ADVANCED COMPUTERS

My computer became unstable and would not boot into Windows. I took it to Advanced Computers and left it. The next day Michael, the owner, said that the hard drive was bad but the data could be recovered. He offered a 750 GB Seagate for $80-$90 (he wasn't sure of the price), which I approved. Michael did not say that it was a new hard drive, but he did not say that it was used either. That would currently be full price for a top-line new 1 TB hard drive at retail. The full price for the repair was $295, including $95 for the hard drive. When I got the machine home I noticed that the hard drive they installed made audible buzzing and clicking noises. I have since learned that all hard drives are quiet through most of their useful life, but when the seek mechanism becomes worn enough they make these buzzing and clicking noises. I used some disc software that they had left on the machine and the hard drive failed the seek test, further evidence that the seek mechanism was near the end of it's life. A hard drive this worn could fail at any time. I told Michael that I did not want the hard drive and why, and he agreed to take it back. I purchased a new hard drive and installed it myself. When I took the hard drive back, the best Michael would do was a partial refund of $77. Note that I would never knowingly put a used hard drive into this machine at any price. Hard drives wear out. And I use this PC in my business where reliability is critical. I have used Advanced Computers several times over the years and have always been satisfied. Mostly I dealt with Charles, the technician, who has always been helpful and professional. But I am disappointed that Michael would sell me a used hard drive that was near the end of it's service life for full price and without telling me that it was used - knowing that I would use it in a critical business computer. Caveat Emptor.