Just got an interesting voice mail...

[cpals]

Received a new voice mail a little bit ago from my past employer. I quit the job about 5 weeks ago and used to do some computer stuff for them. I did not have any problems with the owner or his wife, but had some big problems with the owner's right hand man. Although, the owner did not seem to stressed that I wanted to leave... it was a mutual agreement. I really hated my job when I left.

So the wife is the bookkeeper there and left a voice mail saying that she doesn't know how to print something in a program that I used to use a lot over there. I never had a problem with her, but it just seems odd that they would be calling me for tech support basically. I quit and haven't talked to them since and don't particularly want to.

I'm trying to decide whether or not to call her back or just leave it alone. Would it be good business manner to call back or just delete the message?

 

[bmacd]

it won't kill you to call them...might as well stay on good terms.

-=bmacd=-

 

[BriGy86]

i would call them back but don't let them waste your time

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Your journey to becoming the "free tech support guy I know" is almost complete.

 

[mitmot]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
Your journey to becoming the "free tech support guy I know" is almost complete.

he speaks the truth.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: BriGy86
i would call them back but don't let them waste your time

Yeah, I got a couple of calls from my old employer about a few things that I answered for them.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: bmacd
it won't kill you to call them...might as well stay on good terms.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

if its more complicated than File -> Print, then I'd leave it alone (seriously)

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

When I worked at Intel, the person who trained me finished out her 1 year contract (student placement and experience program through a local company) and went back to college. At the end of my 1 year contract, I left and she came back on board. About a week after I left, she called and asked how to do things that she taught me to do. :roll:

 

[Jzero]

I guess it's polite to call back, but I would make it clear that since I'm no longer with the company, it is not appropriate to call me asking for help without contracting with me to do so.

 

[Billzie7718]

Call her back ... she may have some weird "seduce the I.T. guy" fantasy to play out (BTW they all do).

 

[rh71]

I personally would delete the voicemail and not look back... there's just a point where it's not courtesy anymore.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: bmacd
it won't kill you to call them...might as well stay on good terms.

-=bmacd=-

 

[jtusa]

Call them back, but charge them for your time.

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: Nik
When I worked at Intel, the person who trained me finished out her 1 year contract (student placement and experience program through a local company) and went back to college. At the end of my 1 year contract, I left and she came back on board. About a week after I left, she called and asked how to do things that she taught me to do. :roll:

She just wanted to talk to you. Jeez.

 

[dabuddha]

Give one freebie. Afterwards, tell them they can pay your consulting rate - 20% discount (of course you jack up your rate by 40% )

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
Your journey to becoming the "free tech support guy I know" is almost complete.

and that's a deep black hole out of which it's almost impossible to climb out

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: bmacd
it won't kill you to call them...might as well stay on good terms.

-=bmacd=-

It could help you in the future if they give a good referral when an employer calls them. Could just help a little and see if that is okay, since you were on good terms with them anyways.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: bmacd
it won't kill you to call them...might as well stay on good terms.

-=bmacd=-

It could help you in the future if they give a good referral when an employer calls them. Could just help a little and see if that is okay, since you were on good terms with them anyways.

Actually, when I left it wasn't on very 'good terms.' They knew I hated working there and that is why I quit.

 

[Reel]

Call her back and inform her of your private consulting rates up front or bill her after the fact but don't expect to receive the money or any more phone calls from them.

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Give one freebie. Afterwards, tell them they can pay your consulting rate - 20% discount (of course you jack up your rate by 40% )

SHHHHHH you'll blow our cover

 

[chambersc]

don't call. tell em to shove it.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork
if its more complicated than File -> Print, then I'd leave it alone (seriously)

i agree with this one, if it takes more than a moment of time tell them to call someone else or that you can come in but your current rate is $X/hr

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: Jzero
I guess it's polite to call back, but I would make it clear that since I'm no longer with the company, it is not appropriate to call me asking for help without contracting with me to do so.

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO

Originally posted by: Nik
When I worked at Intel, the person who trained me finished out her 1 year contract (student placement and experience program through a local company) and went back to college. At the end of my 1 year contract, I left and she came back on board. About a week after I left, she called and asked how to do things that she taught me to do. :roll:

She just wanted to talk to you. Jeez.

yeah man, was she hot?