Venting some frustration...

[Martoch]

Sorry people, I just need to vent a little...
I'm the friendly neighborhoold "computer upgrade advice" person and I really enjoy helping people choose their parts, install their computers, troubleshoot, etc., but my last "client" really ticked me off. Now keep in mind that I don't charge any money whatsoever for my services!
A guy at my shop asked me to help him pick out parts to build a new computer because his current computer is super slow, can't keep up, has problems out the wahoo, etc... He NEEDED to upgrade.

Well he wasn't very helpful from the start, but being a patient guy I worked with him on things. He spent ZERO time researching any parts on his own (he told me he would be researching while I was) and I spent many hours researching/reading reviews and taking advice from you guys here.

So a week or so goes by and yesterday I produce a list of parts that I recommend, all nice and printed with the prices and where to buy them from. This morning I ask him if he's ready to order so I can show him the website (NewEgg) and how to use it. He says, "oh go ahead and just order the parts and I'll pay you for them." I was like, "um, I'm not going to use my personal bank account to order your parts...I think that's a little beyond free friendly help. I'll be glad to walk you through every step of the way though." So he says, "oh, well I'll just keep the computer I've got then, it's running okay for me." OOOOHHHH I was so frustrated!!! I still am, thus the need to post this thread to let some steam loose. Thanks for "listening".

Mike

Well you did the right thing. No well in hell I would use my own bank account unless he gave me the money and I deposited into the account first and wait till it goes thru. Wouldn’t want to but everything then be stuck with it because he changed his mind or didn't have the money. Maybe he didn't feel comfortable with using his CC on line. Who knows

sorry to hear you wasted all your time. Next time someone asks for the same thing make sure you bring that up.

[Martoch]

Another thing that added insult to injury...he NEVER said "thank you". GRRRR!!! That would have been payment enough, gratitude goes a long way with me...

Originally posted by Martoch
Another thing that added insult to injury...he NEVER said "thank you". GRRRR!!! That would have been payment enough, gratitude goes a long way with me...

i hear you man, lately i don't tell people i know about computers cause alot of people just don't say thank you.

[Martoch]

Well not that it's a good thing, but I least I know I'm not alone with the missing "thank you" syndrome. I've got 3 more people lined up to help out...2 of them are friends of mine and the other is a coworker. I'm hoping for the best...I guess I'll lay it all out on the line up front so there's no "oh you won't use your bank account for me?" at the end.
I totally know what you mean about not telling people you know about computers, their eyes light up when they hear it..."oh yeah, well I have this problem..." or "oh would you mind looking at this...". Like I said I don't mind helping at all, but it seems that a good "thanks" is hard to come by these days.

don't get me wrong i love helping people. but when they find out you know computers it seems every single little problem comes up. then they want to know how to get free movies, software, and music. (for some odd reason it always comes up) its funny how warez used to be so taboo but now its like the "in" thing to do. everyone and there mom does it now. so i point them to a site and tell them to learn it themselves. i will NOT be responisble for your actions

[Martoch]

Originally posted by GroundZero3
then they want to know how to get free movies, software, and music.

Oh don't even get me started on that one! Just about every single person that looks through my cd case says, "I'll give you CD's if you can burn me this and this and this and this..." By the time they are done it's half of my stuff!!! Most of the time they give me the cheapest, slowest CD's available when I do offer to download some software for them...some Memorex 650mb 4X or whatever. Just because I have the fastest bandwidth around doesn't mean I become the "download master". Sure, even though I spent hundreds of $$$ on my software I'll be glad to burn it all just for you. Would you like custom made cd labels too? Good Grief!

[geekgrl]

heheheh
I like buying my software, because I'm afraid that one day when I make something, people will just rip it, and I'll still be poor

I'm frustrated today because I'm trying to learn something new at work, and I'm having trouble (*ahem* cocoa programming for OS X)

[fatal xception]

Originally posted by Martoch
Sure, even though I spent hundreds of $$$ on my software I'll be glad to burn it all just for you. Would you like custom made cd labels too? Good Grief!

Martoch, you're just burning them evaluations copies...right?

[Martoch]

Originally posted by fatal xception
Martoch, you're just burning them evaluations copies...right?

Oh but of course!