Discount Electronics

I would not go here. I will drive to Fry’s or Best Buy next time at least they are honest and have great customer service. I took my laptop in because it crashed. They told me that it was a $ 50 diagnostic fee and it would be applied to the service if I had them do the repair. When they called/​emailed to tell me what needed to be done the guy told me it would cost $ 100.00. I asked him if that was the total cost with the $ 50 applied. He told me it was-​Obviously, it wasn’t. I asked to talk to the manager-​nothing. Emailed the company– nothing. I also had my Microsoft Office products like Word that I use for school disappear and my pictures and other documents were stored in some file within a file in another user– blah blah blah. It’s completely a rip off if the people who work there are not willing to be straight forward-​especially if the managers there will not do anything to correct the problem.

They sell substandard yet cheap (both price and quality) electronics. Crappy stuff from China that you can get on eBay for a quarter of the price. Their return policy is absurd! 10 days to exchange for store credit only. Save your money and buy a better product from a better store.

Sold me multiple broken products and will not return them due to the fact that they knowingly sell broken products. Avoid if you want to buy products that work. I now have store credit to buy more products that don’t work. HOW EXCITING

Really good prices on stuff and even service is honest. They told me my computer was so trashed that figuring out what was wrong with it would be more than it would be to buy a new computer, or reconditioned one from them or even Dell. Zero up selling. I am impressed with that!

Ten year customers of Mr. Notebook from my business and for my personal use, I very much appreciated their personal attention, proactive assistance and referred my mother and sister to them to buy two new laptops and software packages when they were visiting me last Memorial Day weekend.
My sister died in April of this year and I’ve been handling her Missouri based estate from Texas around full time work, mommy hood, etc since.
Once I finally took possession of her laptop in May, I contacted Mr. Notebook for their assistance with cleaning it up and starting fresh. After three attempts at calling and emailing, I got a response from Discount Electronics advising that they had bought them out and that I would need to reach out to one of their local branches. This was days within the warranty’s expiration. I’ve had a few good experiences with Discount Electronics, in the past, so I felt OK about it. Six weeks later, I’m just now finding time to do follow their instructions, however.
To be fair, they are following their established guidelines and practices, but I had hoped to experience better from a locally owned business … more like what we had experienced with Mr. Notebook… and I just got off the phone feeling as if i was talking to a big box, cold, uncaring, unsympathetic Best Buy or Radio Shack. There was no empathy, no concern, no proactive suggestions for self help, troubleshooting or solutions I might be able to find other than paying them more money to assist.
They didn’t do anything Wrong, technically… but they didn’t do anything Right either. I’m disappointed to see a money hungry business practice win out again over doing the right thing and will no longer be supporting their business.

I was trying to return an item on the last day it was eligible for my boss and I didn’t have a receipt James was very patient and went out of his way to try and find the item on his computer but wasn’t able to find it. So he gave me an extension until my boss could come in the next day! Thanks for being so helpful!

I discovered this place via Unilocal because I was looking for some new computers to buy. These folks do not sell new computers, only used! The used computers they did have are not eye candy to say the least. They all function fine and are decent budget laptops. This is a place that is more suitable for someone looking for components of computers and such, it’s full of that stuff.

