No More Charity Computer Repairs!!!

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: neutralizer

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Haha. This isn't exactly "charity" but..here goes.

A lady from my temple called me, as my MOTHER gave her my #. She was having problems with her computer. So I told her I would have to come and look at it, so I made an appointment to come to her house on a saturday.

My worst fears were confirmed. Home-built computer. Cheap parts, cheap motherboard, athlon (cheap), cheap everything. Windows 2000. Spyware/adware/bonzi buddy/IE toolbars/pop ups on startup out the WAZOO. This was causing many problems, and every few minutes a message would pop up asking me if I wanted to keep previous version of some files (windows file protection.) Ok..I didn't have a Win2000 CD..so I just found a way to disable the message. Problem solved. I get paid.

3 days later. Called again. The computer won't boot up. Apparently disabling that message has caused problems, and now the computer doesn't boot up. I forget the message I got, but the computer indeed would not boot up. I decided to format. She was OK with that, and since I didn't have Windows 2000...I said screw it, and loaded up Windows ME. I get paid.

1 week later. She is experiencing random lockups. I come over, and I have no idea what is locking it up. It HARD froze, out of nowhere. I updated bios, updated drivers, did everything I could think of. Seemed to work fine. I get paid.

3 days later. Same thing, locking up all the time. I confirm this, and try to fix it again. No pay this time, I refused.

I come back later sometime..I stopped keeping track of days at this point. She then offered me the information that the guy who built the computer (a friend of their son, who no longer lives in the area) told her that that Windows ME would not work, as it locked up. Of course...cheap hardware, AMD based system (not slamming AMD but the cheaper stuff always seems to be much more incompatible), it made sense. I told her I did not have Windows 2000 (I lied), and I couldn't load it on the computer. She then asked the question I was waiting for the whole time..."Would it be easier if I just bought a new computer?" THANK GOD!! I told her yes, go to Best Buy or whatever and just get a new one. She did, and I have not heard from her since.

Total hours spent at her house : 13 hours
Total cost of repairs: $270.00

Yea..I know, cheap. I didn't charge her for alot of it, I was trying to be nice. I no longer do sidework for anyone, except family and family friends.

wow, you suck. i'd be embarassed to charge for "service" so shoddy.

for 13 hours, it wasn't that cheap especially with so many problems.

Well considering HE caused a lot of the problems yeah i think that was overcharge.

First he disables a error message then gets surprised when it wont boot up. So to fix that he puts Win ME on it witch is one of the most bug ridden OS's MS has put out. Then he blames it on the AMD system, i don?t think really knows enough to be trying to work on someone?s system.

Why he would come on ATOT and brag about what he did is beyond me. He really screwed that poor women over. Hopefully he doesn?t "help" anyone else out.

I hope you feel better by posting this. I wasn't bragging, I was posting a terrible experience. Overcharge? I think not. For the time I spent on it with multiple problems, none caused by me, I could have charged much more, and she was willing to pay much more, but I refused. I don't know what cave you are living in, but I charge $45 an hour to work on a persons computer. God I wish you people could have worked on this stupid machine yourselves, then maybe you would realize how bad it really was. Other than that..you are just talking out of your ass, and couldn't be more wrong about all of it.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: Lucky
If the hardware was incompatible, then you should have troubleshooted and repaired or replaced the bad parts. If its software related, downgrading to ME is not going to help. And if you can't help them to the point where you advise them to buy a new computer, you certainly should not be charging them nearly $300.

Since when do you REPAIR bad parts inside a computer? I've always replaced. Also...Its not like I'm a freaking manufacturer or distrubutor of parts. Do I have a spare AMD mobo laying around? No. Spare AMD proc? No. PC100 Memory compatible with AMD systems? Not much of it. PCI Video card? Nope. I don't keep ancient and/or crap parts laying around the house. If I would have started to replace parts, It would have ended up being much more than the computer was actually worth. Can't help them to the point where I had to advise them? Read the post..she asked me if she should. I said yes. I told her to go out and buy Windows XP, she said "wouldnt it be easier to buy a new computer?". Case closed.

