Freeloaders!

[Paul77]

Because I'm the IT guy where I work I quite often on a daily basis get asked about home/personal IT related things. I'm even thrown a laptop or a few to fix in my time. Over the years people used to slip a cake or two my way and some would give my Jack Daniels as a thanks but these days it's a bloody joke. Folk are just expecting things fixed for nothing.

Considering what PC World charge for fixing stuff I'm getting a raw deal. Today I've had to put a stop to it but to be honest, I'm sick of freeloaders in general. You go to a laywer for advice, you pay, you go anywhere for a service, you need to pay. The IT industry is full of people who just refuse to put their hand in their pocket.

"But it took you two mins to fix that" Yes that's because it's taken me years to get this point.

I wouldn't dream of driving into my mates garage and asking him if he can do a wee diagnostic on my car when he's free then driving away without even thanking him. He'd knock me out with a spanner. I just don't see where people get the cheek.

Anyone else get this sort of crap?

 

[Rooter]

Anyone else get this sort of crap?

Nope I'm useless at everything, so no one asks me! If i need stuff doing i go to my mates to get them do it for free!

 

[Paul77]

Nope I'm useless at everything, so no one asks me! If i need stuff doing i go to my mates to get them do it for free!

Not taking the bait

 

[Rooter]

Not taking the bait

Must freshen my bait up! thought i would have got more of a nibble!!

I get your pain though, my bro is a sparky, mate is a carpet fitter, they feel the same as you! It must be tough, but the serious point in my post, is im useless at most things so don't have your issues!

PS. Having problems with my laptop, can you VPN onto it to have a look??

 

[Paul77]

Aye install TeamViewer, gimmie the code and I'l.....wait what? dammit.

 

[davidy233]

Amount of times I've taken a picture and the subject says can you email me it - erm no this is my job - I'll sell you a print if you want.

And newspapers saying "Saw your pic and love it - propblem is we've not budget for pics - can we use it and give you credit?" - no you can't

 

[Rooter]

Yeh i bet photographers get a raw deal!

Oh can you take some pics of our baby, wedding, christening etc etc then want all the original files too!

 

[Paul77]

Amount of times I've taken a picture and the subject says can you email me it - erm no this is my job - I'll sell you a print if you want.

And newspapers saying "Saw your pic and love it - propblem is we've not budget for pics - can we use it and give you credit?" - no you can't

One of the reasons I gave up with Demotix. I'd submit work and it would get used then wouldn't get paid. I quizzed them about it and their reply was that I should be honoured to have my work featured in the Guardian. A wee email later from the lawyer at the BAJ stopped that one in its tracks.

Didn't work with them ever again after that.

 

[Hobbit]

My little treasure will often say to her friends, "oh, Brian will do that for you." Worst one, a full bespoke kitchen inc tiled worktops... it did look good but it took about a month to complete. Bizarre really, as I was an anaesthetic machine and intensive care ventilator service engineer at the time.

 

[Paul77]

A full kitchen? crikey. I've done that a few times in my own house but never for anyone else. Love when folk volunteer you.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Yep, I do the IT at the golf club and get asked all sorts. Don't mind to be honest I like to help if it's within my knowledge. Here's an example.......Just last Saturday one of the old boys explained that the sign-in screen in the porch kept going off but if he put a book under the front it magically sprung to life....."can I have a look, it's been like this all week". Plugged power cable in a bit more securely and unashamedly took the credit for the being the technical genius that I am not

 

[MegaSteve]

Occasionally get asked to do something 'off the books' by clients at work...
A reply of "I don't do theft" usually stops them asking again...

 

[JustOne]

As I have no job I get asked to do EVERYTHING as I have 'skills' and am always available.
Decorating, gardening, websites, PC's, taxi service, mechanics and everything from jumpstarting just about every neighbours car to walking my mates dog when he can't make it home in time.

I probably work harder than someone who actually has a proper job :angry:

 

[gregers]

unless someone in the future can help me,then i charge everyone.simples.learnt years ago from being asked to do various jobs then getting sod all for it.then when you do decide to speak up your classed as a toe rag for asking.
my tools have cost me a fortune over the years,along with my knowledge then peeps expect me to hang doors/fit kitchens/plaster/tiles etc F.O.C. yeah of course i will.:lol:

there was only 1 very good m8 he was a mechanic,who i never ever charged anything for,sadly hes dead now.and he used to do the servicing on my van and car,the only thing we did have to supply was materials.
sadly there are peeps out there who only take and do not believe in giving.

 

[Astraeus]

I'm a lawyer.

All things to all men, it would seem.

You wouldn't believe how many clients, let alone associates, consider that I should provide my service for free or out of charity. The problem, I guess, with having no tangible product.

 

[gregers]

I'm a lawyer.

All things to all men, it would seem.

You wouldn't believe how many clients, let alone associates, consider that I should provide my service for free or out of charity. The problem, I guess, with having no tangible product.

not having a pop,but as i have never(hope it stays that way)ever needed the services of a lawyer how do they justify £250 per hour/letter.

if a builder was to charge that they would be pulled up as rip off merchants.

 

[Craigg]

not having a pop,but as i have never(hope it stays that way)ever needed the services of a lawyer how do they justify £250 per hour/letter.

if a builder was to charge that they would be pulled up as rip off merchants.

Builder doesn't spend years studying, A levels, Degrees, Law School, Office junior etc....I'm not a lawyer but I appreciate how long it takes,and how much hard work it takes to reach that point. The OP's point.

 

[GG26]

not having a pop,but as i have never(hope it stays that way)ever needed the services of a lawyer how do they justify £250 per hour/letter.

if a builder was to charge that they would be pulled up as rip off merchants.

Top lawyers will be two to three times that

 

[JT77]

I used to work as mobile phone engineer, repairs, parts, sw etc if anything went wrong with any phone it was always, ache james will sort it!
Been out of that field for 5 years and still get asked to look at stuff, it got to the point when I just tel everyone I have no tools anymore and I am out of the loop!

 

[Slime]

I'll do anyone a favour, if I can.
If they offer to pay I'll usually say no but insist that if anybody asks them to do a favour, they'll say yes and insist that that favour is then passed on to the next person ............... and so on.
Either that or they pop a few quid into a charity box.

Slime.