Dr. Pomade Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I fully understand where you're coming from. Before I left MA to move out here I was probably one of the best PC techs in my area. But I just got burnt out on it because people would *expect* me to fix their shitboxes for them for little to no money. So now I play dumb when it comes to computers and keep my mouth shut when PCs come up in discussion. I build my own and keep my own running. Everyone else can do what I did and learn themselves or fucking pay shop rate for it. It's also why I'm not fixing cars but just selling parts. Great story I heard, and probably fake, but it illustrates how people don't understand skilled labor: A great painter (forget which) was sitting in the park sketching when he was recognized by a woman passing by: Woman: Oh! I know you! You're that great painter! I would love to have you draw a picture of me! Painter: I would be more than happy to, ma'am. He looks at her for a moment then in seconds he creates a drawing with just a couple strokes of his charcoal pencil. He signs it and hands the drawing to her. Woman: Oh my god! This is wonderful! You captured my very essence with just a couple strokes of your pencil! Painter: I'm glad you find the drawing to your liking. That will be $3000. Woman: What? $3000! Why it only took you seconds to draw this! Painter: No, ma'am, it took me my entire lifetime to draw that. PM'ed with question about how to fix my PC for free. :gabe: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 PM'ed with question about how to fix my PC for free. :gabe: Replied with a question about doing my brakes for free. :lolguy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pomade Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Replied with a question about doing my brakes for free. :lolguy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpfiend Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I regret to say it but the only people that will take any meaning from your post are those that also feel the way that you do for their particular skill set- the ones you intended it for will either come up with more devious ways of using your skills or move on to another that has not had his or her fill yet until you are recharged and ready for more use. You may want to read some Ayn Rand and analyze the candidates very carefully in the 2012 election... Maybe if you would have spent more on your engagement ring you wouldn't need other friends... hehhehe just playing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted January 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I regret to say it but the only people that will take any meaning from your post are those that also feel the way that you do for their particular skill set- the ones you intended it for will either come up with more devious ways of using your skills or move on to another that has not had his or her fill yet until you are recharged and ready for more use. You may want to read some Ayn Rand and analyze the candidates very carefully in the 2012 election... Maybe if you would have spent more on your engagement ring you wouldn't need other friends... hehhehe just playing.... Didn't think a few of those posts would stick out in someones mind about me, but I guess I've defined myself by being fairly open about my opinions. My wife got as big a kick out that engagement ring thread as I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpfiend Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Didn't think a few of those posts would stick out in someones mind about me lol I am going to have to do some searching now to see what I may have hit upon ;-)... I was using only this thread and my own experiences in my reply- well, other than the engagement ring thread joke as I participated in that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyBuiltRacing Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I feel you man, I only hear from people when they are either 1. Needing help diagnosing their car, 2. Need help working on their car, 3. Need a place to work on their car or 4. Need a part and are too lazy to find it themselves. I just got a small shop space and all of a sudden I have so many friends again that its ridiculous. Its to the point that I litterally had to make a rules list and a price list cause I got tired of people bitching about the price I give them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbot Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I tell everyone I don't know nothin about nothin. Makes my life easier when people don't call me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 On the flip side scott the only thing thats worse is when you have spent $$/time in services helping a friend never charging a dime and the first time he helps you with a minor project you ask the old courteous question "do I owe you anything" and he says yes, $300. This happens on a regular basis for me as well. Guys I have done thousands of work in free skilled labor only to charge me for 5 mins of their time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuicedH22 Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I'm still waiting for my PM reply on fixing my junk. You really do have poor customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustlestiltskin Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 On the flip side scott the only thing thats worse is when you have spent $$/time in services helping a friend never charging a dime and the first time he helps you with a minor project you ask the old courteous question "do I owe you anything" and he says yes, $300. This happens on a regular basis for me as well. Guys I have done thousands of work in free skilled labor only to charge me for 5 mins of their time. Man, this would piss me off. I'd tell em to get fucked and prolly not help them/be friends with them anymore if they charged me after I did free services for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I never charge friends when I do stuff for THEM. But, I don't really rush either. I'll be damned if I let them charge me if I ever need their help. KillJoy PS - My cars need washed.... :gabe: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Yep. To friends and family, I am the "computer guy" and "car guy". I don't hear from people for years, then all of a sudden their PC needs repaired or they need an opinion on a car purchase for their daughter/wife/hooker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagner Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Yep. To friends and family, I am the "computer guy" and "car guy". I don't hear from people for years, then all of a sudden their PC needs repaired or they need an opinion on a car purchase for their daughter/wife/hooker. Do you give advice on hooker purchase/rental? