I hate doing tech support

[mb]

I used to build computers for family members. Now I just help them buy Dells with a 4 year service plan (unless of course I know they buy new every 2 years).

 

[gaidensensei]

Wait till you work in IT for some area that relates to some tech support field, sys admin, net admin, all that (no matter how big or small) involved..

 

[rasczak]

Wait till you work in IT for some area that relates to some tech support field, sys admin, net admin, all that (no matter how big or small) involved..

if i remember correctly, he already does.

 

[dainthomas]

my mom told the person that I'd fix it. the person brought it over the computer over to my parents' house and left it there.

refusing to do it unless I'm getting paid after my mother already promised that I would makes her look bad and I'm not going to make my mom look like an asshole.

No offense but you don't have to, she already did. Did she seriously not see that as being SLIGHTLY inconsiderate?

 

[dpodblood]

I'm not going to make my mom look like an asshole.

Offering your services to someone without even asking is pretty presumptuous. Not saying you have to be a dick, but their are boundaries.

 

[MotionMan]

my mom told the person that I'd fix it. the person brought it over the computer over to my parents' house and left it there.

refusing to do it unless I'm getting paid after my mother already promised that I would makes her look bad and I'm not going to make my mom look like an asshole.

1. Take it home
2. Bring it back the next day
3. Say: "I could not fix it"
4. ...
5. Profit

MotionMan

 

[nick1985]

So whats going to happen next time they need tech support? You will do it again for free? What about the time after that?

 

[pcgeek11]

So whats going to happen next time they need tech support? You will do it again for free? What about the time after that?

His estrogen level says yes he will.

 

[slayer202]

the problem I have is that the fucking woman shouldn't even expect you to help her, nor ask. Even if she just mentioned she was having problems and your mom offered, she should have declined. what a wise and beautiful woman

 

[0roo0roo]

Long time family friend...maybe help is fine.
If they have their own kids... they can bite me.

 

[ModerateRepZero]

your mom was out of line for not only dumping responsibility for tech support on you, but also guilt-tripping by saying that not helping "makes her look bad".

it's up to you to decide about helping her, but realize that unless you make clear that any further tech support will be at a billable rate, the other person will more than likely have a "if it no longer works, it's YOUR fault...or responsibility to fix" mentality.

 

[sandorski]

That's gay. You sounded like some's got a knife to ya throat. Just say no.

It's his Mums.

 

[Ms. DICKINSON]

It's his Mums.

No, the mom is the middle person.

 

[Dacalo]

State to your mom this will be the last time since it is very time consuming. Tell her what entails trouble shooting and hopefully she will have some common sense next time instead of just telling the computer owner that you will fix it. And grow some balls. I would refuse and not fix it but that's just me. Then again, my mom would never put in that situation.

 

[sandorski]

No, the mom is the middle person.

His Mums asked him.

 

[Zebo]

You need to learn the words: "as is"

No one respects a patsy.

 

[yhelothar]

lol @ OP. I so agree with your statement about google.
The difference between someone who's good with computers and someone who's not lies in their ability to operate google.
Mostly everything I know about computers came from my willingness to google out a solution to the problem at hand.

 

[mjrpes3]

lol @ OP. I so agree with your statement about google.
The difference between someone who's good with computers and someone who's not lies in their ability to operate google.
Mostly everything I know about computers came from my willingness to google out a solution to the problem at hand.

Very true. Although it is helpful to make the distinction between problems where it's possible to understand the underlying structure of a system and problems where the system is a "black box".

For Windows, I've been troubleshooting it over the years to have a fairly good understanding of the basic architecture (how networks work, firewalls works, services, etc) to solve most basic problems. However, the system still acts like a "black box" some of the time and for these problems I wouldn't be able to figure them out with Google.

 

[Nebor]

my mom told the person that I'd fix it. the person brought it over the computer over to my parents' house and left it there.

refusing to do it unless I'm getting paid after my mother already promised that I would makes her look bad and I'm not going to make my mom look like an asshole.

With a dominant, overbearing mother with very high expectations, it's amazing you didn't turn out... oh wait.

 

[nageov3t]

So whats going to happen next time they need tech support? You will do it again for free? What about the time after that?

today, a friend of my dad's called me asking if I could download some MP3's for him. /facepalm

my parents are going to get a stern talking to when they get back from vacation.

 

[Wyndru]

1. Take it home
2. Bring it back the next day
3. Say: "I could not fix it"
4. ...
5. Profit

MotionMan

Don't even bring it back right away, hold onto it for a few weeks claiming that you are running into problems, and need some more time. All while it is sitting collecting dust. Then return to step 2.

I'm sure that will be the last time they ask you for support.

 

[TrueBlueLS]

Your mother gave away the computer you built for her. I'd tell her and the person she gave it to get bent. I've transitioned into charging for tech support for family members with constant problems or anyone family has tried referring to me. I've got other things I could be doing than volunteering my time.

 

[OverVolt]

today, a friend of my dad's called me asking if I could download some MP3's for him. /facepalm

my parents are going to get a stern talking to when they get back from vacation.

Lol, a stern talking to. If your mom was being an asshole and put you on the hook for something without talking to you about it, then she gets what she deserves. Which is looking like an asshole. Because she is one.

Derp.

She could try not being an asshole if she doesn't want to look like one.

 

[timosyy]

http://xkcd.com/627/

These should be printed out and distributed to anyone who calls for tech support.