Well im currently working for a company as a bench tech and its going okay not the best job but i have clients that ask me if i do outside work because they think this company charges too much... so my question is would it be a good thing to do outside work with clients from the company i work for?
I need Advice!! Help Please
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rusty.nells
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I hope you have thick skin, you're going to get slammed.
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MichianaComputers2
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I would fire you immediately.
DohIForgot
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Agreed.
You really should have read this thread first... It would have saved you the heart ache.
..Of course, I seem to fail to remember to use the search function as well ;-)
Doctor Micro
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I just read and answered your other post on using hacked OS copies. Only 4 posts total and you're on a bad roll already.
*I was biting my tongue while pondering how to answer this... but after further consideration.... screw it*
You, my (obviously) young, ignorant and loose-moraled friend, are an idiot and precisely the kind of tech that give the rest of us a bad name. In two out of your four total posts, you've asked if it's okay to use hacked licenses and whether or not if it's okay to steal clients from your employer. Are you serious? What rock did you climb out from under?
I may get a warning for being so vitriolic, but if it results in you being banned from this forum, it's worth the risk.
*I was biting my tongue while pondering how to answer this... but after further consideration.... screw it*
You, my (obviously) young, ignorant and loose-moraled friend, are an idiot and precisely the kind of tech that give the rest of us a bad name. In two out of your four total posts, you've asked if it's okay to use hacked licenses and whether or not if it's okay to steal clients from your employer. Are you serious? What rock did you climb out from under?
I may get a warning for being so vitriolic, but if it results in you being banned from this forum, it's worth the risk.
angry_geek
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I usually stay away from responding to obvious problem people like you, but enough already. I think you need to find another forum where it's ok to discuss stealing software and conducting dirty business. I read all 4 of your posts. It's obvious you are way out of your element here. You're just trolling for info on how to fake your way through this business. There are a lot of young techs on here, but you are just unbelievable. You have basically asked us for advice on how to take business away from your employer and how to use stolen software and get away with it. Your question about anti-virus software just further shows your ineptitude. I'm all for helping young aspiring techs achieve their goals, but you appear to just want to do things the lazy and unethical way. You need to change your tactics and approach on this board, or you're going to have other members screaming for your banishment, including me.
My question to you: Would you want your boss to read what you've posted here? I just wish we knew who he/she was so we could direct him here.
My question to you: Would you want your boss to read what you've posted here? I just wish we knew who he/she was so we could direct him here.
computergeek1
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Agreed, i cant beleve you are asking this question, do you have a heart, stealing customers from your boss is so wrong on all levels, you deserve to be sacked for even asking the question.
Doctor Micro
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rusty.nells called it right from the beginning. Kudos to him for being nicer about it.
jbutler9
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I think alot of the responders on here missed the boat. Regardless of whether or not this person has asked a myriad of situaltional questions regarding business ethics, you have no idea whether or not this person is actually performing unethical services.
The fact that the person posting the questions may be from someone that is lookign for other techs to give advice. Perhaps he or she has been working on computers for years, but is lacking when it comes to business ethics. That is not something we should discourage here. I thought this forum was used to help and guide new and existing IT techs in the right direction, especially when it comes to the repair business. By provinding professional and ethical responses and advice. I have not seen this here regarding the responses this person's questions.
From what I have read, the poster has posted pc repair business questions, and it is not our place to tell him how he wants to run his business, but only to offer our experience to help them move in teh right direction.
Now to answer his question:
There is no law that says you cannot perform work on the side, providing the same services as that of the company that employs you.
However, should your employer find out, I am sure they will scrutinize your work and find a way to fire you...usually by reason of inefficiency.
Also, in my opinion, it would be ethically wrong for your to solicit your services during your work hours, or to provide any reprieve for the customer in trying to get a better deal by having you fix their computer.
and finally, if you want to provide pc repair services, then my advice is to start your own business using the advice and experience that is being offered by this site. Always remember, if you are unsure that what you are doing is not kosher, then it probably isn't and you should go with your gut.
The fact that the person posting the questions may be from someone that is lookign for other techs to give advice. Perhaps he or she has been working on computers for years, but is lacking when it comes to business ethics. That is not something we should discourage here. I thought this forum was used to help and guide new and existing IT techs in the right direction, especially when it comes to the repair business. By provinding professional and ethical responses and advice. I have not seen this here regarding the responses this person's questions.
From what I have read, the poster has posted pc repair business questions, and it is not our place to tell him how he wants to run his business, but only to offer our experience to help them move in teh right direction.
Now to answer his question:
There is no law that says you cannot perform work on the side, providing the same services as that of the company that employs you.
