Computer asininity

[An Haddock]

No, I don't work for free.

Guy calls the computer store at which I work.

SC: Can I ask a question?
Moi: Okay.
SC: I reloaded Windows in my computer but I can't get online and I don't have sound.
Moi: You didn't load the drivers.
SC: What's that?
Moi: Drivers tell the computer how your hardware works. Did you have a separate disk with drivers on it?
SC: No, I borrowed a Windows disk from a friend of mine.
Moi: If you want to bring it in we'll take a look.
SC: I just need to get it online and get the sound to work.
Moi: If you bring it in we'll install the drivers. Be somewhere around $30 - $60.
SC: Can't you tell me how to do it over the phone?
Moi: No, I'd rather get paid for it than telling you how to do it for free.
SC: Okay, thanks.

At least he was polite.


When free isn't good enough

I'm not a bigot or a racist. But I have done work for at least five or six Indians (as in India) in my tenure and they ALWAYS argue the price and sometimes ask for free stuff. I guess it's in their culture? Well, guess what - it's not in ours. We have bills to pay and my kindness only goes so far.

Indian guy comes in to have a DVD-RW installed. After paying, asks if we have an "extra" mouse. (ie free) I have a few junky ones around the shop so it's one less thing I have to throw out. I give the guy a beige mouse with the wheel, in good condition. Not brand new, but it was in good shape.

SC: Do you have a black one?
I stared at him for a solid five seconds.
Moi: No. I don't. If you don't like this one you don't have to take it.

I start moving my hand across the counter to take the mouse back. He snatches it.

SC: It's fine, thanks!

I was seeing red. I wanted to rip the damn DVD-RW out of his computer and tell him to get out. Restrained myself.



Worst decorating idea ever

So I thought it would be fun, for the summer, to put some green astroturf in the window along with a little beach chair and a beach ball. A summer theme. What I didn't count on was EVERY kid under ten years old climbing up onto the front window display to play with the beach ball. And of course, our brilliant customers couldn't be bothered to watch them half the time.

When a hyperactive kid of about 5 started throwing the ball around and knocked a laptop off its display stand (no damage, thank god) I finally had enough and moved it to the other side of the window. At least now junior would have to cross a series of technological death traps to get to it, providing me with ample time to stop them, or tell the parent to do their damn job.



There's a reason it's in the trash.

Middle aged scruffy-looking guy comes in.

Scruffy: Yeah, you gots a flat screen monitor in yo trash can out back.
Moi: Ah, yeah, I believe we do.
Scruffy: You know it it work?
Moi: (cue Brian from Family Guy) You're asking me if a monitor we have in the trash can out back works.
Scruffy: Yeah.
Moi: Yeah, no... it doesn't.
Scruffy: Okay, thanks.

Again... at least he was polite.

[Andara Bledin]

But I have done work for at least five or six Indians (as in India) in my tenure and they ALWAYS argue the price and sometimes ask for free stuff. I guess it's in their culture? Well, guess what - it's not in ours. We have bills to pay and my kindness only goes so far.

Yup, it's a cultural thing.

My boss (who is unrepentantly offensive at times) really has a beef with people who feel the need to try to haggle on every single item they get a quote for. Every so often, if they really get on his nerves, he'll raise the price, and when they complain that it's not better, he tells them it's better for him.

^-.-^

[An Haddock]

Yup, it's a cultural thing.

My boss (who is unrepentantly offensive at times) really has a beef with people who feel the need to try to haggle on every single item they get a quote for. Every so often, if they really get on his nerves, he'll raise the price, and when they complain that it's not better, he tells them it's better for him.

^-.-^

I like your boss. Can I work for him, too?

Mine is the same way, for the most part.

[telecom_goddess]

I just love the title

Computer asininity

[XCashier]

Scruffy: Yeah, you gots a flat screen monitor in yo trash can out back.
Moi: Ah, yeah, I believe we do.
Scruffy: You know it it work?

"Oh yeah, we're always throwing out fully functional electronics. Here, why don't I throw all these working computers into the garbage as well so you can have your pick?"

Logic, folks. It's a Good Thing.

[lordlundar]

Well, where I used to work we threw out functional computers...