I wish I could give negative stars to better mirror how I feel after giving these people $ 250 to repair my laptop, and having only an EVEN LESS USABLE laptop to show for it (not to mention, hours gone from my life, more gray hairs, and a throbbing, stroke-​like feeling in my skull every time I think about it). Please please please do not trust them with any service. Maybe I can at least make my awful experience count for something if I can prevent others from going here. If you’re interested in the details of the following saga, I’m sorry that I rant and drag on despite my best efforts to keep it brief.
My HP laptop screen was flickering. I looked up the details of the problem, and the specific symptoms sounded like it was one of two cables loose. I wasn’t comfortable taking my laptop/​screen apart to the level I’d need to according to some online tutorials, so my plan was to take it in to Mr Notebook. I was sad to see they had closed, but it looked like they’d somehow been absorbed into the Discount Electronics Manchaca location. Even though it was a major trek for me to get there, I eventually made an afternoon free and brought it in.
The intake person at the repair desk signed me in, and I explained/​showed her the details. Also, explained why I thought it was cables and not the screen itself. She said the best course would be to pay the $ 50 diagnostic to make sure that was actually the problem, and then that amount could be applied to repair if I decided to do it. I agreed to that.
They called a few days later to say the technician confirmed the entire LCD needed to be replaced, for an additional ~$ 192. I had been feeling guilty about e-​waste lately, so even though it was a lot of money, I decided to go for the repair rather than just save up more for a new computer. They also said they had the right size screen in stock, so it wouldn’t take too long (it took longer than they implied, but whatever).
I picked it up Sunday afternoon, and regret so so much that I didn’t turn it on in the store to check it. My thinking was that if there was going to be a problem, it wouldn’t be IMMEDIATELY apparent, but I knew I had 90 days of warranty/​guarantee on the work. I got home a couple hours later and turned it on to see the exact same flickering as before. Also, one of the hinge covers popped up as soon as I opened it, and I couldn’t get it to close right (just chalked this up to shoddy worksmanship when re-​installing the lid/​screen). I made a video to document the issue (it’s funny to listen to how irritated my voice is in the video because if I thought I was angry THEN, well, just read on).
I called the store back immediately to explain the problem. I would have driven back out there immediately since weekends are the only times I generally have the time available to drive that far. The guy said that the technician that had worked on it wouldn’t be there till the next day, and only from 9 – 5, so I agreed to just bring it by the next day so that I could talk to the actual technician in person.
So on Monday, I got off work an hour early so I could get down there by 5, and guess what! The technician wasn’t there! I was annoyed, but left it again with the repair desk so they could look at it. Oh, also, I hadn’t closed down the screen at all because of that hinge cover thing, but right when I brought it in, someone took it to the back and fixed that part so it closed right. I thought that was just a minor, incidental thing, but read on.
Also, I had emailed them to ask them to not recycle my old screen because as I had suspected from the start, there was probably nothing wrong with it. They said they didn’t get that email, but while I was there they got a screen «from the back» which was tagged «scrap» which they said was probably my original one. I have no way to verify that, so just trusted.
The next day, the technician looked at the laptop again, and I got an auto-​notification with the note that «hinge is broken. Wasn’t like this when it left the shop.» Which made my blood pressure spike with indignation because WTF, that was NOT from anything I did. When they called a few hours later, they said that the problem was the hinges. They said the new LCD was also messed up, but they would cover that under the 90 day warranty.
I really, really, really hate being the outraged customer, but I just lost it. I have a recording of the phone call, me saying something incredulous like «So, you’re telling me that by some WEIRD COINCIDENCE, this MYSTERIOUS hinge damage is now causing the EXACT same symptoms that I brought it in for a few weeks ago?» before I broke down crying because I felt sick every time I thought about how much money I’d given them already.
I’m out of space, so short story is they «offered» to charge only $ 110 more dollars to replace the hinges. I said I didn’t want them working on it at all and made time to pick it up a few days later. It was in pieces. It’s still in pieces. No refund.

In the midst of moving i called before trecking down and wanted to trade in on 8 old computers, most of which I had boughte there. Was told they didn’t have a buyer but could recycle them, when I showed up they said they would take one or two. This was a big waste of time while I was super stressed. It seems like they kind of make stuff up as they go. I am not saying I won’t be back, but I won’t be thrilled to go back if that makes any sense.

Was a frequent customer until I had a horrible exchange experience. I understand receipt is needed to exchange, but on a cheap item it shouldn’t be an issue. They have no way to look up purchases besides via email, in which then you get bombarded with their emails, so it wasn’t available. I WILL NOT BE COMING BACK. Do not waste money.

I went in there a few days with a friend who was familiar with the store. All he wanted was a good case for his iPhone 6+. Some how I got into a discussion about doing something with my old Mac laptop. Since the screen was broken I couldn’t sell it. I just wanted to know my data would be safe. Or erased.
I was told I could bring it in and they’d take out the hard drive and give it to me.
So this morning I took it in and Misty took out the old drive right in front of me. I then bought a slave drive which she put it in.
With 15 minutes I was out of there! And now have an external hard drive!

