Worst Threads on Computer Forums

[geeksmobileusa]

So on every computer repair forums there's quite a few very similiar threads that get out of control in a predictable manner. Let's post some of the funniest.

I'll contribute some.

The "I can't believe how much my competitors charge for 5 minutes of work - I charge $5 or do it for free" threads.

The "I can't believe how dumb this other tech was" thread where the OP actually does something incorrect as well, and ends up being flamed to death.

The "useless repair kit' threads where 95% of the tools are used in 1% of the situation.

 

[frostbyte5014]

I Agree with ACG! If that's the kind of stuff you like to post, then I suggest looking for another forum. We work together to help fellow techs and try to do it in a constructive way. I think you will find little tollerance for that kind of thread here.

 

[geeksmobileusa]

frostbyte your site has a grammatical error on the frontpage FYI - it should say small and large businessES (plural) . You may want to fix that.

 

[gunslinger]

So on every computer repair forums there's quite a few very similiar threads that get out of control in a predictable manner. Let's post some of the funniest.

I'll contribute some.

The "I can't believe how much my competitors charge for 5 minutes of work - I charge $5 or do it for free" threads.

The "I can't believe how dumb this other tech was" thread where the OP actually does something incorrect as well, and ends up being flamed to death.

The "useless repair kit' threads where 95% of the tools are used in 1% of the situation.

Although we try to avoid such bashing It does happen even on Technibble.

Examples on here:

"I charge $100 per hour so I can drive a Lexus and I can't understand why everyone else does not"

"Vista is the greatest OS on the planet and If you think otherwise you are too stupid to use it"

"If you say anything positive about a Mac ever, you are a fanboy and need to be drug out into the street and beaten with sticks"

 

[geeksmobileusa]

Although we try to avoid such bashing It does happen even on Technibble.

Examples on here:

"I charge $100 per hour so I can drive a Lexus and I can't understand why everyone else does not"

"Vista is the greatest OS on the planet and If you think otherwise you are too stupid to use it"

"If you say anything positive about a Mac ever, you are a fanboy and need to be drug out into the street and beaten with sticks"

Hypothetically speaking - how bad would it be if I don't see anything wrong with the Lexus thread .

 

[TimeCode]

Hypothetically speaking - how bad would it be if I don't see anything wrong with the Lexus thread .

I think it would fit in perfectly with your previous thread.

 

[bagellad]

Who needs a Lexus when you got a tan coloured 1998 mazda??

I can't believe none of you guys said "THIS ONE!!!" i mean the joke is just sitting there...

But to be honest I don't really hate the "I charged grandma only $5 because it was unplugged." threads, but I am surprised how few people seem to want to at least break even after the advertising, phone, car, knowledge, fuel, knowledge, other potential clients missed..

 

[Jory]

There is no way I'd show up to a job in a Lexus. It's one thing to give the impression of success, but a luxury car as your work vehicle screams excess. They're going to assume they're paying you too much.

 

[mbrock5532]

I don't know - I drive a BMW convertible and keep it immaculate. The feedback I've received from clients has been universally positive with a common comment being I must be doing well to drive a car like that and their previous guy drove a piece of junk and his work was the same.

When a new client calls, I set the appointment and email them Consulting Fees and Damage and Loss Waiver forms that I ask them to read and tell them we will both sign them when I arrive for the appointment. They are impressed with the professionalism and usually comment that it's nice to work with a professional. It also ensures there is something to go to if there is a question about a charge, etc. If they balk at signing the forms, I politely tell them they need to find someone else to do their work as these forms are standard operating procedure for me. If they're unwilling to sign either form, they will almost always end up being a problem client that wants to haggle down every bill, pay slowly, call me on my cell phone and spend 30 minutes asking me to walk them through something so they don't have to set up an appointment and pay me, etc.

My briefcase and toolkit are clean and well organized and I wear a "uniform" with khaki dress pants and a green polo shirt. I used to wear a blue polo shirt but got tired of being asked for help by customers if I ever had to venture into the local Worst Buy store.

When I am done with the work, I use the web to access my on-line invoicing site and present them with a nicely printed bill on the spot.

If you don't have a nice car, keep the one you have washed and clean inside and organized and you will certainly make a better impression than showing up in an old, dirty junker with the back seat full of old fast food bags and wrappers!!!

It's amazing how looking and acting professionally avoids a lot of problems and having to explain fees, etc.

 

[DanF]

Threads like 'Worst threads on computer forums blah blah blah....' are nonsense too.

Now, what's wrong with the new starters to ask about tool kits? It's the first thing my dad got me to start this out. Why not ask the professionals about it to get what one really needs? I mean, there's nothing wrong with that. If you don't like them, don't read them and that's it.

 

[jj2000]

This thread for starters
why do we need to be reading this tripe, these types of threads usually end in a slanging match/flame war.

frostbyte your site has a grammatical error on the frontpage FYI - it should say small and large businessES (plural) . You may want to fix that

On this point i agree with ACG in that you should not have raised this in this thread

Now, what's wrong with the new starters to ask about tool kits? It's the first thing my dad got me to start this out. Why not ask the professionals about it to get what one really needs? I mean, there's nothing wrong with that. If you don't like them, don't read them and that's it.

I also see nothing wrong in asking a pro what they would use and what they would recommend its the best way to avoid mistakes.

"I charge $100 per hour so I can drive a Lexus and I can't understand why everyone else does not"

If a Lexus is the level of aspiration you hope to achieve I think your goals are way too low.

