I used to be but I got burned out. It all started with me offering to fix a co-workers computer 15 years ago. I was a computer geek and everything I knew was self-taught. Before long it spread throughout my workplace like wildfire as well as outside of work. I was fixing a software or hardware problem sometimes as much as once a week. At first I just did it to be nice, but after a while I started charging but not that much. Besides these people were all co-workers and friends right? A few years ago I decided that I was burned out and I would try charging them what I really thought my time was worth. A few people got upset and don't talk to me anymore, but most people understood.
After this I decided to just stop completely. Regardless of how much people will pay (which still isn't much compared to taking it to a repair shop) I just started saying no. Everyone who matters didn't care. The rest were just using me anyway.
There is one person who has persistently pestered me though. She's a co-worker whom I've known for 12 years but not a true friend. A few weeks ago she came to me at work and said "I know you don't work on computers anymore but can you check mine out one last time, it won't boot?" I politely said no I'm sorry try the recovery disks I made you and if they don't work take it to a shop. She walked away sulking. A few days later I get a call when I'm watching TV with my wife. It's the same person and she wants me to walk her through how to use the recovery disks. I called her back and walked her through it but then told her that I also no longer do technical support either. She laughed and seemed to get the point.
Fast forward another 2 weeks. This time, I'm walking to my car TALKING ON MY PHONE and she stops to interrupt me and ask if I could download a patch to cheat on farmville. I kid you not. I told her no I don't have the time and kept on walking. However, it's not over yet. Several days later she called me at work from Best Buy to ask me which new laptop I would recommend she buy and just starts spewing specs. I told her, I'm working and it's really busy I'll get back to you later.
When I got off work I called her and said "Listen I have tried to be nice about this whole thing. I've told you in every possible way that I don't want to be bothered with computer problems anymore. I have a lot of things going on in my life right now, my dad just found out he has cancer, and I already have anxiety problems to begin with. Do you really think I care about you being able to cheat on farmville or what computer you buy when you buy a new one every year anyway??? You're 38, you live with your parents and you don't pay any rent. BUY THE BEST LAPTOP YOU CAN AFFORD AND STOP PESTERING ME!"
I tried not to lose it but I just couldn't take it anymore. I admit the live with your parents line was kind of low since I've been forced to live with mine before but I had just had enough. She finally got the hint. Now every time she sees me she looks at the ground and keeps walking.
For some reason helping people with questions on forums like this doesn't bother me...I guess I see it as a hobby and I really do like to help people when I can but from now on besides this forum which I really enjoy, I will help family members and true friends only. I'm now known at work as the guy that used to fix computers lol.
After this I decided to just stop completely. Regardless of how much people will pay (which still isn't much compared to taking it to a repair shop) I just started saying no. Everyone who matters didn't care. The rest were just using me anyway.
There is one person who has persistently pestered me though. She's a co-worker whom I've known for 12 years but not a true friend. A few weeks ago she came to me at work and said "I know you don't work on computers anymore but can you check mine out one last time, it won't boot?" I politely said no I'm sorry try the recovery disks I made you and if they don't work take it to a shop. She walked away sulking. A few days later I get a call when I'm watching TV with my wife. It's the same person and she wants me to walk her through how to use the recovery disks. I called her back and walked her through it but then told her that I also no longer do technical support either. She laughed and seemed to get the point.
Fast forward another 2 weeks. This time, I'm walking to my car TALKING ON MY PHONE and she stops to interrupt me and ask if I could download a patch to cheat on farmville. I kid you not. I told her no I don't have the time and kept on walking. However, it's not over yet. Several days later she called me at work from Best Buy to ask me which new laptop I would recommend she buy and just starts spewing specs. I told her, I'm working and it's really busy I'll get back to you later.
When I got off work I called her and said "Listen I have tried to be nice about this whole thing. I've told you in every possible way that I don't want to be bothered with computer problems anymore. I have a lot of things going on in my life right now, my dad just found out he has cancer, and I already have anxiety problems to begin with. Do you really think I care about you being able to cheat on farmville or what computer you buy when you buy a new one every year anyway??? You're 38, you live with your parents and you don't pay any rent. BUY THE BEST LAPTOP YOU CAN AFFORD AND STOP PESTERING ME!"
I tried not to lose it but I just couldn't take it anymore. I admit the live with your parents line was kind of low since I've been forced to live with mine before but I had just had enough. She finally got the hint. Now every time she sees me she looks at the ground and keeps walking.
For some reason helping people with questions on forums like this doesn't bother me...I guess I see it as a hobby and I really do like to help people when I can but from now on besides this forum which I really enjoy, I will help family members and true friends only. I'm now known at work as the guy that used to fix computers lol.