Long ago in an unknown galaxy there came a Discount Electronics to North Austin. So close but yet so many traffic light years away and yet I was beckoned to this little star like a moth to the flame. You see I was in possession of many old and out of warranty Dell products that I used to run my insurance office. I found this safe space dock to stock and provide new, used and refurbished products that I desperately needed. I might like to mention I didn’t have much of a budget to just go our and buy anything I wanted.
Fast forward 10 years later and I’m now safe and sound in South Austin and so is Discount Electronics. I also want to point out they have experienced and knowledgeable staff on hand and to look at them you wouldn’t think computer nerds (I didn’t see one pocket protector).
POOF was the sound I heard from my ASUS power supply when I plugged it in last week. I naturally turned once again to Discount Electronics to inquire about a «generic» power supply and they suggested I bring my new laptop in. They beamed my up and there was my OEM power supply for a fraction of what I would have had to pay for an original. I was back on the Unilocal talk threads as quick as you can say Witty Kitty.
Toys, gizmos, gadgets, supplies and all manner of things you don’t even know you need lay in this little spaceship flying through space at 17,000 MPH.

Extremely inexpensive electronic SOLUTIONS… awesome service!-coming from someone who has worked at apple retail.
I’m a freelance videographer and I stopped by the store looking for last minutes cheap solutions for evening event coverage, was blown away by the options here! I was in a rush for time but was completely taken care of by sales staff, never expected to find what I did here, and to leave with simple things I thought I was going to have to spend more money on.
Was greeted by a sweet salesperson, Jenni and she went out of her way to help me find the audio cables and adapters for recording. I was also helped by a girl named Morgan* who was equally helpful and patient in grabbing batteries and other odd things while I was making sure I purchased correct cables.
I also found cheap temporary wireless mics, and a portable lighting stick. Had a chance to browse, found a ton of discounted. (*think amazon and similar outsourced pricing) As someone who has broken the bank buying expensive equipment, I will say that while everything might not have a year warranty or be certified, it is easy to find gems here. iPhone cases, speakers, monitors.
Perfect if you quickly wear and tear equipment like I do when grabbing documentary and event footage! Check it out. It’s nearly impossible NOT to find something you can use here. Also, you will have a fun, simple shopping experience because they pick their employees well.
*I believe her name was Morgan or Meagan.

This review is for an online experience.
I was looking for an item online, found that here they had a great price. The description however was not clear. Ok, so my fault, buyer beware and all.
Problem is that I need to return it and only get in-​store credit AND they charge «restocking» fee.
I will keep it since they don’t have what I actually DO need, or anything else I would need to buy from them. So basically, I would be sending this back for credit I will never use.
I would rather keep it although I spent $ 40 on something that will sit gathering dust.

I’ve been to Discount Electronics many times. Not because I’m a fan of the place, but because it happens to be a couple minutes from home.
The place experienced a fire some time ago, and it was sad to see the place in rough shape. Unfortunately, repairs weren’t quick. Months passed and the scorched ceiling was still hanging over the entryway. Everything smelled of ash, and it seemed as though the owners of DE didn’t want to take the time to initiate repairs after months. I certainly don’t fault the place for having a fire, but insurance should have covered damages and repairs should have been made right away.
The prices are generally good, unless you buy RAM. Don’t buy RAM here. Backpacks, cables, and other small accessories are where DE earns its place among the go-​to stores on my list. Where else can you find a $ 5 HDMI cable?
As a customer, DE isn’t a terrible place to go, especially if you’re searching for a deal on a used PC or Monoprice cables. I think its staff is fairly good, albeit inexperienced. The décor is nice, save for the massive singed hole in the ceiling.
Go there if you want a deal, but not if you want the latest and greatest of anything.

I bought a cheap printer and replacement toner from discount electronics. Worked perfectly until a paper jam blocked the works. Went back to D E –Manager (Ken)IMMEDIATELY took valuable time to getting stuck paper out and tested the printer to make sure it was working. This was above and beyond customer service. He did it with a smile and NO CHARGE-​even carried the (heavy)printer back to my car. I TOTALLY commend Discount Electronics Manchaca Branch to anyone who needs bright helpful effective customer service!
Thank you Ken!