 

[Woodie]

I "used" to do it for family...then they bought Macs...and I'm home free!

"Sorry Dad, I don't know anything about Macs, call my sister."

 

[pennylane]

Sidework only for family or friends.... works well.

 

[Lucky]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Lucky
If the hardware was incompatible, then you should have troubleshooted and repaired or replaced the bad parts. If its software related, downgrading to ME is not going to help. And if you can't help them to the point where you advise them to buy a new computer, you certainly should not be charging them nearly $300.

Since when do you REPAIR bad parts inside a computer? I've always replaced. Also...Its not like I'm a freaking manufacturer or distrubutor of parts. Do I have a spare AMD mobo laying around? No. Spare AMD proc? No. PC100 Memory compatible with AMD systems? Not much of it. PCI Video card? Nope. I don't keep ancient and/or crap parts laying around the house. If I would have started to replace parts, It would have ended up being much more than the computer was actually worth. Can't help them to the point where I had to advise them? Read the post..she asked me if she should. I said yes. I told her to go out and buy Windows XP, she said "wouldnt it be easier to buy a new computer?". Case closed.

Sorry, charging $45/hour I guess I (stupidly) assumed that you actually had the equipment neccesary to be a working on computers.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Lucky
If the hardware was incompatible, then you should have troubleshooted and repaired or replaced the bad parts. If its software related, downgrading to ME is not going to help. And if you can't help them to the point where you advise them to buy a new computer, you certainly should not be charging them nearly $300.

Since when do you REPAIR bad parts inside a computer? I've always replaced. Also...Its not like I'm a freaking manufacturer or distrubutor of parts. Do I have a spare AMD mobo laying around? No. Spare AMD proc? No. PC100 Memory compatible with AMD systems? Not much of it. PCI Video card? Nope. I don't keep ancient and/or crap parts laying around the house. If I would have started to replace parts, It would have ended up being much more than the computer was actually worth. Can't help them to the point where I had to advise them? Read the post..she asked me if she should. I said yes. I told her to go out and buy Windows XP, she said "wouldnt it be easier to buy a new computer?". Case closed.

Sorry, charging $45/hour I guess I (stupidly) assumed that you actually had the equipment neccesary to be a working on computers.

Since i'm not a grunt , working in the field repairing computers all day, no I don't carry around obselete junk. Also the fact remains, if her motherboard was indeed bad, the cost of a new one, plus labor, would already exceed the value of the computer itself.

 

[amcdonald]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
So...what OS should I have installed? I did not want to install an illegal copy of 2000, XP, or even 98. They had a license for Me, the OS they bought with the computer. The problem being Me did not work correctly, and it froze all the time. Not like it regularly freezes, but a hard freeze. That is why the person who built it put 2000 on it. The machine had hardware, or a combination of hardware..all generic, that made it incompatible and/or unusable. I really did not have much of a choice.

So, 2000 was on it... correct? Did you try running a repair? I'm sorry but it looks like you walked into a situation blind and you never actually fixed anything. From what you are saying the computer did not crash under win2k, it just gave an 'annoying' file WFP prompt and had spyware issues. I really don't understand why you are defensive about this, considering you effectively charged her $270 to ruin her computer.

 

[amcdonald]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Lucky
If the hardware was incompatible, then you should have troubleshooted and repaired or replaced the bad parts. If its software related, downgrading to ME is not going to help. And if you can't help them to the point where you advise them to buy a new computer, you certainly should not be charging them nearly $300.

Since when do you REPAIR bad parts inside a computer? I've always replaced. Also...Its not like I'm a freaking manufacturer or distrubutor of parts. Do I have a spare AMD mobo laying around? No. Spare AMD proc? No. PC100 Memory compatible with AMD systems? Not much of it. PCI Video card? Nope. I don't keep ancient and/or crap parts laying around the house. If I would have started to replace parts, It would have ended up being much more than the computer was actually worth. Can't help them to the point where I had to advise them? Read the post..she asked me if she should. I said yes. I told her to go out and buy Windows XP, she said "wouldnt it be easier to buy a new computer?". Case closed.

