.

[SR1729]

...

 

[BoomerD]

Most people also expect their mechanic friends to fix their cars for free...many of them seem to think you also have the parts just lying around for free as well...

The expectation that a friend or neighbor will "provide services for free" certainly isn't limited to computers.

 

[Homerboy]

While I agree 100% with you, and have been in the same situation a dozen times, the problem is they don't perceive it that way. No matter what, they think that you're being a prick now, because, as you said, your services are perceived as different than a mechanic etc... (I have used this same arguement with my wife in many instances).

Sucks. Sorry.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

They think that we enjoy doing shit like that and since it usually only takes us 5 minutes to fix most problems they think we WANT to help...

 

[tcsenter]

Neighbors do for neighbors, man! I would have said, "Got any pics of your wife? We might be able to work something out."

 

[kranky]

Wtf is the difference?

The difference is this: mechanic, attorney, physician and carpenter are seen as professions by the general public.

Fixing home computer stuff is seen as a hobby.

So if someone has a neighbor who is a mechanic but is also into gardening, they feel comfortable asking him gardening questions even when they wouldn't expect him to fix their car for free. They don't see gardening, or fixing home computer stuff, as a job.

 

[zinfamous]

Neighbors do for neighbors, man! I would have said, "Got any pics of your wife? We might be able to work something out."

yes, yes. "Tits or GTFO" should have been OP's reply.

 

[irishScott]

I'm in the minority who would happily fix their stuff for free, especially if I'm going to be putting down roots in the neighborhood. I'd just be up front and tell them I don't promise any miracles and if they really get annoying about it "yeah, you know I just don't know what to do here. Might want to take it to geek squad."

1. Problem solved
2. Reputation intact if not increased.
3. Profit.

 

[LTC8K6]

If you fix it, you will be considered responsible for it until doomsday...

 

[FallenHero]

You should have tried getting some ass from him.

 

[dfuze]

Should have told the neighbor they could either bill the company for your time (since it's their router) or just maybe said something like you can't legally access their network to fix it without the company signing off on it or it's illegal access (or something like that).

 

[SlitheryDee]

In most cases I just direct people here. It may not apply to some network issues though.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

You should have tried getting some ass from him.

Greek Squad?

 

[tcsenter]

The difference is this: mechanic, attorney, physician and carpenter are seen as professions by the general public.

Actually, people take liberties with these professions or trades as well. My neighbor is a mechanic. He used to have two people waiting for him to get home from work almost every day, wanting him to fix their car (or diagnose the problem for them). Now he has his own shop and tells everyone to bring it in there. Same problem, though.

 

[SR1729]

...

 

[PingSpike]

We recently moved into our new house. Fantastic neighborhood with fantastic schools. We've met all of our neighbors and they're really sociable, upstanding people.

But I'm standing at the bus stop with my kids the other day talking to one of them, and I get the "so I hear you're some sort of computer guru..."

Fuck.

"Yeah... that's what they tell me..."

I've identified where you made your critical error. This was not the correct response.

The correct response was "HUUUUURRRR I just shat my pants"

 

[BoomerD]

Actually, people take liberties with these professions or trades as well. My neighbor is a mechanic. He used to have two people waiting for him to get home from work almost every day, wanting him to fix their car (or diagnose the problem for them). Now he has his own shop and tells everyone to bring it in there. Same problem, though.

Back in the day when I turned wrenches, I was expected to fix cars after work, on the weekend, any time I wasn't working...and I still get neighbors who come over..."Hey, my car won't start. Will you come look at it?"

 

[olds]

Just tell him that you heard that his wife is a blow job guru and you'd he happy to swap services.
He (and probably the rest of the neighbors) will never ask for your services again.

 

[kranky]

Actually, people take liberties with these professions or trades as well. My neighbor is a mechanic. He used to have two people waiting for him to get home from work almost every day, wanting him to fix their car (or diagnose the problem for them). Now he has his own shop and tells everyone to bring it in there. Same problem, though.

Oh yeah, there are always going to be people who just don't care about imposing on others. But many more people seem comfortable asking for computer help when they wouldn't think of asking for free car repairs or legal advice. Maybe they just think every possible computer problem is a 30-second fix, so what's the big deal.

 

[SR1729]

...

 

[BoomerD]

Do you do anything to curb such behavior? Just once I'd like to say "Can you hear yourself? You're coming up to me and asking that I do my job for you for free because you don't want to actually pay someone proper to do it? Do you do your job for fun, or do you expected to be paid for it? Do you cherish your free time at all? Does it occur to you that perhaps I do, too?"

But I fantasize. I usually just have that conversation with myself

My Ford-owning friends soon learned not to ask..."My wrenches don't fit Fords."

When we bought the 2005 Expedition...I told my wife I had to buy new wrenches. :biggrin:

Yes, I finally had to crack down and start refusing to fix other peoples' cars. Some close friends...always available, but casual acquaintances...nope.

I still refuse to loan tools to anyone. Quality tools are too expensive.

 

[OutHouse]

when i am asked with that question i tell them i am a programmer and dont know shit about hardware.

the awkward pause with the "whats the difference" look is entertaining...

 

[Fritzo]

I usually do it for free. I always get a pie out of it, or tickets, or something cool.

 

[Blackjack200]

Wow, I cannot believe the whining in this thread. You think this only applies to computer people? My father is a carpenter and remodeled each of his sisters' kitchens for free. (He has eight sisters.) People around the neighborhood always ask him for advice on rotted sofets or doors that don't close right. Do you think he says "Yeah, no prob I can look at that for fifty bucks"?

My mother is a nurse, lots of people in the neighborhood call her when their kids get sick. She'll frequently go a few doors down and see how they're doing, listen to their chests etc. Do you think my mom freaking bills them?

There's nothing wrong with going over, taking a look, and saying something like "this would require a substantial amount of work, I could do it but a network professional might be able to do it a little bit quicker and better".

To top it all off, the guy will owe you a favor. Wouldn't it be nice to have a hand the next time you need to seal the driveway or clean the gutters or something?

 

[ProfJohn]

You might be great at computers, but you suck at being a neighbor.

And people wonder why computer geeks have a reputation of being socially awkward.

Perhaps a better response would have been to tell him that his problems sounds awfully complicated and could take a few hours and you really don't have the time right now with the new house etc etc etc.

It would have certainly come across much better than the "I'll help, but it's going to cost you."