Not any more. The new technician is amazingly clueless. Word is that he spent most of his life cooking in a restaurant.  One time when asked about the new Microsoft operating system he said "What's Vista?" Oh. My. God. If a computer store's technician doesn't know what Windows Vista is then you should run for the hills. Seriously. Can you trust your computer to be repaired by a person who doesn't live, breathe, and read about computers daily? My business cannot and this is why our computers are going to be serviced by the competition now.

Computer Renaissance in Beaverton is managed and owned by a 60 year old gray haired man who apparently has no experience building or repairing computers. If the owner is this ignorant then what business does he have being involved here? Makes you wonder if he just showed up at a Franchise Fair one day, got suckered, and started running his business.

As a prime example of the owner's stupidity, did you know that Computer Renaissance in Beaverton, Oregon, was sued for copyright infringement and for selling pirated software?

"Microsoft Corp. officials today announced they have filed lawsuits against two computer resellers in the Portland area, alleging copyright violations and trademark infringement as the result of the company's first anti-piracy investigations in the area. The investigations were conducted to help protect legitimate distributors and customers from the effects of software piracy in Oregon. Computrade Inc., dba Computer Renaissance, of Beaverton, Ore. (Civil Action No. CV 98 1453 AS), allegedly hard disk loaded computers with unauthorized copies of the Microsoft Windows^� 95 operating system and Office 97 Professional. Hard disk loading is the installation of software for which a company has no license onto a computer's hard disk before it is sold to a customer. Hard disk loading, counterfeit distribution by resellers and unauthorized multiple installations of software in businesses are the three most prevalent forms of software piracy. "

In reality it seems like stepping into any Computer Renaissance is a recipe for getting illegal Windows operating system software as many stores have been caught doing this by Microsoft...do you really want to take the risk of purchasing something illegal? Then avoid any Computer Renaissance as apparently even the corporate owners are clueless when it comes to licensing proper software.

Despite having settled once already with Microsoft the Computer Renaissance in Beaverton, Oregon still continues to sell illegally or improperly licensed Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional operating systems, Microsoft Office, and also sells counterfeit copies of Windows product keys (I saw him selling one to a woman they day I was in the store). Ask him for a $20 product key and maybe you'll get a photocopy of a product key. You think that's legal? Go buy a used computer and see if you get all the proper things that make a genuinely licensed operating system. Microsoft requires a properly licensed copy of Windows to include a real product key, a real CD, and a real EULA. Computer Renaissance sells systems with photocopied product keys, burned CDs, or in some cases won't give you anything and leave you on your own. Do the right thing and report him to Microsoft.

The clueless owner of Computer Renaissance in Beaverton is someone apparently named Buzz Marron. If you walk in you'll know him by the deer - caught - in - the - headlights look on his face if you start discussing anything more technical than putting a pen to paper. His staff now consists of one person who, sadly, is just as clueless (a computer store with only one staff member?) Try asking Jim (the new technician) about new hardware and technologies and you'll get the same clueless blank stare. In contrast, if you walk into other local computer stores, the stores are owned and staffed by younger people who actually work on the computers their customers bring in. Those stores are exciting, the computers are functional, prices aren't sky-high, they sell new technology (instead of yesterday's outdated technology) and the owner/staff don't smell like sardine breath when they speak with you.

Can you guess why the owner's name is Buzz? Might have something to do with the foul smell he lets loose in the store. Next time you step into Computer Renaissance Beaverton and you smell a foul smell it's likely him. Disgusting. On my last visit I wanted to ask the new technician some things for preparation to buy some new computers. I had taken my company's PCs there in the past (the service used to be great and the technicians friendly and demonstrated competence) and while Buzz was just as dumb and ignorant then at least the staff was helpful. Don't know why the old staff isn't there any longer, perhaps it's the smell. I kid you not, the new technician went away for about 10 minutes to lookup something simple I asked about and while he was gone the store started smelling like shit. The only other person in the store was Buzz, and, I know I sure as hell didn't cut the cheese. Disgusting, unprofessional, and downright horrible. This wasn't the first time the store smelled this way. Apparently it's normal for the store to smell like crap due to the owner passing gas even when the store is full of customers.