Sorry, charging $45/hour I guess I (stupidly) assumed that you actually had the equipment neccesary to be a working on computers.

Since i'm not a grunt , working in the field repairing computers all day, no I don't carry around obselete junk. Also the fact remains, if her motherboard was indeed bad, the cost of a new one, plus labor, would already exceed the value of the computer itself.

Your $270 charge would also exceed that amount. You don't have to be a grunt to carry software or at least have a clue of what you are going to fix.

 

[Hauk]

Ranger X, I did leave out payment details, let's just say there's no chrome on my bumper now...


How this thread has developed!! Love that controversy!

 

[Lucky]

Since i'm not a grunt , working in the field repairing computers all day, no I don't carry around obselete junk. Also the fact remains, if her motherboard was indeed bad, the cost of a new one, plus labor, would already exceed the value of the computer itself.

1. If indeed the motherboard was bad (which you were apparently unable to determine), a replacement would cost what, $35 used, $60 new? You're claiming that would exceed the value of the computer when your'e OK with charging her $270....for no positive end result?

I'm sure it was a bitch and all but you didn't help it any.

 

[Dead3ye]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: neutralizer

Originally posted by: Lucky

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Haha. This isn't exactly "charity" but..here goes.

A lady from my temple called me, as my MOTHER gave her my #. She was having problems with her computer. So I told her I would have to come and look at it, so I made an appointment to come to her house on a saturday.

My worst fears were confirmed. Home-built computer. Cheap parts, cheap motherboard, athlon (cheap), cheap everything. Windows 2000. Spyware/adware/bonzi buddy/IE toolbars/pop ups on startup out the WAZOO. This was causing many problems, and every few minutes a message would pop up asking me if I wanted to keep previous version of some files (windows file protection.) Ok..I didn't have a Win2000 CD..so I just found a way to disable the message. Problem solved. I get paid.

3 days later. Called again. The computer won't boot up. Apparently disabling that message has caused problems, and now the computer doesn't boot up. I forget the message I got, but the computer indeed would not boot up. I decided to format. She was OK with that, and since I didn't have Windows 2000...I said screw it, and loaded up Windows ME. I get paid.

1 week later. She is experiencing random lockups. I come over, and I have no idea what is locking it up. It HARD froze, out of nowhere. I updated bios, updated drivers, did everything I could think of. Seemed to work fine. I get paid.

3 days later. Same thing, locking up all the time. I confirm this, and try to fix it again. No pay this time, I refused.

I come back later sometime..I stopped keeping track of days at this point. She then offered me the information that the guy who built the computer (a friend of their son, who no longer lives in the area) told her that that Windows ME would not work, as it locked up. Of course...cheap hardware, AMD based system (not slamming AMD but the cheaper stuff always seems to be much more incompatible), it made sense. I told her I did not have Windows 2000 (I lied), and I couldn't load it on the computer. She then asked the question I was waiting for the whole time..."Would it be easier if I just bought a new computer?" THANK GOD!! I told her yes, go to Best Buy or whatever and just get a new one. She did, and I have not heard from her since.

Total hours spent at her house : 13 hours
Total cost of repairs: $270.00

Yea..I know, cheap. I didn't charge her for alot of it, I was trying to be nice. I no longer do sidework for anyone, except family and family friends.

wow, you suck. i'd be embarassed to charge for "service" so shoddy.

for 13 hours, it wasn't that cheap especially with so many problems.

Well considering HE caused a lot of the problems yeah i think that was overcharge.

First he disables a error message then gets surprised when it wont boot up. So to fix that he puts Win ME on it witch is one of the most bug ridden OS's MS has put out. Then he blames it on the AMD system, i don?t think really knows enough to be trying to work on someone?s system.

Why he would come on ATOT and brag about what he did is beyond me. He really screwed that poor women over. Hopefully he doesn?t "help" anyone else out.

