Stereos 'N Stuff

07/24/2018

We hope summer is treating you awesome with family time, vacations, outdoor activities and more! It's been a while since my last post (or rant as some say) so thought I would switch it up a little this time from my usual "Don't give your info to anyone/ don't let anyone on your computer" to "Hey, look what we can do for you!". Some of you may not be aware that beside offering RadioShack items (Yup, we are one of 400 RadioShack dealers left in the US), Verizon Wireless Retailer, and computer sales and repairs....we also repair cell phones and tablets. Most models of phones, Ipads, and others. Give us a call and we'll get you a quote or stop by and we'll fix ya up! Here are some before/after photos of our recent projects.

Happy Camping!

Oz, Sandi, Randi and Kelsey.

02/15/2018

Hello Friends!
My posts are pretty limited compared to others and I try to make them usefull. After several posts concerning scams, I am at it again. This time I need a favor from all of you. Please SHARE this info with your friends and relatives. Especially your "older" contacts. No offense to those of you who join me in this catagory.

Recently, I have posted about not allowing anyone to access your computer. These are 99% scams to rip you off. Never give access to anyone, never give them your credit card or bank information, and the best policy is not to call them in the first place. There are scams out there that pop up on your computer stating you have a virus or your computer needs attention and to call a number. Don't. Turn your computer off and restart it. Run your anti-virus and update Windows from the Windows Update feature. If you don't know how to do this call us or contact your local computer tech person. Always use a local person that you can trust.

The next scam we face daily is called "Local Phone Spoofing". This is when your phone rings, you answer and no one is there. Also, you see a local number on the Caller ID and you answer it. There are many variations of these scams. If you really want to know more about these scams....google FCC Phone Scam information. There is a lot of great information to help you on the FCC site. Unfortunately, there is no answer or way to prevent these calls at this time. The FCC and the tele communications industry is working on solutions but this is a tough one. Most are done by something called Voice Over Internet calling and they get a local phone number, attach it to theirs and place calls to complete their scam. It shows a local number so you think it is ok. It is not. They are fishing to see what numbers are legitimate numbers, then they record this information and sell it to other telemarketers and on it goes.
Best policy is do not answer if you don't know the number. If it is important, the caller will usually leave a voice mail and you can decide whether you want to return the call or not. If you do answer, we ( and the SD Public Utilities Commission) recommend you don't Press 1 or 2 to be removed from the call list as this just confirms your number is legit and they don't actually remove you from any call lists.
Wow, this is alot of information but unfortunately this is just the tip of the iceburg as far as phone scams go.
These guys are very good at ripping people off. We know of amounts from $50 to $175,000 just here in South Dakota that were paid to these jerks.
If your computer is "hacked", whether you paid them or not, call us and we can help clean up your computer. Call your credit card company and see if you can get those charges reversed. Remember we can fix most computer issues for way less than these guys charge, sometimes they charge more than a new computer would cost. Then they load crap on your computer that will pop up again in 6 months to call them again and it never ends.

We have contacted the PUC, FCC, Congressmen and Senators and they are all aware of this but right not we are the first line against this stuff. Get educated and stand tough, but just don't answer any calls you don't recognize or if you do, don't say anything and hang up!

Happy Computing!

Oz

11/29/2017

Wow! What happened to 2017? My page is screaming at me to post something new. So here goes....

1. Thank you for shopping with us. We have been very fortunate for 34 years to have some awesome customers.
2. Please drive carefully as we head into the home stretch of this holiday season. This area is full of our customers, so please be safe.
3. Take time to say Merry Christmas to a stranger.
4. Remember, we have some great deals on batteries, cell phones and accessories, computers, and more. Stop by, we've got a cold bottled water with your name on it if you mention this post. Maybe even a soft drink.
5. We repair broken cell phone screens on Apple, Motorola, Samsung, LG and more.

There I posted. Happy Holidays....

Merry Christmas!

Oz, Sandi, Randi, Kelsey, and Dyanna

08/17/2017

Please read this post from my friend, Dr. Heidi Nash.

As an Optometrist , I want to express concern that I have about the solar eclipse on Monday, Aug 21. There are serious risks associated with viewing a solar eclipse directly, even with the use of solar filter glasses. Everyone should keep this in mind if they or their children are considering this.
We have to keep in mind that some people will encounter the inability to control every aspect of this exercise. For instance, true solar eclipse glasses are made for adults, do not fit children well and should not be used without direct parental supervision. If the solar glasses do not filter out 100% of the harmful UV rays, if they are not used absolutely perfectly, or should there be a manufacturing defect in any of them, this will result in permanent and irreversible vision loss for any eye exposed. Just like sunburn to the skin, the effects are not felt or noticed immediately. I have a great fear that I will have patients in my office on Tuesday, Aug 22 who woke up with hazy, blurry vision that I cannot fix. It is a huge risk to watch the eclipse even with the use of solar glasses. There is no absolutely safe way to do so other than on TV.
The biggest danger with children is ensuring proper use without direct parental supervision. As the eclipse passes over many places, the moon will not block 100% of the sun. Because so much of its light is blocked by the moon, if one looks at it without full protection, it does not cause pain as looking at the sun does on a regular day. Normally if you try to look at the sun, it physically hurts and you can't see anything. During an eclipse, however, it is easier to stare for a bit....and even less than 30 seconds of exposure to a partially eclipsed sun, you can burn a blind spot right to your most precious central vision. With solar glasses you can't see ANYTHING except the crescent of light of the sun. Kids could have a tendency to want to peak around the filter to see what is actually going on up there. One failure, just one, where education and supervision fail, will have such a devastating consequence.
Please, please be safe. Watching it on television will be just as great.
Dr Heidi Nash

This is why we won't sell the glasses. Many "certified" glasses have been found to be fakes.

