IT Support to Friends / Family

peaceandfreedom

foxtrot_mike wrote: »

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.

I agree with the general advice on here - say no. Would they expect free expertise if you were an electrician/plumber/doctor/dentist? I cannot understand why people think that IT support is something that is available for nothing.

Like many posters, I used to have a similar problem and how I used to dread the words 'You know a bit about computers, don't you?'. I developed selective deafness and now just shrug and look puzzled when people try to tell me about their computing issues. Since it is very frequently to do with internet and email, I suggest they phone their ISP's support line.

Also, if you do someone a favour and fix whatever problem they have, when something else entirely unconnected goes wrong 3 months later, you will be blamed.

Of course, I sort out minor IT issues for family but I avoid getting involved in other people's IT problems as much as possible. Thankfully, most of my friends now have children who are expert enough to sort things out.

Say no and if that isn't quite understood, quote a very high hourly rate.

jm2926

peaceandfreedom wrote: »

if you do someone a favour and fix whatever problem they have, when something else entirely unconnected goes wrong 3 months later, you will be blamed.

This is why I only help a very small list of people now.

newfoundglory

People at work ask me questions about their home IT problems. As if I don't have enough things to do at work already...

I get all sorts of questions, from virus problems to broadband being slow to re-installing operating systems and drivers :rotfl:

I think its strange that IT support is considered to be free (especially if you are a bit of an expert).

Blue_Elephant

Just tell them you'll be privy to EVERYTHING on their computer, including deleted browsing history

KxMx

Blue_Elephant wrote: »

Just tell them you'll be privy to EVERYTHING on their computer, including deleted browsing history

Reminds me of my cousin, she helped out some neighbours (a middle aged married couple) with computer issues, only to be confronted with a long list of swingers websites in full view :rotfl:

Lakeuk

Family have got the message that they are not of offer my services out without getting clear details of the issue (nee impossible for them) and then the ok from me that it's something I want to deal with. Many years ago I used to do anything for nothing more than a thanks, but in the end I got sick of many hours of deals reinstall as the result of virus's

So now:-
I won't entertain calls for help in dealing with slow computers (best sign they have a virus) unless they are able to state they have a disc with the word restore written on it and they're happy to lose all their data - then the only effort from me is start the restore process of.

I won't deal with broadband issues if the provider is someone like sky, talktalk. I don't mind installing new modems/router as generally these a plug n play these days

I won't do diagnosis over the phone, I have some relatives that it would be useful to do diagnosis over something like Google+ that offer free screen share but I know that it'll just turn into me spending ages explaining how to log into Google+.

I now as a general rule won't goto someone's house to do a fix, they have to do the running around and leave everything with me for me when I've got some free time and then for them to pick it up

albionrovers

Invent a story about invalidating someone's warranty and not having the correct insurance in the past........once bitten and all that......

Savvy_Sue

all_change wrote: »

I would recommend providing a copy of this cartoon flow chart ("Tech support cheat sheet"):

http://xkcd.com/627/

Less subtlety may be required, depending on the person...

:rotfl: I need that for work, where I AM the accidental techie ...

One of my latest requests was to check someone's sound, because the speakers on their monitor were no longer working, but they were able to use headphones. "I've checked all my settings and I can't find anything."

"All I will do is check the lead is in firmly at both ends, and then check you haven't muted it by mistake."

"No, I've done that."

Today I got a chance to check their sound. Pulled lead out at both ends, plugged it back in again, hey presto, sound. :mad:

Yesterday was "we haven't got internet on this machine." Well, that would be because the machine says you're not connected. Oh look, there's an internet cable unplugged on the floor, I wonder if plugging it back in will make a difference? Gosh, it does ...

What I find particularly frustrating in all this is that NONE OF WHAT I DO IS ROCKET SCIENCE! And yet no-one, but NO-ONE, seems willing to try anything, not even checking cables are pushed in firmly! Or re-booting.

BTW, if you want some REAL fun, try using Text Relay (a service for the deaf where they speak and your answers are sent to a text screen) to troubleshoot GMail while you are not at a computer. The deaf and computer illiterate person is describing (badly) what they can see on their screen, and you are trying to work out what their options are. You are fairly sure they've been logged out, but since they are denying that logging in is one of the options they can see, and since they have also decided that the password carefully written in their diary doesn't have to be entered exactly as written, and since they are also trying to use their gmail password at their computer account login prompt and vice versa - well let's just say I felt sorry for the TextRelay operator, typing the same thing over and over again!

BitterAndTwisted

Actually, I think your Dad's been really ruddy rude volunteering your services without checking with you first. Do you honestly think that if you were a plumber he'd get you round to fix someone's lav for free? Family and your own close friends only at a time of your own choosing. Nothing else.

You know that if you don't speak up for yourself now you'll be dragooned into helping out to any old Tom, !!!!!! or Harry your Dad meets casually in the street

Tygermoth

Ohhhh this drives me spare.

What’s even worse parts of my family (and some of his) ONLY ever call if they need something fixing.

This was an actual call week before last from a extended family member of mine who I kind of know from big family gatherings only.

Ring Ring...

Them - Hello you.
Me - Hi, how are you?
Them - fine, fine...
Me - lovely to hear from you!, Haven’t seen you since So'n'sos Wedding the other year. Did..?
Them - (interrupting) Ach I have a computer issue can I speak to your OH.
Me Oh..

:mad:

And the last touched it rule, gives me the rage.

We travelled for a hour and a half to help my grandpa out with PC issues. He then called my dad a month later bitterly complaining the OH 'must have done something’ to it because it’s not working. Never mind he had been crashing about on it for a month downloading viruses, random programs and spyware left right and centre.

So my dad’s on the phone saying 'we broke it' and have to fix it.

I have emailed both of them the details of a local service but just had a 'but we are family' and 'he’s a OAP' back. Oh I am going spend the entire day crafting the most cutting exquisite reply telling them where they can park it.

You don’t accuse my OH of breaking it then demand he comes by at your convenience on a three hour round trip to fix it esp when we did it to help you out in the first place.


No good deed and all that........