WTF I don't think I'm ever going to tell anybody I work with computers

[frostedflakes]

I usually just feign ignorance. Getting roped into being someone's tech support bitch is the worst. I mean it'd be bearable if I was getting paid for it, but it's definitely not a free service.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Hahahaha, that's nothing. I hate the people who bring their computer to you -- and then they call you every day until you fix it.

The computer hasn't worked for months, and now you can't live without it?

I hate people that think we enjoy cleaning their mess of a computer.

OMG yes, I get some of the dirtyest computers sometimes. Worse is smokers. Smoking in your house is so 1960's. If you smoke, do it outside! I feel sorry for their family and pets. Can't believe some people still smoke right in their house.

I ended up buying an air compressor just for that, I bring their PC outside and just blow the dust away if it's too bad for me to work on.

Once I had to act dumb and say I could not figure out the problem just so I could get rid of the computer, it totally stank up my entire room. I think it was a mix of cig and orgasm. Too much bad porn sites caused all those viruses.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

I know it can be hard but just learn to say no.

 

[child of wonder]

I just tell them "if you had a skill that costs everyone else $75-$100 per hour, would you give that skill away?"

 

[guyver01]

I use a variation of:
http://forms.ou.edu/Cases.pdf

When i work on 'family' computers.

Print it out, modify it as needed, make them sign it.

 

[KMFJD]

I love it when they try to lay a guilt trip on you to fix it...when you still say no they seem to get a little upset at you.

 

[sourceninja]

I have a solution, it's really simple.

Tell everyone that you use mac. Tell them you have no idea how windows works, and if they want your help they will buy a mac.

This solution only works if you know the people in question can't afford a mac.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Everytime someone hears I'm a programmer they immediate say something along the lines of oh so you fix computers? Then maybe you can help me fix mine? /facepalm

 

[Number1]

I sold a computer to some older hill billy who never had a computer before, are barely able to read and are chain smoker (I know, the smoking part is irrelevant but who cares). They would call me every week with some kind of problem. I smartened up, installed windows XP and they never called back. This was a year ago.

Moral of the story: be nice, fix their computer properly and you will ever ear from them again.

That's the theory anyway.

Edit: they told their friends I know a little bit about computer and they are calling me now :-((

 

[LittleNemoNES]

I sold a computer to some older hill billy who never had a computer before, are barely able to read and are chain smoker (I know, the smoking part is irrelevant but who cares). They would call me every week with some kind of problem. I smartened up, installed windows XP and they never called back. This was a year ago.

Moral of the story: be nice, fix their computer properly and you will ever ear from them again.

That's the theory anyway.

The times I have helped I make them a regular, non-admin user and tell them I lost the admin password (not). They can't fubar their computer without really trying

 

[Uhtrinity]

It gets better... once you touch it, any problems for whatever reason are your fault then.

I've been accused of that maybe once or twice in 15 years. I not only fix the problem, I also educate as to avoid the problem. If they choose to pass up that advice it is their issue and they know it. Doesn't stop them from requesting repeat service.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Honestly, if it was just a one-time thing, it wouldn't be an issue. But the second you sit in front of their PC, you're signing a lifetime free warranty with that for any issues or questions the users may have. People treat those that know a thing or two about computers like they would treat plumbers and electricians-- we're just people who know how to fix utilities to make them working again.

With that said, I've learned to say no and to refer them to such services as Geek Squad. Again, not because I don't want to take the time to fix their spyware once, but because I don't want to deal with the calls starting a week later about how their PC "never used to do this before..." or how they're "thinking about a new printer." Makes me want to off myself.

 

[Riverhound777]

I don't understand why so many people have this problem. I can't think of any time someone has asked me to work on their computer without offering some kind of compensation. For co-workers/people I don't know all that well, they always offer to pay me. For friends, they always offer dinner or something else nice. Never has anyone expected me to work on their computer for free. The exception being immediate family, best friends, GF (people I wouldn't let pay me).

 

[Joemonkey]

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/computers

 

[SlitheryDee]

Why can't people learn to just fsking google it. I've fixed a considerable number of my own computer problems by googling for key words for 5 minutes and finding some instructions to follow. With the crazy-ass, off-the-wall, unheard-of shit people seem to get to go wrong with their computers I'd probably end up doing that to fix their problem anyway. Just fsking google it.

