alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
I get pissed right back...I used to do all this computer tech stuff as a business. The way it goes is:
1) You build a computer for someone: you are now responsible for every install they do, every virus they get, every idiotic thing they do.
2) You fix a problem for someone: you are now expected to fix every other problem they get...since they already paid you 'a lot of money' once.
3) You install an application for someone: you are now expected to tutor them and solve other problems with it.
I explain to each and every person that calls that I do sympathize with the delimma, but I am a business and I cannot afford to repair problems for free. If I feel it is my mistake then there is no charge, however, almost always the first phone call comes a week later or so and after they installed something new. In regards to training issues, I explain my fees for tutoring. In regards to they already spent a lot of money with me, I explain I gave them a discount actually
. Again if they get pissed about it or raise their voice I will either hang up or flame them back.
1) You build a computer for someone: you are now responsible for every install they do, every virus they get, every idiotic thing they do.
2) You fix a problem for someone: you are now expected to fix every other problem they get...since they already paid you 'a lot of money' once.
3) You install an application for someone: you are now expected to tutor them and solve other problems with it.
I explain to each and every person that calls that I do sympathize with the delimma, but I am a business and I cannot afford to repair problems for free. If I feel it is my mistake then there is no charge, however, almost always the first phone call comes a week later or so and after they installed something new. In regards to training issues, I explain my fees for tutoring. In regards to they already spent a lot of money with me, I explain I gave them a discount actually
. Again if they get pissed about it or raise their voice I will either hang up or flame them back.How good of a friend is this person if their husband is bitching you out? The last time that happened to me I said "fvck u" and hung up on them, never talked to them again. They're just ungrateful little asswipes that you shouldn't be friends with if they're yelling at you regarding a favor that YOU did for them.
Yeah, this is why I stopped as well. 99% of the time it is software conflicts due to having too many programs running in the background (Real, comet cursor, gatorware etc.).
haha, I-D-10-T error. I have built computers for people but only once have I actually felt bad because I bought this person a VIA board and an Aureal sound card and you know what that means, no sound.
Heh, I came to this conclusion around 3 years ago when I stopped running a computer biz. People would call for warranty work about the stupidest stuff. It's far too annoying. The only computer I'll build now are on a strict "I'll build, but I WON'T SUPPORT." basis. Seems to work pretty well. If I do get a call with a problem, I tell them "Call Alaska computer smith or 2 geeks and they can get you all fixed up." That is that....
Back in the day, I sold a computer to a couple and they problems from the start. First, they let their son go by and push the power button and it would just turn off the computer. Then they'd get errors at bootup. I said, "Sorry, not my problem, but I'll fix it THIS TIME." Then, they bought a computer desk with an enclosed computer cabinet, no ventilation at all. Not only that, they were directly over the boiler for their apartment building. They kept complaining that their computer was locking up and I kept tell them they haven't have to take it out of the compute cabinet and give some vents. I finally replaced the case with a models with 4 case fans and it was fine. I bent over backwards for them every way I could. I was 17, so I was trying to avoid giving them their money back as I didn't have it.
Jugs
Back in the day, I sold a computer to a couple and they problems from the start. First, they let their son go by and push the power button and it would just turn off the computer. Then they'd get errors at bootup. I said, "Sorry, not my problem, but I'll fix it THIS TIME." Then, they bought a computer desk with an enclosed computer cabinet, no ventilation at all. Not only that, they were directly over the boiler for their apartment building. They kept complaining that their computer was locking up and I kept tell them they haven't have to take it out of the compute cabinet and give some vents. I finally replaced the case with a models with 4 case fans and it was fine. I bent over backwards for them every way I could. I was 17, so I was trying to avoid giving them their money back as I didn't have it.
Jugs
Originally posted by: aphex
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...
yea it sucks. i think they except you to do tech support for it 24/7 or something. that's why i don't build computers for anyone but family.
If someone asks me to build them a computer, I have them buy all the parts. Then when they have everything, I'll go to their house and put it together...
