Micro Center

This place is so unprofessional and I manage a retail store. So I call a day before a product was released and the gentleman said the would have it when they opened and if I was there before they opened I would get one. I got there 30 minutes before «opening» but they opened at 9 instead and ran out and gave no one a chance. When I called the day before I asked if there was anyway to pre-​pay for it or reserve it just incase something like that happened and the sales associate said there’s nothing to worry about and no way to reserve it or hold my place. I walk in and they’re out because they decided to open an hour early and they had no reason for that, no sorry or anything and just pushed me on my way like nothing. Horrible way to handle the situation because I was not the only one confused on what happened. while we’re standing there for an answer, a customer walks up and picks up his «reserved gpu» and everyone is standing there confused and mad about that because we were all told we couldn’t reserve it, So they had me write my name and number on a paper for the next shipment they said would come in the same day and I was one of the earlier people to write my name and still never got a call. When I finally called them to check on the shipment the gentleman was rude and didn’t bother to tell me any info or help. Horrible service and bad attitude on the phone and person. Never rely on them for new products or their word. Never going there again for any computer related hardware of they can’t even help or give me a straight answer.

Worst store ever. Paid for a $ 200 3 year warranty for my 4K smart tv. There’s no buttons on the tv and the remote broke, so the tv is unusable and it’s not covered under the warranty. The service department told me they’d get me a new remote, but it’s been 3 weeks and they have yet to order it. You can’t even call the store directly, it’s a remote call center.

Can’t complain it was an in and out situation.
Friendly staff and amazing options and prices. I didn’t have a whole lot of time to get a monitor for my computer and so I can appreciate the fact that the place allowed you not to get trapped forever to get out.
Got. Pretty good deal in a 22 inch white HP monitor. Now I need. Printer and saw some awesome prices. Will have to go back soon.

Microcenter is the store my wife fears me entering with a credit card in hand. If I need some gadget I start here. And, when it is time to build or upgrade one of my pc’s I end here too. The build-​your-​own section is top notch, and flat out competitive with online outlets like newegg. I admit it, this is my geek addiction and I am powerless over it.

Like this place!
So i love to build my own things… from miniature breadboard, hot wire, to color coded shrink tubes… they have it
The place is a bit small but neat, has everything.
I gave the 3D-​Printing Tech Sales Guys one hell of a run for their time and surprisingly they were able to answer most of my questions. (NO, I did not buy the machine, i think it is a bit overpriced and a bit unrefined). Yet Micro Center’s only faulty is that they sale the product like it is the best knowingly there will be something else later much much more efficient
Conveniently located across the lane is Starbucks; Sam’s gas is over the other side of the street, and then Walmart is in the same plaze behind the hotel.
All in all, this is place has much better service than Frys and has more selection than Radio shack down the street.

