Problem customer

[bertie40]

It would be interesting to see the back of the old keyboard. Maybe find some residual coke/coffee/beer whatever.

If you find any foreign gunk, complete the job and casually mention what you found.

Let them know you realise they have pulled a stunt.....with a smile.


Regards.

 

[Laimbo]

Keyboards are generally around $20 to $50 ex gst/freight here in aus. although I have never ordered a single key before. if I did I would inspect the glue first and see if the key is still functioning. did you remove the keyboard to work on the key? maybe the pressure from removing the glue etc caused the ribbon cable to become lose or there could be dirt or moisture under the keyboard causing a bad connection.

 

[RegEdit]

I don't repair these nit picky items. Never worth my time.

Also I test turning on the computer at the time of drop off AND at the time of pick up to help eliminate these types of claims and misunderstandings.

I once accepted a computer for repair that according to the customer booted up fine. During transportation some metal parts inside were banging around in there. They were touching the motherboard in such a way that it was preventing it from booting. Fortunately I was able to just remove the loose parts out of there and then it booted, but ever since then I always test the computer at the time of drop off and pick up.

 

[GoHighVoltage]

I never repair keyboards, EVER.

In your situation, I would replace the keyboard no charge.

Lesson Learned. Do not try to fix something that is not worth fixing.

 

[NETWizz]

I have repaired laptop keyboards before but ONLY in this ONE situation:

1. Key fell off and user brings me the key...

2. The underlying part of the keyboard the key snaps to is undamaged.

3. The key snaps on simply by placing it on the keyboard and pressing down...


^^^^ I HAVE had laptops to where it was as easy as pressing the key back onto the keyboard!

I would NOT, however, order any keys (especially for a keyboard that has the key support missing or Glue)

I WOULD quote the full-price of a new keyboard to set that as the expectation... Then, I would happily tell the customer I was able to snap the key in place, so they did not need a new keyboard afterall...

^^^ This sets the expectations. If anything goes wrong or the keyboard goes Kaput they are already expecting to pay for a keyboard, so buy one; they are paying!

 

[maclaptech]

Yeah, replace the keyboard that you broke. They gave it to you working (you did check, didn't you?) just minus one key and now it's kaput. Just turn the tables and see how you'd feel if the shoe was on the other foot.

I agree that his mistake was to try to order a key rather than an entire keyboard but exactly how did you come to a conclusion that he broke the keyboard and not the customer?

If customer brought their laptop in after "they" broke "their" key and then tried to fix it by putting "crazy glue" on it and made it worse because of lack of the knowledge on how keyboards work, then your conclusion is that the tech broke the keyboard and it is his fault?

How do you come to a conclusion that he didn't check it before trying to repair it?

So I guess next time when I need an oil change in my car, I just drain the oil, then put the wrong oil in the car because I don't have a clue on what oil to put in it. Then after it starts to act up, I take it to mechanic shop. Once they try to drain the wrong oil and put the right oil in "but it won't fix the engine damage", I turn around and blame "them" for it...