I operate a small home-run tech support business. I have a neighbour who asks for advice, support, instruction at least a few times a week. Usually, they are small, no-brainer questions, that I didn't mind answering. Recently, he began to call me from his workplace with computer-related problems. I decided to let him know that I can no longer provide free computer support/advice. Our relationship has now soured. I know that I should have had more rigid boundaries, but I was trying to be neighbourly, and the support was not difficult. Any (free!!) advice on how not to be the neighbourhood's computer free go-to person? Thanks in advance.
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boundaries 3
- Thread starter marymmcc
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Free advice on not giving free advice?
I think you did the right thing. I do some stuff for free as I am sure many of us do, however there have been times I had to draw a line and say "No Mas".
No one would expect to get free groceries or gas just because we knew someone that owns the store. This applies just as well to technical support and consulting.
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
askdon@srhconsulting.com
I think you did the right thing. I do some stuff for free as I am sure many of us do, however there have been times I had to draw a line and say "No Mas".
No one would expect to get free groceries or gas just because we knew someone that owns the store. This applies just as well to technical support and consulting.
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
askdon@srhconsulting.com
- Thread starter
- #3
I just tell people that even though I'm a programmer, it doesn't mean that I know how to use <insert software package>, because I spend all my time doing development stuff.
Chip H.
____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first
Chip H.
____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first
mrdenny
Programmer
- May 27, 2002
- 11,595
I agree with the others here. You were correct with what you did. If you had givin him the free support that he wanted you would have ended up supporting the entire company for free.
You may want to explain to him that giving free advise at home to your neighbor is no problem it's a personal conversation; but supporting his work computer is a business arrangment that needs to be treated as such and needs to be kept seperate from the personal stuff.
Denny
--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)
![[noevil]](/data/assets/smilies/noevil.gif "[noevil] [noevil]")
(My very old site)
You may want to explain to him that giving free advise at home to your neighbor is no problem it's a personal conversation; but supporting his work computer is a business arrangment that needs to be treated as such and needs to be kept seperate from the personal stuff.
Denny
--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)
(My very old site)
I find that your neighbor had quite a bit of gall asking you for professional support in the workplace.
First of all, in a company he is supposed to have access to a helpdesk person. Second, anyone in his right mind is not going to phone an outsider for a company issue without having a contract to validate the call.
If your neighbor, being dumb enough to call on you professionally in the first place, is stupid enough to get angry that you did the right thing, I do not think you need to worry too much : his own hypocrisy is going to bring him back to being nice to you the next time he needs an answer for his personal use.
On the other hand, such weak-mindedness would be an alarm signal for me. I think that you cannot trust this person to be consistent and reliable. I would remain polite and wary in the future.
Pascal.
First of all, in a company he is supposed to have access to a helpdesk person. Second, anyone in his right mind is not going to phone an outsider for a company issue without having a contract to validate the call.
If your neighbor, being dumb enough to call on you professionally in the first place, is stupid enough to get angry that you did the right thing, I do not think you need to worry too much : his own hypocrisy is going to bring him back to being nice to you the next time he needs an answer for his personal use.
On the other hand, such weak-mindedness would be an alarm signal for me. I think that you cannot trust this person to be consistent and reliable. I would remain polite and wary in the future.
Pascal.
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infinitelo
Programmer
- Mar 7, 2001
- 319
shame on you giving out freebie, of course he expected you to continue. if you do "friend stuff" charge a buck, a beer, something..., so if he needs help at work he wont ask for a freebie. even shade tree machanics know better
if it is to be it's up to me
if it is to be it's up to me
If he calls again from the office, just say "I can't tell over the phone, I'll have to look at the computer. I'll do it for $xxx, check with your boss and make sure it's ok. If so, I'll come on down and look at it."
Most likely, he won't bother with it, and that will be that. It will make you look like you were willing to help and you tried, but he decided not to bring you over.
Hope This Helps!
Ecobb
Beer Consumption Analyst
"My work is a game, a very serious game." - M.C. Escher
Most likely, he won't bother with it, and that will be that. It will make you look like you were willing to help and you tried, but he decided not to bring you over.
Hope This Helps!
Ecobb
Beer Consumption Analyst
"My work is a game, a very serious game." - M.C. Escher
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I agree with mrdenny in that you should keep business work and personal favors separate. I've often helped with friends that need help, but I'm a nice guy.
I've sat in with what was supposed to be a "simple" task and spent an important Christmas shopping day working hard with the lady's ISP. Turned out it was the ISP's fault and I wasted the day on thier incompetence. The bonus is she's a great person and good company, so I didn't mind.
If she'd ask about work, I'd say that I keep personal and business very separate and tell her what I charge per hour.
This will do two things: 1) you let them know that you are willing to help a friend (small-talk), and 2) give them the understanding that you don't work for free when it comes to business.
If they just don't get it, let them know that you just don't work for free and that you're willing to help with small things. Tact is the best ally in friendships and business, so choose your words carefully.
Garrett
CCNA
"The only knowledge you need is that which you do not have. Keeping what you have is the hard part.
I've sat in with what was supposed to be a "simple" task and spent an important Christmas shopping day working hard with the lady's ISP. Turned out it was the ISP's fault and I wasted the day on thier incompetence. The bonus is she's a great person and good company, so I didn't mind.
If she'd ask about work, I'd say that I keep personal and business very separate and tell her what I charge per hour.
This will do two things: 1) you let them know that you are willing to help a friend (small-talk), and 2) give them the understanding that you don't work for free when it comes to business.
If they just don't get it, let them know that you just don't work for free and that you're willing to help with small things. Tact is the best ally in friendships and business, so choose your words carefully.
Garrett
CCNA
"The only knowledge you need is that which you do not have. Keeping what you have is the hard part.
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