Comments on: Doing Computer Work for the Family http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/ A Resource for Computer Repair Technicians & to get PC tech support help. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:51:23 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: iladelf http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/comment-page-1/#comment-983 iladelf Fri, 24 Aug 2007 05:17:02 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/#comment-983 I basically barter, saying, "Ok, I'll do this for you, but you have to give me x in return", where x can be anything, from legal help (my bro's a lawyer), vehicle help, tickets for ballgames, etc., etc. That way, you get something out of it. No, no money changes hands, but you do get "paid", somewhat. I basically barter, saying, “Ok, I’ll do this for you, but you have to give me x in return”, where x can be anything, from legal help (my bro’s a lawyer), vehicle help, tickets for ballgames, etc., etc.

That way, you get something out of it. No, no money changes hands, but you do get “paid”, somewhat.

]]> By: Computer Repairs - Tech iT eZ http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/comment-page-1/#comment-982 Computer Repairs - Tech iT eZ Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:21:05 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/#comment-982 A little less painful solution that i discovered not long ago was to set up remote desktop on their pc and try fixing problems at the comfort of your home ! Not all problems can be solved this way, but it will definately save you the hassles of going to their place every now and then ! ;-) A little less painful solution that i discovered not long ago was to set up remote desktop on their pc and try fixing problems at the comfort of your home !

Not all problems can be solved this way, but it will definately save you the hassles of going to their place every now and then ! ;-)

]]> By: Ed http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/comment-page-1/#comment-987 Ed Mon, 30 Jul 2007 05:49:15 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/#comment-987 Great article. However, I would still have a problem charging my family. I'm lucky enough to know how to fix computers. I share a little of my time, with them. It all works out. However, I would draw the line, once my good nature gets taken advantage of. I definitely don't have a problem with that. Great article. However, I would still have a problem charging my family. I’m lucky enough to know how to fix computers. I share a little of my time, with them. It all works out. However, I would draw the line, once my good nature gets taken advantage of. I definitely don’t have a problem with that.

]]> By: Bay Geeks Computer Repair http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/comment-page-1/#comment-986 Bay Geeks Computer Repair Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:19:19 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/#comment-986 Yeah... this has always been a tuff one for me. With most family and friends, early on they found out what I do and they would typically make a point of saying they'd call me. This was the perfect time to set expectations. I would let them know that that I'll take good care of them and give them a "family and friends" discount. That sets the expectation early on that they'll get top notch service at a discounted rate however; I will need to be paid for my time. When someone in the extended family or friend network tries to call for free service I've found that they are the ones who belittle the efforts, complain the most or try to place the blame for their actions on me. It seems that the more you "take care" of family or friends the less they appreciate the service. Far be it for me to enable anyone to devalue my service! I'll provide some advice at no charge for just about anyone. This usually helps me position the value of my service, get to know them and let them see how eager I am to assist. Once we start getting into Computer Repair 101 I'll let them know that I'm running out of time and we'll need to schedule an appointment because, after all, I am very busy. It just doesn't make sense for a magician to reveal their secrets. Let's face it, if someone wanted to know bad enough how to fix their own computer they could logon to a place like"¦ I don't know"¦ Technibble! For the moocher(s) in the extended family who don't want to pay for service it's easy. I just tell them I'm very busy and I'm booked up for quite a while. I'll be happy to send out another technician, but they'll have to pay the full service rate. I make no effort to soften the fact that I am very busy, I have a lot of paying customers and I have to pay the bills and put food on the table. I had one (well, one that immediately comes to mind) "friend" (loose associate) who acted surprised to hear I would expect to charge them. I casually asked what they do for a living. I then asked if they would do that work for free. "Whoa, little buddy"¦ that's a totally different", they replied. I said "I fail to see the difference". I offered to work out a barter or if they can refer (X) number of clients to me I'll be happy to provide them service at no cost. Now, for the mother of the century"¦ the one with a heart of gold who would stop at nothing to help not only you, but every single one of her friends with unconditional love, selfless compassion and genuine good will towards all"¦ I have no idea. I've tried to let her choose one or two people who she can waive the fee for remote service and after my paying clients have been taken care of, I'll get to them. I've set the expectation that I can't help everyone yet the plea's still come in. I still find myself working into the wee hours of the morning to fix their problem. How can you say no to the woman who raised you without feeling like a scum bag? Yeah… this has always been a tuff one for me. With most family and friends, early on they found out what I do and they would typically make a point of saying they’d call me. This was the perfect time to set expectations. I would let them know that that I’ll take good care of them and give them a “family and friends” discount. That sets the expectation early on that they’ll get top notch service at a discounted rate however; I will need to be paid for my time.

When someone in the extended family or friend network tries to call for free service I’ve found that they are the ones who belittle the efforts, complain the most or try to place the blame for their actions on me. It seems that the more you “take care” of family or friends the less they appreciate the service.

Far be it for me to enable anyone to devalue my service!

I’ll provide some advice at no charge for just about anyone. This usually helps me position the value of my service, get to know them and let them see how eager I am to assist. Once we start getting into Computer Repair 101 I’ll let them know that I’m running out of time and we’ll need to schedule an appointment because, after all, I am very busy. It just doesn’t make sense for a magician to reveal their secrets. Let’s face it, if someone wanted to know bad enough how to fix their own computer they could logon to a place like”¦ I don’t know”¦ Technibble!

