Water and electronics

[AdvancedFlea]

So, Gregg and I are mannign the tech desk today. It’s the middle of the day and, although the sales floor is full of customers, we have no one. We’re actually standing there chatting and slurping our drinks which we quickly hide under the counter when a customer or manager comes near. This guy comes up to us

SC: Stupid customer

SC: Hi. Can I ask you a question?
Me: Shoot
SC: Can I clean a computer?

(this is not an unusual question. Lots of people don’t realise you can use something like a flash wipe to wipe computers clean)

Me: Yeah, ofcourse.
SC: Oh right! Good. So I just use soap and water then?
Gregg and me: NO!!
SC: *Shocked* what do I use then?
Me: There’s some things in orange containers just over there under the sign “Upgrades” they are moist cloths. Use those and ONLY those
SC: Thanks *Walks off*
Gregg: Should have told him to wash his computer in the bath with him
Me: Yeah, and make sure it’s plugged in when he does so

At this point we go back to slurping pop and talking about random crap

A few hours later, same customer comes back in. this time he’s got his computer tower in his arms.

SC: Hiya. We spoke earlier? My computer won’t power up

(No prizes for guessing what conclusion my mind jumped to)

Me: ok, is it under extended warrenty? (it was q little old)
SC: No.
Me: Ok. We charge £30 for diagnostics. If we find the fault and you want us to fix it, we wipe out the diagnostic charge and just charge you the cost of the repair
SC: Ok

So I take the computer in the back and drop it on the desk next to gregg

Gregg: Whats up with that one?
Me: You’ll see *unlatches the case and opens it*
Gregg: Jesus! What’s all the white flaky crap?
Me: Soap…soap and water damage
Gregg: you mean…?
Me: Yup
Gregg: *falls apart with laughter*

Fortunately for him, all he had managed to do was blow the power supply unit. It still cost him £89.99 for the repair (and a years tech support in case he does something stupid like that again) and £54.99 for a new power supply unit. I should have charged him extra for stupidity, I think.

[Evil Queen]

Good thing Gregg didn't tell him to put it in the tub. That guy might have actually done it!

[AdvancedFlea]

Good thing Gregg didn't tell him to put it in the tub. That guy might have actually done it!

I would not put it past gregg to tell customers to do that kind of thing XD

..I also agree with you, nor would I put it past the customer have actually done it. but I dunno about it being a good thing

[IT Grunt]

That poor PC.

I bet you that if you'd countered with the question of whether or not he'd do the same with his TV if it was dirty, he'd freak out and insist it would be harmful. Then again, he could sink even lower into the depths of SC logic and think it'd be no different either.

[AdvancedFlea]

That poor PC.

I bet you that if you'd countered with the question of whether or not he'd do the same with his TV if it was dirty, he'd freak out and insist it would be harmful. Then again, he could sink even lower into the depths of SC logic and think it'd be no different either.

what I should have done is asked him if he took the toaster into the bath with him to clean it...and encouraged him to do so if he didn't

I dunno. I'm not sure he would have done. he came across as one of those people who take the saying "fairy liquid cleans anything" a little bit too far

[symposes]

The thing is, you guys told him NOT to use soap and water.

So really you should have said, And make sure you dont take it into the bath with you while its plugged in.

Then he wouldnt have brought it back to fix

[Supermarket Slave Girl]

Good lord, some people really need to get a clue.

My 4 year old knows that water and electronics = Bad.

[AdvancedFlea]

The thing is, you guys told him NOT to use soap and water.

So really you should have said, And make sure you dont take it into the bath with you while its plugged in.

Then he wouldnt have brought it back to fix

Ingenious plan! I shall DEFINATLY try that next time

...no, seriously, I will.

Good lord, some people really need to get a clue.

My 4 year old knows that water and electronics = Bad.

I grew up with an electronics engineer as a father. I think I pretty much knew from birth. I think computers are just too cheap now. any tom dick or harry can own one, so they think they know everything about them

[TealJellyfish]

I know if I don't link this someone else shall!

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20030530

[Apathy]

"Those guys at the store told me, fervently, not to use soap and water. But they probably don't know what they're talking about. It's probably fine to wash it down."

[Bandit]

THIS is probably what that customer was "thinking"........

B

[Dreamstalker]

*is reminded of the tale of my ex and the cellphone* Although he wasn't trying to clean the thing, he just had no clue that talking on it while in the shower was bad...trying to dry it off in the microwave was even worse.

[RayvenQ]

"Those guys at the store told me, fervently, not to use soap and water. But they probably don't know what they're talking about. It's probably fine to wash it down."

Or "Well, my car has electricity thingy-me-bobs in it and i can wash that fine"

[Samaliel]

trying to dry it off in the microwave was even worse.

You're kidding, right ? Right ?

[mattm04]

*is reminded of the tale of my ex and the cellphone* Although he wasn't trying to clean the thing, he just had no clue that talking on it while in the shower was bad...trying to dry it off in the microwave was even worse.

Wow. Some people should not get near electronics.