However, should your employer find out, I am sure they will scrutinize your work and find a way to fire you...usually by reason of inefficiency.
Also, in my opinion, it would be ethically wrong for your to solicit your services during your work hours, or to provide any reprieve for the customer in trying to get a better deal by having you fix their computer.
and finally, if you want to provide pc repair services, then my advice is to start your own business using the advice and experience that is being offered by this site. Always remember, if you are unsure that what you are doing is not kosher, then it probably isn't and you should go with your gut.
Rider
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I'm a firm believer that people don't ask unless they don't know. His recent posts may be obvious to most of us but does not mean it's obvious to him. I give him credit for atleast asking the question(s). His true character depends on whether or not he heeds the advice given. Alienating him is just more likely to ensure he goes against what is right. A big part of this forum is to help folks to become better techs, businessmen, and to legitimize the industry by shaping the upstarts.
The folks you need to worry about are the ones that know the answers, know it's wrong, but do it anyway without a second thought. Those folks are on this forum too whether you like to believe that or not.
To the Op:
To answer both of your recent questions in a nutshell, installing pirated software is not legal and can cost you your business. Taking potential customers from your employer is also wrong and will likely get you fired. Judging by your other question I think you've already taken one potential customer, stop now. Stick with your employer for a while and be loyal to him. You can learn alot about computers and about the business. Then maybe one day you can break out on your own. For the time being it's up to your employer to address the problem customers and it's your opportunity to watch and learn how he deals with those situations. The rest of us can only hope he is reputable and you will be learning the right way. One rule of thumb (not only in the biz but in life) if you think it might be wrong, illegal, or unethical, then it probably is.
Rider
The folks you need to worry about are the ones that know the answers, know it's wrong, but do it anyway without a second thought. Those folks are on this forum too whether you like to believe that or not.
To the Op:
To answer both of your recent questions in a nutshell, installing pirated software is not legal and can cost you your business. Taking potential customers from your employer is also wrong and will likely get you fired. Judging by your other question I think you've already taken one potential customer, stop now. Stick with your employer for a while and be loyal to him. You can learn alot about computers and about the business. Then maybe one day you can break out on your own. For the time being it's up to your employer to address the problem customers and it's your opportunity to watch and learn how he deals with those situations. The rest of us can only hope he is reputable and you will be learning the right way. One rule of thumb (not only in the biz but in life) if you think it might be wrong, illegal, or unethical, then it probably is.
Rider
Blues
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I think I am with jbutler9 for the most part he is asking advice granted it is all situational ethics based but he wants our advice we should help him down the right path. Many answers here aren't too off but perhaps don't present it in the best light.
You should not steal the companies customers but perhaps when you start out on your own advertise in a way that those who are dissatisfied with that companies work can find you. The direct attack or trying to take thier clients is the unethical approach. Many unethical methods are effective but if people catch wind then your usually in worse shape then if you struggled and fought your way up by the ethical means.
You should not steal the companies customers but perhaps when you start out on your own advertise in a way that those who are dissatisfied with that companies work can find you. The direct attack or trying to take thier clients is the unethical approach. Many unethical methods are effective but if people catch wind then your usually in worse shape then if you struggled and fought your way up by the ethical means.
Doctor Micro
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Good answer. And yes, though I won't speak for the other responders, perhaps I did miss the boat, as you say, and I'll grant you that I could have either ignored his posts or provided a gentler "No, I'm sorry that's not ethical or legal" answer. One thing is clear, though: I'm sure he got the message. I appreciate your feedback.
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BostonGeek1
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Honestly you're setting yourself up to be made an example of by him. He could literally find out, not saying anything, and then pretend like nothing's wrong and then stiff you on quite a bit of pay because you will have usurped him, or 'taken away his business'.
Great response!
I must say, think about it from this perspective. Do you really want them to be your customers? Obviously their main concern is price, they don't seem to care much about experience, quality, or anything else related for that matter.
IMHO These are the customers that you would NOT want. I've encountered quite a few people that tell me, "Our last tech worked at Staples and did work on the side for us, etc."
Statements like that have caused me to raise my prices, because while I do want to give customers a good value. I do not want them calling me because I seemed to be cheap.
My goal is to compete with other shops and "All advertisment-No skill" places like Geeksquad. I want customers to come to me for quality, not because I was cheaper than Geeksquad.
The type of customer who is mainly focused on price, WILL nickel and dime YOU!
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BostonGeek1
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Tell your boss to get on technibble, I would much rather enjoy hearing from him than you.
