Computer Geeks and Computer Freaks

I'm curious how many of you have seen customers do some really strange crap to their pc's while you were there to service them? I've had this one customer for several years now who upgrades something about every 3 or 4 months. Whether it be a hard drive, a peripheral, speakers, etc. Anyway, as soon as I remove the old component and begin to install the new one, he goes to his garage, gets a hammer, grabs the old component, goes out on the back patio and beats it to death. Ok, I usually follow the "Prime Directive" and try not to interfere but my last trip was a new monitor!! I knew on the way over it was going to be ugly and I was thinking of ways to deter him from the dirty deed but I was at a loss. Finally, when the time came for him to begin his handywork, I decided I had to stop him. I got up from the chair, turned to face him, and said "look Bob, (not his real name) you've got to start calling me sooner for your upgrades so you don't get this frustrated! Besides, most of these components you've trashed are still in good working order. You know I can give you a small discount on trade-ins." He replied, "Who's frustrated? That old computer is all I got from my divorce with that hag of a wife I had and I won't stop until every piece has been changed and DESTROYED!" Well, I followed him to the patio and fortunately he stood at a distance and just threw the hammer. It was a good shot though. Guy definitely makes my computer freak list.

ummmm....wow.....that would definatly be a freak

LOL.

Haven't seen anything like that. Best one I've seen is a customer who's had to replace 3 modems & 2 mainboards. You may ask why.

Each time I've been out there for the modem, the phone plug has been superglued into the modem slot and the cable cut! :confused:

Strange? I am of course curious as hell about it but like the good service provider I am keep my trap shut and take the money.

The two motherboards are stranger still. When the PCI slots are full of superglue and irreparably damaged you really start to wonder.

The case looks pretty seriously beat up as well. :eek:

Oh well he pays in cash so I can't complain.
:rolleyes:

Well I dont know if that qualify the customer as "freaks" (I would NOT dare) but I had a computer brought in by 3 gorillas in black suits, black ties and black hat (u gess the type) with what was obviously the teltales traces of an axe job. They wanted to know if it was possible to find out what was in that puter.

OOOOOOK, I'll have a look. Sure enough, everything was busted good, except the HD.

Quickly installed that in a brand new comp, made sure it worked (perfectly in fact) and handed that to those ...ahem... gentlemen.

Was payed $$$$$$$ for my trouble.
God I was glad to see them go !

:eek:

Back in the day I had to do a house call and I had to wear shoe slips and gloves before I worked on the persons pc. My boss latter told me that the customer had a phobia about germs.

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Originally posted by Sebring:
I'm curious how many of you have seen customers do some really strange crap to their pc's while you were there to service them? I've had this one customer for several years now who upgrades something about every 3 or 4 months. Whether it be a hard drive, a peripheral, speakers, etc. Anyway, as soon as I remove the old component and begin to install the new one, he goes to his garage, gets a hammer, grabs the old component, goes out on the back patio and beats it to death. Ok, I usually follow the "Prime Directive" and try not to interfere but my last trip was a new monitor!! I knew on the way over it was going to be ugly and I was thinking of ways to deter him from the dirty deed but I was at a loss. Finally, when the time came for him to begin his handywork, I decided I had to stop him. I got up from the chair, turned to face him, and said "look Bob, (not his real name) you've got to start calling me sooner for your upgrades so you don't get this frustrated! Besides, most of these components you've trashed are still in good working order. You know I can give you a small discount on trade-ins." He replied, "Who's frustrated? That old computer is all I got from my divorce with that hag of a wife I had and I won't stop until every piece has been changed and DESTROYED!" Well, I followed him to the patio and fortunately he stood at a distance and just threw the hammer. It was a good shot though. Guy definitely makes my computer freak list.

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LOL...it's stories like this that makes me wish I was a retail tech...but only for a little while. :D ;) :D

It can be interesting at times. I don't make a lot of the service calls anymore but I have a lot of long-time customers that just feel more comfortable dealing with me personally. I have a load of stories like this but I don't want to post too many as I may get busted by a customer! lol

Busted by customer=no LOL

Sounds like he needs to seek help for that...is he on medication? :D

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Originally posted by PuterGeekGirl:
Sounds like he needs to seek help for that...is he on medication? :D

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You know, I'd like to think he is but then I'm afraid to ask. He might say no. I probably shouldn't turn my back on him when he goes to get that hammer. He might whack me just for handling the contaminated hardware. lol

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Originally posted by Antimatter:
Busted by customer=no LOL

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Actually since I'm the boss now I don't get too upset about it but if I was still working for someone else I guess it could get me fired. So you're probably right!