Do you watch people who are doing installs in your home ?

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
762
126
Today, cable tech came to do a install, and I was watching what he was doing.
Then he asks me if I had a problem.
I said pardon ?
He said, your watching me, and I don't like that, gets me nervous. I am not going to steal anything.
I said, well, you shouldn't get nervous, I watch everyone that comes into the house, not only you.
He said, MmHmm, seems you just think I am going to steal something.
I said, if that is your attitude, let me call up your manager, and I can voice your concern.
He said, oh, so now your trying to get me into trouble ?
I said, look, your the one that is paranoid, not I, this is my house, and you should complete your work correctly, and leave.
He mumbled something.

I am seriously thinking of calling up HQ anyway, and voice my concern, this is really BS.
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
136
Yeah, but not like a hawk. Usually I just watch for a while, and sometimes the tech or whoever doing the install has a question.
 

Juddog

Diamond Member
Dec 11, 2006
7,851
6
81
He probably was trying to sneak his way into your pr0n collection.
 

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
762
126
I was about 8' away... couldn't watch TV, or anything else, since he was doing the install.
 

MustISO

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,927
12
81
I typically do. I will go away for a little while but I typically hand around (not over them) to see what they're doing. Mostly because it interests me.

I do PC repair as a side business and I welcome people to watch me work.
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
Oh heck yes, I watch them but that doesn't mean I have to stand over them. But I will be in the same room at all times. I know they don't like it, but blame the others who not only do steal when they are in homes, but also scout out valuables and pass on juicy targets to burglars for money.

There are so many people doing drugs today who will do just about anything for either drugs or money to get drugs, you have to protect yourself. And lots of those people do manage to hold a job.

The county south of mine is in a heroin/meth/oxy near-meltdown.
 

NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
5,847
154
106
I make my presence known and hang out in the same room but I'm not obtrusive or breathing down their neck.
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
Yes, we keep an eye on them. Not because we're afraid they'll steal something but to make sure they're doing a good job. Half the time when you leave them too it, these contractors will half ass it. It's how folks like Mike Holmes made their living. Fixing things when these guys screw up.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Yes, we keep an eye on them. Not because we're afraid they'll steal something but to make sure they're doing a good job. Half the time when you leave them too it, these contractors will half ass it. It's how folks like Mike Holmes made their living. Fixing things when these guys screw up.

True true. I had a contractor working on my house once who sounded like he knew what he was doing when I talked to him and signed the contract, but then EVERY SINGLE TIME when I came home after work, he was doing something wrong. I'm still bitter about how much of my money that worthless POS got for doing slipshod work that I had to fix later.
 

1sikbITCH

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
4,194
574
126
Having been on both sides of this fence I know how difficult your job becomes when a homeowner is standing over your shoulder nitpicking every single move you make.

Little old ladies are the worst because they're batshit crazy. One minute you remind them of their dead son and the next you're trying to rob them.

Fxck homeowners.

Now as a homeowner I respect that it makes them focus all about me creeping around them like a psycho instead of concentrating on the job.

A webcam that you can view from the next room solves this problem.

Plus then you get to burst into the room yelling "AHA!" when they screw up.
 

Staples

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2001
4,953
119
106
Yes because I want to learn what they are doing so I won't have to pay next time.

They might think it is weird but I pay enough to watch.
 

Humpy

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2011
4,464
596
126
I've worked inside a lot of people's homes and you have to learn to professionally deal with most any situation. The idiot cable guy won't be able to ever learn that concept, that's why he's an idiot cable guy.

If the homeowner wants to hover just strike up a conversation to put him at ease. Then he'll go away.
 

Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
I like to learn so I can do it myself in the future (if I have to troubleshoot/repair).
 

Centauri

Golden Member
Dec 10, 2002
1,631
56
91
I hate it when people watch me while I work, so I don't do it to others in my home. It's demeaning.

Had Geek Squad here a few days ago for my TV. I went about my shit as they worked and then gave them Cokes when the work was done and said thanks.
 

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
7,740
11
81
Unless its something they *ucked up first time around I usually let them be. I feel like a creeper if I just hover over them.
 

OBLAMA2009

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2008
6,574
3
0
i dont watch repair people cuz its a little uncomfortable to do that to someone doing work for you but i wouldnt leave my rolex out either. youre probably justified though. i read about some sheriffs deputies going to a house where someone had died and finding money and stealing it. that was in the bay area. you really cant trust anyone having access to valuables
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
I hate it when people watch me while I work, so I don't do it to others in my home. It's demeaning.

Had Geek Squad here a few days ago for my TV. I went about my shit as they worked and then gave them Cokes when the work was done and said thanks.


Demeaning how? Are they insulting you? Are they making you feel insecure?

I watch every one of you @sshats who come into my house to work because some of the time its substandard, and the other part of the time y'all look tweaked out. No thanks, its my house, I'll watch you work and make sure its done to my satisfaction.
 

colonelciller

Senior member
Sep 29, 2012
915
0
0
don't call his manager... he knows where you live and if he gets fired do you really want a pissed off able guy out there blaming you and having his buddies talking $hit about you when they're getting loaded.

just not worth it.
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
If I were in someone's house and they wanted to watch what I was doing, I would understand.

If I'm at work, or in an office that they don't own, stop staring and leave me alone. It's irritating.
 

jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
1
81
I always watch because I'm always curious what they're doing. and how the professional is doing it differently than the way I would.
 

Humpy

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2011
4,464
596
126
Demeaning how? Are they insulting you? Are they making you feel insecure?

I watch every one of you @sshats who come into my house to work because some of the time its substandard, and the other part of the time y'all look tweaked out. No thanks, its my house, I'll watch you work and make sure its done to my satisfaction.

Problem customer alert!

The only people who will work for you are tweakers and dummys? I never would have guessed.