As ex-geeksquad (Score 1)

I used to work for geeksquad and what you got was a pre-optimized computer. The Trend is actually bloatware from the manufacturer, but the restore disks is a service that they offer. When I worked there they would pre-optimize/other services on a selection of their laptops especially the sale laptops. They didn't use to let you buy them without paying for the services, but they ended up getting into some legal trouble and the vendors got pretty irritated about the practice. I don't do that kind of work anymore (I'm a network engineer), but after working for Geeksquad for a couple of years I can say that there are people that really need that kind of service. Although I will agree that $200 for a clean install is a little excessive. I met person after person that knew noone that could do basic computer work. Not stupid people though. Doctors, lawyers, nurses and people with various other intellectually demanding jobs. They just weren't computer people. Also I've seen more people than I can count that got completely ripped off by freelance IT. People who had people take their old parts taken during upgrades, and people that were lied to about the condition of their hardware and what they were buying. At least with Geeksquad you have a company to sue if they rip you off. After that job but before I got out of the client side IT stuff I charged around $30-$50 for that kind of work, based on my general idea that I charged around half what geeksquad would.As a geeksquad agent you're expected to maintain a productivity of around $60/hour, but you also need to make up for the people that are in the back not selling. So it really ends up being more like $80/hour.