I'm calling every computer repair business in San Diego now, asking is issac works there, and then telling them about your funny posts
That's vindictive and unnecessary. You have no right to do that. He came asking for help and you're going to hang him out to dry? I think you have a bone to pick, but not with him. Perhaps with the world? You could be subjecting Technibble to legal action if your actions originated as a result of this thread. Keep cyberspace and real life separate, or the breach could turn out to be an extremely unpleasant one.
Lastly by doing this you're making all of us look like vindictive nazis. Its all downhill from there. This forum exists to advise not to punish. Its extremely childish to do something just because you have the power.
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BostonGeek1
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Mmmm no this site is an open forum about computer repair businesses and all things related. I would say this is VERY related and an important issue - albeit an obvious one for us. This is not a site for vigilante enforcement of ethical business practices a la judge/jury/executioner.
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BostonGeek1
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def I agree with you on that. IF that is what he's doing. No brainer.
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MichianaComputers2
Guest
No way are you being vitriolic (whatever that means ;-) this is so low-life, so terrible, so underhanded, it stinks to high heaven. And you are right on about this persons ethics adding up all his posts.
He is just looking for support from someone cause he's stealing from his boss. Its no different than carrying product out the back door because his mean boss does not pay him enough or the the shoplifter complaining that he steels because the store marks the product up too much for the poor people. It's justification of bad behavior. This is not a little faux pas like forgetting to thank some one, this is outright, outrageous behavior and it needs comments in kind.
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batemantech
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When I first opened shop I had an interview with an internet company that did pc repair. I asked them if it would be a problem still running shop and he said they would have me sign a no compete contract. Needless to say I didnt get the job due to "conflict of interest" although I offered to sign the contract. So yeah not a good thing to take customers from your boss.
Rider
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Come on folks. Where do you get that he has done anything wrong? He hasn't said that he's DONE anything, he has simply asked if it would be wrong. It is obvious to most of us that what he is considering is wrong but the fact that he asked tells me it's not so obvious to him. Hopefully he will learn from it and decide to take the right path. My guess is he is very young and just getting started in the field. We have no idea what is upbringing was like or what he sees as right and wrong. He is trying to learn and is getting slammed for asking, not doing. Yes, he is young and ignorant (which is very different from being dumb) but I don't see him as being loose-moraled simply for asking.
When I was 6 I once referred to a black classmate as colored. My black teacher teed off on me. I was ignorant, not racist. A six year old can't be racist. She chose a poor method of educating me. Her reaction could have very easily steered my views in the opposite direction she desired.
This kid is also ignorant but that doesn't make him immoral. Let's be a little more tactful in the way we educate him. When someone get's slammed they immediately get defensive.
Someone is walking down a road when they come to a fork. There is a group of what appear to be friendly like minded people at the fork. He asks the group which road is the right road. Instead of nicely pointing to the right everybody just starts shoving him and pushing him. Will he take the right road? Maybe, at that instant he no longer cares. He's more concerned with just protecting himself from all of the pushing and shoving. Now, the next time he comes to a fork in the road he's probably not going to ask. Is that the lesson we want to get acrossed?
I don't know about the rest of you but I'm not perfect and I'm not going to beat someone up for also not being perfect. Especially when it appears they are trying to become better.
I don't get angry at many threads here (disagree with a number of them maybe) but I'm very angry at the way this young man who appears to be seeking the right path has been berated by a group of perfect elitists.
If you don't have anything positive to say then shut the hell up and move on.
Rider
When I was 6 I once referred to a black classmate as colored. My black teacher teed off on me. I was ignorant, not racist. A six year old can't be racist. She chose a poor method of educating me. Her reaction could have very easily steered my views in the opposite direction she desired.
This kid is also ignorant but that doesn't make him immoral. Let's be a little more tactful in the way we educate him. When someone get's slammed they immediately get defensive.
Someone is walking down a road when they come to a fork. There is a group of what appear to be friendly like minded people at the fork. He asks the group which road is the right road. Instead of nicely pointing to the right everybody just starts shoving him and pushing him. Will he take the right road? Maybe, at that instant he no longer cares. He's more concerned with just protecting himself from all of the pushing and shoving. Now, the next time he comes to a fork in the road he's probably not going to ask. Is that the lesson we want to get acrossed?
I don't know about the rest of you but I'm not perfect and I'm not going to beat someone up for also not being perfect. Especially when it appears they are trying to become better.
I don't get angry at many threads here (disagree with a number of them maybe) but I'm very angry at the way this young man who appears to be seeking the right path has been berated by a group of perfect elitists.
If you don't have anything positive to say then shut the hell up and move on.
Rider
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