This Is Framingham

 
To make a long story short, (well not that short) I was looking for a place to fix my boss’s laptop.  Marathon Computer (at 693 Cochituate Road/route 30) was recommended by two people I contacted from the Framingham Wiki.  So I brought it down there and while I’m waiting, one of the guys there named Sun (the place is run by Mark and Sun) is dealing with an unhappy customer in front of me. 
It seemed that this woman was upset because her computer keeps crashing even though it was supposed to be fixed and lost her son’s report for school while he was working on it.  I have to say I wasn’t too impressed with how Sun handled her, telling her she’d have to leave if she didn’t “keep it down”.  But again, since these guys were recommended and I did not know the history of this situation, I thought it was probably a fluke thing and sometimes people may not have customer skills but know how to fix a computer, so I left the laptop with Mark who seemed okay although he tried to charge me $75 to drop it off when Sun told me over the phone it would be $45.  I’m not sure why they have different rates but Mark said ok to the $45.

I called to get an update later that day and they said it would be $275 to fix the problem (which was that the computer wouldn’t charge) and it would be 2 days for the part to arrive.  Three days went by and I called to check, no answer.  I called a few minutes later, no answer.  Two more times, no answer and then sent them an email asking for an update – no response.  I called the next day and after a few tries (no one answered) I finally got Mark who gave the phone to Sun and he said I could pick it up.  I picked it up and brought it to work only to find that the laptop still doesn’t charge and now the keyboard doesn’t work either.(!)  My boss brought it back to them and dropped it off.  I called the next day for an update and Sun said he had to order a new adaptor and the keyboard works fine.  He said it would be 2 days for the new adaptor. 

As usual, these guys don’t pick up the phone to let me know what’s going on so I called 3 days later and after 5 tries of no one answering, Sun picked up and told me the laptop powered ok but the keyboard only works sometimes.  I told him I can’t pick it up unless it’s working normal as it was the way I dropped it off and then he got really rude and condescending and said that’s not his problem because it’s not what I brought it in for.  I said it was working fine before I brought it to him and now it’s not and I have to bring my boss’ computer back to him broken.  He just kept saying said “it’s your keyboard” and that he has spent too much time and money on it already as he ordered an extra adapter (although he gave it back to us not fixed for what I brought it in for) so he’s not spending anymore time or money on it.  I told I really can’t bring it back to work with it not working the way it was before and he kept saying “Hey, I don’t need this headache, okay?” and said he is taking out what he put in and will give a refund because again, HE doesn’t need this headache (like I did?) and then hung up on me. 

I would urge everyone to run from Marathon Computer.   They’re so rude and unprofessional.  Perhaps they should not deal with the “headache” of running a business and being responsible for breaking people’s computers.

Red Pepper, a restaurant that states they offer authentic Chinese cuisine, posted an email on Framcom stating that due to the amount of people asking for Brazilian food, they are now offering authentic Brazilian cuisine as well. 

I know Red Pepper used to be a Brazilian place, but just seems so odd to me that anyone, never mind enough people to persuade management, would purposely go to a Chinese restaurant and ask for Brazilian food.  Especially with plenty of Brazilian restaurants, run by Brazilians, in town.   
Just thought that was interesting/bizarre.

There is something that looks like an old car dealership on Union Ave.  Another under utilized property.  I’ve noticed that some days there are a few cars in the lot and other days it’s jam packed.  I’m not sure what the operation is here but I can’t help but feel this property could be a great location for something better.  But again, I have no idea what it’s really used for now besides sometimes parking cars and Lift (or whatever it’s called now) buses.
Anyone know?

First, sorry for the lack of posts, things have been crazy busy. I hate to go so long in between posts but I guess it happens sometimes.
So I noticed recently that the library has a new sign, or lettering and lamps by the front door. ???? ?????? ??????
I also noticed they got some new book return bins. ????? ?????? ???????   I remember the old ones were really rusty and beat up looking, so these are a nice improvement.

The third thing I noticed was new chairs and tables in the lobby.

I think this looks great, it almost seems like they should serve coffee 🙂  

These upgrades are a welcome sight considering the downgrades in downtown like the loss of Fabric Place and the continuously crumbling steps at the Memorial Building.

Ethan and I walked down to the library Sunday and forgot the don’t open until 2, since we had some time to kill and were hungry, we decided to check out Framingham Sub & Pizza.
The place is small but has plenty of tables, although no one else was in there.  We got a small cheese pizza and waited about 10-15 minutes until we were called up to retrieve it.  

The look and taste of this was what reminded me of skating rink pizza.  Which is okay when you’re 12 and just grabbing a slice in between songs but we found this to be disappointing.
It was almost like it was made from a kit.  I don’t know how else to describe it.  I know everyone has bad days so maybe this place was having one, but I don’t know. I would actually come back and try their subs though out of curiosity.
Although with Anastasia’s also downtown – it’s hard not to go there (they’re closed on Sunday’s)