10 Thing I Hate About PC Repair Customers

[theacefes]

Hooray! I'm getting paid to fix PCs now! Woo hoo!

 

 

Actually it's quite fun most of the time and it beats stocking shelves anyday. However, I must say that there are a few things that irk me about the job, specifically certain types of people and phrases. Here are a few.

 

 

1) Bringing me a dusty PC and telling me that "the computer broke." It broke? Like you physically dropped it out your seven story window and it broke? Was it before or after you kicked it for half an hour. "Well what is happening with it exactly?" "I don't know, it's broke." Apparently "broke" PCs have a side effect: bad grammar.

 

2) When people bring me the computer and insist that they know what the problem is and then instruct me on how to fix it. Well then, why bring it to me in the first place?

 

3) When people call me on the phone to let me know they are bringing their PC in and proceed to bring in only their monitor (which sometimes is an LCD). "This isn't the computer?"

 

4) When I recommend a memory upgrade and they insist that they have a ton of space to store all their crap.

 

5) When I tell them that I am referring to RAM and they insist that they know.

 

6) When people put their USB flash drives into their floppy drive...and it gets stuck.

 

7) When I am giving the customer back their PC after a repair and explaining to them my recommendations and another customer standing nearby (most likely the one from #2) starts interrupting me and begins telling my customer all sorts of useless and incorrect crap.

 

8) People that insist that it makes more sense to spend 350 in repairs for their 11 year old computer than it is to buy a new one.

 

9) When I am introduced to a new customer by my supervisor and the first thing they ask me is, "Do you know anything about electronics?"

 

10) People that walk in demanding a copy of Windows ME.

 

 

Now, if a person doesn't know that much about computers, that's okay! I'm all for the learning process. I think everyone in higher education should be required to take a computer literacy course if they are not already. But if you're not or you just dont want to, and you bring your PC in for a cleaning or repair or whatever, it can't hurt to listen to the tech person. After all, if they "break" your computer, they've got a nice big corporation/insurance (your tech does have insurance right?) behind them to give you a new one.

[Lord Ernie]

Hehe. I did some vacation jobs like that a couple years back, and I can sympathize. My colleagues usually vented their frustration sort of like this:

 

"Yes, Madam, good day." *hangs up phone* "Good day indeed, you dumb-ass <insert multiple namecallings here>"

 

Ever seen the IT-Crowd? "Did ye try turnin' it off an' on again?"

[theacefes]

"Yes, Madam, good day." *hangs up phone* "Good day indeed, you dumb-ass "

 

 

[Domi]

My hubby used to be a System Adminstrator. His favorite one was when he was asked to fix a desk because a computer used to be on it.... I haven't heard anything since that beat that one!

[theacefes]

My hubby used to be a System Adminstrator. His favorite one was when he was asked to fix a desk because a computer used to be on it.... I haven't heard anything since that beat that one!

 

Heehee!!

 

Not too long ago, we had someone ask us for "paint for the computer". A coworker and I stood there, pondering why on earth someone would want paint for the computer. Why would one paint their computer? More importantly, why would an office solutions store carry it?

 

When the customer angrily pointed to an Epson ink cartridge, the world suddenly stopped making sense.

[Domi]

That sounds like a Martha Stewart's craft project... painting your old PC is a good thing....

[theacefes]

Oh geez, I can just picture her new show.

[Jazhara7]

I think I know what I'll give you if I ever need a present for you.

 

3) When people call me on the phone to let me know they are bringing their PC in and proceed to bring in only their monitor (which sometimes is an LCD). "This isn't the computer?"

 

I'd understand if people are confused about what the computer is when they're talking about an AMIGA 500 or something along those lines, as in that case the keyboard is integrated into the computer, though it looked more like computer was in the keyboard. And thus people could be confused "So, what part is the computer?".

 

 

But with the computers common these days it really should be obvious that that big box you stick all the cables and stuff in is the computer. Sadly, this is not the first time I've heard of a person thinking the monitor is the computer, though.