I hope you feel better by posting this. I wasn't bragging, I was posting a terrible experience. Overcharge? I think not. For the time I spent on it with multiple problems, none caused by me, I could have charged much more, and she was willing to pay much more, but I refused. I don't know what cave you are living in, but I charge $45 an hour to work on a persons computer. God I wish you people could have worked on this stupid machine yourselves, then maybe you would realize how bad it really was. Other than that..you are just talking out of your ass, and couldn't be more wrong about all of it.

$45 an hour and she should have taken it to a real computer shop and got screwed professionally. Instead she plunked down $270 for the advice to buy a new PC.

Everything you described was software related, not hardware. Windows ME, give me a break. Where was her W2K CD? If she didn't have one, you should have stopped right there and either told her to buy an OS and then you would work on it or tell her to buy a new PC at that point. I would also assume that the ME you installed was a "copy". For $45 an hour, I would expect alot better.

You even said disabling the first error message was probably what kept it from booting.

 

[boyRacer]

Get a Mac! I AM!

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
So...what OS should I have installed? I did not want to install an illegal copy of 2000, XP, or even 98. They had a license for Me, the OS they bought with the computer. The problem being Me did not work correctly, and it froze all the time. Not like it regularly freezes, but a hard freeze. That is why the person who built it put 2000 on it. The machine had hardware, or a combination of hardware..all generic, that made it incompatible and/or unusable. I really did not have much of a choice.

So, 2000 was on it... correct? Did you try running a repair? I'm sorry but it looks like you walked into a situation blind and you never actually fixed anything. From what you are saying the computer did not crash under win2k, it just gave an 'annoying' file WFP prompt and had spyware issues. I really don't understand why you are defensive about this, considering you effectively charged her $270 to ruin her computer.

The only thing she had me come out there to do was eliminate the message. She did not complain about anything else. Defensive? Because I did not ruin her computer, her kids ruined her computer. Yes, I booted off the Windows 2000 CD i brought with me that time, tried running the repair, tried replacing files, tried various things ive tried before in recovery console, none worked. I offered the solution "I can spend more time on this, or install a new OS." She thought that was a good solution, as she had nothing of importance on the computer anyways. I am also getting defensive because of the remarks such as "you never actually fixed anything" etc etc. I was just posting an experience, albeit a bad one, and then get ripped for charging a lady who is rich to begin with, and she had no trouble paying the $$$..she actually wanted to pay more, due to my level of service, promptness, and being curteous, but I refused as I felt I didn't do a thorough job.

 

[edfcmc]

I think it would be a fair statement to say, that if you are going to be in the business of repairing PC's, one should be able to diagnose both hardware and software problems and keep some known good spares for swapout. IMHO, if you are going to charge $$ to fix a computer, at the very minimum be competent to the level of a A+ tech or better (not necessarily have the certs, but be able to do everything they can do ). I cannot see how someone could charge $$ without diagnosing the hardware side of it and be cosidered competent. However, if someone repair computers for free, anything goes.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
So...what OS should I have installed? I did not want to install an illegal copy of 2000, XP, or even 98. They had a license for Me, the OS they bought with the computer. The problem being Me did not work correctly, and it froze all the time. Not like it regularly freezes, but a hard freeze. That is why the person who built it put 2000 on it. The machine had hardware, or a combination of hardware..all generic, that made it incompatible and/or unusable. I really did not have much of a choice.

So, 2000 was on it... correct? Did you try running a repair? I'm sorry but it looks like you walked into a situation blind and you never actually fixed anything. From what you are saying the computer did not crash under win2k, it just gave an 'annoying' file WFP prompt and had spyware issues. I really don't understand why you are defensive about this, considering you effectively charged her $270 to ruin her computer.

