Vonkhan
Diamond Member
- Feb 27, 2003
- 8,198
- 0
- 71
yeh, same here ... after the first few times, NEVER AGAIN!
idiots and bitches calling me for their stupid azz mistakes. now, i need to get paid for building a rig, no garuntees (they buy the parts using their cc - the FS/T is full of these poor b*stards who selling stuff they bought for others who changes their mind), and NO TECH SUPPORT.
my bumper sticker says "if u want a ride, u gotta give me ass, gas or grass"
used to be a nice guys, nice guys finish last - never again
idiots and bitches calling me for their stupid azz mistakes. now, i need to get paid for building a rig, no garuntees (they buy the parts using their cc - the FS/T is full of these poor b*stards who selling stuff they bought for others who changes their mind), and NO TECH SUPPORT.
my bumper sticker says "if u want a ride, u gotta give me ass, gas or grass"
used to be a nice guys, nice guys finish last - never again
I tell them in advance I support no software. When I build a computer I install Windows and nothing else. I won't even change the default settings. Because the one guy I built a computer for is such an idiot I have made over $1,000 from him.
I will always build computers for some friends if they ask me. I can save them a few bucks sometimes and it will always come back in a way, materialistic or not.
Cerb
Elite Member
- Aug 26, 2000
- 17,484
- 33
- 86
Yup, and luckily I managed to get enough of my mom to not be too nice. I never just build something...I want to know the person enough to figure out what they are going to do if sh!t hits the fans. In addition, I never BS them at all--not even the slightest twisting of truth. I give them the full truth, even if offends them a bit, because in the long run, it just seems a better way to go. If Dell might be better, I tell them. I can get them a bit more for their $ at the mid and high ranges, but...
The last one I built, she knew she could get a slightly faster machine form Dell (And my Dad caught her at Sams about to get an HP! Luckily between him and my friend she got out of that mess!). But she liked how her previous comp, made somewhere locally, didn't have all the BS on it. On top of that she insisted on buying parts w/ her CC right off.
Tangent: Speaing of Dell and HP, I will not attempt to fix HP or Compaq home computers (a second-hand business machine is alright, and since there's an air force base close, there are a few of those around). Upgrade in a heartbeat, but nothing esle.
That I can deal with, and if anything happens, will probably not have any problems dealing with her. There are several people I have turned down (rather, not gotten back to them
--much easier for me) due to just not feeling right about it.Much of what I do do is from people who have a working knowledge of PCs, or at least common sense and honesty (which counts for a lot).
I have no problems with being tech support, as long as they don't try to blame me for anything I didn't do. If it becomes a chore, that person isn't getting any more help from me. I help my friends out of obligation. Not you.
Oddly enough, I would avoid my relatives more than I would random friends of freinds
. My family knows how to whine, even when 10 seocnds of describing what's going on would clear it all up.I build computers on the side and I have gone through this several times. I try to explain to the customer that if the computer is malfunctioning not due to a hardware problem then you can be about 99% sure it was operater inflicted. I vowed to myself to stop building computers for people whose IQ is the same as a single cell amoeba.
I give them this test...what operating system do you like?
If the answer is Internet explorer, I tell them to buy a DELL
Ausm
Originally posted by: alkemyst
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
Dayum...I could not have said it better. Also arguing with a person about the technical aspects of a PC when they barely know how to turn it on really is exhausting...
Ausm
SaigonK
Diamond Member
So here are my thoughts on this, I build systems for people and I have my own contracting business for other things such as networking etc.
I often get sales through friends of friends, or relatives etc. I always ask them what they want to spend, and if they say something like $500 i tell them to go to dell.
I dont build any systems under $1000, it allows me to use the parts I want to use versus trying to save a buck or two. This used to be a major source of my service calls, but now I never get any. I warrantee all hardware for the same period as the manufacturer, nothing more...nothing less.
I DONT do software support, i tell everyone that up front, I dont mind spending a phone call here or there telling them how to burn a cd or what MP3's are, but I dont help them use Quicken or do their taxes, for that they get charged.
It can be a pain in the ass, but I make some serious cash doing it so I cant complain. I feel that if you spend some small amount of time with them in the beginning for the first week or two, 99% of the people dont come calling again. There is that 1% that do, and i tell them they have to pay to get it fixed...relative....friend...stranger...it doesnt matter. If you dont charge one and then charge another you are just looking for trouble.
I often get sales through friends of friends, or relatives etc. I always ask them what they want to spend, and if they say something like $500 i tell them to go to dell.
I dont build any systems under $1000, it allows me to use the parts I want to use versus trying to save a buck or two. This used to be a major source of my service calls, but now I never get any. I warrantee all hardware for the same period as the manufacturer, nothing more...nothing less.
I DONT do software support, i tell everyone that up front, I dont mind spending a phone call here or there telling them how to burn a cd or what MP3's are, but I dont help them use Quicken or do their taxes, for that they get charged.
It can be a pain in the ass, but I make some serious cash doing it so I cant complain. I feel that if you spend some small amount of time with them in the beginning for the first week or two, 99% of the people dont come calling again. There is that 1% that do, and i tell them they have to pay to get it fixed...relative....friend...stranger...it doesnt matter. If you dont charge one and then charge another you are just looking for trouble.
wtf, y'all have invoices for the computers you build? Hell I do them on a hand shake No paper trail. This is me in the future... "Do I know you?"