Past the point of redemption — time for people to look past the big Westpark tollway façade.
Summary: Microcenter does not offer a safe environment for consumer experience. You owe consumers and patrons that, at a minimum. You are a business. Consumers pay a premium for a service — you are not entitled to treat your consumers as 2^nd class; there are other options out there. I will prefer to wait in the mail, pay lower prices, or use other local resources like Fry’s any day.
For the past several years, i’ve been able to get my tech fix, investing tens of thousands of dollars while procuring from Microcenter in both their old Houston, online, and new Houston locations.
Firstly, as a consumer — you should be aware that they do not provide security for your vehicle, nor provide surveillance for the parking lot. I was the victim of significant loss recently (for the record, nothing was showing — I follow the lock it/​hide it principles). Not only did the store manager display less than professional mannerisms; when calling their corporate office to provide feedback — each were less than appreciative of my input.
Look Microcenter — get in the game. The voice of the customer is your market feedback — you’re sinking to new lows. Go ahead and tabulate all the happy 5-​star customers who use you for iPhone cables and covers — those really vested in tech and innovation should be weary of your approach in satisfying long-​term value for your patrons. In my opinion, tech patrons have to be the most loyal and mutually beneficial clients you can have.
Secondly — customer service is lacking in quality. There are nice folks in the store — but only a handful which are knowledgeable. Here are some nuggets of experience for you to consider:
— Go into the store and browse, get two-​dozen salespeople clinging to your back bugging you. Go into the store with intention of buying something or in need of technical advice, get no one.
— Management — you suck. Not only at managing the customer interface, but your principles in hiring talent and technically sufficient people. I’m not a know-​it all, but I shouldn’t have better working knowledge than some of the area sales associates
— We get it, having things on the shelves is important — but when your customers are in the aisle and reading or comparing items — that is not time to have your stockperson step in front of you to restock. C’mon, it is rude
— Etiquette is important — hygiene as well. Shirts with food, un-​tucked and cluttered appearance doesn’t help push your products. I get the fact we’re all a little geeky — but again, look toward improving the quality of your consumer interface.
— Related to etiquette: your floor people should monitor what they talk about and when they do it. Inappropriate, rude, and disgusting conversations really need to be saved for off-​the clock with buddies. You’re in for a rude awakening if this isn’t put into some sort of manageable context.
— Product offering quality decreases. Cheap, low-​quality substitute products are marked up, and anyone with access to the net can confirm this. I get it the business aspect of it — but if clients are willing to go the extra mile to pay a premium; then the transaction should be a two way street
— Build your PC still remains strong and consistent. Networking, printers, and monitor sections has consistently failed basic litmus tests of knowing their products.
Again — I have a couple of years of experience buying in store. The above instances aren’t one-​time only things; however — my loss with theft in the parking lot put me over the edge. I’m not angered anymore, i’ve waited a few weeks to craft this without emotional connotation; the above is fact — whether or not you choose to acknowledge the data points or not. I will seek out to ensure your market share dwindles; locally — if not to a larger context.

Wanna feel like you’ve stepped back into the 80s? This is the place to do it. Not many stores like this left sadly, but if you need computer parts or electronics in general they’ve got some great deals and do seem to stock most anything you could want. I will say this might not be the best place if you’re not aware of your goal or needs, as the staff are generally pretty geeky/​awkward, but they are helpful and will try and answer questions.
Reading others reviews I can understand their frustrations if they’re not totally up to speed with geekdom, but don’t let that stop you from checking it out.

Worst experience ever! Took my computer in for diagnosis and repair. Long story short… they basically destroyed my computer and gave it back to me completely empty. Literally! All of my programs… everything GONE!!! Even parts missing!!! Although they admitted their «stupid mistake» (the manager’s very own words, not mine) I’m still the one with a computer that no longer works and a ton of editing work GONE and all of my programs… GONE! They gave me back worse than a blank computer!
I had all my photos and most work backed up already but it’s all useless to me now when it’s a computer that simply can’t do ANYTHING! CANT EVEN OPEN THE BACK UP THEY DID FOR ME!
It can not even identify my phone to import photos. USELESS!!!
This whole destruction process, that they swore up and down they would fix for me, took a month!
The manager gave me false hope when he «owned» the mistake and said they would make it right. They didn’t. They called and said it was «ready» and never once discussed it with me again. I’m guessing they knew they couldn’t fix it and therefore, hoped I would just pick it up and leave. I feel that the least I can do is warn others! GO ANYWHERE BUT HERE!!!
Oh and yes… they still charged me from when I originally dropped it off. They should have at least given me my money back. I paid for Microcenter to destroy my computer!

Took my old MacBook Pro that crashed for hard drive replacement and data recovery. Got a call the following day saying that they’re not able to retrieve data and that they’ve tried 4 times. I picked up my computer the following day.
After much research online and YouTube, I attempted to recover my data from my hard drive on my own. All I had to do was purchase the Sabrent Dock Bay (which I also bought from them by the way) to place the hard drive I took out of my laptop and I successfully recovered my data when I connected the dock bay to my new MacBook Pro.
I think what they did was just open my laptop and place a sticker on the hard drive. They didn’t even go the extra mile to dust off the inside of my laptop. Granted it’s not their job but at least they could’ve shown they care if they were «not able» to recover the data. Just because the computer is old.
Anyway, all is well that ends well. I saved $ 200. Only had to spend $ 40 for the dock bay and I got all my data on my own. So much for the so-​called «experts.»

