Responding to non- techs
Although Ive serviced copiers for 30 years,my experiece on newer machines is extremely limited,hence its harder for me to reply post although I would like to do so more often.But I still feel I have freedom of speech because I have busted my hump working for crapheads who think techs are the lowlifes of the earth and treat them like poop.With that said,WHY DO ANY TECHS RESPOND ON THIS OR OTHER SITES TO CUSTOMERS LOOKING FOR FREEBIES?DONT DIGNIFY THEM WITH A RESPONSE(We tortured ourselfs and beat up ourselfs figuring out problems,losing sleep over them,getting stressed and going bald thinking about them)LET THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR OUR SUFFERING
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I agree, but there are times when an 'end user' can be helped by us. Say, if they are in a remote area or the machine is very old. Customers will always try and get a 'freebie' if they can. I suppose you could mess with their heads and deliberately give them bad information...
If you are hitting your head up against a wall it always feels better when you stop. -
Do you believe in KARMA?
Well, I do. The good you do for others will in some form or fashion, come back to you 10 fold. You just have to believe in the power of positive thinking, good will towards all men and all that other do gooder crap!
But being for real, helping people is what most of us got into this business to do. It's second nature to me at least and of course I would like to get paid for every morsel of information I possess, but sometimes it just ain't like that!
The best way to go is to just be true to yourself and do what you do. Don't let the negative, cheap or grifty people of the world change your spirit or they have defeated you by changing you.
Keep your KARMA your KARMA!
(Enough with my rant for now, but stay tuned. Same Bat time, Same Bat Channel!
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Karma, indeed.
I've got to agree with Copier Guy. When I need help with something, I certainly hope that I'm getting turned in the right direction.
Just think to yourself "I'm paying ahead for when I need help..."If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.
blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=Comment
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I think if someone is rude about how they ask the question (eg demanding we give them information) they should either be ignored, flamed or fed a story. Everyone else? I do think being polite and honest is good.If you are hitting your head up against a wall it always feels better when you stop.Comment
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Misunderstanding me
Im not against offering some helpful hints,AND Im not an advocate for offering misleading information sending customers in wriong direction. But when A NON TECH COMES TO A TECH BULLENTIN BOARD TRYING TO WEASEL INFO ON HOW TO SERVICE THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT,THEY SHOULD NOT BE HUMORED AND QUITE FRANKLY,the easy problems make up for the more challeging ones that in the end customers argue about saying the service charges are way to much after youve spent moretime and energy then youre getting paid for.Comment
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Cucuklotz, it sounds like someone really pissed you off today and you're entitled to vent. If it will help, we are here to listen and probably have been through similar scenarios. Just let it all out. We hear you Brother.Comment
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I'll help an honest end-user with some simple advice or a nudge in the right direction (clean a slit glass, clean a corona, reinstall a driver) but I'm not going to send them a book or a list of part numbers so they can break it worse. If I can help them fix an easy one I will, If not I will tell the to call professional help.
I will pull out my own splinters, I'll call a doctor for a tumor.Comment
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helping others
To me a long time tech who works for a company that cant say no the info is
vital. I believe in KARMA also. I'll help any tech i can.Like the United States Postal Service It's a miracle it works!Comment
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Helping a tech is not the problem
I have NOOOO problem ofeering help to ANY TECH,the problem is where to draw the line when a customer enters a site for technicians.You can usually tell whos looking to save a buck by the tone and type of question.I DO CALLS sometimes going to a customer who calls up but really cant describe the problem and all the machine needs is a sim. reset.I sometimes charge nothing, or $40 as I did the other nite. The Customer took out $20 before I handed him the bill.I let it go and took the 20.IM NOT AGAINST BEING NICE,but I believre discerment is neeced before offering help at this or other tech websites .
THATS MY STORY AND IM STICKING TO IT:Comment
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Helping NON Techs
Let me add one further thing to put what I said in proper light.When someone who buys from Staples comes to site asking questions looking for free info,they should not be dignified with answerCompeting with staples causes us to lose more money then we can count.They nickle and dime you,then try to sap whats left.Comment
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Hmmm... I understand completely.... I used to work in the IT/Desktop Suppor realm... and trust me, someone always trys the WebMD or the fixyourowncomputer.com way first everytime and then calls you when they really brake it and only when you completely convince them that they did the damage and that the tech. advice that their little nephew who has a A+ Certification preached to them is wrong... only then will they pay you.
Hey, trust me, if you want to get paid everytime, you should have been a lawyer or a doctor. They get to rack up $150 bills just for 5 minutes of their time once every 3-5 years and have the power to collect whether you agree or disagree with their diagnosis or advice.
This just opens up the age old question about this site... how do we setup a filter to prove that techs are techs and not just owners/operators? I do not see anyway to do this fairly. What could we do? Give them some sort of OEM Certification style test, where 5 out of 10 of the answers are wrong and not in any of study material?
There will always be the 'brain picker' who has a PHD in Physcology but just wants a free answer of how a Primary Corona works.The glass maybe half full, but less is more...
Printer + Fax + Copier = Jack Of Many Trades,
but Master Of None
Color Copier = Not A Color Printer
InkJet MFP = Not A Fax Machine
B/W Copier = Not A Press
Finisher = Deal Closer (salesman, not accessory)
Copier Tech = Admin's Stress Ball (Scapegoat)Comment
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Missing My point
Im NOT cheap when it comes to helping others.I WILL HELP ANY ANY ANY ANY TECH I CAN .THAT IS NOT MY ISSUE.
My concern is with those who come to this site ,buying their supplies elsewhere( Staples,Office Max.ect) and then expect you to help them.
They should not be helped.
If you really want to help your BROTHERIN TECH,then you would not help those who dont support us on the supply end,or those who want that free estimate only to go to out and buy machines from some discount store. Those who buy equipment at the real office level dont visit sites meant to help techs only.The small office who is struggleing,you empathize with,but they still should support the techs who help by buying supplies from us.
If you worked for any copy company as a tech,more then likely YOU GOT SCREWED.While companies charge $90-175 Bucks per hour,Did you get $30,$40 an hour.
I dont need an answer,I KNOW
SOOO I dont need customers screwing me also..
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It is what it is.
Cuckoltz,
Accept this site for what it is. This is an open site for anyone willing to ask a question, or provide an answer. The are no requirements for you participate, so just stop whining.
We all get screwed, sometimes too often. So get over it and participate, or don't (I don't care).If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.
blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=Comment
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