You're not the first man.........

[stevenamills]

On the Friday before July 4, some woman came in the shop with a bad hard drive and problematic backups and was desperate to recover her pictures. After looking at her situation, I realized it was more than a simple recovery and told her it wouldn't be cheap ($300 - $500). I later asked her if she had a hard drive to put the files on and she said "no", so I offered to pickup one at Costco, as my options were limited on the Friday before a holiday. She said to do it.

I'll make this short - I worked extra over the weekend and finally made a good recovery - organized the files etc. When I spoke to her on Tuesday or Wednesday and was pleased to tell her everything worked out, she asked what it was costing and when I told her she went bat crap crazy - and it was EXACTLY what I had estimated. She came in loaded for bear - unbelievably rude and at one point said "your not the first man...." and never finished the sentence. I realized, that her anger was directed at me because I had the misfortune to be born with testicles. I cut the bill back, just to get rid of her - like you would pay for an exterminator to get rid of cock roaches.

I'm an old guy and told my wife that night that I can no longer deal with these generations - liars and thieves willing to say and do anything to accomplish the current goal. This woman got what she wanted and was able to abuse an old man for sport. Probably had some good laughs at my expense.

Long story short - I sold the building this week and will be closing up 12/1. I hope to do some on site work from the house, but will have to see how that goes.

If I'm going to spend my last years with a bitch, it's going to be a dog and not some crazed chick from Naperville, IL.

 

[MichaelEC]

I would have stood my ground. No pay, no computer.

I don't have to put up with that crap. She knew what it was going to cost when she dropped it off.

 

[jfm]

Signed estimates are now mandatory for us.
Just to avoid those kind of situations.

 

[stevenamills]

Fellers, you are both right. This is exactly my point. My generation is just not trained to deal with this type of treachery, so it is just time to get out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[allanc]

Long story short - I sold the building this week and will be closing up 12/1. I hope to do some on site work from the house, but will have to see how that goes.

I agree with all of the other comments.
I would like to add that you will find 'unreasonable' people whether you are bricks & mortar, mobile or work from your home.
The scenario may vary a little or a lot but the concept is the same.
Just my 0.02.

 

[Markverhyden]

I'd of given the customer 2 choices. Pay the full bill and get everything or pay nothing and get back what she brought in. You did say you provided her with an estimate to begin with.

And, to be honest, this is nothing new. Customers like this have existed for centuries.

 

[Larry Sabo]

+1 what Mark said. ^^^

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I agree with what's been said. No pay no computer. Don't pay, go wine to the police and we can have a talk about theft of services.

Not all turn out good, but I had one situation once where a guy brought in a laptop a couple of years back, I told him it would be at least a few days before I could even look at it as I had others ahead of him. He agrees. I start looking at it the day I told him, that morning. I worked on it for a few minutes and next thing I know the guy called the business line, my wife picked up, and he starts yelling at her about where is his computer blah blah blah and how he does so much on it. Suffice to say he was belligerent enough she hung up on him. I tried to call back, lucky for him he did not answer his phone as I was royally po'd. I only had about 30 minutes into his machine, stopped what I was doing(I'd fixed his main issue anyway), stopped work on it, left him a message it was ready, he ended up paying about 250 bucks for that. I charged my special rate for him. He actually had the nerve to call back a few months later. Ignored the call. I need money sometimes, but not dealing with people who want to act like kids.

 

[coffee]

Naperville, Illinois . Hummm. Well, I hope she doesnt slide over my way.

Hate to see you leave the business over one person. Must have been more to do this or you were thinking of getting out anyways and this was the final straw. Sorry to hear it.

I would have told her the same as others have posted here. You want your computer back? Pay for it.

 

[red12049]

On the Friday before July 4, some woman came in the shop with a bad hard drive and problematic backups and was desperate to recover her pictures. After looking at her situation, I realized it was more than a simple recovery and told her it wouldn't be cheap ($300 - $500). I later asked her if she had a hard drive to put the files on and she said "no", so I offered to pickup one at Costco, as my options were limited on the Friday before a holiday. She said to do it.

