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Lousy customer :/

Tags:
  • Bus
  • Business Computing
  • Hard Drives
Last response: in Business Computing
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January 29, 2014 3:29:41 AM

Basically I picked up a tower to fix (3 mile bus trip there and back) I told her its the hard drive which is at fault and also the RAM needed to be upgraded from 192mb!!! to 1gb. All fixed etc, however I said it will cost £40.

The problem is she said she wants the computer tommorow, but she can only pay £20 tommorow and she will give me anthoer £20 next week. That means another 6 mile round trip via bus, in total 16 miles!!!

How do I know if shes trying to scam me, shes said you will not get anymore buisness from any of her friends etc. But what if she blocks me from facebook and blocks communication with me all togther.
What should I do?


... No idea if this is the right forum, but dont know where else to post it or who to ask.

More about : lousy customer

January 29, 2014 3:48:55 AM

Just hold onto her PC until she pays you the full price
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January 29, 2014 4:31:21 AM

Hi Thomas,

May I ask how old you are. I know it seems a bit rude maybe.
But for about 20 years I have been fixing computers for friends, and by them recommending my name to to other people or friends of them.

You hit the point about making a loss or profit from the service you are providing.
And that's why your crying a bit now.

There is an air of good faith here, between yourself and the person or customer.
But you are providing the service, since the customer cannot fix the computer in question them self.

Now in a case where your asked to visit a person who asks you to look at there pc because it is not working.

Here is the rule to not leave yourself open.
Where you can arrange a time that is right for you and the customer to meet with the said customer/computer, if at there house and property.

Diagnose the fault, with the customer present. And then detail to them the problem.
And how it can be fixed, and the cost of doing so.

You then have given them the option, to decline you repair it.
But you have done your job.
Because that is what you were there for.
And the customer called you because they had no clue on how to resolve or fix it.

If they say yes, then you require payment for the devices or hardware first to repair the system. It`s as simple as that. By stating the cost of parts to fix it.
And of course your fee for doing so. Prepping installing. testing. Labour or time to fix it, or factor in transport costs.

If you are running a mobile computer repair service.
You get payment, then take the device fit the new parts and return it. Providing the receipts back to them of the devices you bought to fix the problem.

She is in doubt as to you actually fixing the computer, so she wants to see it working first. And why she is retaining the amount of money it cost you to fix it.
Proof.

Follow the rule above.

A word about retaining a customers computer.
It can lead to an accusation of theft.

But if you retain and can prove, that the device by the person was given to you under repair, and you still retain the receipts for the new parts bought, and installed.

And it can be proved it was done under a service you provided.

But it was retained under non payment for services rendered. Customer not paying bill.

Then you cover your ass in such a case. As an accusation of theft by another. or taken to court at worst case.

If you footed the bill out of your own pocket for the parts, and service first. It`s then a civil matter.
The client has not, settled the bill of services rendered.

If the client, or customer agreed for you to go ahead with the new parts for install, or repair. By word or written consent. Technically a contract.

Dispute, in the eyes of the law. Not theft, and classed as a civil matter.

It`s not were anybody would like to be.
But it`s a tip to remember to keep yourself safe.
If a accusation of theft by the customer or client is made.

Where you retained it under non payment of services rendered. And that is how you stop people having you over a barrel.
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January 29, 2014 9:27:50 AM

I am 19yros turning 20 this Sunday.

Anyway, she wanted the tower this evening instead, I dropped off but no payment till Friday - full £40.

Now the thing is with the parts, she gave me the go ahead, I said £40, but after she said, thought it was £20, well she gave me nothing, I did not saying anything, because I did not want to cause any problems, but she gave a review as-well on my Facebook group:



"Would recommend that you use this guy our comp was at deaths door lol and still managed to fix it was real reasonable with us to! Cheap to!
Unlike · · Share · about an hour ago"
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January 29, 2014 9:43:35 AM

Thomas, I wish I had the advice such as what Shaun gave you when I was 20, cause I did pc assembly for money (or rather a tip?) 20 years ago when I was 20. But I blew all of that on cheap rum and boiled eggs the same day.

Having said that, I think you are taking this transaction too seriously. What I think is that since there is not much money to make here, I think you probably are doing it because you are interested in building Pcs and take pleasure in creating/assembling stuff.

So, just make sure you do a good job and move on. Money or no money.

One word on referrals/recommendations. A lady who cannot afford/short change GBP 20 is probably not going to be a great long term customer or get you referrals for GBP 2,000 monster build. Also, if its about facebook feedback, it's a business here and they do it for 1 penny, not 40 pounds and you customize the text that goes into that review.

So enjoy your work and you'll do well with your next build. and the next and so on.

Edit: (Advance) Happy birthday!! You just made an elderly lady (assume) happy!!
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January 29, 2014 10:08:57 AM

Thanks, and yes I agree^ , I have to go back to the same lot of flats on Friday, because she recommend both other people who lives in the flats to me, so I am picking up a lappy and possibly another tower, but it seems shes not that bad after all. PS shes about 25 yros :p ., but she has apparently said she may come to me for a custom build in the future. :D 
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