 

 

10) People that walk in demanding a copy of Windows ME.

 

I'm completely perplexed that people would even *want* a copy of Windows ME.

 

Then again, it could be worse. They could *want* a copy of Windows Vista.

 

 

-

[theacefes]

I think I know what I'll give you if I ever need a present for you.

 

 

3) When people call me on the phone to let me know they are bringing their PC in and proceed to bring in only their monitor (which sometimes is an LCD). "This isn't the computer?"

 

I'd understand if people are confused about what the computer is when they're talking about an AMIGA 500 or something along those lines, as in that case the keyboard is integrated into the computer, though it looked more like computer was in the keyboard. And thus people could be confused "So, what part is the computer?".

 

 

But with the computers common these days it really should be obvious that that big box you stick all the cables and stuff in is the computer. Sadly, this is not the first time I've heard of a person thinking the monitor is the computer, though.

 

 

10) People that walk in demanding a copy of Windows ME.

 

I'm completely perplexed that people would even *want* a copy of Windows ME.

 

Then again, it could be worse. They could *want* a copy of Windows Vista.

 

 

-

 

That shirt is AWESOME.

 

I mean, sure with the iMac g4/5 whatever, the computer is in the monitor and it's nice and thin Very cool. I think they made it that way so people DONT mess with it.

 

I have NO idea why someone wouldn't just upgrade to XP if they HAD to have Windows upgraded.

 

As for Vista, I don't mind it....much. There are some things that I would prefer be redesigned but for the most part it's proven to be just as efficient as my old system, if not more.

[berelinde]

I'm sitting here reading your list, thinking that folks couldn't possibly be that... er... challenged. Especially with the flash drive in the floppy drive.

 

But then I think about my mom, who called me up, had me drive an hour to her house, in morning rush-hour traffic, only to turn the surge protector back on after she stepped on the switch accidentally.

[theacefes]

I'm sitting here reading your list, thinking that folks couldn't possibly be that... er... challenged. Especially with the flash drive in the floppy drive.

 

But then I think about my mom, who called me up, had me drive an hour to her house, in morning rush-hour traffic, only to turn the surge protector back on after she stepped on the switch accidentally.

 

Oh the flash drive incident: happened to none other than an old manager of mine...too funny.

 

I bet you were real happy to see your mom then:)

[Jazhara7]

That shirt is AWESOME.

 

I mean, sure with the iMac g4/5 whatever, the computer is in the monitor and it's nice and thin Very cool. I think they made it that way so people DONT mess with it.

 

I have NO idea why someone wouldn't just upgrade to XP if they HAD to have Windows upgraded.

 

As for Vista, I don't mind it....much. There are some things that I would prefer be redesigned but for the most part it's proven to be just as efficient as my old system, if not more.

 

 

I'm glad you like it. ^_^ They have some very awesome shirts over there. I myself have the "Your ring tone sucks." shirt, because too often have I been sitting somewhere, completely tranquil, when suddenly some annoying teenager starts playing around with their mobile, testing out every ring tone they might possess.

 

(Well, this was awkward. I didn't know "ring tone" written together is on the ban list. Though I do understand why it is on there, of course.)

 

Also, I just had to buy the "I don't work here." shirt, because in the past few years I've been approached several times in the supermarket by other customers, who apparently thought I work there. Some of the times that happened it was when I was helping with the annual taking of Inventory to earn a bit of extra money, and it was usually by friendly elderly people, whom I had to say "Sorry, I'm just helping with the inventory, I don't actuall work here". I don't mind those, as it's understandable that people might be led to believe we work there, since we're moving around the things on the shelves and all and walking around typing things in little machines. But I also kept being asked where stuff is, or told "I found this broken bottle/open package/exploded spraycan, and thought I'd point it out to you, as you apparently work here.". I used to think it was because I once again had forgotten to take off my Prefect badge after school, but even now that I no longer am at school, I get adressed with the assumption that I work in the supermarket. And it's not just one supermarket, it also recently happened while shopping in the large supply market [where the smaller stores get their supplies from. My father has his own business, so he can shop there too.]. Apparently I just *look* like I work there. I guess I should take that as a compliment, that I apparently look like I am so in control of the situation that I look like I belong wherever I go - without even actually wearing the workcoat the people that actually work in those stores have to wear. So yeah, "I don't work here." was the shirt I *had* to have.

