Your experience building for friends/family...

[MrMiyagi]

If this isn't the right place for this move it or close it please (couldn't think of where else to put it)

Anyway...I need a several opinions.

I was going to start building a comp for my dad, or I was just going to order him a nice setup from Dell. On one hand, I'd enjoy building the computer plus I could make it better than Dell for cheaper. On the other hand, my dad could call Dell when things broke down, or he needed help.

In your (anyone's) experience, when building for friends/family, has it ever turned out being a pain in the arse because they kept calling you with "my computer doesn't work" questions??

I've only built one comp last year, but I haven't had one problem yet so I don't forsee any on the one I'd build him. As for the "how do I check my email" questions...well I'll get those on the phone no matter what (my build or Dell's).

Pros and cons? Experiences? All appreciated...

Peace

Mr. Miyagi

 

[Budman]

In your (anyone's) experience, when building for friends/family, has it ever turned out being a pain in the arse because they kept calling you with "my computer doesn't
work" questions??

That's the exact reason why I stopped doing it,I got tired or all the newbie questions and kids deleting vital files,then who do you thing has to go there & fix things.

And you cant really charge a service charge to them so i just stopped.

 

[BIGGDOG]

Yes I built several computers for several friends and family. I had done a computer for a friends sister's son. Well everything was working fine so I sent it to them and gave them my normal let me know if I can do anything else for you. Well I was getting calls about how the computer does not work, it's broke, it sucks and so on. So each time I go and take a look at it and theirs nothing wrong. Well finally I got so pissed of I finally gave them my computer a faster and more up to date system, thinking mine works fine and I will have more time to look into the problem. Well the same thing happends. Well I finally found out that the kid was installing registry hacks for games and Farsing up the OS. I took mine back and gave them theirs and told them not to call me if your son continues to screw up the system.

 

[Geniere]

Well did your dad ever do anything for you?

 

[Heretik]

Hmmm....yeah. I've built systems for several friends at work, and some relatives and am asked at least once every 1-2 weeks for "tech support". And of course, guests at their homes ask about their computer and next thing I know I'm supposed to provide free tech support for not only them, but their friends as well....ahhh well, I shoulda known better, I guess.

 

[DrVos]

Don't do it for anyone you wouldn't mind seeing on a weekly basis. The only people I'd EVER build for (excluding me of course) are my parents and very immediate family. Anyway, its hard to beat the prices that Dell offers. Their systems are perfect for non-gamers like most dads out there.

 

[eviltoon]

For this sort of situation I would strongly suggest the fine people over at Dell! Even if their tech support is kind of hard to understand lately. They are patient and will deal with any "system" problems.

If you build a family or friend a system I guarentee you will not be called only for system problems. You will be called all the time for all their system and software ignorance concerns. In my case day or night (late night). And I don't mean ignorant in a bad way. If you have no knowledge about some thing, it's due to ignorance. I have so many strories to tell of my experience building for my inlaws that I could write a book about it....actually maybe I will.

You think you're being nice for your friends, your family, well you may loose them. Help them configure a nice Dell. Let them think they're choosing what's best for them. They'll appreciate it, and you'll still be able to talk to them.

 

[magomago]

Only immediate family because the computer is in the same house.

For some reason friends and relatives like to think when you set it up it comes with a lifetime warranty that you must adhere to even if they dunked it in a super saturated solution of BaCl.

 

[GnomeCop]

I have built several computers for family members and friends... none of them have bothered me to fix them. ..... as much as I expected them to. I consider myself really lucky. One friend I built a computer for said money was no object and to take my time. That system ended up being flawless because I played with it nonstop for 2 weeks before giving it to him. The other systems were more conservative and I just made sure that stability was my #1 concern when building them.

nevertheless I consider myself really, really lucky.

 

[Texun]

Oh yea.... when you build one you own the problems, many of which are not related to the PC or the configuration as delivered. When building or even assisting friends or family you become the local expert and a source for free tech support. Try troubleshooting over the phone when they call and ask, "why do I keep getting a the ABC message when I do XYZ?" Ask them exactly what the message is and you get something like, I didn't write it down, it just shows up now and then and goes away." I thought you said it was every time. "No, it just seems like it." What have you changed? "I didn't change anything.... an hour later you hear, "Well I installed Notron system works last night and turned everything."

