was (am) going to pay to get it fixed.

The next day I called best buy, asked them my computer issue and then decided I would go to them. Yes, it is going to cost me 69.95 to get a diagnostic test and another 129.00 to restart XP (if that is the case) but what am I suppose to do, pay 139.99 for IYOGI to fix it ? Wait. This would be the cheaper alternative. This would save me money. And IYOGI is for a whole year, so if I ever encounter a software related problem I can call them. YEAH!

That's what I thought when I called them up Saturday night. I talked to an okay sales associate who ensured me that I was making the right decision. As he was processing my debit card information, he asked me about my email address. He said it was an interesting name and then I said it was from a band. As I was waiting for him to take the money out of my account he kept asking me information outside of computer related stuff. This made me nervous for some reason.

I still do not know if he was trying to be friendly or what but the moment he started going on a tangent about music I started to get concerned. Who the fuck was I talking to. Where they even a legit company. I didn't have Internet access to check them out, and why was he so interested in talking about Guns N Roses. Not that I am not a fan or anything, but dammit it all to hell if I am forking over 140 bucks to someone I don't know, I want them to kind of be professional. PROFESSIONAL!

The nail in the coffin came when he started talking about Jay-Z, an artist I have no issues with. I have danced to some of his songs myself in my room, but when the guy on the other end said "Jay-Z. Yeah he is the shit!", red flags started raising. I have never had this feeling before. My stomach dropped. For the first time ever, I felt real fear. Maybe I wasn't talking to who I thought I was talking to. I did find this number off the Internet. Maybe the whole thing is a scam and I have just willingly given a person I don't know all of my debit card information. A person who says "Jay-Z" is the shit to a customer.

He knew he made a mistake because then he returned to regular sales person voice. But by then I was all kinds of freaked out, and told him I didn't want to purchase the year insurance to fix my computer. But I got this response from him: "but Beckett, I'm sorry. I've already taken the money out. Too late!". I started freaking out, I hung up the phone and began to dial bank of America, for them to freeze my account. But the moment I hit the number pad on my phone, the phone rang like something out of a scary movie. 'Why did you hang up the phone' the voice yells back at me. Yells!

"Who the hell are you people!" I yell back, repeating that he just said Jay-Z was the shit. Before he can utter another word I say "your supervisor. NOW!". He transfers me to a manager who seems pretty appalled by the agents un-professionalism and ensures me that this will never happen again. But I am livid. I feel violated. And I want my motherfucking money back.

Of course, I then spent the next 2 days! on the phone with these people, explaining why I want my money back. The answers ranged from 'we don't give refunds' to 'call this number'. I was on hold a total of 12 hours, spoke to about 12 people, and cursed out 2 managers.

Today I woke up and my money is back in my account. I'm a lot tougher than I thought I was. I have won the battle! I am all bruised and worn out, but dammit I have my money back. But my computer still doesn't work and taking it to best buy is going to cost me a pretty penny. A pretty penny. I can't afford this. I have rent to pay, and this week is another 3 days of work. Now it's time to beg my mom to help me out with this. Yeah, I'm working the mom angle on this one.

If it is the software it will cost me 129.00, if it is the hard drive (please don't let it be that), it will cost me 80+50+129.00 dollars. which is 2X the amount I want to pay. Please be the software, purty please.

I will be away from the computer for awhile. I hate coming to the library. But will try to at least until my computer works. Fingers crossed. I'll need it.