I dont build comps for anyone but close family and friends. Pop's a comp engineer by degree way back so is somewhat knowing and what i frequently end up doing is passing on deals i see and sending them his way. Roomate of mine got new innards and then i proceeded to hand him an A+ book and show him what pages he needed. then i made myself available for questions so he had to do the work himself. then i checked his work and turned it on. heh much more satisfaction as he soon realized that it wasnt nearly that hard once you got some of it down.
u can, google search their warranty transfer form
a tip off that the ppl u built a computer for are stupid, is the fact that they don't know how to build their own computer...
I just get a call from this call from this girls husband
tell em that ALL the problems are incurred from visiting rogue pr0n sites and then reveal to the girl his hidden pr0n stash. bonus points if its ghey pnr0
a tip off that the ppl u built a computer for are stupid, is the fact that they don't know how to build their own computer...
I just get a call from this call from this girls husband
tell em that ALL the problems are incurred from visiting rogue pr0n sites and then reveal to the girl his hidden pr0n stash. bonus points if its ghey pnr0
hey, apple ain't bad man.. i love my ibook
but yeah, there are only a very few close friends that i would build systems for.
but yeah, there are only a very few close friends that i would build systems for.
Pliablemoose
Lifer
- Oct 11, 1999
- 25,195
- 0
- 56
Last friend I built a system with changed a PCI card with the power still on, he learned how to change out his fried MB himself after that stunt
I've gotten into the habit of just asking for their CC & ordering a Dell for them, works great, am prob going to have to buy a Dell for my father in law this year, I've learned all I ever want to know about AOL
Figure after a few hours on hold with tech support in India, my father in law will be more careful about what he downloads/installs
I've gotten into the habit of just asking for their CC & ordering a Dell for them, works great, am prob going to have to buy a Dell for my father in law this year, I've learned all I ever want to know about AOL
Figure after a few hours on hold with tech support in India, my father in law will be more careful about what he downloads/installs
I built my uncle a computer, it was well worth it. I didn't charge him anything but he gave me like $200 extra for it.
I've gotten one support call from him and that was helping him set up. Somehow the CMOS reset itself so the HD wasn't even in the boot order I didn't know a solution to the problem since he had only given me the error and then left for his business trip for a week. A week later he called me and I talked to him for ~10 minutes and got it all working again. He installed his old HD on there and was transferring his old stuff. He called me the next day asking me if he should format his HD with FAT or NTFS, but that was the last time I heard from him.
-- mrcodedude
I've gotten one support call from him and that was helping him set up. Somehow the CMOS reset itself so the HD wasn't even in the boot order
I didn't know a solution to the problem since he had only given me the error and then left for his business trip for a week. A week later he called me and I talked to him for ~10 minutes and got it all working again. He installed his old HD on there and was transferring his old stuff. He called me the next day asking me if he should format his HD with FAT or NTFS, but that was the last time I heard from him.-- mrcodedude
yeah, I'm getting hassled by a lot of people for stupid computer things..I think I'm going to go with what you did, either give me money, or no help. Blah, I hate (certain) people ALWAYS asking me stupid questions that could either be googled, or are so vague it makes no sense. Then the users who don't tell you everything so you think it's one thing, but really it's something completely different because they didn't describe everything that's wrong. [/rant]
I do everything on a gentleman's agreement. A handshake is the only contract we need. Everything I do is for people I know or have been referred by. And I pretty much pick and choose who I'm going to work for by the vibe I get from them. Hence, I won't work for azzholes or airheads. I'm just honest and personable with people. And that gets me by.
Yep, I used to build systems for friends. After one woman called me up nearly every week with another problem (which was always software related; software she installed and I had no intention of supporting) and countless hours of unpaid labor, I said screw it. If a friend asks me to build them a system now, I point them to Dell. I'm tired of being everyone's free 24 hour tech support.
I only build for friends, and I don't charge anymore than cost usually.
I'm too nice though. People at work ask me all the time if I can build a computer and I tell everyone the same thing: buy a dell.
I'm too nice though. People at work ask me all the time if I can build a computer and I tell everyone the same thing: buy a dell.
i have no friends because i hate people...
and people hate me *sobs*
oh
and i refuse to START building pcs for people other than my brothers, cause theyre cool
my parents though, theyre impatient, gah to them!
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