... Oh wait, you mean BEFORE I was told to render it inoperable. (most fun time I had with a sledgehammer to date)

(for the track record, these were machines where, after they were repaired and the customer notified, had 90 days to pick it up. Failing that, despite repeated verbal and written notices to pick it up, they were declared abandoned and removed from the store.)

[smileyeagle1021]

Yup, it's a cultural thing.

My boss (who is unrepentantly offensive at times) really has a beef with people who feel the need to try to haggle on every single item they get a quote for. Every so often, if they really get on his nerves, he'll raise the price, and when they complain that it's not better, he tells them it's better for him.

^-.-^

please introduce your boss to my boss
my boss is the jackass trying to haggle... I wish I was making it up when he before got upset because when we had to cab a guest because our shuttle was oversold that I had the gall to not haggle a cabbie down on the price... even though the cab driver was already charging the airport minimum.

[MergedLoki]

Yup, it's a cultural thing.

My boss (who is unrepentantly offensive at times) really has a beef with people who feel the need to try to haggle on every single item they get a quote for.

^-.-^

Yea you're right, cultural thing.

But it's annoying. cuz yea... we DONT haggle here. since 99% of prices aren't SET by the people in the damn stores. so whatever the listed price is. PAY it or STFU.

unless you're at a flea market or yard sale :P

[Darkforge]

Well, where I used to work we threw out functional computers...


... Oh wait, you mean BEFORE I was told to render it inoperable. (most fun time I had with a sledgehammer to date)

(for the track record, these were machines where, after they were repaired and the customer notified, had 90 days to pick it up. Failing that, despite repeated verbal and written notices to pick it up, they were declared abandoned and removed from the store.)

Its so much fun being able to do that isn't it?

At my company we have a very specific contract that says that any electronic devices we use must be rendered inoperable if they are disposed of or replaced.

This means I've had to destroy a few very nice expensive (and working) monitors, speakers, etc because they've gotten replacements in...

Yes its wasteful, but its fun!

[Samaliel]

Destroying working monitors & speakers just boggles my mind. Couldn't the company try to make a buck out of it by selling those to employees? I understand there woud be an issue about, say, computers with a HDD that may or may not contain confidential data, but monitors and speakers, really?

[smileyeagle1021]

I understand there woud be an issue about, say, computers with a HDD that may or may not contain confidential data?

Not really... when I worked at the call center they sold the surplus computers... they just sold them without a hard drive (they ran magnets over the drives and destroyed them)... it worked out well because a lot of the employees who bought them were upgrading from an old computer and just had to transfer their hard drive from the old box to the new.

[Darkforge]

Because of the "sensitive" nature of some of the data we handle we have to render thing inoperable before getting rid of them,

This used to just be wiping hard drives and then using strong magnets and destroying discs.

But in recent years due to the amount of different devices that can store data (mp3 players, mobiles, tv's with built in hard drives etc) the clause in our contract has extended to include all "audio and visual devices with an electronic component" as they thought a blanket sweep is easier than having to update with a specific list each and every time a new mp3 player or mobile phone comes out...

Its really annoying, but thankfully it only applies to the devices directly linked to our server. Our normal desktops and other parts aren't included and so we can recycle those!

still, going "office space" on equipment is fun.

[protege]

still, going "office space" on equipment is fun.

Hell yeah it is

Whenever my office upgrades its computers, I usually get the old ones for parts. I'll rebuild what I can and give it to charity. The rest, either finds its way into more deserving causes (i.e., my own computer fleet ), or gets bashed to bits with various sledgehammers. Some of you might remember my "hit any key to continue" post...where I beat the shit out of my father's Crapaq. I literally flattened it, and yes...it felt awesome after getting screamed at *multiple* times because that piece of shit wasn't working.

[An Haddock]

still, going "office space" on equipment is fun.

We keep Geto Boyz "Still" (the song from that scene in the movie) handy for when we have a bad day, then play it loudly while beating the bejeezus out of a hapless printer or fax machine out back with baseball bats. (while wearing appropriate safety gear, of course)

Great way to relieve stress.

[EricKei]

I can *definitely* understand the "data" issue with any component that is even remotely capable of holding data in any way (even printers can store fax numbers and email addresses)...but, monitors...? what, do they think that they can store sensitive data on there due to screen burn-in?