Navigating Computer Repair Concerns: Am I Being Scammed?

As a technology-dependent student, it’s frustrating to face issues with your laptop, especially when you rely on it for school and work. Recently, I found myself in a troubling situation with my Lenovo Yoga laptop, which has been behaving erratically by crashing and displaying glitchy black and colored squares. Despite trying to troubleshoot the issue myself—updating the graphics driver and exploring potential fixes—the problems persisted, leading me to seek professional help.

I decided to take my laptop to a reputable small repair service that boasted excellent reviews. After meeting the technician in person, I explained my situation and asked for a preliminary assessment of the potential repair costs, mindful of my student budget. He seemed knowledgeable and friendly, which initially put my mind at ease. However, things took a turn for the worse shortly after leaving my laptop in his care.

A few days after dropping it off, I received a message from him stating that he was ordering a replacement part I had never encountered before—one that I could not even find information about online. When I expressed my concerns, his response was unexpected; he seemed irritated by my questions. Since then, communication has completely broken down—it’s been nearly a month since I’ve heard back from him, and my laptop has been in his possession since May 25th.

This experience has left me feeling uneasy and anxious. I’m frustrated not only by the lack of progress on my laptop but also by the mounting worry that I may have been scammed. As someone who depends heavily on their device, I’m left wondering if this scenario is typical for computer repairs or if I’m right to be concerned.

In light of this, I would appreciate any insights or advice from those who have faced similar situations. What steps should I take next? Should I continue to pursue clarification, or consider alternative measures to address this predicament? Your thoughts and experiences would be invaluable as I navigate this challenging issue. Thank you!

Check out my communication screenshot here for context.