However, I had a very poor experience at free geek.

My story: I was out of work for about a year… hard up for cash. I needed some cheap parts for my computer so I could work my resume and apply for jobs electronically from home. I heard about this place selling computer parts for next to nothing and thought this was EXACTLY what I needed. So… I took the bus from North Portland to the Free Geek location in SE… and… after some wondering around… found the Free Geek store.

My first impression… lots of VERY low priced junk and a few usable items. What I didn’t realize was this place cators to the “sub-culture” and ultra-liberals… ehhhm… only.

Big mistake: With an interview that day… I was dressed for success… and… oddly… got the “evil eye” from the volunteer crew working the counter…

These folks were oh… so… eager to deny any request I had for parts and snubbed any opportunity for me to return at a later date… with responses such as, “Our parts manager is on vacation…” or “the person in charge of that area is only here in the mornings and probably won’t be here the morning you want to return.” Still, I was very polite and left the store empty handed.

On the way out… I noticed several counter culture folks requesting help and they seemed to get more action out of the “Stalinistic” clerks than I did.

Unbelievable?!?!? It was like some scene from the movie Brazil.

Anyway… My advice… Dress like a bum if you want to get served at Free Geek. Otherwise… it’s the “evil eye” for you Mr. Job Seeker! :-/

Anyway… I realize these folks are volunteers… Heck… you get that point practically rammed down your throat. I really do wish this program the best… but it would be of benefit to the community to select volunteers who aren’t playing games with the customers. Some of us, who are dressed nice, are also needy for cheep parts.