Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

**blackcat4866** · 07-30-2011, 09:12 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

I love it!

For the helicopters I start to hand them things. First just a screwdriver or a pair of pliers. But if they persist I'll find them something really gunky to hold, like a leaky waste bottle or a greasy clutch, maybe both together so the toner sticks. Soon they have something to do somewhere else. =^..^=

**prntrfxr** · 08-01-2011, 05:10 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

I love helicopters. I start teaching. I explain everything I'm doing including the science behind it. If they ask me why, I tell them that I thought that was why they were hanging around. Sometimes, if I don't feel like teaching, I ask them where their desk/workstation is. When they tell me I say, "Great! I'll come get you when I'm done and you can help me test it. We'll be running some tests from the pc (usually I work on printers) so see if you can get something to print ready, but don't send it yet. Ok?"

If it's a copier I will tell them to go to a certain website or print something they would like to use to make test copies of. I used to keep lots of various test charts and color images in a folder in my bag. I have sent some to a nearby cubicle to go through and pick a the best (in their opinion) test chart or image to copy. It gives the back of your neck a break from the eye burn they give you and keeps them busy.

This sometimes works with the geniuses too. Usually for them I get them to play nurse and ask me to hand me tools from my bag (since they know so much). If he's genuinely interested in helping, the nurse role helps feed that need. If he's just trying to impress you, the tool thing will seem like work and he'll go away. If they start bragging (oh how I hate braggarts), I simply ask them what made they leave the industry, because obviously they're not in it now. No matter what they say you can follow up with this:

"I'm always fascinated by what makes a person decide not to do this anymore. Some don't like the lack of appreciation, some it's the lack of money, some it's the travel. The biggest problem is so many techs like the technology but don't know how to troubleshoot and that's really something that can't be taught. You know what I mean? I mean I've met lots of techs who think they're all that, but when push comes to shove, they just can't handle it."

Most of the time, the person doesn't like the direction the conversation is going and will find a way to leave the area. Be very careful not to personally accuse him/her of doing that. You can always apologize your way out if they get too upset, but you'll have made your point.

As for the password changer, I have called them before entering the building and by the time I get to their floor, they have a) gone to lunch, b) gone home for the day, or c) can not be found. The second you leave without seeing them is when you get a call and they're all scrappy and grouchy about it. One of my pet peeves is having to deal with IT people.

**excanonguy** · 08-10-2011, 06:40 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

Fantastic thread lol ! Slow day here today and you guys just made me laugh my ass off!! Thanks !

**gwaddle** · 08-10-2011, 07:46 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

Had one today that had to supervise the work. He use to be in the business, now he's a minister. I had my doubts about his time as a tech, for one thing he couldn't pronounce Kyocera, and the only technical term he seemed to know was transfer belt.

**Akitu** · 08-10-2011, 08:15 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

It seems to be a common theme with ministers to become the helicopter type individuals... I can't possibly imagine why, be it my shady, untrustworthy appearance (rocking a goatee after all, I'm quite the shady character), or just the fact they like to watch over everything and see to it all the mice are going for the cheese...

**ragajungle** · 08-10-2011, 08:33 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

High-Larious!

Is there one you can come up with for the end user who puts "Other" in the service request and gives you a number that is disconnected or brings you to a circular robo directory?

Or the one that has no time to tell you whats the deal, or doesn't know what the problem is to begin with, much less where the copier is.... they just heard that a copier was broke.

**mjunkaged** · 08-10-2011, 09:11 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

I think some of the 'choppers' are also 'pennypinchers' which makes for DOUBLE the fun!
I had a couple do that to me while I was working on their doc. feeder that I hadn't taken a similar one apart in over 10 years. One of them starts asking me questions while both of my hands are busy trying to disassemble. I really wanted my eyes + brain to be involved in that task as well, NOT TALKING about the same things I've already nicely explained twice to both of them!
So when I turn my head to answer same question for 3rd time <plink!> the little stainless pin falls DOWN INSIDE the feeder!! So I say, "Uh-Oh! Looks like I'm not going to be able to fix this in under an hour now, because I have to look for the pin that just fell into your feeder because you're talking to me while I'm trying to take the machine apart! I'll do my best to find it as fast as I can! Sorrreeeee!"
I did indeed have to charge them an extra half hour. Since I'm now self-employed, it was DOUBLY gratifying!!!

