239:. The subsidiary was originally an independent company founded by "Chief Inspector" Robert Stephens on June 16, 1994, and offers various computer-related services and accessories for residential and commercial clients. In 2002, they merged with Best Buy, retaining Stephens as the primary corporate leadership for the subsidiary. The Geek Squad provides services in-store, on-site, and over the Internet via remote access, and also provides 24-hour telephone and emergency on-site support. Geek Squad no longer works solely on computer-related devices. It now diagnoses issues in and repairs all consumer electronics, as well as appliances.
379:
494:. The lawsuit filed by Austin-based Winternals claims that employees of Geek Squad have continued using the unlicensed versions of the software after the commercial licensing agreement broke off. Best Buy and Geek Squad were accused of copyright infringement, circumvention of copyright infringement systems, and misappropriation of trade secrets. A settlement was eventually reached, and Winternals created a three-year agreement in place with Best Buy, allowing Geek Squad employees to lawfully use their licensed programs, including the ERD Commander.
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273:, where today it exists as both an onsite service and a remote repair service, although not under the same name. At its peak, Geek Squad services were available in Greater London, the Home Counties, the South Coast and North West areas of England, with phone and remote support was undertaken from Tulketh Mill in Preston (Lancashire) and repairs completed at a site in Wednesbury (West Midlands). In November 2015 Geek Squad repairs moved to Newark following the merger between
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and
Magnolia Home Theater installers have now switched from their previous grey and blue uniforms to grey and orange shirts with grey cargo pants. This change removed all "Magnolia Home Theater Installation" branding and was replaced by "Geek Squad Installation Units" instead. This has now allowed Geek Squad to incorporate home theater installation as one of the in home services offered via telephone. Geek Squad is also now an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
22:
341:– Counter Intelligence Agent (CIA), Deputy of Counter Intelligence (DCI), Double Agent-Covert (DAC), Covert Agent (CA), Special Agent (SA), Deputy Covert Operations (DCO) and Deputy Field Marshal (DFM), to name a few. Unlike most computer repair facilities, Best Buy US does not require any industry certifications for its in-store technicians. However, Best Buy Canada requires at least
446:
The Double Agent program in the UK ceased in late 2012. All technical support services continued in store or via
Mission Control, Tulketh Mill. From here, the Covert or Covert Operations Agent title was established, Agents from Covert Operations are responsible for the technical support of desktop or
423:
Geek Squad
Autotechs and GSIs (Home Theater Installers) wear a grey button-up work shirt or black short sleeved and collared dress shirt with the Geek Squad logo on the front and optional certification patches on the arms. Matching pants or shorts are worn as well as a bright orange undershirt. These
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colors allowed in Geek Squad uniforms. Agents who have served in an eligible capacity within any branch of Geek Squad for eighteen months, or who have held certain positions prior to 2014 including on-site Double Agents, Special Agents, and
Deputies of Counter Intelligence carry a metal police-style
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In 2008, Best Buy partnered with online tech support provider
SupportSpace to offer remote Virtual Agent services to its clients. SupportSpace was founded in 2006 and provided immediate online tech support services. On July 15, 2013, all Geek Squad business was transferred away from SupportSpace and
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with the Geek Squad logo pin. Male agents wear black trousers, white socks and black lace-up shoes that used to have the Geek Squad logo on the sole. Female agents may wear either black trousers, white socks, and black shoes; or, a black skirt with hose and black shoes. White and black are the only
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In 2007, Best Buy was hit with a civil lawsuit by Sarah
Vasquez alleging that Geek Squad technician Hao Kuo Chi had secretly taped her showering with a cellular phone camera he hid behind her sink. Vasquez sought compensation from Best Buy based on claims of negligent misrepresentation and hiring,
320:
In 2007, Geek Squad officially added
Magnolia Home Theater installation teams as well as Best Buy Mobile Installers to the Geek Squad brand. The change was titled, "Total Services" and was aimed towards the combination of major Best Buy services into one cohesive unit. Best Buy mobile installers
482:
In 2002, during a spate of legal threats and challenges to competitors with "geek" in their names, Geek Squad attempted to block the trademark registration of New
England area competitor Geek Housecalls claiming that it violated their trademarks. When Geek Housecalls refused to budge, Geek Squad
474:
Geek Squad technicians have been caught on numerous occasions searching and copying pornographic content stored on their clients' computers without permission. When asked about the incident, Geek Squad founder Robert
Stephens refused to discuss the topic and focused on whether bloggers should be
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The branding of the uniform to include a badge is central to the culture for Geek Squad Agents, including the writing of a 40-page essay, "The Geek Squad Badge", by former/“Sleeper” Double Agent Roman
Corrales, Badge #11345. The essay explores history of badges across history, connecting the
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In 2013, Geek Squad was sued for invasion of privacy and several other civil infractions for allegedly releasing nude images found on a customer's computer. The suit is ongoing. In June 2015, the court denied Best Buy's motions for summary judgment on all claims except the claim for
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certification for all technical mobile electronics installers. In-Store positions have long since changed, now only consisting of Consultation Agent (CA), Advanced Repair Agent (ARA), Geek Squad Sr (CIA Sr), Services Experience Supervisor, and Services Experience Manager.
