Have you stopped fixing computers for family yet?

[Nocturnal]

I put a stop to it today. They're very ungreatful in the way they treat me so I said forget it, you guys can't even say thank you after you mess up your computer and have me fix it so forget it. That's the last time I'll ever touch your computer. If it's so easy, as they think it is, you go ahead and fix that problem with the wrong drivers and the BSOD! GOOD LUCK!

 

[Zolty]

just charge them cash if they arent going to be grateful

 

[njmodi]

Nope - still get suckered into it, over and over...

 

[Nocturnal]

Exactly. I really don't expect anything in return, in fact, I don't expect ANYTHING except a hey thanks man for helping me out, I really appreciate it.

 

[MedicBob]

I actually still enjoy it. Then again they don't know enough to really break them either.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Boo hoo. Show some love.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

I've got an uncle who runs his own successful business. When he needs help, he calls me. While there I get a meal or two, we socialize, I fix/install his stuff. When done, he pays me a fair rate for the work. Now, the rest of my family...they just leach.

 

[SKORPI0]

Nope, they are family. Friends, once in a while. Neighbors, never. I rarely ask for payment too. In the future they know who will ask favors from them.

 

[Raiden256]

God I wish....

 

[TWills]

<<<Does all computer repair for family AND church members

 

[MidasKnight]

I take care of the family. But stopped helping neighbors and co-workers out. Not because some were ungrateful but it just became dam near fulltime.

 

[Zugzwang152]

nope, my family is greatful for what i do and respects my talents. as such, i'm more than happy to help them out. sounds like your family needs a firm kick in the ass.

 

[randym431]

What a great post.
And a real sore spot, to those that have the "knowledge", but lack the courage to say NO!
I cant begin to count the times my sister called me saying, " so-in-so has this pc he got from the dumpster, and he wants xp installed. Well, that dumpster pc is a pent I with 64 mem and a 10gb drive. But, try to explain that to them.
Or my other sister, that believes once you buy a computer, it should last for life.
She calls me in a panic, "the computer wont boot, come over RIGHT AWAY!".
I finally told everyone "I don?t do that anymore". I tell them to go to walmart and get a new cheapy pc. I use to spend the whole weekend, many many times, reloading windows on peoples pc. Then, they never did backups, so they would wonder why all their data and addresses, emails were gone.
The most I ever got for payment was a container of home made soup and $10.
Thats when I knew I was a sap, and retired from the stress.

 

[fuentefan]

I always end up getting some spare parts!!! i.e. harddrives, SDRAM

 

[Cawchy87]

I do favors for them, they help me out with my car or something. I got good family I guess.

 

[magomago]

only my immediate family, which is my parents. I don't do for anyone else. IF you guys really know your hardware and softawre and have an ability to troubleshoot, don't run around yapping how good at PCs you are.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
I do favors for them, they help me out with my car or something. I got good family I guess.

This would be the IDEAL situation unfortunately they don't do any favors in return. Even if it's something small. They've done this numerous times. They've asked my gf to write up a resume for her uncle, she's done it with no complaints. Nothing in return, ever.

 

[jfall]

I really hate the ones that have 5+ year old computers but refuse to buy a new one, they always want to upgrade the POS instead.. ooo I'll just put in some ram and get another 20 years out of it

 

[deejayshakur]

not yet. setting up voip and switching over to 'project pronto' fiber optic dsl service next week.

this reminds me of the rapage that goes on when best buy, etc charge an arm and a leg to help customers eject their floppy disks. groups of AT members should go solicit this business away and charge 50% of retail.

 

[Fenixgoon]

the second i hit college, i refuse to be tech support.. and if my parents call, i swear to god i'll block the fvcking telephone #

 

[amdskip]

Nope, I do it all.

 

[mpitts]

Since doing that type of stuff is my job for 40 hours a week, most of my friends and family understand that I don't want to be bothered with it when I am not working.

 

[JBT]

Everyone I do it for is very grateful. My parents ussually don't mess anything up to bad. My dad ussually helps fix my car and stuff so its pretty equal.

My fiance's parents PC's I do also but they insist on paying me, which is fine even though I sort of feel bad for it. But whatever I guess.

 

[randym431]

Someday I just want to call my sister or my niece in a panic, "I got dirty clothes all over the house, come over RIGHT AWAY".

 

[Landroval]

Overall yes. But last ago I gave my sister a nice laptop to take to college. Within a few weeks it was broken with a HUGE fissure on the plastic near the HD :| Everyone in the house denies damaging it, and I am really po'd.