**Akitu** · 08-10-2011, 09:17 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

I like to think that if I'm busy working on their copier, and elbow deep into the core of the machine, if someone were to come talking to me that I might be able to reasonably respond as little as possible and focus on the task at hand. More often than not they're understanding of the situation and will repeat their questions or just walk away and not demand to be answered.

Basically, treat them like a 5 year old. It sounds cruel, but in reality, you're there doing your job, and they're just hovering around asking questions making your job more irritable, so pay as little or as much attention to them as you'd like, and things often wind up being resolved in a timely manner with both parties feeling a little less hostile (read: technician does not want to murder individual).

Typically, I'm more than happy to answer their questions, as it saves me from having to repeat them later, or I can say "didn't I explain this to you last time I was here?", I currently know not of one person who was displeased with my presence.

**nmfaxman** · 08-10-2011, 09:26 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

Need to add the WHILE YOU'RE HERE.
I need toner. Can you look at our printer for free? This person can't see the scans on my computer. My computer won't print duplex on a shared printer.

**mojorolla** · 08-10-2011, 09:49 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

Let us not forget the Mr/Mrs I Tried To Fix It Myself. When you arrive, their are foreign objects in the machine (scissors, pens, etc...). My favorite is gouging the fuser rolls with a sharp object. I cleared the jam with this butterknife but it didn't fix it....

**Ianizer** · 08-11-2011, 12:29 AM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

Originally posted by ragajungle

High-Larious!

Is there one you can come up with for the end user who puts "Other" in the service request and gives you a number that is disconnected or brings you to a circular robo directory?

Or the one that has no time to tell you whats the deal, or doesn't know what the problem is to begin with, much less where the copier is.... they just heard that a copier was broke.

Ah!

The Office Vigilante

This one has little patience for normal breakage. He has a little too much time on his hands and, you can be assured, the entire Death Wish series on blueray. Director's Cut. He is a solution in search of a problem. And, let's face it, if he has to work, why shouldn't you?

His Job Description is "Under Review", but that won't stop him from Observing & Reporting any percieved squeak, clank, clunk, smudge, squiggle, smell, or bad hair day.

It may be that he enjoys the rabbit chase of trying to locate him directly, or that the clatter of D&D dice is preventing him from hearing the phone. Either way, he's not one for confrontation and would just as soon you didn't bother him.

Whether the machine is fixed or not is of little concern. His work is done here.

Originally posted by mojorolla

Let us not forget the Mr/Mrs I Tried To Fix It Myself. When you arrive, their are foreign objects in the machine (scissors, pens, etc...). My favorite is gouging the fuser rolls with a sharp object. I cleared the jam with this butterknife but it didn't fix it....

And that's Mizz to you...

The Counsellor

The Devil may Wear Prada, but the clack of this menace's knockoffs is the reason Excederin Migraine is a best seller.

This Jr. Associate has little time, but is only distant cousin to The Vigilante. She has clients to see, arguments to make, and a niece in Fastpitch. The High Gloss Inkjet Photo stock seemed a good idea at the time, but now... well, now it's your problem.

And technically, nail-care products aren't "tools". Right? And besides, she never came near the Heater Thingy.

You won't find her for "keyop instruction" because she's wearing her Jawbone 50 miles away in her Beamer.

Best to just cut your losses and take an Excederin.

***
Coming soon: The Senior Partner

-I

**charm5496** · 08-11-2011, 07:25 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

awesome post!!! I love all of them

**Ianizer** · 08-11-2011, 08:43 PM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

Originally posted by charm5496

awesome post!!! I love all of them

Yeah, I crack myself up... I should take my act and hit the road... -I

**jmaister** · 08-12-2011, 02:40 AM

Re: Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

R
O
F
L

this made my day, awesome!

Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

Penny Pinchers, Password Changers, Geniusi, & Helicopters

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