The only thing she had me come out there to do was eliminate the message. She did not complain about anything else. Defensive? Because I did not ruin her computer, her kids ruined her computer. Yes, I booted off the Windows 2000 CD i brought with me that time, tried running the repair, tried replacing files, tried various things ive tried before in recovery console, none worked. I offered the solution "I can spend more time on this, or install a new OS." She thought that was a good solution, as she had nothing of importance on the computer anyways. I am also getting defensive because of the remarks such as "you never actually fixed anything" etc etc. I was just posting an experience, albeit a bad one, and then get ripped for charging a lady who is rich to begin with, and she had no trouble paying the $$$..she actually wanted to pay more, due to my level of service, promptness, and being curteous, but I refused as I felt I didn't do a thorough job.

Wow... you keep making yourself look worse. It's ok to rip her off because she is rich?

*YOU* are the one who is supposed to be fixing the issue, not her. If she says "a message keeps popping up", that doesn't mean you go and silence the damn message; rather, you fix the underlying problem. If she was able to properly diagnose her problems she wouldn't need you in the first place! If she was able to discern what constituted a "good solution" she, again, wouldn't need you!

Some service "professionals" really annoy me. Most customers are not able to appropriately articulate a problem, and that's why they seek professional services.

 

[Lyfer]

I've built many systems in a past for many friends and family, recieving only a "thank you". Apparently I've become there 24 hour tech support.


I'm another "NIce Guy" victim.

 

[SinnerWolf]

A lot of my clients give me what they think I'm worth. Which is an excellent thing if you tone your customers down to the wealthy, generous, and/or exceedingly hot ones. Of course they also know that I'm easily bribed. Dinner, gift certificates, hardware, sex....it's a bartering system where I'm willing to go from replacing mice to networking 100 PC's depending on the number of zeros, the geek factor of the hardware, and the kink level of the favors.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
So...what OS should I have installed? I did not want to install an illegal copy of 2000, XP, or even 98. They had a license for Me, the OS they bought with the computer. The problem being Me did not work correctly, and it froze all the time. Not like it regularly freezes, but a hard freeze. That is why the person who built it put 2000 on it. The machine had hardware, or a combination of hardware..all generic, that made it incompatible and/or unusable. I really did not have much of a choice.

So, 2000 was on it... correct? Did you try running a repair? I'm sorry but it looks like you walked into a situation blind and you never actually fixed anything. From what you are saying the computer did not crash under win2k, it just gave an 'annoying' file WFP prompt and had spyware issues. I really don't understand why you are defensive about this, considering you effectively charged her $270 to ruin her computer.

The only thing she had me come out there to do was eliminate the message. She did not complain about anything else. Defensive? Because I did not ruin her computer, her kids ruined her computer. Yes, I booted off the Windows 2000 CD i brought with me that time, tried running the repair, tried replacing files, tried various things ive tried before in recovery console, none worked. I offered the solution "I can spend more time on this, or install a new OS." She thought that was a good solution, as she had nothing of importance on the computer anyways. I am also getting defensive because of the remarks such as "you never actually fixed anything" etc etc. I was just posting an experience, albeit a bad one, and then get ripped for charging a lady who is rich to begin with, and she had no trouble paying the $$$..she actually wanted to pay more, due to my level of service, promptness, and being curteous, but I refused as I felt I didn't do a thorough job.

Ahhh don't worry about it Saul. Just ignore these idiots who keep trying to bash you.

 

[MaxDepth]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Lucky
If the hardware was incompatible, then you should have troubleshooted and repaired or replaced the bad parts. If its software related, downgrading to ME is not going to help. And if you can't help them to the point where you advise them to buy a new computer, you certainly should not be charging them nearly $300.

Since when do you REPAIR bad parts inside a computer? I've always replaced. Also...Its not like I'm a freaking manufacturer or distrubutor of parts. Do I have a spare AMD mobo laying around? No. Spare AMD proc? No. PC100 Memory compatible with AMD systems? Not much of it. PCI Video card? Nope. I don't keep ancient and/or crap parts laying around the house. If I would have started to replace parts, It would have ended up being much more than the computer was actually worth. Can't help them to the point where I had to advise them? Read the post..she asked me if she should. I said yes. I told her to go out and buy Windows XP, she said "wouldnt it be easier to buy a new computer?". Case closed.