You will get calls during dinner, your favorite TV shows or when you are working on something for you. I've done it, but have since become an indepentant sales person for Dell, Gateway and Compaq.

Now..... I don't mind helping anyone who wants to learn or is willing to take advice. But all too often they don't want to learn because you are only a phone call away.

 

[dbwillis]

I build em and tell them that they have "1 fix it for free" with me...after that , it costs them a steak dinner and beer while Im there fixing it, plus any parts.
I havent had too many bad deals...

 

[boomerang]

I've probably built close to 20 systems over the last 4 or 5 years. I think the most important factor is if they are computer saavy. If they're new to computers, stay away. They always think it's broken and so on, and so on.

I had a newbie family that insisted there was something broken on the computer and refused to even turn it on until I was there to look at it. Long story short, it turns out their monitor was clicking as they do, when the screen resolution would change automatically when launching a game. They were certain it was broke. This is one of many stories on that bunch.

Another situation is people who like to buy software for $5 or $6 and wonder why their system is doing weird things after they install it. These are mostly crappy games and the like.

But, my biggest problem to date, is failed hardware. Mostly Abit boards with failing caps. More of those than I can count on one hand.

And 75% of the systems I build, have a bad piece of hardware right from the beginning.

I've got a system next to me right now where I had to RMA a 512 stick of memory twice. Took the third stick to get a good one.

 

[mboy]

I have built a few for my old man and won't let him buy off the shelf anymore. Yeah, he is a PITA sometimes when things get screwed up (non hardware related of course), but he has done a whole lot for me so thats that.
When I build them for other people, I charge a premium and let them know it is perfect when they receive it. I give them a couple of free fix it phone cals and thats it.
Being the network/sysadmin at work (and the only one even remotely computer competent person their, I don't give free advice (only to those who do me favors when I need them). anyone needing OS instals, etc gets to payfor it!

I like the idea of 1 free call tho, then pay for it in one way or another for help after that

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: boomerang
And 75% of the systems I build, have a bad piece of hardware right from the beginning.

here here

 

[dum]

i don't build for anyone but family members, but my parents nominate me to provide free tech support for anyone that needs it.

the other day my dad brought home a computer belonging to his dad's secretary and just left it on the table and said that it wouldn't boot and to take a look at it. :|

 

[AtomicDude512]

Originally posted by: dum
i don't build for anyone but family members, but my parents nominate me to provide free tech support for anyone that needs it.

the other day my dad brought home a computer belonging to his dad's secretary and just left it on the table and said that it wouldn't boot and to take a look at it. :|

Sounds like your Dad is pushing it. Make it clear that your services are in family only! I fix computers for various friends and they have all been rock solid, even the old 500MHz one I patched a year ago...

 

[MrMiyagi]

Originally posted by: Geniere
Well did your dad ever do anything for you?

Uh, yeah...he put me on this earth...and paid for my college

ANYWAY

Sounds like you guys have some of the complaints I expected....software/OS stuff. I guess I'm more concerned about hardware when I think about it. I know that when my GeForce 3 broke twice in two years, and my HD once, Gateway next-day'd a new one to me each time (sometimes at a free upgrade). If my Dad's 80 gig WD HD from newegg fails in a year I imigine it's going to be much more of a chore to send it back to Western Digital, plus take more time. (on a side note, should I make sure the stuff I'm gettin' from newegg is retail instead of OEM for RMA purposes?)

The nice thing is my Pops isn't a very serious computer user...he's just learning and will not be putting on stupid little games, editing the registry, dloading from IRC, (like some of the kids in your posts), etc. He'll want it for the internet, watching DVD's, maybe (maybe) some video capturing/DVD burning, and using his digital camera.

The funny thing is I just realized I've already got my own opinion on this. They've got 3 comptuers in the house already, two of which are an old Gateway and Micron PC that I rebuilt and installed Win XP on. I HAVE been tech support for the past year! "The printer doesn't work," "I'm gettin this error message (and deathly afraid to click OK on it)," etc. Sometimes it pissed me off, but for the most part they (Dad's family) aren't screwing with much. Plus, having Win XP Pro on each computer has made a world of difference, if each of those comps had Win ME on it I'd be freaking out with problems. Currently they just plug stuff in and GO.