I'll make this short - I worked extra over the weekend and finally made a good recovery - organized the files etc. When I spoke to her on Tuesday or Wednesday and was pleased to tell her everything worked out, she asked what it was costing and when I told her she went bat crap crazy - and it was EXACTLY what I had estimated. She came in loaded for bear - unbelievably rude and at one point said "your not the first man...." and never finished the sentence. I realized, that her anger was directed at me because I had the misfortune to be born with testicles. I cut the bill back, just to get rid of her - like you would pay for an exterminator to get rid of cock roaches.

I'm an old guy and told my wife that night that I can no longer deal with these generations - liars and thieves willing to say and do anything to accomplish the current goal. This woman got what she wanted and was able to abuse an old man for sport. Probably had some good laughs at my expense.

Long story short - I sold the building this week and will be closing up 12/1. I hope to do some on site work from the house, but will have to see how that goes.

If I'm going to spend my last years with a bitch, it's going to be a dog and not some crazed chick from Naperville, IL.

You're not alone. I'll be 67 next month, and have been fixing peoples' problems for over 30 years (first cars, then computers). Not ready to retire yet but definitely transitioning out of this business, primarily because the majority of the "general public" are absolute a$$es.

Rick

 

[GTP]

I also +1 what Mark said. ^^^^

 

[GTP]

I think we all get "caught" at one time or other. My motto now is what was stated earlier - no pay- no computer!

 

[Markverhyden]

I think we all get "caught" at one time or other.

Oh yeah!!! One of the few things I remember from Sunday school many years ago. "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" so to speak. Been there, done that. And learned.

 

[Diggs]

If I'm going to spend my last years with a bitch, it's going to be a dog and not some crazed chick from Naperville, IL.

I grew up in the Chicago "Burbs" which is why I now live in rural Wisconsin. Sigh.......

 

[Megan1980]

If she pulled that crap on me I would have charged her the full bill and tacked on a nuisance fee!

 

[gadgetfixup]

She would have got her drive back and help with the door. After working on the Holiday weekend and going above and beyond the call of duty, the last thing she would have got from me was a discount. I do know I get tired of fighting for what is right. I've got another 15 years in this business and not sure I'll make it that long. With free reign on review sites, some of these customers have become quite emboldened.

 

[cypress]

I agree with no pay, no computer. People like that make my stomach turn to know how devious they can be.I hope she sleeps well at night.

Sorry to hear you sold the building, but good to know you will still be doing repairs.

 

[stevenamills]

You're not alone. I'll be 67 next month, and have been fixing peoples' problems for over 30 years (first cars, then computers). Not ready to retire yet but definitely transitioning out of this business, primarily because the majority of the "general public" are absolute a$$es.

Rick

Rick,

You and I are in the same age ballpark and may be the only ones that really understand. As you know, when you get to be our age, you realize that every physical and emotional event takes a little nick out of you and you never fully recover and the older you get, there's less to chip away.

Even 10 years ago, I would have written some of the posts I see here and with the same bravado, but after all of these years of getting kicked by jackass after jackass, you realize that they've won and there's nothing you can do about it. It's even worse when you live in a place like Illinois where lying, cheating and stealing are practically the state flowers.

I've worked for Arthur Andersen and Mellon Bank, so I know world class treachery - these are people willing to kill you so they could sell your blood - and I'm not exaggerating. When I was 40, I could deal with it, but those days are gone and with the exponential growth of of the type of people like this B****, it's time to move on.

Thank everyone for your comments.

 

[sapphirescales]

When it comes to data recovery like this, I collect everything 100% upfront. You don't want them changing their minds later, and you avoid any confusion about the price.

 

[GTP]

but after all of these years of getting kicked by jackass after jackass, you realize that they've won and there's nothing you can do about it.

I'm saddened to here this. You’ve been beaten down with "bully boy" tactics and it certainly isn't right! There is something you can do about it, surround yourself with caring people, like your family and friends, carry on doing what you are doing (business wise) and don't let those old thoughts overpower you! (Easier said than done - I know!)