 

[Bullfighter]

When a new client calls, I set the appointment and email them Consulting Fees and Damage and Loss Waiver forms that I ask them to read and tell them we will both sign them when I arrive for the appointment. They are impressed with the professionalism and usually comment that it's nice to work with a professional. It also ensures there is something to go to if there is a question about a charge, etc. If they balk at signing the forms, I politely tell them they need to find someone else to do their work as these forms are standard operating procedure for me. If they're unwilling to sign either form, they will almost always end up being a problem client that wants to haggle down every bill, pay slowly, call me on my cell phone and spend 30 minutes asking me to walk them through something so they don't have to set up an appointment and pay me, etc.

My briefcase and toolkit are clean and well organized and I wear a "uniform" with khaki dress pants and a green polo shirt. I used to wear a blue polo shirt but got tired of being asked for help by customers if I ever had to venture into the local Worst Buy store.

When I am done with the work, I use the web to access my on-line invoicing site and present them with a nicely printed bill on the spot.

Good Post.
I always like to hear how other people are doing things. The only thing I don't have a good system for is "on the spot invoicing". Can you go into a little more detail on your process? (i.e. Portable Printer, e-mail billing etc).

Thanks,
EP

 

[reesk92]

meh vista is a good enough os now its patched, but xp has always been the standard for most businesses, and will continue to be the standard right up until its death, then well move on to something that's a little more up to date and then ride that one till death lol.


linux is good too
mac i cant really say because i cant afford one (please donate to the reesk needs a mac fund and receive a free spam email cuddly toy)

 

[gunslinger]

If a Lexus is the level of aspiration you hope to achieve I think your goals are way too low.

Never said it was. This was just an example. I have actually had customers say they must be over paying me when they see my car.

 

[mbrock5532]

Good Post.
I always like to hear how other people are doing things. The only thing I don't have a good system for is "on the spot invoicing". Can you go into a little more detail on your process? (i.e. Portable Printer, e-mail billing etc).

Thanks,
EP

Sure!

I created a free account on billingmanager.intuit.com that allows me to enter all my clients and create invoices. It lets me print and/or send the invoice via email. It can be saved as a "Draft" invoice for ongoing jobs where I won't bill until the job is finished but it may take several days to finish it. This allows me to keep track of time and materials rather than writing it down somewhere in the interim or trying to remember later.

It allows you to enter payments, either in full or partial. It shows you a running total of how much you have invoiced, what's been paid, what is overdue, what is billed, etc. You can have it email reminders to clients whose bill is overdue. All free!

When the invoice is printed, you can elect to have it print a remittance slip as well if they are going to mail the payment to you. 99% of my clients, including businesses, pay me on the spot when they are presented with a bill right then. It saves collection activity!

When an invoice is sent via email, it only gives them a summary of the bill and a link to the bill on the website. If you have a pdf printer driver installed on the system, you can just print it and then attach it to your email. Or, you can pay for an account and it will be built in. You can also take credit card payments if you pay for an account as well.

I just use their printer to print the invoice out. I've never had a client object. When you record a payment, you can print or email it to them. I always email it to them and ask them if they would like a printed copy. It's about 50/50 if they want it or not.

I hope this gives you the information you were wanting.

Matt

 

[Bullfighter]

I will definitely check it out, thank you for taking the time to reply!

EP

 

[nonchalant]

There is no way I'd show up to a job in a Lexus. It's one thing to give the impression of success, but a luxury car as your work vehicle screams excess. They're going to assume they're paying you too much.

I disagree. Comments Ive had are 'business must be good' in response to my vehicle. Prior to the new car I was driving round in a 17 yr old vehicle and was more concerned customers might think Im not doing well (& so could be assumed Im not be very good). On the other hand my main vehicle could be a Mercedes..who would know. Never try and assume what a customer thinks. Do a job well and charge reasonable prices and they wont care less if you show up on a camel or in a Rolls.

Just a sidenote here too - shortly after I picked up my current vehicle I did a job for a repeat customer. Now I know for fact this guy isnt short of a dollar. Yet for the first time since I started this business some 7 years ago this guy haggled my fee after repairing and returning his PC. In the end I knocked $20 of the charge (mainly to keep him) but he wanted $50 off. And what was parked and clearly visible to him through his loungeroom window? My new car. In this respect you may come across this 'problem' but its only happened the once. And often Ive already quoted and arranged pickup of a PC before I get there anyway so the customer can assume what they like.

 

[mbrock5532]

I don't see a problem with the preacher driving off in a BMW 7 series. My BMW was a low mileage, immaculately kept used car and I paid less for it then it would have cost to have purchased a used Honda Accord, which probably wouldn't have raised your hackles!

Even if he sold the BMW and bought a used Civic, he still wouldn't have had the money to fund the afterschool program which would be a tax deductible expense for you and not for him (most likely).

However, it might behoove him to borrow a parishioner's 30 year old Chevy the next time he goes out requesting donations!!!!

 

[geeksmobileusa]

Haha, I came to pick up a laptop from a girl for her boss, and we were only making like $150 on the job. Word for word she was like "Oh thanks for picking it up, but i'm sure you don't mind driving around in that thing" - 'thing' being my black 335i bmw.

The thing is, if you show up overqualified and overdressed to a small job, the client will feel embarassed only giving you small jobs and will feel 'challenged' to prove themselves a worthy client to you. They'll think "Hmm I wonder if all their other clients call on them way more - I want to make sure that I get this company's attention and fast response, let me call on them more often and become a priority". When you look good, you turn the tables on whoever you try to impress.

 

[cmonova]

The thing is, if you show up overqualified and overdressed to a small job, the client will feel embarassed only giving you small jobs and will feel 'challenged' to prove themselves a worthy client to you. They'll think "Hmm I wonder if all their other clients call on them way more - I want to make sure that I get this company's attention and fast response, let me call on them more often and become a priority". When you look good, you turn the tables on whoever you try to impress.

Are you serious? Or is this a joke? I"m assuming a joke..