Wow. Post you bad charity cases turns into a bashing of a bad PC tech. Did I say bad PC tech? Well, yeah.

First thing that separates good from bad is being able to ask questions. A homemade PC? Okay, where? Did they give you any CDs with the computer. There is Windows 2K installed. Where is the EULA? Don't have one? Ok, let's take a look at cleaning the virii and spywhere off the system. Pop-ups for system files occuring? Click cancel if she didn't have the EULA. Keep cleaning until you are satisfied the spyware and virii are off the system (or quaranteed). Does this housecleaning prevent the system from operating smoothly (files now locked because they are virus-modified files)? If yes, tell her she needs to buy another copy of Win2K.

If you think the system is too antiquated to fulfill her needs, then tell her the upgrade options (in this order): more memory, better video card, faster CPU, bigger harddrive, better mobo.

My bill for 4 - 5 hours work in one day: lunch (if I came by in the morning) or dinner. If she has a cute daughter or niece, tell her that you are available. If she is a bad cook, then $10/hour not counting the cost of getting her a new Win2K CD.


I do charity work and I keep track of it. Pro bono work in the tech field is just as much a tax write-off as a lawyer's.




My only horror story to the original idea of this thread is when I have encountered those cheapskates who always look for something for nothing. These people I have learned to be very firm with up front. If I don't, then they will think that everything, including my time - any time, is free.

 

[MaxDepth]

Originally posted by: SinnerWolf
A lot of my clients give me what they think I'm worth. Which is an excellent thing if you tone your customers down to the wealthy, generous, and/or exceedingly hot ones. Of course they also know that I'm easily bribed. Dinner, gift certificates, hardware, sex....it's a bartering system where I'm willing to go from replacing mice to networking 100 PC's depending on the number of zeros, the geek factor of the hardware, and the kink level of the favors.

Now there's someone whom we can call "an expert tech."

"Yeah, I can get you back on the internet. Now go get that maid's outfit on and come back in here in 20 mintues."

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: amcdonald

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
So...what OS should I have installed? I did not want to install an illegal copy of 2000, XP, or even 98. They had a license for Me, the OS they bought with the computer. The problem being Me did not work correctly, and it froze all the time. Not like it regularly freezes, but a hard freeze. That is why the person who built it put 2000 on it. The machine had hardware, or a combination of hardware..all generic, that made it incompatible and/or unusable. I really did not have much of a choice.

So, 2000 was on it... correct? Did you try running a repair? I'm sorry but it looks like you walked into a situation blind and you never actually fixed anything. From what you are saying the computer did not crash under win2k, it just gave an 'annoying' file WFP prompt and had spyware issues. I really don't understand why you are defensive about this, considering you effectively charged her $270 to ruin her computer.

The only thing she had me come out there to do was eliminate the message. She did not complain about anything else. Defensive? Because I did not ruin her computer, her kids ruined her computer. Yes, I booted off the Windows 2000 CD i brought with me that time, tried running the repair, tried replacing files, tried various things ive tried before in recovery console, none worked. I offered the solution "I can spend more time on this, or install a new OS." She thought that was a good solution, as she had nothing of importance on the computer anyways. I am also getting defensive because of the remarks such as "you never actually fixed anything" etc etc. I was just posting an experience, albeit a bad one, and then get ripped for charging a lady who is rich to begin with, and she had no trouble paying the $$$..she actually wanted to pay more, due to my level of service, promptness, and being curteous, but I refused as I felt I didn't do a thorough job.

Ahhh don't worry about it Saul. Just ignore these idiots who keep trying to bash you.

Done

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: MaxDepth

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Lucky
If the hardware was incompatible, then you should have troubleshooted and repaired or replaced the bad parts. If its software related, downgrading to ME is not going to help. And if you can't help them to the point where you advise them to buy a new computer, you certainly should not be charging them nearly $300.