Please watch the eclipse at NASA.gov and save your eyes!

Oz Hespe
Owner
Stereos 'N Stuff

NASA.gov brings you the latest news, images and videos from America's space agency, pioneering the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.

08/10/2017

I don't post as often as all the Facebook experts say I should. So, since I haven't posted for a while....here goes. My usual posts contain the message we see a lot of. "Microsoft called me and needed to fix my computer"....uhhhh, nope. Again, please hang up right away. These guys are not from Microsoft. They are scammers. Do not let them on your computer. Do not give them your credit card info or let them on your computer, please. If you do, call us asap.

As most of you know we repair computers and cell phones. Recently we received a post from someone who really doesn't know us very well. He stated we don't repair anything but Apple phones. We do repair iPhones and ipads, but we also will repair LG, Motorola, and Samsung ohones. In fact, yesterday we repaired a charging port for a customer in his Samsung phone. Here is a photo of the piece I soldered in for him. Now, sometimes we will suggest you replace your damaged phone for cost reasons. We want the best end result for our customers.
If your phone, tablet, or computer has a problem....give us a call.

Thanks for reading and have a great summer!

Oz

04/13/2017

It seems like just yesterday I posted my usual.....Please don't let anyone on your computer rant...but after several calls lately it may be time for another friendly reminder. There is a new (atleast to me) scam going around. As usual, Microsoft loves their customers but not enough to contact each and everyone of the millions and millions of them. Today, a customer called to say they were contacted by Microsoft who was going to refund them for their purchase of Word because they were going out of business. Trust me.....Microsoft makes a lot.....I mean ALOT of money...and they are not going out of business. Even if they were, why would they refund you for something you purchased years ago? Nevertheless, after allowing access to their computer and bank account info they called us for help. Folks, we love our customers probably more than Microsoft but there is little we can do after you allow someone permission to your computer and your bank account. Please, PLEASE, Pretty please do not do this. Never let someone access your computer unless you contacted them and know very well that they are honest and trustworthy. And, if you do, call us right away and we can go over your options for removing the garbage they may have left on your computer. As for your bank account, never give this information to anyone. Even your bank doesn't need it because they already have it. When these calls come in just HANG UP! This is exactly why you shop locally with people you can trust, talk to in person, and who wil give you the very best service.
These guys are very good and will continue to come up with some pretty creative ideas to scam you. It's just like the 80's....."Just say NO!"
Happy Computing!

Happy Easter and God Bless America.

Oz

10/03/2016

Many of you know that we offer computer sales and repair as well as cell phone sales and repair. Which brings me to today's post. I've posted this before but it's time for a revisit.

1. Microsoft will not call you to advise you that there is a virus on your computer. Sorry, you are a very important customer but not that important. In the words of George Bush...."not gonna happen".
2. They do not have agents that will jump on line and fix your computer for only $500.
3. Why would you pay $500 to fix a $400 computer?

In other words, please don't call any number that pops up on your screen. Don't let them on your computer, don't let them have your credit card number, your bank account number, or any info. Just turn your computer off, and yes it will turn off if you hold the power button long enough.

Do call a reputible local repair person and keep your anti virus up to date. The only reason for this post is because we see this every week after it is too late.

Call us if we can help and .....

Happy computing!

08/01/2016

Whoops! Dropped your iPhone or iPad, Samsung phone and screen is cracked? We can fix it. Most repairs in one hour or less. Ask us for a free estimate. We also carry charging ports, batteries, screen protectors, cases, and lots more. We are very competitively priced and use only the best parts. Reliable, local, and fair. Give us a try.

10/17/2013

Today is an exciting day that marks the release of Windows 8’s first upgrade – Windows 8.1. The free software update for existing Windows 8 users can be picked up from the Windows Store or purchased from your favorite retailer, if you are running an older version of the operating system (for more de...

10/17/2013

Here’s a good review of the changes (updates) to Windows 8 (update 8.1), where/how to get it and what to expect. Overall, so far it has been a great update. There will always be updates to improve/build upon it, but I see this update as a very welcomed update in my hands-on use so far.

For those of you that are not a fan of the new start screen, there are new options to boot to desktop and change the start button to show the app listing by default (instead of the start screen). Basically a Windows 7 setup with all the under-the-hood improvements of Windows 8.

Hey remember Windows 8? How could you forget? It was the biggest upheaval in desktop computing in recent memory, and even if you're not a user, its big colorful tiles are on your radar. Now, with Windows 8.1, Microsoft is giving its flashy new OS a first facelift. The changes are minor, but they're ...

06/01/2013

New to Windows 8? This video has all you need to get up to speed. See more at http://windows.com

05/30/2013

Windows 8.1 (codenamed "Blue") is the upcoming update for Microsoft's desktop operating system, Windows 8. The company has been pushing out its latest major release of Windows since late last year with bumps in the road and goals ahead to smash. Details as to what consumers can expect to see in Wind...