 

That brings out the question, can one complain about customers when they're not actually your customers, they just *think* they're your customers because they assume you work at a place?

 

 

As for the Windows thing...yeah, I think if they want to upgrade, they should really take XP. I know back when it was new, I was not happy with it either, but I'd never have considered ME. I just didn't like XP (I insist on using Windows for two reasons. I have always used it, and thus know how it works and how to deal with its imperfections. And using it gives me the right to openly complain about what's wrong with it without. It's a love/hate relationship, you see.) mostly because back then it was really messing up playing older games, but these days there's ways to get around that.

 

As for Windows Vista, it's alright. But even Microsoft have admitted that it's really not that good, and that they're going to move on to another new OS sooner than usual, because they consider it a lost case.

 

My mother is also not as savvy with computers as the rest of the family. My father, my eldest sister, and I are pretty much the savviest in the family. My uncle isn't as experienced, and he gets along well, and he also *knows* when something is beyond his knowledge, which is when he asks us. My middle sister gets along well, and she's at least Internet savvy enough not to fall for any phishing or something like that. And in case of doubt, she asks us. My mother manages fine too, but sometimes I really have to help her, like when something new pops up. Like when I introduced her to how to download a podcast. In the end I did it for her, and then had to explain to her she simply has to double click on the files to start listening to them - she usually only does her work on her computer (and the program she uses, which is specially for filling out the medical forms and medicinal reports she does is something a tool she knows how to use, and I have no clue about), and doesn't really listen to music or anything on it. So it's understandable that that kind of thing is new to her.

 

 

 

 

-

[PotiusMori]

Have you guys seen ClientCopia? It's a site for sharing stories about about those clients you'll remember for all eternity, desperately wishing they'll stay away for that long... It got me through some of the days when my 65-year-old boss would call me to run up 8 flights of stairs for an 'emergency'... and all that had happened was she'd left caps lock on when she was typing in her password. *sigh*

 

Check it out. Most of them are quite funny. You do get the whiny ones, but MOST of the stories are worth reading.

This is one of my personal favourites. I think it did the email rounds at one point:

 

 

Actual dialogue of a former Word perfect Customer Support employee:

 

"Ridge Hall computer assistant; may I help you?"

 

"Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."

 

"What sort of trouble?"

 

"Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."

 

"Went away?"

 

"They disappeared."

 

"Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"

 

"Nothing."

 

"Nothing?"

 

"It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."

 

"Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"

 

"How do I tell?"

 

"Can you see the C: prompt on the screen?"

 

"What's a sea-prompt?"

 

"Never mind. Can you move the cursor around on the screen?"

 

"There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type."

 

"Does your monitor have a power indicator?"

 

"What's a monitor?"

 

"It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?"

 

"I don't know."

 

"Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?"

 

"Yes, I think so."

 

"Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."

 

".......Yes, it is."

 

"When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?"

 

"No."

 

"Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."

 

".......Okay, here it is."

 

"Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."

 

"I can't reach."

 

"Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"

 

"No."

 

"Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"

 

"Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark."

 

"Dark?"

 

"Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."

 

"Well, turn on the office light then."

 

"I can't."

 

"No? Why not?"

 

"Because there's a power outage."

 

"A power... A power outage? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing suff your computer came in?"

 

"Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."

 

"Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."

 

"Really? Is it that bad?"

 

"Yes, I'm afraid it is."

 

"Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"

 

"Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer."

[Gabrielle]

More proof that most people are stupid. They really should learn the basics of PCs before they buy one.

[G-Mon]

@ this entire thread. As resident tech head in my family, I can appreciate all of this.