I love that you can come here to get strictly PC and PC related goods without having to suffer with the hassle that is Frys Electronics or Best Buy. The selection of items ranges from all over, such as actual components for computers, cable management and everything in between. They also have 3D printers on display! It’s clean, and their line management for checkout is well-​done.
My only gripe is that there isn’t more of these around Houston, which is a huge shame and pain when you live on the opposite side of town.

I enjoy shopping here. The people are always helpful. The only problem is the wait for checkout at times and getting into the new location is not as easy as the old one. I don’t get to the new location as much because of the access. Also I liked the set up of the old store better with the exception of the help clinic in front of the new location.
Still I would recommend it as a good place to shop for computers, peripherals and related electronics.

was my go to place for parts to build a hot rod gaming pc when i lived in houston good selection good prices knowlageable employees a geek girls dream store

7 people in line for one worker at customer service desk. And I’m just here to pick up a repaired item. Oh wait, now it is 8 people. This isn’t really good «customer service.» They do often have decent prices on certain items, but online selection from other vendors is much wider. If you need a printer or UPC or something immediately, this is a good choice.

This is my go to place for my electronics needs. There is a Walmart next door. One stop shopping, Yeah!
Peace!

I rarely give 2-​stars, but when I do it’s well deserved.
I was looking to upgrade the RAM and memory on my laptop. I had a quote from Best Buy, but decided to check out Micro Center since their prices were lower.
The «Build your PC» desk was great. The gentleman there helped me fast, was attentive and helpful at answering questions. He even walked me over to the «Knowledge Bar» to show me where to check-​in to be seen (this was my first time).
Here’s where it changed.
I checked-​in and had 4 people ahead of me. I patiently waited while only 2 were assisting behind the desk. A woman walks in half an hour later with her dog and checks in. Clearly this dog is not a working dog and by his Unilocaling (haha) wasn’t happy there. She then pulls out a puppy pad and allows him to go in the cart. Gross! I love dogs, but no ma’am! An hour has now gone by, she walks up to sit at one of the empty barstools and manages to weasel her way in with one of the helpers. Yep! She cut 4 people in line! The system they have was pointless and no manager to enforce it.
I do not recommend the Knowledge Bar, unless you have at least an hour to kill standing in line. I bought the products there and happily drove across the street to GeekSquad. They greet you quickly and have more than 2 assisting customers.

This is a great place. I recently purchased a custom built gaming PC as well as a CorsairK70 keyboard and new monitor. The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful.
I was also able to call the staff near closing time for tech support on my new rig. They were very understanding and made sure my problem was fixed before hanging up.
The prices of computer parts at Micro Center are also generally lower than that of other stores in the general area.
I had a great experience and I will definitely be coming here again.

Great to find deals. Prices as good as amazon or other online places if you want to just pick up now and have it. New store is nicer, cleaner more organized.
Taking 2 stars off for the girl that works in the online pickup department. She is lazy, rude and thinks its ok to joke around and laugh in a customers face about some unrelated thing. Now that I remember this im going to email the manager about her. Got my receipt handy!
Screen your employees better Microcenter.

I went in to the Apple section of the store where two clerks are normally assigned. I wanted a keyboard and travel case for a ipad mini. I only found one open pack of each of three brands. They often have the same item in multiple places to hide the lack of selection but after waiting a half hour while the two clerks took customers on tours of the store I was told that open boxes is all they had, but they would reduce the price on replacements for missing pieces. No thanks aftwr waiting that long. I spoke to Manager David Diaz and he blamed Apple but didn’t ask if theis was an Apple product. It wasn’t. Microcenter just runs short at times. Nothing new. Best Buy matches the price and had plenty in two brands. Short much for short shipments David. I got a clerk in under five minutes too.