And for any of you thinking of selling your computers, laptops, or used hard drives to Computer Renaissance, think again: your personal information doesn't get securely wiped prior to resell. I purchased a used hard recently and it still contained the old customer's information including Social Security numbers, tax forms, personal photos, EVERYTHING. This is an outrage in today's climate of identity theft. A client purchased a used Dell laptop from Computer Renaissance in Beaverton and the laptop had none of the emails, software, or other things removed as should have been the case (for a business to resell computers the computer must be wiped SECURELY and licensed software can only be installed).

For a joke, go in and ask Buzz how many computers he has personally built. Go in and ask Buzz him to install memory. Ask him to install a floppy drive. Ask him to install any piece of hardware. Ask Buzz how many computers he has removed spyware from. Ask Buzz how many computers he has installed Windows on. Ask Buzz how to setup a new email account. Ask Buzz how to setup a new dialer for your internet.

Can you trust a computer store where the owner can't even assemble one computer?

Can you trust a computer store where the owner cannot perform even a simple task related to computers?

How can you trust a 60 year old clueless moron who can't even install a stick of RAM to make a qualified decision as to whether a technician knows what he's doing or not?

Can you trust your computer, your life's work, your digital photos, your files, your financial information in the hands of a computer store owner who hasn't a clue as to how a computer works?

Can you trust your computer, your life's work, your digital photos, your files, your financial information in the hands of a technician who doesn't know what a dual core CPU is?

If you ever think about this you should run as fast as you can away from this store and find a store where the owner and the staff are qualified in this field. There are plenty of alternative computer stores in Beaverton where the staff is younger, better educated, and at least the stores smell better. Budget Computers, PC Club, Fry's, heck, even Best Buy hires real technicians.

What business does a 60-65 year old man have owning a store that deals with new technology? Technology that he's clueless about?

In my opinion a person cannot trust any business where the owner is unqualified to perform the work that he hires people to do for him. Would you want to eat at a restaurant where the owner didn't know the difference between salt and a frying pan? Would you take your car to be worked on at a shop where neither the owner nor the technician were familiar with fuel injection? Would you go to a doctor's office where the doctor didn't even know what aspirin was?

And prices? The prices at Computer Renaissance are ridiculous. Used stuff, old condition, with illegal software selling for the same or MORE than new items at other retailers. If your computer breaks then they will charge you hundreds more dollars to reinstall what you should have gotten legally in the first place. Rip you off before, during, and after the sale. Used laptops here sell for more than new ones from Dell and lack new technologies such as DVD burners, USB 2.0, etc.  Would you rather pay $799 for a used notebook from Computer Renaissance or $499 for a brand new one from Dell, HP, or Compaq? Used desktops selling for more than new desktops at other retailers. At least a 25-40% markup on new items versus what you can buy the same exact item for at other stores. Does the manager or owner simply just go to Fry's, buy something, then put it out for sale at a high markup? Why would you want to come here? The service rates are horrible too. $70 PER HOUR. When new Dell desktops are $299 what sense does it make to spend hundreds to repair an old computer here? At least other stores around charge a more reasonable $35 per hour and are staffed with certified technicians who know what they are doing.

In short, friends, sad to say but now Computer Renaissance in Beaverton Oregon just isn't a place to be trusted with your computer. Check the competition: better prices, more helpful and knowledgeable staff, new technology and better smelling stores.

If you'd like to add your comments send an email to: [email protected]...

Susan Wells writes:

I wrote a letter to Computer Renaissance corporate complaining about the owner and how he consistently farted the entire time I was in the store. I also mentioned the ridiculous prices and overwhelming sense that neither the owner nor the technician seemed competent enough to trust your computer there. Here's the response I got back from corporate from someone named Keely Chestnut: [email protected]

Ms. Wells,

We apologize for your unpleasant experience in our Beaverton, Oregon Computer Renaissance Store.  We were unaware of the circumstances you mentioned.  We visit the store once or twice a year and we have not found the owner to be unhygienic.  Please understand that in our position as Franchisor we are unable to regulate such things in a store that is individually owned and operated.  It is at the owner�s discretion as to the store�s appearance and that of his employees including himself.

Thank you for notifying us of your experience and we hope if you ever attempt a second visit you will encounter a different and more pleasant environment.

Not much on customer service are they? No response about the higher prices, the lack of service, etc. Maybe corporate is only interested in collecting royalties.

I'll never be back.

Thanks, Susan, for your email. They keep coming in. When I have time I'll post more emails. Lots of dissatisfied customers in Beaverton.