 

[Corn]

I used to constantly be hounde by family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to fix their computer problems without the offer of compensation. I learned real quick to demand they bring their crippled computer to my place where I had my "test bench". Then when they showed up I would show them where the lawn mower was or what areas I wanted them to pull weeds from. Word got around and I haven't been asked to fix a computer for about 5 years now. Bliss.

 

[insect9]

I've started charging friends and family for computer work. It gets frustrating when they get virus infections several times a year despite the fact that you've shown them how to keep their own computer secure several times. "But logging in to a restricted user account is a pain in the butt!" "I don't WANT to have to right click and go to run as administrator!" "The pop up told me that it was the best virus scanner around!"

The thing I don't understand is people lock their cars and their houses. A computer can house very sensitive information like CC numbers, tax information, work files, yet people don't want to have to TRY to keep it secure because they don't feel they should have to...

 

[Kirby]

I'll do it for close family (mom, dad, sis), but other family requires payment in at least food. And besides close family, if I can't solve virus shit in less than 1 or 2 hours, I tell them to back up their stuff and I'll format the hard drive if they want. Anyone else: "Sorry, I just program. I don't know how they work or how to fix them."

 

[IceBergSLiM]

tell them your busy
eventually they'll get the hint.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I don't understand why so many people have this problem. I can't think of any time someone has asked me to work on their computer without offering some kind of compensation.

You're lucky. Unless the compensation is REALLY good, it isn't worth it. I usually get the typical "I'll fix you dinner if you fix my PC" line, which isn't good enough for all the ensuing headaches. I used to do some consulting for small businesses on the side and generally, if they didn't take my recommendations and tried to dictate how to do my job, I would let them go. It was not worth the money and headache.

For co-workers/people I don't know all that well, they always offer to pay me. For friends, they always offer dinner or something else nice. Never has anyone expected me to work on their computer for free. The exception being immediate family, best friends, GF (people I wouldn't let pay me).

I have a friend who is unemployed but started his own "consulting" business. He was mostly a programmer but has a basic knowledge of servers and systems. The problem now is that he goes out and sells infrastructure services but really doesn't know how to do the work. So, once every couple of weeks, I'll be sitting at home and IMs start popping up asking me how to do x, y, or z. It really bothers me because he is making money off of my knowledge with no offers to pay me. So I generally try to give vague and non-specific answers. I figure if push comes to shove and he starts asking me for step-by-step instructions, I will have to ask to be compensated.

 

[Gothgar]

I've been doing this for years

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I used to constantly be hounde by family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to fix their computer problems without the offer of compensation. I learned real quick to demand they bring their crippled computer to my place where I had my "test bench". Then when they showed up I would show them where the lawn mower was or what areas I wanted them to pull weeds from. Word got around and I haven't been asked to fix a computer for about 5 years now. Bliss.

:thumbsup:

This is a GREAT suggestion. Hmmm, I need my patio re-leveled, so maybe I should get back in the computer repair business again......

 

[GlacierFreeze]

My time is valuable. I'd rather be watching tv or surfing the net. With that said, unless it's a super hot blonde that's willing to offer sexy time in exchange for me fixing her computer, then the person is going to give me some money, period.

Lucky for me, my family has the decency to offer to pay me something, so I wouldn't have to ask or mention it.

If a person is too cheap to give someone some money to do a service for them, then they can keep their virus infested, hard drive failing, 10 minute boot up problems to themselves.

If someone expected me to "fix" their computer for free, I would have no problem mentioning that it's going to cost them something.

OP: Get a backbone and tell them they need to pony up some cash.

 

[Sumguy]

I've taken to telling people I'll fix their computer free once every six months, if they call again and ask me to fix their computer its $60+$15 per hour, and I do it at my leisure/if I feel like it. If I'm back home during a break, its $100 up front and $20 an hour even if I haven't touched your PC for years.

Usually people find out I'm an EE major and get the idea that EE is all about computers.

 

[GlacierFreeze]

I love it when they try to lay a guilt trip on you to fix it...when you still say no they seem to get a little upset at you.

Definitely should say this:

I just tell them "if you had a skill that costs everyone else $75-$100 per hour, would you give that skill away?"