My friend who knows about computers suggested...

[Satori]

Here's the best I've had:

Kid comes in, says he's mcse a+ etc. Says he doesn't have time to fix this machine for a friend, seems he ordered all the parts and built it himself, first time he turned it on it smoked and nothing happened. After taking the case off, my other tech and I kinda look at each other for a sec, then we're both on the floor rolling with laughter. He attached the motherboard to the case all right, he just didn't put in stand offs! We tested everything and the modem was ALL that worked! Told him it was defective, he returned the parts got them back, told us to put it together, he would do the software, just not enough time......the day after he picks it up, just as I thought, he stroles in and wants us to os it and such, says he doesn't have the time. Two days later the guy he built it for comes in and bitches us out that we did such a lousy job, my boss and I sit him down and have a chat, Haven't seen the kid or system since!

[format c:]

All I can say after reading these stories is " Lord help these poor folks " and I am about to enter the computer industry, I can just picture myself praying for all those helpless users that know very little about there PC
<IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

[RH0RT]

What gets me is when they try this free advice from a friend of a friend, then, when I can't fix it in five seconds after it's all gone horribly Pete Tong, they look at me like it's my fault. **F**

[kannibul]

Originally posted by valyard2k1:
<STRONG>What os ar you using. there are some compatability issues with some of them</STRONG>

heh - newbies...
the issue here is not what is wrong with it, but the disrespect that was given.
second point: he stated that he had been doing tech work for 19 years.

[kannibul]

freinds don't let freinds fix computers.

[Fubar]

Rule 1: never tell anyone you work on computer, program or are an administrator. Tell them you deliver pizza for a living and are quite happy doing it.

[IronTech]

When I worked for Best Buy, we started charging a failed install fee of $60 right off the bat for every time a friend who knows computers screwed up. that on top of the labor to fix the thing. It certainly helped. But then there was the time I got chewed for it, dude threw a VCR at me, then got everything he wanted from the manager including free stuff. Almost quit over that one.

[IronTech]

Oh, and I can never forget the time, this was hysterical.

A gentleman brings in his system to have something installed and there's a guy at the counter just standing there. I'm behind the counter and I help the guy with the PC. He asks my credentials and I explain that I'm an A+ certified technician and explain the whole meaning behind that. The guy next to him jumps into the conversation, saying that A+ is one thing, but if they wanted a real quality tech, they should give it to him, an A++ certified tech. An A Double Plus tech. I'm sitting there, trying not to piss myself laughing, and the dumb consumer walks out of the store with Mr. A++. the system came back in about a week later, carried in by Mr. A++. We had fun with that one.

[Sowulo]

Originally posted by Fubar:
<STRONG>Rule 1: never tell anyone you work on computer, program or are an administrator. Tell them you deliver pizza for a living and are quite happy doing it.</STRONG>

Then they'll ask for free pizza.... <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[savagegerbil]

Originally posted by IronTech PC:
<STRONG>...But then there was the time I got chewed for it, dude threw a VCR at me, then got everything he wanted from the manager including free stuff. Almost quit over that one.</STRONG>

dude, i know when you need a job you need a job, but when people start lobbing stuff at you thats when you need to get compensated and the managers kiss your butt!

I remember this time i was trying to install a second hdd in a computer, it wouldnt work no matter what i did. i was poking in the bios and found this dude had been overclocking his cpu. now, if i'm joe shmoe and i know how to overclock, then i think i might be able to install a hdd. anyhow, the guy was playing game and most likely wanted a free hdd or somethin. i call him up and say, it's against our policy to work on overclocked computers.this is how the convo went:
Him: why not!? it's not illegal.
ME: no, but it is against our policy.
Him: I dont know what the F***ing problem is.
ME:The problem is that you computer is overclocked, if something happens to it then it's our fault.
Him: well why dont you change the settings so you can work on it.
Me: it's not my job > <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> it's yours! you need to come pick up your machine and take it home.
<click>

he comes in an hour later. I give him his machine and he starts b***ing me out. calls me a p***y and i dont know anything. this is when the managers are starting to kiss his butt. he kept looking at me and i finally caved in and asked if he wanted to step outside and we'll handle this. he shut up after that. the management gave him his computer, apologized and then came after me. they said "thats not how we talk to customers" i explained to them that he was a scammer, it broke our policy, and that if they had a problem with it then they could go F**k off. didnt get fired, got thanked, and i never had to beat around the bush with the managers since. sorry for the long messege

[eenge99]

Originally posted by Sowulo:
<STRONG>

Then they'll ask for free pizza.... <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Been there, done that, have the t-shirt.
<IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[Kenny P.]

I, too, have heard this several hundred times.

My usual response is "Why didn't they fix it in the first place? That'll be $###.## please. I can sell your equipment to recoup my services. No, sorry, no checks. In God I trust, all others pay CA$H!!!"

It's terrible that someone with a little bit of knowledge can be so dangerous. I've been doing this for better than 10 years now, my computer (PC, not Terminal Jockey) experience is 22 years. This gives me a wonderful history of troubleshooting and the application of logic.

I've converted more of these people than anyone I know. Now, they call me asking what they should do instead of depending on some halfwit...

Kenny P.

[we$$$$]

At first I hated this phrase...then I learned that these people were keeping me in business. One man's trash is another man's Gold

[Jallentino]

My answer to this one is "Well, sir, your friend is an idiot."

1. Why didn't you call him to fix it?
2. What does he do for a living? Probably works at Denny's.
3. Sir, you obviously don't trust me, you would be better off with your "friend" but when he F*&%$ it up, call me back and the price will be double.
4. You are the weakest link....GoodBye.

[http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum1/noncgi]

Originally posted by Cave Dweller:
<STRONG>after telling them what I think, they say OK, My brother-in-law is a tech for the school district, I'll have him try that.</STRONG>

LOL!!! They never learn do they?
I love these threads....