For the moocher(s) in the extended family who don’t want to pay for service it’s easy. I just tell them I’m very busy and I’m booked up for quite a while. I’ll be happy to send out another technician, but they’ll have to pay the full service rate. I make no effort to soften the fact that I am very busy, I have a lot of paying customers and I have to pay the bills and put food on the table.

I had one (well, one that immediately comes to mind) “friend” (loose associate) who acted surprised to hear I would expect to charge them. I casually asked what they do for a living. I then asked if they would do that work for free. “Whoa, little buddy”¦ that’s a totally different”, they replied. I said “I fail to see the difference”. I offered to work out a barter or if they can refer (X) number of clients to me I’ll be happy to provide them service at no cost.

Now, for the mother of the century”¦ the one with a heart of gold who would stop at nothing to help not only you, but every single one of her friends with unconditional love, selfless compassion and genuine good will towards all”¦ I have no idea. I’ve tried to let her choose one or two people who she can waive the fee for remote service and after my paying clients have been taken care of, I’ll get to them. I’ve set the expectation that I can’t help everyone yet the plea’s still come in. I still find myself working into the wee hours of the morning to fix their problem. How can you say no to the woman who raised you without feeling like a scum bag?

]]> By: Hank http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/comment-page-1/#comment-985 Hank Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:07:31 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/#comment-985 I have never really had this problem most everyone has always insisted on paying me something. The only people I try not to charge are my grandparents. The only people who I end up not charging and wish I could are my mom and dad and the younger of my two older brothers. Problem is they know when I am busy and not for the most part. They ask me computer questions and to fix things and alot of it so minor and unimportant that I get tired of it. I do get free bed/room, internet, electricity, water, and food from my parents so I guess I can't complain too much. I have never really had this problem most everyone has always insisted on paying me something. The only people I try not to charge are my grandparents. The only people who I end up not charging and wish I could are my mom and dad and the younger of my two older brothers. Problem is they know when I am busy and not for the most part. They ask me computer questions and to fix things and alot of it so minor and unimportant that I get tired of it. I do get free bed/room, internet, electricity, water, and food from my parents so I guess I can’t complain too much.

]]> By: Youngwun0 http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/comment-page-1/#comment-984 Youngwun0 Sat, 28 Jul 2007 03:35:54 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/doing-computer-work-for-the-family/#comment-984 LMAO....funny that you should bring an article like this bryce.... just a few minutes ago i was speaking to my mom about her friend whom always seems to get into computer jams and after installing a fresh copy of windows for on her pc she caught a virus and expects me to take care of it for "FREE" now i had done repairs for her maybe 3-4 times for "FREE" and now i am trapped, a few days ago my mom told her that i have to start charging when i start going to this IT course and she laughed and said "haha... yeah alright" in a sarcastic manner... me and my mom agreed that after i take care of this virus problem for her i should tell her i have no idea how to fix whatever comes up, one thing i find KIND of thought about is that she did help me get 1 other client (who paid for a repair) and if i lie to her she may just assume i really know nothing and won't recommend me to others but then again i don't think it's worth it if she is going to be the way she is and have me doing this free work with no intentions of paying or tipping, the most she has given me was a glass of iced tea while on the job lol, that comment she blurted out about "yeah alright" pretty much pissed me off she should have stood quite or been more considerate and asked how much or something, i wouldn't have charged her much anyway... but my advice to others goes just as bryce said ALWAYS CHARGE SOMETHING! The only people i do free work for is my mom, brothers and a close aunt of mine, neither are as whiny as the friends i have done free work for. If anyone has any advice feel free to shoot one at me lol BTW: she told me about this virus about 3 months back and i am taking my sweet time :P i will complete it as i promised but that's it! LMAO….funny that you should bring an article like this bryce…. just a few minutes ago i was speaking to my mom about her friend whom always seems to get into computer jams and after installing a fresh copy of windows for on her pc she caught a virus and expects me to take care of it for “FREE” now i had done repairs for her maybe 3-4 times for “FREE” and now i am trapped, a few days ago my mom told her that i have to start charging when i start going to this IT course and she laughed and said “haha… yeah alright” in a sarcastic manner… me and my mom agreed that after i take care of this virus problem for her i should tell her i have no idea how to fix whatever comes up, one thing i find KIND of thought about is that she did help me get 1 other client (who paid for a repair) and if i lie to her she may just assume i really know nothing and won’t recommend me to others but then again i don’t think it’s worth it if she is going to be the way she is and have me doing this free work with no intentions of paying or tipping, the most she has given me was a glass of iced tea while on the job lol, that comment she blurted out about “yeah alright” pretty much pissed me off she should have stood quite or been more considerate and asked how much or something, i wouldn’t have charged her much anyway… but my advice to others goes just as bryce said ALWAYS CHARGE SOMETHING! The only people i do free work for is my mom, brothers and a close aunt of mine, neither are as whiny as the friends i have done free work for.

If anyone has any advice feel free to shoot one at me lol

BTW: she told me about this virus about 3 months back and i am taking my sweet time :P i will complete it as i promised but that’s it!

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