PC World and other laptop repairers have been in the news recently after a Sky TV undercover investigation revealed:  laptop repair shops overcharged for work carried out, charged for work which was not required, and in some extreme cases stole data from hard drives.

The reporters carrying out the investigation loosened a RAM Chip in a new laptop that had been loaded with surveillance software and a hidden camera.  They then sent the "broken" laptop to a number of repair shops to see what would happen.

The worst case the reporters found was of technicians allegedly copying photographs and text files containing fake log-in usernames and passwords onto a memory stick then trying to log onto the bank account the fake details had referred to.  

In yet other shops, customers were given quotes for expensive and unnecessary repairs, including a new motherboard, even though the technicians had already identified the true problem.

A branch of PC World asked them for an advance payment of £230.00 for a new motherboard, however, on collection Sky Engineers discovered that only the loose memory chip had been replaced  - PC World have since apologised and refunded the £230.00.

At Recycle IT 4U Ltd, integrity and company reputation is of utmost importance - customer satisfaction and long term business relationships far out way short term profits.

Recycle IT 4U Ltd, based in Telford, Shropshire and established for more than 5 years, have a very different approach to their laptop repair service.  "We have only reputable engineers working in our repairs shop, and also give the customer the option to remove their hard drives prior to sending the laptop to our workshops to guarantee the safety of their data. If a customer was unsure on how to do this our engineers are on hand to offer free of charge telephone support," said Jenny Houlston Managing Director.

"As an additional guarantee for our customers, Recycle IT 4U Ltd is one of only a few recycling companies to have taken out Professional Indemnity Insurance to cover customers who may suffer "loss of data".

"We are able to offer a loan service of laptops to customers, where the repair has been delayed due to shortage of spare parts from the manufacturer.  If the laptop is deemed to be beyond economical repair, but is suitable for breaking down for spare parts we may be able to offer the customer a cash back scheme."

"Our company's stringent approach to security of computer data has been developed through demands from our customers, who include:  banks, solicitors and local authorities to provide the "ultimate" method of secure data destruction for Hard Drives and all Magnetic media, including CDs and DVDs.  These are all smelted at over 900 degrees centigrade. One of our London Banks who use this service, previously had their hard drives shredded and sent some of the shredded fragments to a data recovery specialist who proved it was still possible for data to be recovered.

"Equally putting a nail through a hard drive, hitting it with a hammer and running over it with a fork lift, all of which we have heard customers say they do, may stop the drive from spinning but data can still be easily recovered from the remains of the hard drive platter.  Some of Recycle IT 4U's customers accompany the drives and media to the refinery to observe the smelting procedure taking place," added Jenny.