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Do you give advice on hooker purchase/rental? Yes. Get them early in the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyFKINPowerz Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 This is exactly why I dont work on anyones computers anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 On the flip side scott the only thing thats worse is when you have spent $$/time in services helping a friend never charging a dime and the first time he helps you with a minor project you ask the old courteous question "do I owe you anything" and he says yes, $300. This cost me a friend a few years ago. The shop did NUMEROUS favors for a guy, then we finally needed some electrical work done. We assumed it would be free like the work we did for him... $250 for < an hour. His excuse was union-something-something-union. Fuck that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 Beast Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 I never charge friends when I do stuff for THEM. But, I don't really rush either. I'll be damned if I let them charge me if I ever need their help. KillJoy PS - My cars need washed.... :gabe: This thread reminded me that I gave you a wheel for a hamburger and fries :lolguy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 This thread reminded me that I gave you a wheel for a hamburger and fries :lolguy: :masturboy: :gabe: KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustlestiltskin Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 This cost me a friend a few years ago. The shop did NUMEROUS favors for a guy, then we finally needed some electrical work done. We assumed it would be free like the work we did for him... $250 for < an hour. His excuse was union-something-something-union. Fuck that. What a piece of shit friend. I haven't run into any friends like that soo far luckily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forrest Gump 9 Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 always pay, even if it's pizza, burger, or cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTHER91 Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Seems like you are the popular bitch or at least treated like that.. And I'm sorry man but if you let it happen more than once it's your fault. And if you let it get to you this much then you may need to flip the power button on the computer and live a bit more life. Let me be clear as I'm not trying to flame you. And I do feel for you, as I have had the same thing happen. Chin up man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWW$HEEET Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Seems like you are the popular bitch or at least treated like that.. And I'm sorry man but if you let it happen more than once it's your fault. And if you let it get to you this much then you may need to flip the power button on the computer and live a bit more life. Let me be clear as I'm not trying to flame you. And I do feel for you, as I have had the same thing happen. Chin up man! Wow, thats heavy. http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpvs6obNCt1qd7fas.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustlestiltskin Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Seems like you are the popular bitch or at least treated like that.. And I'm sorry man but if you let it happen more than once it's your fault. And if you let it get to you this much then you may need to flip the power button on the computer and live a bit more life. Let me be clear as I'm not trying to flame you. And I do feel for you, as I have had the same thing happen. Chin up man! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HUHXBirN5bE/TJAeHEWpxQI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Q7GU824Jbhc/s1600/fat+vampire.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 I understand where OP and others (ESPECIALLY computer people) are coming from. Its all the worse because cars and computers are 2 high-end items that constantly need attention. I'm not an expert on either but I've helped family out with computer crap before. Usually it goes like this: Uncle(for the sake of the example): "I have a virus. Internet Explorer (smh) is slow" Me: "Ok let me look at your computer" --looks at computer, sees 250 toolbars --spends 4 hours finding out how to remove each and every one, or backing up essential files and doing a system restore Me: "Looks like everything is back to normal, just don't click 'ok' every time a site asks you to download something. In fact, never download anything ever again." Uncle: "Ok" --6 months later Uncle: "YOU BROKE IT, WHAT'D YOU DO TO MY COMPUTER ALL THE INTERNETS ARE SLOW AGAIN" Me: "What? Let me see. Why are all these toolbars back?" Uncle: "Well you told me not to download anything, but i needed XYZ program and it came with all these other cool programs. You must've done something when you 'fixed' it before because I never had this problem before you fixed it" Me: (in my head) "never ask me for help again" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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