We live in the same town, and I go over to his house once a week anyway. I don't think it could be much worse than I've already experienced. Plus, I'm going to put some sweet parts in his comp that I can mess around with as well, like a P4 2.4B with a Gigabyte SINXP1394 for some overclocking fun (something I couldn't really do too much with Dell). I might also be getting a 9700 Pro out of the deal (as payment)...i guess you can't argue with that!

I'm just worried about the time 3 years from now when I move away, but I guess by that time it may be time for a new one

In the end my Dad doesn't NEED this computer, he WANTS it (for his office downstairs). It could probably be out of comission (due to whatever) for 2 weeks and he wouldn't care (hell, there are 3 other comps in the house networked together).

I think you guys have helped me answer my own question, or maybe I'm just deluding myself because I want this thing too

The thread doesn't have to end here though, I'm still interested in stories as maybe some other people are. (Oh, but someone address the RMA type questions I had in the beggining if possible).

Big time Gracias all.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Budman

In your (anyone's) experience, when building for friends/family, has it ever turned out being a pain in the arse because they kept calling you with "my computer doesn't
work" questions??

That's the exact reason why I stopped doing it,I got tired or all the newbie questions and kids deleting vital files,then who do you thing has to go there & fix things.

And you cant really charge a service charge to them so i just stopped.

nailed it... dammit... makes me wanna switch to a mac just because of these ingrates who make me their free private tech support.

 

[LeadMagnet]

Which two words that best describe building a PC for someone else;

1. 
   "PURE HELL"
   
   "NEVER AGAIN"
   
   "TECH SUPPORT"
   
   "KILL ME"
   
   "LOVE IT"
   
   "NO PROBLEM"
   
   "MY PLEASURE"
   
   "KILL THEM"

 

[mjolnir2k]

Be prepared for:

1. "Hi, I think I deleted my hard drive"
2. "What does the pretty blue screen I am seeing mean?"
3. I was checking out some files and I accidentally deleted the "Windows" file..is that going to be a problem?"
4. "I opened a .vbl file that my friend sent to everyone in his address book. Now my computer doesn't work"
5. "I opened my case to see what is on the inside and I accidentally shot some static electricity into the board that holds all the cards and cpu...Is that bad? Nothing seems to work now. Do I have to hit the reset button?"
6. What does "Fatal error" mean?"
7. My internet is slow, I think the cpu is not fast enough or is from a bad batch. Can you get me a different one?" (NOTE: User was on a dial up connection getting 33.6 from his ISP)

and so on...and so on...

good luck to you. SERENITY NOW repeat x100

 

[Bojangles139]

i think its hilarious. a few questions i've been asked, i just started laughing on the spot. people don't like that. but it is amazing how they know they are right and expect you to agree. also amazing how they think they can blame you for ANY problems with the PC. my opion, the human race is regressing, not prgressing.

brandon

 

[lastig21]

I agree with boomerang, that it depends on the friend or family member.

If they are computer literate, I don't have a problem building a computer for them. Most of the problems a computer savy person would have is not a daily question, and I feel that it would be good to know for future reference anyway.

If the friend/family member is not somebody I would want to provide endless amount of support to, I simply tell them that I don't have the time to spec/price/order and build a system for them right now and usually refer them to Dell.

Even though I have been selective, I have still had to do some user-induced repairs. I've never minded doing them though, probably because of the infrequency of the problem, and have always been repaid in some way even though I don't expect it.

You could do an assessment to see if you want to spend the time fixing potential computer problems, or simply build the computer and the kind and loving son every father should have. You could count any repair work as "quality time".

 

[Aztech]

I like the one about the old guy who kept getting that "Illegal Operation" error and decided to just unplug the computer before the cops find out

 

[newbiepcuser]

I stop doing it a long time ago. Too many AOL questions, why their 4 year old printer is jamming, how to download mp3s, why BattleField 1942 doesn't work on their Pent II 350 machine, etc. I just tell them to get a Dell and that since Microsoft implemented their registration schema, I don't have the latest Microsoft products for them anymore to backup.

 

[Montano]

I love building them for family members. Yes, they have 10 thousand questions on why this works and why that doesn't work. But it's nice to teach them about things, I make sure to tell them up front not to delete anything, and to make back-ups. Cause if I have to come back to fix something, they'll more than likely be getting a reformat.