Thats it... Im DONE building computers for "friends"...

aphex · Jul 11, 2003

I knew i would regret building computers for co-workers from last summer...

I just get a call from this girls husband bitching me out about some problem that they cant describe and cant replicate on a computer i built them... (This isnt the first time from them mind you, the last time they got a virus and blamed me) Something about the mouse wheel shutting down the computer this time, but short of that they had no other info. They also berated me about not giving them the Windows XP cd that i installed the computer with, even though im 100% positive i included it with their other cds... Hell i even installed the OS at their apartment....

I knew this build would cause me problems, cause i know how she goes off the wall for the smallest little thing...

I should have heeded the warnings from others about building computers for others..... Looks like the only computers im building from now on are for myself and parents...

Im sick of it...

Maleficus · Jul 11, 2003

Happens to everyone unfortunately. its pretty lame

MrHappyMonkey · Jul 11, 2003

TommyVercetti · Jul 11, 2003

That is precisely why I have no friends.

aphex · Jul 11, 2003

Originally posted by: Maleficus
Happens to everyone unfortunately. its pretty lame

I thought it was kinda funny when they asked when i would be over to fix it... I told him im 400 miles away at college... And he simply repeated the question...

thenerdguy · Jul 11, 2003

Thats why I stopped building comps for friends too.

crumpet19 · Jul 11, 2003

people are assholes

dirtboy · Jul 11, 2003

I learned that lesson a long time ago.

The last person who touches/works on a computer is married to it and is the reason everything is wrong with it.

fs5 · Jul 11, 2003

just have them buy a dell/gateway for about the same price. They won't be able to tell the difference between a custom and a dell. And they can't complain to you if something goes wrong.

Mr N8 · Jul 11, 2003

Sucks. I built a couple of those before I decided that I wasn't going to be building for anyone but myself of close family anymore.

Most likely they hit a power cord or something to that effect, and happened to be using the mouse.

slycat · Jul 11, 2003

so why is the mousewheel not working right?

u should go check it out...

Iron Woode · Jul 11, 2003

Originally posted by: aphex
I knew i would regret building computers for co-workers from last summer...

I just get a call from this girls husband bitching me out about some problem that they cant describe and cant replicate on a computer i built them... (This isnt the first time from them mind you, the last time they got a virus and blamed me) Something about the mouse wheel shutting down the computer this time, but short of that they had no other info. They also berated me about not giving them the Windows XP cd that i installed the computer with, even though im 100% positive i included it with their other cds... Hell i even installed the OS at their apartment....

I knew this build would cause me problems, cause i know how she goes off the wall for the smallest little thing...

I should have heeded the warnings from others about building computers for others..... Looks like the only computers im building from now on are for myself and parents...

Im sick of it...

Do what I do. Tell them you only warranty hardware and not software. So if there is a software issue they must deal with them and not me.

boyRacer · Jul 11, 2003

switch to a mac and claim no knowledge of pcs whatsoever

Mr N8 · Jul 11, 2003

Originally posted by: slycat
so why is the mousewheel not working right?
u should go check it out...

and charge them milage and expenses.

aphex · Jul 11, 2003

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: aphex
I knew i would regret building computers for co-workers from last summer...

I just get a call from this girls husband bitching me out about some problem that they cant describe and cant replicate on a computer i built them... (This isnt the first time from them mind you, the last time they got a virus and blamed me) Something about the mouse wheel shutting down the computer this time, but short of that they had no other info. They also berated me about not giving them the Windows XP cd that i installed the computer with, even though im 100% positive i included it with their other cds... Hell i even installed the OS at their apartment....

I knew this build would cause me problems, cause i know how she goes off the wall for the smallest little thing...

I should have heeded the warnings from others about building computers for others..... Looks like the only computers im building from now on are for myself and parents...

Im sick of it...

Click to expand...

Do what I do. Tell them you only warranty hardware and not software. So if there is a software issue they must deal with them and not me.

Actually, in the invoice i gave them... I specifically stated no warranties (except from the original manufacturer of each part) and no tech support...

Ime · Jul 11, 2003

I'd smack you around, but you've suffered enough already.

I've been in your shoes, buddy. It sucks ass.

I got treated like sh!t too. Nowadays I tell everyone (even friends) that any computer work I do for them is $50/hour, cash, billed in whole hours with partial hours rounding up.