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with their Agent Number engraved on it. In October 2019 the Dress Code Policy for Best Buy was updated, with this update an alternate uniform option was introduced for Geek Squad Agents allowing them to wear the black Geek Squad polo along with jeans and sneakers.
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filed civil suit. After two years of wrangling, Geek Squad and Geek Housecalls arrived at an out-of-court settlement, the details of which cannot be disclosed according to the terms of the settlement except to state that Geek Housecalls retained its name.
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At least one former Geek Squad employee had come forward with allegations that the practice of surreptitiously searching for pornography on their clients' computers is not restricted to isolated employees, but is often shared with management.
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to their evolution into the modern badge worn by many professionals today. The essay has been integrated across much of Geek Squad's employee branding, including being cited in an internal culture manual known as the Little Orange Book.
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laptop devices. They provide support for a narrow range of approved issues verbally over the phone, or Agents will connect to clients devices remotely and fix any issues if the computer is able to connect to the internet.
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purchasing its 50% of the deal back. In the following years the Geek Squad operations in France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Portugal were slowly wound down with the brand finally ending in Europe with
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invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional stress. On top of the civil suit, Hao was also facing criminal charges including two counts of invasion of privacy and one count of child molestation.
458:, used to call the superhero in a time of need. The idea is that Geek Squad has always been known to be welcoming of former Agents looking to return for a job, and to wish them luck in their endeavors.
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Geek Squad Agents that leave their roles, are referred to internally, as “Sleeper Agents”- a common quote when saying farewell to an Agent going sleeper is “await the signal”, as a reference to the
734:
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431:(dubbed "Geekmobiles") with an orange-and-black company logo on the door. Geekmobiles in California are all-black with white roof and running boards due to a request by the
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Geek Squad precincts exist in most Best Buy stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. They offer in-store, in-home, online, and remote/over the phone services.
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A 2013 agreement with Atomic Learning, Inc. provides all Geek Squad tech subscribers with access to over 60,000 on-demand tutorial training videos.
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reported that "FBI Used Paid Informants On Best Buy's Geek Squad To Flag Child Pornography" according to a document that was released by the
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266:, where Geek Squad precincts were located in ten Office Depot locations. The brand is also located in select FedEx Office locations.
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In October 2006, Best Buy was reported that Geek Squad would be launching in the United Kingdom in a joint 50-50 venture with
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Located in Brooks, Kentucky, Geek Squad City is the largest Geek Squad computer repair site at 240,000 square feet.
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639:"Geek Squad (Best Buy) Canada acquires PC Lifeboat in an effort to expand service offering to Quebec"
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agents also have the option of wearing a grey Geek Squad hat and/or black Geeks Squad nylon jacket.
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that the vehicles no longer resemble the paint scheme of their police vehicles (a violation of
735:"Atomic Learning Teams Up With Geek Squad On Learning Tools For Tech Support Program Members"
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Geek Squad employees are known as Agents and are assigned titles similar to those used by
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In-store PC agents, and in-home PC field agents, wear a white, short-sleeved, pocketless
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439:). In 2016, Geek Squad began phasing out the New Beetles and replacing them with
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1262:"FBI Used Paid Informants On Best Buy's Geek Squad To Flag Child Pornography"
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letter against a priest in Wisconsin for painting "God Squad" on his car.
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In 2006, Geek Squad was sued for allegedly using unauthorized copies of
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Prior to 2016, Double Agents and Special Agents drove black-and-white
546:. Ghauri, Pervez N. (First ed.). Bingley, England. p. 21.
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added the official uniform to its permanent collection in 2000.