Since when do you REPAIR bad parts inside a computer? I've always replaced. Also...Its not like I'm a freaking manufacturer or distrubutor of parts. Do I have a spare AMD mobo laying around? No. Spare AMD proc? No. PC100 Memory compatible with AMD systems? Not much of it. PCI Video card? Nope. I don't keep ancient and/or crap parts laying around the house. If I would have started to replace parts, It would have ended up being much more than the computer was actually worth. Can't help them to the point where I had to advise them? Read the post..she asked me if she should. I said yes. I told her to go out and buy Windows XP, she said "wouldnt it be easier to buy a new computer?". Case closed.

Wow. Post you bad charity cases turns into a bashing of a bad PC tech. Did I say bad PC tech? Well, yeah.

First thing that separates good from bad is being able to ask questions. A homemade PC? Okay, where? Did they give you any CDs with the computer. There is Windows 2K installed. Where is the EULA? Don't have one? Ok, let's take a look at cleaning the virii and spywhere off the system. Pop-ups for system files occuring? Click cancel if she didn't have the EULA. Keep cleaning until you are satisfied the spyware and virii are off the system (or quaranteed). Does this housecleaning prevent the system from operating smoothly (files now locked because they are virus-modified files)? If yes, tell her she needs to buy another copy of Win2K.

If you think the system is too antiquated to fulfill her needs, then tell her the upgrade options (in this order): more memory, better video card, faster CPU, bigger harddrive, better mobo.

My bill for 4 - 5 hours work in one day: lunch (if I came by in the morning) or dinner. If she has a cute daughter or niece, tell her that you are available. If she is a bad cook, then $10/hour not counting the cost of getting her a new Win2K CD.


I do charity work and I keep track of it. Pro bono work in the tech field is just as much a tax write-off as a lawyer's.




My only horror story to the original idea of this thread is when I have encountered those cheapskates who always look for something for nothing. These people I have learned to be very firm with up front. If I don't, then they will think that everything, including my time - any time, is free.

well this was NOT charity work. charity work is when you go in to fix it with intents on getting paid. he went in and charged $45/hour and then proceeds to mess up her computer more. as people have said he charged her $270 to tell her she needs a new computer. when a good tech would have ran spy removal and anti-virus software first.

its techs like this that give the rest of us a bad name.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: SinnerWolf
A lot of my clients give me what they think I'm worth. Which is an excellent thing if you tone your customers down to the wealthy, generous, and/or exceedingly hot ones. Of course they also know that I'm easily bribed. Dinner, gift certificates, hardware, sex....it's a bartering system where I'm willing to go from replacing mice to networking 100 PC's depending on the number of zeros, the geek factor of the hardware, and the kink level of the favors.

sex? damn i have ran my own pc store and worked on computer since the great 8086's. I have NEVER got paid with SEX! ahhh! Even in college i didnt get even flirted with!

then again im short and bald. guess that dont help eh?

 

[Lucky]

its techs like this that give the rest of us a bad name.

which is why people are coming down on you so hard, if you haven't figured that out.

 

[waggy]

Oh my worst computer story was when i owned my store. This was when the P2 233 came out and was the fastest on the block.

Well a $$ lady came in and wanted the newest fastest thing available. So I sold her a p2 233 fully loaded machine. Well she went home and showed it to her son. well maybe 2 days latter she came back and complained i ripped her off. She said there were faster machines out! she said her son has seen a 286, 386 and a 486! i tried to explain those were slower. But she got all snotty and said 233 is less then 286.

She wanted me to exchange the 486 for the one i sold her or give her a refund. well i refused to giver her the money back unless she paid a 20% restocking fee. well she complained and said she was going to take me to court.

Well she did. not only that she wrote a nasty letter to the local paper (which actually helped my business). When we got into court the judge told her to stop wasting his and my time and he told her that i had NOT ripped her off but i could have.

After court she was all sorry and apologized.

another case of someone knowing just enough about computers to be deadly. Just like someone else in this thread!