Being the "computer guy" at home sucks

[pennylane]

Don't you hate being asked by all your relatives to fix their computers? I don't even know that much. But I've spent most of my winter break fixing computers. Ugh. I don't even like computers. I just know what I know because it's the only way I'll get the computers to do what I want them to.

Anyway, I just feel like whining a little bit. Sorry for this bit of thread pollution.

 

[mpitts]

Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

and start recommending Dell machines. When the computers break it's Dells fault not yours. :thumbsup:

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: fs5

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

and start recommending Dell machines. When the computers break it's Dells fault not yours. :thumbsup:

yeah, but *you* still have to fix it, because they either don't feel like waiting on hold, or prefer to speak to someone who speaks understandable English :|



Nate

 

[rocadelpunk]

plead ignorance/stupidity.

Don't let anybody ever know that you're *good* with computers.

 

[Viperoni]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: fs5

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

and start recommending Dell machines. When the computers break it's Dells fault not yours. :thumbsup:

yeah, but *you* still have to fix it, because they either don't feel like waiting on hold, or prefer to speak to someone who speaks understandable English :|



Nate

Learn how to emulate a hard to understand accent?

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

Worked with my relatives.

 

[compuwiz1]

That's why I don't flaunt my knowlege of computers. I tell my friends and family to just buy a Dell.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: Viperoni

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: fs5

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

and start recommending Dell machines. When the computers break it's Dells fault not yours. :thumbsup:

yeah, but *you* still have to fix it, because they either don't feel like waiting on hold, or prefer to speak to someone who speaks understandable English :|



Nate

Learn how to emulate a hard to understand accent?

lol. When I worked for the IT helpdesk in college, using a bad Indian accent when we answered the phone was sort of a running joke

Nate

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: fs5

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

and start recommending Dell machines. When the computers break it's Dells fault not yours. :thumbsup:

yeah, but *you* still have to fix it, because they either don't feel like waiting on hold, or prefer to speak to someone who speaks understandable English :|



Nate

If they don't want to call Dell's tech support for free, that is the PERFECT time to break out the $120 an hour rate mentioned a few posts up.

 

[Kelemvor]

Stop doing it for free or they'll walk all over you forever. Charge them a reasonable fee so you at least get something out of it.

 

[BD231]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: Viperoni

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: fs5

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

and start recommending Dell machines. When the computers break it's Dells fault not yours. :thumbsup:

yeah, but *you* still have to fix it, because they either don't feel like waiting on hold, or prefer to speak to someone who speaks understandable English :|



Nate

Learn how to emulate a hard to understand accent?

lol. When I worked for the IT helpdesk in college, using a bad Indian accent when we answered the phone was sort of a running joke

Nate

I'm sure that blew over well with the already frustrated, thanks for your consideration.

Being the computer guy dose indeed, lick b*llz fanerman91. Shoulda kept ur mouth shut!! Now all you can do is look like a selfish prick when you refuse service to your family members.

It's ok though, learning how to let people hate you is good training for a hustler. Get some endz for your efforts man. $$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[FilmCamera]

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
plead ignorance/stupidity.

Don't let anybody ever know that you're *good* with computers.

That doesn't work when you were managing a computer store. No way I could convince anyone of that lol.

But then the computers that I built for relatives usually never broke and if they did it wasn't something serious.

 

[TUKIN18S]

I got suckered in too. I finally said I won't even come to look at it for less than $40. And that's just for me to drive there. I also charge them per hour, varying depending on which relative it is. I tell them, fine take to the Geek Squad and have them charge you $129.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

Seriously, this is good advice. When asked, I began telling everyone that my going rate was $75 an hour, which I thought was actually a reasonable rate to charge. It didn't matter who asked, even if they were friends or family, they all got the same answer. Pretty soon, people stopped asking.

 

[buck]

This used to happen to me until i started playing stupid and making things worse on the computers. I do help out the people that deserve it though.

 

[thescreensavers]

happens to me to in school everyone of my family relatives think i don't know anything that i screw up computers instead of fixing em. But i got 1 ant that every time i go to her house she wants me to fix her comp

 

[Zolty]

I will help, my roommate, my parents, and my brother. Beyond that I charge $50 hour which seems to shut most people up and if it doesn't, that is a reasonable rate. Never under any circumstance build a computer outside of where you live.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: BD231

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: Viperoni

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: fs5

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

and start recommending Dell machines. When the computers break it's Dells fault not yours. :thumbsup:

yeah, but *you* still have to fix it, because they either don't feel like waiting on hold, or prefer to speak to someone who speaks understandable English :|



Nate

Learn how to emulate a hard to understand accent?

lol. When I worked for the IT helpdesk in college, using a bad Indian accent when we answered the phone was sort of a running joke

Nate

I'm sure that blew over well with the already frustrated, thanks for your consideration.

Being the computer guy dose indeed, lick b*llz fanerman91. Shoulda kept ur mouth shut!! Now all you can do is look like a selfish prick when you refuse service to your family members.

It's ok though, learning how to let people hate you is good training for a hustler. Get some endz for your efforts man. $$$$$$$$$$$$

We didn't do it with *everybody*, just a couple of...ahem...frequent flyers that knew we were joking. Mostly a couple of the faculty members.

Nate

 

[bleeb]

I tell people I charge 80/hr to fix/build computers...

I haven't had to deal with one for a LONG time. =)

 

[TheRyuu]

Yea, the thing you learn when your good with computers.

Only tell a close knit group of people who you know you can trust to keep their mouths shut.

Basically, a few of my friends and my parents know. Thats about it.
I help them "sometimes".

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: mpitts
Tell them that your rate is $120 an hour. That usually resolves it.

Seriously, this is good advice. When asked, I began telling everyone that my going rate was $75 an hour, which I thought was actually a reasonable rate to charge. It didn't matter who asked, even if they were friends or family, they all got the same answer. Pretty soon, people stopped asking.

Works for me too! I had teachers and family asking. Not anymore...

 

[jst0ney]

I used to build computers for my firends and family. What a huge colossal mistake that was. Now its dells for everyone.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Tell them to buy Macs. That should solve all your problem. But then sometimes even the smallest things they ask you to do.

 

[LostWanderer]

I'm a sucker I know, but it's family...

So I've been working on my aunt's computer since last week sometime. So far I found ~170 bits of spyware and 4-5 viruses. Nasty SOB's too, worms and what-not. Think I got rid of most of the crap, but looks like I'm probably gonna have to reformat to get Windows half way normal again. Gotta back up the 5 gig of family photos stored on there first though. Uhg.

I'll learn one of these days.

:roll::thumbsup: