i've been ripped off and i was just wondering how can you tell if a computer store is dodgy cause i dont want to be ripped off again. what are the signs?

Here in the UK, we refer to these organisations as cowboys. The secret is to look around the back of the store to see where they tie their horse(s) up. Life is one long learning experience! Good luck - keep us posted.

You need to speak to other customers who have had a problem with a purchased machine, and see how good the after sales service was. It's all too easy for a store to...... say "you've probably picked up a virus".... replace a faulty part in a new machine with a second user one...... Supply the wrong back-up programs disc, which you will only discover when you actually need the correct disc most.... Tell you to call the PREMIUM RATE £1 per minute phone number to report a missing item from a delivery. The list goes on, and yes, I'm in England. Informing the store that I have contacted Trading Standards (government funded agency)was the only way I found to get results ! I'm still waiting for the correct back-up disc (over a year later).

Learn all you can on sites like this and then ask questions. If they can't answer technical questions or if they give wrong answers... Check how long they have been in business. If you are in the US, check with the Better Business Bureau to see how many complaints have been filed against them?

also check out http://www.resellerratings.com/ they list quite a few computer sellers,and people list their experiences with them.