"RANT"Ever built a "Budget Rig" for a tightwad?

[jupiter57]

This hasn't happened to me for a while now, but it has happened way too many times.

A friend, neighbor, associate, etc. asks you to build them a Computer, always sressing how they don't want anything special, just to get on the 'net or type in Word, etc.
So, you penny pinch, put a cheap, decent rig together, they take it and pay you. Typically, within a week, they call you up raising cain because they went to Wal-Mart and bought a game that cost more than the computer itself, and the computer won't play the game!

They always want to claim you sold them junk when all you did was give them exactly what they asked for!

And I ALWAYS make it a point to stress to them that the cheapy rig WILL NOT play ANY games! Yet, they still let their kids talk them into WOW, Quake, or whatever. Then the trouble begins.

I no longer try any more, I just tell them that Dell can sell them one cheaper than I can build one, and they get a warranty.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

costed? Are you 12?

 

[jupiter57]

Edited!
(I will be 50 on the 28th of this month, FYI.)

 

[fitzov]

I give people three options, and recommend the most expensive one. As far as complaining about not being able to play the latest game--tough shite. I never guarantee any such thing.

 

[Ultralight]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
costed? Are you 12?

Truly, you are the sarcastic dwarf and you certainly have helped a great deal here.

_________________________________


Seriously jupiter57 I would have in no uncertain terms asked him/her, "What is it that you didn't understand when I told you what this new build can and cannot do? I built it according to your specifications. And now you are holding me responsible for the fact that you can't play the latest and greatest games?! This is all on your shoulders, not mine." Put the onus of responsibility where it belongs. (My birthday is also the 28th and I'll be 49)

 

[PingSpike]

Tell them you will fix the problem. Then take the box back, open the case, defecate in it and then close it. Return it to them and charge them $50/hr for your services. Be happy you're rid of them.

 

[dainthomas]

I hate building cheapo rigs.
If they want to spend less than 6-700, tell them to get an emachines or dell.

 

[jupiter57]

Originally posted by: Ultralight

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
costed? Are you 12?

Truly, you are the sarcastic dwarf and you certainly have helped a great deal here.

_________________________________


Seriously jupiter57 I would have in no uncertain terms asked him/her, "What is it that you didn't understand when I told you what this new build can and cannot do? I built it according to your specifications. And now you are holding me responsible for the fact that you can't play the latest and greatest games?! This is all on your shoulders, not mine." Put the onus of responsibility where it belongs. (My birthday is also the 28th and I'll be 49)

Well, Ive never taken one back!
I tell them how it is, some choose to never speak to me again, (unless of course they mess up their 'puter and need help!)

 

[DBL]

You made it clear it would not play any current games well. What's the problem?

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: DBL
You made it clear it would not play any current games well. What's the problem?

Short memory....

 

[Ricochet]

I pretty much stop building computer for people and just tell them to buy a Dell.

<----owns some Dell stocks.

 

[49erinnc]

It's just hard to compete with Dell these days, especially when you're getting a legit OS from them.

I also tend to only build for people who want a gaming rig anyway. As a gamer, I find no joy in putting together a system that has minimal specs. The whole fun for me is getting the high end parts in and enjoying the process of installing/running them. I have very little interest in building a system with crappy graphics. Go to Walmart if you want a cheap system with integrated video.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

"I just want a simple budget computer with a 24" LCD and it has to play quake 4 at 120 frames per second with everything maxed. Nothing special."
"Sure, just give me a few years for the parts to be cheap and exist."

 

[Fenixgoon]

how much was your budget?

a 7600GS ($100 AR) does a nice job of playing games for me

 

[jupiter57]

Originally posted by: DBL
You made it clear it would not play any current games well. What's the problem?

Grasping the concept?
Pure idiocy?

 

[gregshin]

AMEN brother

 

[Glavinsolo]

I always show exactly what they are getting and I show that my 15% was added on to it. Since they aren't paying for tax (7%) and they are getting something unique they don't mind paying the would be extra (8%).

Your problems would be solved if you better explained things to them while sitting down and talking for a good 30mins-1hour.

 

[MrWizzard]

Easy fix: From now on when you build anyone a budget PC, make them sign a waver that states that this is a budget pc and it will not play games.

If they complain pull it out and show it to them.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Originally posted by: MrWizzard
Easy fix: From now on when you build anyone a budget PC, make them sign a waver that states that this is a budget pc and it will not play games.

If they complain pull it out and show it to them.

A recent chart that shows what video card they have compared to all other cards available works here. You can take 5mins and write in the prices of all the other cards they could get. People want to learn you just have to dumb it down to 5th grade level most of the time.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: ricochet
I pretty much stop building computer for people and just tell them to buy a Dell.

Same here.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I'd always recommend Dell/e-machines for a budget computer. These days you can't save money on anything but a high end system by building it yourself anyway.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: ricochet
I pretty much stop building computer for people and just tell them to buy a Dell.

Same here.

yup, being 24 hour support for your friends/family/etc gets tiresome, fast.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
I hate building cheapo rigs.
If they want to spend less than 6-700, tell them to get an emachines or dell.

QFT

 

[GrammatonJP]

Yeha you should have the 3 option pricing

SLI pricing - list games like WOW, etc

Middle price - list older games

Cheap price - list game like Doom1 an Doom2 and Minesweeper

Allow them to sign off on which option they pick..

but yeah, i havn't built a pc for anyone for 10 years now.. last one was a 486/33mhz. I had repair about 30 pcs that my ex-coworker built.. every week its a different problem.. cheap parts...

 

[ahurtt]

It is the story of your life when you deal with clients. You give them exactly what they ask for but it's never what they wanted.