Not what has changed here but the quality of staff has plummeted and can no longer expect helpful assistance. I work in the tech field and know what I an asking for but they act like I don’t. I have been experiencing either a low quality staff member that simply does not know or a ‘white shirt’ individual that seems bothered we ask for help.
The store is also a complete mess and seems highly disorganized and unprofessional. Use to be much more in order at the previous location.
Not sure what is going on but appears to be poor management in place now. Has been this way the last 3 visits. Probably will not be another 3 visits from me. Sorry to see that. Use to really like this store.

Is it just me or does this place feel smaller than the previous location? The ceiling is higher, but it just feels cramped. I always felt comfortable walking around the other store. I got an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia everywhere in here. It also seemed like the store shelves weren’t as well stocked as in the previous location.
Otherwise, the computer parts if you are builder are still great here and a great price. The poorly stocked sections were phone accessories. I can only assume more people know about this place in its new location and they are more likely to by accessories than actual parts.
I’ll still come here when I need a part, but I won’t be coming here just to stare and dream of the day the price finally drops on the latest motherboard or video card.

I like this store much better than bestbuy… I recently purchase 2 monitors and the cables that allow me to hook my MacBook Pro up to a dual monitor… They had the right cables in stock to all me to do so that were not available at The Apple Store or Bestbuy… Also their prices were much cheaper… The only thing I did not like about this place is the location… It is kind of out of the way and hard to get in and out of the parking lot.

Review of exit/​entrance personnel only, two minutes after closing. But scanning the other reviews, it doesn’t sound like things improve much once you get inside the new location.
(FYI, Fry’s had my item in stock and is open ’til 8:00 PM on Sundays, in addition to being easier to find. Earlier/​longer weekday hours, too.)
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Give yourself plenty of time to find the new MicroCenter location.
Plan to battle Galleria traffic at least twice on two different freeways, if you’re unfamiliar with the double moebius reacharound clusterfunk that is the U-​turn at Chimney Rock.
And expect no sympathy.
But do prepare to be humiliated.
If you’re like me, who reached the doors of MicroCenter at exactly 6:02 PM on Sunday when the parking lot was still half full, you will not simply be turned away but actively treated as though you’re trying to hop over the fence at the White House.
If you explain to the woman who was minding the exit on Sunday, May 3, at 6:02 PM, that you got lost trying to find the new place, but you have a print-​up of the store’s page for the single item you need and can be in and out like The Flash, she will tell you to «wait a moment,» that she «will get someone to speak with you.»
You naturally assume she’s calling for an authorized associate:
1. You have a soft-​spoken manner, a pleading look in your eyes, and are waiting patiently outside the threshold.
2. Someone authorized is certainly still on duty when dozens of customers are still in the store.
3. It won’t take a minute to find your hard drive. There are more than 10 of it in stock; it’s not like finding Waldo.
4. You’ll gladly wait at the registers if they want to have an associate get it to ensure you don’t browse.
5. You’ll be gone long before the other shoppers. It’ll be like you were never even there, except MicroCenter will suddenly be more fluid by $ 125.
All that vs. «It’s two minutes past closing.»
Reason will win out for sure!
I mean, she could have made the judgment call to just let you in, and no one but her would have ever known, but she clearly respects the chain of command, and you respect her for it.
In your mind, you’re already writing the good review you’ll leave online. MicroCenter’s service never failed you inside the old store. At 6:02 PM with the store still crowded, helping you won’t change the course of their evening or have a negative impact on their bottom line, but to you it would really mean something.
A couple of associates walk toward the exit. At first you think one of them must be coming to assist you, but they pass on by without sparing you a look. You don’t say a word or make a move to bother them. You’re waiting patiently for whomever was called to hear you out.
That’s when you’re confronted by a large male security officer who says he was asked to repeat to you that the store is closed.
Wow. What?
Where did that come from?
You must be pretty fearsome! Look out, world! To think, they didn’t even know you were concealing a bird tattoo.
Since I had been expecting a supervisor, I tried asking the large male security officer if I could speak to one. I was turned away with the cold repetition of «the store is closed,» like the store wouldn’t even be open tomorrow, or I was trying to inappropriately gain access to a V.I.P., and they didn’t want the likes of me to come back, ever.
Policy and Procedure have their place, but so do Logic and Decency.
Some companies get that. Not the new MicroCenter, apparently.
—–
BTW, real-​world alternative that would have expended fewer resources and prevented this review:
When I explained my circumstance, the woman could have said:
«Sorry, but they’re very strict on this point. I wish there was something I could do, but I’ve been instructed never to let anyone in and never to call a manager up front after 6:00 PM., no exceptions.» [If that’s true.]
If she wanted to encourage my business:
«Please, do come back during our hours tomorrow. You can schedule your item for pick-​up online, and it will be ready at the counter when you arrive.»
And I would have left a 5-​star review today for:
«If your need is urgent, there’s a Fry’s 8 miles down 59 that’s open ’til 8:00 PM.»
Because even if I couldn’t be allowed into a crowded store two minutes after closing, there was still a way to be of service and ensure that MicroCenter would always be where I came first.
I did not need to be misled to believe that a supervisor had been called for me, I certainly did not need to be instructed to wait, only to be confronted by a security officer, and my future decisions will be weighed with the knowledge that I would have saved both time and embarrassment by going straight to Fry’s.