No paper trail. This is me in the future... "Do I know you?"I've built two computers for friends. I have them buy the parts, then I go over and put it together and install an OS . . . all for free ( like this stuff, and now they can't bother me about tech support). On one of the comps, the GeForce 4 Ti-4600 was broken, I pointed them to newegg's RMA form, and put in my old nVidia TNT 16mb to hold them over until their new card came, at which point they were able to install it themselves.
I make a point of telling them anything they screw up is their problem alone.
I make a point of telling them anything they screw up is their problem alone.
The last system I built was an athlon 750 that I GAVE to one of my friends. He has no right to complain, ever.
GoodRevrnd
Diamond Member
- Dec 27, 2001
- 6,801
- 581
- 126
I always figure there's one perk to this... when they ask about internet you sign them up w/ your ISP and collect the referrals. If you build enough systems, free internet!
Heck, I'm done 'building' computers for evar. Nevar again. Evar. In fact, I got so sick of computers and their hardware parts, I only hope to never have to open any PC cases evar again. I now have a new strategy. When someone asks about computer HW, I keep my mouth shut and play a fool not knowing jack about computers, like I don't know what the CPU is (I usually delude people by tricking them into that I'm thinking it's the whole case). holy crap, they believe I don't know jack crap about PC HW (BTW, it's true) and at least I don't have to mess with something I totally don't need.
Actually, I'm doing this b/c I don't want others to know 'm such a petty junky in heart who cares abuot what CPU is inside the case.
alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
free internet to me would never pay for the harassment I still get and haven't built a system for anyone else in about 3 or 4 years.
two months ago someone called that I only replaced his CPU about 5 years ago. He wanted his money back since I sold him something that cannot run anything he wants to today. He truly believed I am responsible since his 'friend' told him if I sold him a pentium 3 or 4 he would be able to run those applications.
I told him those processors did not exist at the time and he didn't want to buy the top of the line processor anyways.
He claimed I was lying an Pentium 4's have been around since windows started......*sigh*
Long story short, he would not stop yelling at me and it was 10pm. He wasn't a friend of mine and really knows no one I do. He was rather poor (not a crime so don't get me wrong), so I doubt he will ever be within my circle of business or friends. I told him if he calls me again irate I would file a motion to prosecute him for phone harrassment and sue him for the time he took up of mine at my current hourly rate of $575
[yes this was a lie, and just social engineering on my part]....however I told him I would install a processor in that same machine for him for the same rate and possibly even less than half I charged him originally that would run the software provided his video card supported it...if not I told him for $200 he could upgrade that too (I believe he had a BX motherboard...but if not the sales slip of $500 would more than cover a processor/motherboard/memory upgrade now).He said 'his friend' already sold him his old P2 machine for $750.
I told him your friend was the only one that screwed you.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
- 136
Same here. I just tell 'em, "Go buy a Dell."Originally posted by: Fritzo
THat's why I stopped doing it too. I tell them to get a Dell
The last computer I built for a "friend" they completely hosed with viruses, lost their WinXP disc AND key, and were pissed off when I told them I couldn't fix it for free because (1) they lost they software (not me) and (2) it was their fault, not my parts or workmanship (when I did build PC's, my invoices long stated that I was only responsible for defects in parts or workmanship edit: and for only 90 days, not abuse or neglect).
I don't understand why this is giving you stress. I tell people they have 5 days to break their machine and I'll replace the broken part if they're sure it's a part that's broken...if I can fix it without opening the case, they have to pay me. And this is a service to them. In no way shape or form is it written that I agreed to support their hardware AT ALL! Indeed, I have documents that say the opposite. Do they have anything signed by you or an agreement by you that says you have to support their machine in all its quirks?
My tip:
your conversation should go like this...
"So...you're machine...it's not working right"
"You're damn right!"
"And you expect me to fix it for you"
"Now you're following"
"For free."
"Of course for free, I'm not gonna pay you to do your job"
"HAHAHAHAHAHABWAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" *click*
*ring*
"WTF!@#$%^"
"I'm sorry, what I meant was BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA"*click*
*ring*
"I'm sorry, I'm all laughed out now...call back tomorrow and I might have some more for you".
My tip:
your conversation should go like this...
"So...you're machine...it's not working right"
"You're damn right!"
"And you expect me to fix it for you"
"Now you're following"
"For free."
"Of course for free, I'm not gonna pay you to do your job"
"HAHAHAHAHAHABWAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" *click*
*ring*
"WTF!@#$%^"
"I'm sorry, what I meant was BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA"*click*
*ring*
"I'm sorry, I'm all laughed out now...call back tomorrow and I might have some more for you".
alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
For me it has to do with my phone was constantly ringing or voice mails were left...most of the time these people were upset and frustrated. They just spent a lot of cash and now thinking they were going to have to spend even more. The 'net is like a drug. When their machines are broken they can't get their fix.
I don't like upset people, but at the same time I am not into all charity work. There was one time were the father cancelled the food he ordered take out in front of me because of a $300 bill (which I gave a big discount on, I was there about 8 hours (more than 1 machine and he insisted he didn't do the 'easy' things I would have tried to reverse first....he did those, plus tried to fix the HW himself and a ton of wires were not connected and other wierd things...then he wanted me to install all these downloads he had saved up). He said that bill was more than his car payment...he was really upset...it sucked and his whole family was upset about pizza night getting cancelled and it became peanut butter and jelly night again ('not peanut butter again' was a quote from the one daughter)....
That kind of stuff sucks dealing with. I sort of wish I could have afforded to just supply the HW for free and my labor...but my bank would not return the favor on my car or school loans.
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