IT Support to Friends / Family

foxtrot_mike

Im not sure if ife got the right area of the forum, but here goes.

I have been asked for many years now by friends and familly to provide IT support to them.

Its something I dont particualrly like doing, i do this in my paid day job but then im expected to do it out of hours too, and out of kindness i am the sort of person that is prepared to help others but sometimes it goes beyond the point when its demanded.

The lasted episode of this is my father was asked by a friend of his if I could help him setup a wireless printer, i was very busy last week so was not able to assist even though i was expected to call immediately.

A week later I get another abrupt converstation from my Dad saying that he had been tackled by the friend again, I can understand that my Dad is in the middle of all this but when things get rude, or by makeing ignorant comments that you can do it on the phone or go round and it will only take you 5 minutes after work.

When this happens feel i dont want to help, part of the problem perhaps is that I have a problem saying no, as I said im the sort of person that wants to help.

Im really not sure what to say any more.

Mojisola

"I'm too busy at the moment. I can recommend a firm who could help".

"I'll just get a list of my charges. Would he like a quote before I start work?"

It's a problem that accompanies a range of jobs and hobbies. Developing a thick skin and learning to say no is the only way to go.

euronorris

Agree with Mojisola.

And don't worry about your Dad. It's up to him to be clear with his friend that you are not going round to his house. I suspect that what happened is, he boasted about you and said he'd send you round, and now feels a bit embarrassed having to go back on his word. But, that is HIS problem, as he shouldn't have said anything without confirming with you first.

BugglyB

Hi,

What a difficult situation for you. You need a t-shirt like my friend has that says 'no I wont fix your computer for you'! I think a lot of people are in a similar position to you.

Some of the problem perhaps comes from you not being straightforward enough in the first instance, when your dad/whoever else asks you you need to say 'I won't be able to do that' or 'I'm not going to do that' instead of 'I'm really too busy this week'.

Is there a halfway compromise - ask them to give it a go themselves - installing a wireless printer isn't difficult - and you will be available for phone support if they have any questions?

Either that or can you say 'I'll do it but only for a steak and ale pie', these people must have their own skills, perhaps dads friend restores furniture or can fix cars or whatever?

Desperado99

you could get this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/will-computer-T-shirt-Dead-Fresh/dp/B001VSQR98

But seriously, OH is in IT (he has the above t-shirt ) and this comes up from time to time. He is generally happy to help (mainly because he has very few DIY skills, so it works both ways).

I do agree with Mojisola though, if you're not happy with the status quo either charge/say no/grin and bear it.

BlondeHeadOn

Oooh, I remmeber this, I used to work in IT and I absolutely hated constnatly being asked to sort out every Tom !!!!!! and Harrys PC problems for them! It was my job, I didn't want to do it all the time in my spare time as well.

I ended up telling people that this counted as work for me, and I was off-duty now, so please don't ask. Or say that I'd be happy to do it for the going hourly rate for this kind of thing.... that usually stopped quite a few requests.

It is difficult though, as everyone seems to think you must love playing about with computers in your spare time too. Durr... it's a job, geddit?

Sorry not to be more helpful, but I do sympathise.

lolavix

I know how you feel - my other half used to be a washing machines engineer and is always being asked for help.

He just says now 'sorry I have a full time job and a home to run - here's a number for someone who can help'

Some people look at him like he's being rude but they soon get over it and get the hint!

rachbc

My hubby has this problem - for christmas I bought him a badge that says "NO I WILL NOT FIX YOUR COMPUTER". A few weeks of waering that any everyone got the message!!

Ha - just seen the link above.

DS4215

I have the opposite problem from my family - they rarely ask for help even when they have a problem. I don't get much spare time anyway, but they would rather ask a random friend of my sisters to help (who is only a hobbyist) rather than a fully certified geek

I'd have saved them a fortune over the years too...

jm2926

I have just made it very clear that I only support equipment belonging to certain households (aka close family) and they should not offer my assistance to anyone else as this will just result in them having to explain why it will not be happening later.

Even more annoying when it did happen because although I work in IT it is not in a PC/Laptop/home network/phone capacity, so I have little idea what to do than anyone else who can read instructions/google.

Ex-Spendaholic

You need to sit your family down and tell them that they are not to offer your services to anyone else. Alternatively, if you don't feel that you can do this you may just tell everyone you are now setting up as a part time business and will be charging for your time.

If all else fails when you are asked just say "oh well yes I was going to do my ironing/clean the toilet/scrub the patio etc tonight so will you do that for me while I sort your computer.