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931:"V C Section 27605 Vehicle Resembling Law Enforcement Vehicle"
590:"Best Buy's Geek Squad Rolls Out New Geekmobile, Updated Logo"
1300:
400:
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887:"GEEK SQUAD — Mutant Inc. A new breed of Advertising Agency"
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765:"Apple partners with Best Buy for expanded repair service"
961:"Geek Squad Trades In Volkswagen Beetle For Toyota Prius"
516:
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In January 2012, following poor financial results, the
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is a subsidiary of American and Canadian multinational
1115:"Best Buy's 'Geek Squad' Accused of Pirating Software"
333:
Older traditional Geek Squad logo from prior to 2016
50:, and by adding encyclopedic content written from a
1172:"Lawsuit says Best Buy technician invaded privacy"
543:Evaluating companies for mergers and acquisitions
1332:Business services companies of the United States
1308:
1327:Business services companies established in 1994
862:"Best Buy updates dress code to include jeans"
1142:"Winternals, Best Buy Settle Over Geek Squad"
242:
539:
1219:"Geek Squad Accused of Stealing Naked Pics"
664:Best Buy Drives Geek Squad Via Office Depot
732:
574:: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
93:
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258:Best Buy terminated its partnership with
70:Learn how and when to remove this message
1347:Technology companies established in 1994
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353:
328:
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1240:""Outrage," Privacy and the Geek Squad"
1064:"The Geek Squad's Ongoing Porn Problem"
935:California Department of Motor Vehicles
1317:American companies established in 1994
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1052:
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394:. Agents are required to wear a black
31:contains content that is written like
289:moved in-house to Geek Squad agents.
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1008:"Computer sprawl at Geek Squad City"
374:in Vermont, which are no longer used
345:to work as a CIA. They also require
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1194:"Best Buy Geeks Out Over God Squad"
733:Schoenrock, Amy (October 9, 2012).
637:Nanjil, Natasha (August 26, 2005).
386:cutaway in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
13:
1062:Blue, Violet (February 21, 2008).
1006:Terdiman, Daniel (June 19, 2008).
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14:
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1260:Wamsley, Laurel (March 7, 2018).
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614:(Press release). Archived from
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475:considered true journalists.
1337:Companies based in Minnesota
418:Minnesota Historical Society
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501:In 2010, Best Buy issued a
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243:Locations and partnerships
816:"MECP Advanced Certified"
512:"negligence/wantonness."
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709:"Online Remote Support"
684:"Geek Squad Enquiries"
503:trademark infringement
429:Volkswagen New Beetles
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362:Geekmobile in Maryland
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127:; 30 years ago
82:Subsidiary of Best Buy
739:Atomic Learning Blogs
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354:Uniforms and vehicles
339:intelligence agencies
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52:neutral point of view
1090:"That Geek Mystique"
941:on February 22, 2012
913:"Geek Squad History"
251:Geek Squad in Canada
237:Richfield, Minnesota
229:consumer electronics
153:Richfield, Minnesota
1152:on December 4, 2008
837:"Geek Squad Agents"
745:on February 3, 2013
235:, headquartered in
190:Number of employees
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44:promotional content
1303:Competitor Website
688:Carphone Warehouse
515:On March 7, 2018,
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303:Carphone Warehouse
298:Carphone Warehouse
275:Carphone Warehouse
271:Carphone Warehouse
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125:June 16, 1994
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46:and inappropriate
1035:"Geek Squad City"
986:"Geek Squad City"
553:978-1-78350-621-7
372:Chevrolet Express
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343:A+ Certification
264:Orlando, Florida
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893:. Mutant Inc
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257:
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231:corporation
224:
223:
148:Headquarters
102:Company type
84:
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42:by removing
38:Please help
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970:October 26,
871:October 16,
791:"GEEKSQUAD"
470:Controversy
396:clip-on tie
392:dress shirt
382:Geek Squad
370:Geek Squad
175:Puerto Rico
165:Area served
1342:Currys plc
1311:Categories
1301:Geek Squad
1039:Geek Squad
1019:January 9,
991:January 9,
965:John Irwin
917:Geek Squad
891:Mutant Inc
866:Geek Squad
841:Geek Squad
713:Geek Squad
693:January 7,
527:References
488:Winternals
452:Bat-Signal
384:Ford E-350
132:1994-06-16
106:Subsidiary
40:improve it
1177:March 16,
596:April 11,
570:cite book
562:884586043
1322:Best Buy
1245:June 29,
1224:June 29,
897:June 14,
795:Best Buy
775:June 10,
670:online.
281:forming
233:Best Buy
205:Best Buy
116:Services
112:Industry
1203:June 5,
1156:June 5,
1125:June 5,
1099:June 5,
1073:June 5,
1044:June 5,
945:June 5,
846:June 5,
800:June 5,
718:June 5,
648:June 5,
622:June 2,
211:Website
140:Founder
130: (
122:Founded
668:Forbes
560:
550:
456:Batman
200:Parent
194:20,000
181:Mexico
178:Canada
642:(PDF)
454:from
401:badge
325:Staff
1273:2021
1247:2015
1226:2015
1205:2012
1179:2021
1158:2012
1127:2012
1101:2012
1075:2012
1046:2012
1021:2013
1013:CNET
993:2013
972:2017
947:2012
899:2024
873:2019
848:2012
823:2014
802:2012
777:2021
751:2021
720:2012
695:2023
650:2012
624:2007
598:2016
576:link
558:OCLC
548:ISBN
416:The
347:MECP
277:and
158:U.S.
1266:NPR
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