After I did that, I got fewer calls (people don't really want their computers fixed, they just wanna b!tch) and the calls I DO get are for real problems. (like a dead HD, OS system corruptioin, etc) Gotta be careful to do everything in writing, though... including any warrenty (or lack thereof). Still, it keeps everyone honest... and the people who just wanted to be leechers don't bother me anymore.

I'm serious man! You can still help your friends, just tell them it is going to cost them $$$ for your time. You won't get near the hassle after you do.

Ime · Jul 11, 2003

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: aphex
I knew i would regret building computers for co-workers from last summer...

I just get a call from this girls husband bitching me out about some problem that they cant describe and cant replicate on a computer i built them... (This isnt the first time from them mind you, the last time they got a virus and blamed me) Something about the mouse wheel shutting down the computer this time, but short of that they had no other info. They also berated me about not giving them the Windows XP cd that i installed the computer with, even though im 100% positive i included it with their other cds... Hell i even installed the OS at their apartment....

I knew this build would cause me problems, cause i know how she goes off the wall for the smallest little thing...

I should have heeded the warnings from others about building computers for others..... Looks like the only computers im building from now on are for myself and parents...

Im sick of it...

Click to expand...

Do what I do. Tell them you only warranty hardware and not software. So if there is a software issue they must deal with them and not me.

I forgot to add that to my post, but yes you must also state you don't bother with software.

tcsenter · Jul 11, 2003

Often its the ones you least expect to have any troubles with who make you come out every weekend for two months because they don't know what the hell they're doing.

MercenaryForHire · Jul 11, 2003

In small print on the bottom of my invoices:

"Hardware warranty only"

- M4H

Graphicd00d · Jul 11, 2003

Tell them it sounds like an I-D-10-T error and you can't fix those and tell them they need to go to a local computer repair shop and tell them they need to tell the tech that they have an I-D-10-T error so the tech can get a laugh.

zippy · Jul 11, 2003

I have a small computer consulting business - I do on site work for people. Up till now I have done only repairs and whatnot.

However, now, with people going off to college I'm thinking about building computers for people that ask. When I get called/emailed about building a computer I'll make sure that they know up front that I will be at college and unable to provide any tech support. I will also make note that any software issues should be directed to the software manufacturer as that is how Dell, Gateway, etc. do it (correct?). Further, I will purchase all items retail (but cheap - from newegg) so they know exactly what the warranty is on each part. I'll also put this in writing for them on the invoice. Think that should be sufficient or will I get loads of email/phone calls anyway?

I don't think I'll be putting together lots of machines, but a few.

nick1985 · Jul 11, 2003

i have made a few machines for friends. all of them ask some questions about basic problems during the first couple of weeks. but after the kinks got worked out, they dont ask me anymore questions. when i build a comptuer for a buddy of mine, i make them watch me make it so they kinda know whats going on, and i make them register on anandtech for help to their questions

aphex · Jul 11, 2003

Originally posted by: nick1985
i have made a few machines for friends. all of them ask some questions about basic problems during the first couple of weeks. but after the kinks got worked out, they dont ask me anymore questions. when i build a comptuer for a buddy of mine, i make them watch me make it so they kinda know whats going on, and i make them register on anandtech for help to their questions

This computer was build 11 months ago...

MercenaryForHire · Jul 11, 2003

Originally posted by: zippy
I have a small computer consulting business - I do on site work for people. Up till now I have done only repairs and whatnot.

However, now, with people going off to college I'm thinking about building computers for people that ask. When I get called/emailed about building a computer I'll make sure that they know up front that I will be at college and unable to provide any tech support. I will also make note that any software issues should be directed to the software manufacturer as that is how Dell, Gateway, etc. do it (correct?). Further, I will purchase all items retail (but cheap - from newegg) so they know exactly what the warranty is on each part. I'll also put this in writing for them on the invoice. Think that should be sufficient or will I get loads of email/phone calls anyway?

I don't think I'll be putting together lots of machines, but a few.

You will get emails/phonecalls anyways. Lots of them.

- M4H

newbiepcuser · Jul 11, 2003

I tell everybody to get a Dell and call Dell tech support to get help.

Thats it... Im DONE building computers for "friends"...

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