UPDATE: When I first bought my laptop, the one thing I made clear to the salesperson was that I needed something that ran the new Microsoft Office. I said something about it at least 3 or 4 times. Well, turns out the operating system on what he sold me (Vista) doesn’t support the new Office.
Called to tell him about this and he said: «I highly doubt that.»
He checked the requirements online then said, «Oh, wow. Well, I’d suggest you order one of those subscriptions they offer. You’ll download it and have a year license.»
It became one of those situations where you don’t know if you should actually point out that he’s totally not listening, and that Vista doesn’t support the new Office — download or otherwise — or if you just step back and walk away.
I told him I thought it was best to talk with a manager the next day. I speak with said manager, whom I’ve spoken with before on another issue. He says I can trade what I have in for something with Windows 7, and that he’d call me in the next few days with what he’s found.
Over a month later, I’m still waiting for the call. Actually, that’s a stretch because I paid somebody else a week later to take care of it. Not necessarily what I wanted to do, but when you have contract responsibilities, you get the job done no matter what. «Well, I’m still waiting for the computer store,» isn’t going to fly over a missed deadline.
I was going to give one star, but I guess if you really know computers and don’t need any set up or customer service assistance, then maybe it’s a good deal. Going back to my original decimal system idea, I’d give 1.25. I just don’t hand out too many 1 star reviews.
If you’ve got other talents and looking for a power-​on-​and-​go situation like I hoped for, then you might want to look elsewhere. Overall, I really like the computer, but really dislike the way everything went down. If you’re relying on them to fix something that might go wrong, you could be in for a big hassle like I experienced.

I always get prompt, great service by the sales staff. They are friendly and very knowledgeable. The prices are easy on the budget too.
I also want to compliment Misty in helping me exchange a product that was not compatible with my cigarette car charger. It was easy, quick and hassle free.

Picked up an SD card reader. The only one they carry. Took it home and plugged it into my desktop PC. Computer instantly froze, completely unresponsive. Tried again. Same thing. Pulled the card and put it in my laptop and then my tablet. Neither would recognize it. Fried SD card. Looked up the card reader on Amazon and every review said the same thing. If it doesn’t fry the card it wipes everything on it out.
Took the reader in for a refund. Told them my story. Clerk was entirely unhelpful and unsympathetic. He gave me the rote «sorry to hear that» with an attitude like I was seriously bothering him. I wasn’t expecting a replacement on the card, but I was livid when they told me that they would only give me store credit. STORE CREDIT!!! On an obviously faulty device, I’d bought the day before, that apparently the purchaser didn’t do a lick of research on. Like I’m going to spend my store credit on anything in that store and trust my electronics to it. Avoid these clowns like the plague. I will NEVER spend another dime here. Thieves.

I have shopped their Anderson Ln location before which was also a 5 star experience.
Today, I was shopping for a new desktop and was in and out with my new PC in about 15 minutes! When I walked in and explained to the young man who greeted me that I was looking for a basic desktop for checking email, paying bills, etc. He showed me the cheapest ones first $ 99 and explained that they were older and would be slower and after explaining all the different models I decided on a Dell 755 Core 2 Duo at $ 289. I was concerned that my monitor might not have the correct connector. So, he took me over to the wires and asked me what my connector looked like. I only remembered that it was blue and male. He also showed me how to take apart the PC and remove a cartridge that might be in conflict with my monitor cord. Someone waiting in line said I did not need to remove it.
I got my system home and connected everything and my monitor screen was blank. I tried several times then tried an old adapter I had to use the other male/​female connection and I am obviously back on-​line! and the system works great!
And thanks for being dog friendly Rick C. (manager or owner who emailed me a while back that they were dog friendly) it saved my morning hiking plans and my dog entertained the people waiting behind me:) I particularly liked the guy in line who bent down and did the whole butt wiggle thing trying to entice my dog to play;)