So your a nerd huh?
This is your spot then, Micro Center recently moved and this is their new location and they are still stocking, organizing, and implementing all sorts of products, booths, bars, etc! A PC Repair bar minus the alcohol but still… it’s the coolest looking PC Repair place I ever have seen.
They have isles of everything. I mean besides amazon having page after page of CPU coolers, this place has an entire isle of CPU coolers, that should tell you enough.
Alienware section, Dell section, Apple section, and a cool booth to find the latest processors, SSD’s, mobos, memory, water cooling, fans, LEDS, Power supplies, etc!
I spent about 3 hours there today and let me tell you I love it! It’s about on par with frys minus the tid bids of hardcore hardcore wires and nuts but I think it’ll be there once everything is fully stocked.
Walk in and to the left is check out, to the right is returns and PC repair bar.
Check out my photos for full ideas of how it looks.
Returns are a breeze! No questions asked (at least my two returns).

The in-​store computer service at Micro-​Center Houston is abysmal. I’ve used them twice and they’ve never kept a single promise. They don’t return phone calls. And I’m pretty sure they have no clue what they are doing.
They’ve ordered parts without letting me know or giving me pricing. And when the Manager was supposed to call me back, nobody did. The ONLY way I got them to notice I was alive was to call their main office in Ohio!
I’d avoid at all costs.

My favorite electronics store. Helpful good prices go nowhere else

If you advertise orders will be ready in 18 mins please stick to it. Furthermore if the warehouse guy is mad because he has been busy that is not an excuse for not providing the advertised service. Others have to work even when they are busy too.
This is why people switch to Amazon.

I am a big Micro Centers fan. I have been going to Micro Center for a few years… But now they opened their new location literally 5 minutes from my house.
I love that this is really just a computer store. So they tend to stock more IT/​computer related items and not everything like frys/​bestbuy/​etc. I usually get most of my computer parts/​items from newegg and amazon…
But for motherboards/cpu’s nobody can match/​beat Micro Center. Also for other items they are competitive. You usually can haggle/​price match them to online sites. Which is amazing.
Every time I need help or ask questions, their staff seem to be very helpful.

Having never need to a micro center before I wasn’t sure what to expect. I assumed a «frys”-ish experience.
And my assumption was right! Except a few differences which make this a much better place for me!
A) no appliances. Which is superb. I hate how large frys is and hate feeling almost lost in there. This place has every isle clearly marked.
B) checkout is much easier. Feels more personal then they bay of registers at frys.
C) selection. They don’t have as much as frys, but who cares. They have plenty of what you could ever want for you. If you need it in a pinch, they have it.
Now as far as price goes, they are fairly competitive and if you can haggle them they will price match. But if you don’t need it right away, newegg is a better option because, as of right now, you don’t pay sales tax. And if you’re buying multiple computer parts tax can get up there real fast. But like I said if you need something and need it ASAP, this place has it. I will be back to shop again.