Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Tech Support

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Tech Support

    So for a little over a month now, maybe less, I've had the same man come into the store with his computer because he clearly doesn't know how to use it. He's had this Toshiba laptop, one of the BETTER and EASIEST computers, for three years now (keep this in mind for later). The first time he brought it to me, he couldn't figure out how to get pictures off his camera onto his computer. So I showed him how and I walked him through it. I even bunch his pictures into separate folders depending on which ones went where, and labeled each mother fucking folder. Now, his pictures were ORIGINALLY on a pre-paid Net10 phone he had for some time. This whole shit storm started off with that. I send him on his merry way thinking he's got the thing down.

    NOPE.

    He comes back in a day or so later and ALL that work I did for him was completely fucked, then he decided to blame some other person for doing it, saying he was "hacked" or the person he had helping him decided to fuck everything up. No, dude, YOU DID. So I put everything back together again for him.

    The next time he comes in, it's about this video he has on a DVD that he wants to make copies of. Okay, no problem. You have a blank DVD? No? Go get one. Or ten... yeah, that works too because I have a feeling we'll be needing all ten since you don't know what the fuck you're doing and will likely screw it up even after I show you. Yeah, remember when I said before he's had this computer for three years? Survey says: DEE DEE DEE!

    Skip ahead to today. We're in one of our down times, which doesn't happen often where I work, especially on a Saturday. Guess what? He's fucked up his shit again. So I TRY to work everything out again while meanwhile he's making comments about fucking it up. Yes, you did. Now sh, mamma's working. When five o'clock rolls around, my time to leave, I let him know that I was supposed to go home. He says that I'm "free to go" (yeah, thanks. didn't know I needed your damn permission -.- ) and then proceeds to tell my associate in front of me that I fucked up his computer and -I- felt guilty so I was trying to fix it.

    FUCK. YOU.

    If you're going to not bother learning your own damn computer for THREE. FUCKING. YEARS then have ME try to help you out of the god damn kindness of my bleeding heart when I work in one of -THE- busiest department in the store ON A SATURDAY, then turn around and blame ME for fucking up your shit, then take your computer, shove it up your ass and get the fuck out of my face. I honestly hope he fucks it up to the point it gets anally raped by a Trojan Horse.

    I'm not tech support. Yes, I know about computers and could probably run circles around my family when it comes to them but I am not certified to fix your shit when you fuck it up and can only do so much. If something went wrong, it could come back on me and I'm not about to put myself in that position. If this guy can't figure his crap out and still screws it up, then he probably shouldn't even own a computer.

    If you didn't know that by moving your mouse over to a new window and clicking it that you could switch to that window, get a clue. Seriously. I showed him together and his reaction was like I found the holy grail. Oh, and apparently he doesn't want ANYONE else helping him. He wants ME. Oh, but, I thought I was the one who "fucked up" your computer? He'll even tell our associates that I'm helping him when I'm in the middle of something else. Uh, no. You just feel like exploiting my generosity you jerkweed.

    How do I tell this guy off without sounding like a complete bitch? Because at this point, the Italian attitude in me is about to rear it's ugly head.

  • #2
    Next time he comes in and asks you to help him you say "I'm afraid that wont be possible." Repeat as necessary.

    Comment


    • #3
      He's coming in tomorrow apparently and keeps asking me when I'm working. I swear that if he asks me tomorrow, I'm going to either lie and say I'm not working on Monday or he just needs to talk to someone more qualified.

      Comment


      • #4
        Start charging him. He'll stop.
        I will not be pushed, stamped, filed, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered. My life is my own. --#6

        Comment


        • #5
          Quoth TechieGirl87 View Post
          How do I tell this guy off without sounding like a complete bitch? Because at this point, the Italian attitude in me is about to rear it's ugly head.


          It sounds like I am not the only one who needs a Godzilla ''DON'T PISS ME OFF'' shirt, .

          Next time, tell him you charge 50.00 and hour for tech services.

          Comment


          • #6
            I would say, in the sweetest voice I could manage, "Oh, I'm so afraid of - what was that phrase again? Oh, yes - 'fucking it up' that I have no intention of touching it again."

            Then walk away.
            "Bring me knitting!" (The Doctor - not the one you were expecting)

            Comment


            • #7
              Quoth TechieGirl87 View Post
              The first time he brought it to me, he couldn't figure out how to get pictures off his camera onto his computer. So I showed him how and I walked him through it. I even bunch his pictures into separate folders depending on which ones went where, and labeled each mother fucking folder.
              Did you make each folder a sub-folder under one named "Oedipus", or would that have gone over his head?
              Any fool can piss on the floor. It takes a talented SC to shit on the ceiling.

              Comment


              • #8
                For a grown adult to NOT know how a computer works in this day and age is unforgivable. And to have one for 3 years and STILL not know it is unforgivable. Yeah I would just refer him to someone "more qualified" and let him deal with that piece of knowledge.
                https://www.youtube.com/user/HedgeTV
                Great YouTube channel check it out!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Think maybe he has a crush on you and this is his really socially awkward way of trying to interact with you? That's what it's coming across as to me.
                  My Writing Blog -Updated 05/06/2013
                  It's so I can get ideas out of my head, I decided to put it in a blog in case people are bored or are curious as to the (many) things in progress.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Just start saying "I can't help, you'll have to talk to the tech guys and they charge $X/hour for their time."

                    Or start telling him that his 3 years old computer is now obsolete and he'll have to get a new one.
                    "Kamala the Ugandan Giant" 1950-2020 • "Bullet" Bob Armstrong 1939-2020 • "Road Warrior Animal" 1960-2020 • "Zeus" Tiny Lister Jr. 1958-2020 • "Hacksaw" Butch Reed 1954-2021 • "New Jack" Jerome Young 1963-2021 • "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff 1949-2021 • "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton 1958-2021 • Daffney 1975-2021

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      He's been taking advantage of you. You have no obligation to be polite.

                      "Sir, I'm at work. I am expected to do the job I'm paid for. Goodbye."

                      "No, Sir. I'm not paid to fix your computer."

                      "No."

                      "No."

                      "Goodbye."

                      "Sir, if you continue, I will have to ask my manager to ask you to leave."

                      ... at which point you do contact the manager, and leave him in the manager's hands to deal with.


                      When - not if, but when - he asks you to fix the computer on your own time, you say "I don't do that."

                      He will probably ask you to do it 'for him' or say 'why not' or offer you money or try to get your home phone number. DO NOT GIVE IN.

                      "I don't do that" or "I don't fix computers" is all you need to say. Other than "If you continue, I will consider it harassment. This is your official notice to stop."



                      If he continues to bother you after you've done this, please read the 'harassment' thread. I think it's in General Work Chat, under the Advice subforum.


                      DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, give him any personal information. No phone number, absolutely no address, no 'when you're next scheduled to work'. Nothing.



                      I'm seeing this as one of two scenarios.
                      1: You're his free tech support; and if you let him continue to take advantage of you, you're going to end up being his free tech support for as long as you let it happen.
                      2: He's got a thing for you, and he's using the tech support as an excuse to be close to you.
                      Seshat's self-help guide:
                      1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
                      2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
                      3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
                      4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

                      "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I read this, and as someone who's done IT support and everything that goes along with it for many years, my head quite nearly exploded.

                        It sounds like this guy isn't even trying or is making it a point to forget what you've taught him. If someone isn't going to attempt to put in at least 40% effort when I'm helping them with computer-related support stuff, I'm not going to help them. It's as simple as that.

                        Seshat has great advice, but I can see it working against you if you don't have a good boss. A bad boss is going to look at all this as you wasting time and blow off steam in your general direction. A good boss will value you enough to either see this as harassment and get the guy to stop or see a place where the company isn't making money on something like this and start charging the guy. At that point, since it would be a service you charge for, you'd have the right to refuse him service when he blames you for borking his computer.

                        But me? If someone blamed me for screwing up their stuff after I'd maintaned it for free for years and I knew it was their fault, I'd be done. If it's Windows--which I'm assuming it is since it's a Toshiba--you can always right-click on the folder itself and check when it was last modified in the folder properties. If it was messed with at an hour when you're closed or when you weren't working--boom, you have concrete evidence it's dude's fault.

                        Having dealt with many difficult end-users in my time, I hope you get this taken care of. Trust me when I say I know how you feel.
                        Last edited by Bob The Random Boy Wonder; 02-10-2013, 08:27 PM. Reason: I no good with the grammar. :(

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I used the "It's an ID-10-T error. Unfortunately, that error can't be fixed" excuse when I used to do tech support for family and friends. Don't think you'd be able to get away with it in this case though. Would be nice though.

                          Seriously, Seshat has got the best sort of advice. If you're not being paid to do tech support, basically tell him to POQAQ, but a bit more politely.
                          Last edited by aulocksmith; 02-10-2013, 11:06 PM.
                          Mytical: A SC? Make a mistake? Oh goodness no. Must have been the little pink men from the planet parsley in the butternut galaxy. We all know that SC's could NEVER make mistakes.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Are you charging him for this? Because if you are, then its an outstanding idiot tax.

                            Either he learns to use a computer by himself, without training wheels and hand holding, or he pays through the nose to get someone to hold his hand for him.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Quoth Captain Trips View Post
                              Start charging him. He'll stop.

                              THIS.

                              I can't believe you haven't been charging him after the initial "lesson" to be honest!
                              Teach a SC to fish... and they will whine about you not catching, filleting, frying, and serving it up on a silver platter for them. - EvilEmpryss

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X