When is it time to say NO?

[MunsterTech]

Having been a photocopier engineer for 20 yrs, when is it time to say no? It seems that engineers, especially in our company, yes we all bitch about it, that the responsibilities and tasks we now get on a daily basis seem to get more and more but with no reward or extra benefits.

Production print is the latest thing, with machines coming on board very shortly, of course, production print, more specialized, more stress, more pressure. When is it time for a photocopier engineer, already bogged down with calls, IT calls, deliverys, set ups etc and now this? No financial rewards for the engineers, just more and more stuff to deal with!

Feedback please?

[allan]

We do it to ourselves...
I just straight up asked for a raise after reaching 200 calls average per month. The answer was no and then walked out of the building.
Life is better than ever buying, decanting and selling obsolete toner. Working for a single customer with a hand full of machines makes up my salary!!
Still getting used to getting screwed over from time to time by doing freelance work.
Say yes to fishing.

[bsm2]

Ask for a review! I worked for a company for 24 years , 3 years no pay raise. Yeah right pay frozen as one of the top 3 branch's in the company. So I made a choice stay and be unhappy or leave and be happy.

[MunsterTech]

I had a review, bought it to the service managers attention and to the Directors, that other technicians are on higher salary and benefits, we all do the same job, nobody more specialised or higher qualifications, infact, I do alot more IT work and installs that most of the techs. Was basically told to F"£K off, and not to raise the issue again!

[allan]

The words #uck o3f with an Irish accent kind of rings in the ears.
Start looking out for opportunities there are companies that value employees.
Still regret leaving a good company and boss for not so much greener pastures.

If one of your missions is to get back to the office its probably a good gig.

[Phil B.]

We do it to ourselves...
I just straight up asked for a raise after reaching 200 calls average per month. The answer was no and then walked out of the building.
Life is better than ever buying, decanting and selling obsolete toner. Working for a single customer with a hand full of machines makes up my salary!!
Still getting used to getting screwed over from time to time by doing freelance work.
Say yes to fishing.

Exactly...

I said NO when ex-boss Lied to the customer and myself (all the time) and then told me to tell the customer The Same Lie he told them.

Besides being a cheap ass.. he screwed his employees and customers every change he got. Bumped from one printer platform to the next at a drop of a hat. I was the only one getting certified every new Brand/Model he wanted to sell. I never got above 16$/hr with him in 5 years... But when I left, he and his wife had tears streaming down ..saying " but we did sooo much for you! " Low pay... no car to drive home so I could start MY day before they even arrived at the office.... and no healthcare for me or mine.... they thought micro-managing someone @ least 2yrs older than them ( 61 when I left ) was going to work on me.. My work ethics stood hands and shoulders over theirs.

Fly...be free and catch the BIG ONE!

[rspicer]

I have left 2 companies for the same reasons: lying to the customers and expecting me to lie for them, having to install used parts because they were so far in debt nobody would sell them new parts anymore, micromanaging and trying to dictate how I do a job they have no idea how to do, bouncing payroll checks, etc. Sometimes the stress was so much, it was affecting my health.
Sometimes you have to bite your tongue and be patient for an opportunity to arise, because you have bills to pay. No job in this industry is ever going to be perfect, but hopefully, you will find someone who appreciates a good work ethic and rewards you for it.

[Phil B.]

I have left 2 companies for the same reasons: lying to the customers and expecting me to lie for them, having to install used parts because they were so far in debt nobody would sell them new parts anymore, micromanaging and trying to dictate how I do a job they have no idea how to do, bouncing payroll checks, etc. Sometimes the stress was so much, it was affecting my health.
Sometimes you have to bite your tongue and be patient for an opportunity to arise, because you have bills to pay. No job in this industry is ever going to be perfect, but hopefully, you will find someone who appreciates a good work ethic and rewards you for it.

Well.. My Dr. Wanted me to take BP meds and others for pressure and stress before he pulled his last stunt. But that was the 3rd strike.. i had given notice 2x before. Working since I was 12.. no vaca in past 4+ yes.

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[copyman]

When I got sick of owners saying company is hurting, "no reviews this year", yet both owners got 2 new Lamborghinis that was it for me. That was 20+ yrs ago. Started my own business taking at least 50 of their accounts with me ( this was before no compete clauses were used). Funny they went out of business about 5 years after I left and I'm still going strong.....

I recommend anyone going out on their own. There is plenty of business out there. If you didn't sign a no compete then you can go back to the "per call charge" accounts that you built a relationship with and many of them will go with you. I know it's hard with families and giving up health insurance, etc but if single should give it a shot.

Your boss sounds like a jerk, leave him and let him hire some IT guy and see how much that guy likes getting his hands dirty working on copiers. After a few months of callbacks, customers bitching, etc etc he will miss you. There's not a lot of "real copier techs" anymore. Mostly IT people turning screwdrivers and not happy doing it. It's the opposite with a real tech who would rather have a screwdriver in their hand to be happy!

[Phil B.]

I recommend anyone going out on their own. There is plenty of business out there........ but if single should give it a shot.

Your boss sounds like a jerk, leave him and let him hire some IT guy and see how much that guy likes getting his hands dirty working on copiers. After a few months of callbacks, customers bitching, etc etc he will miss you. *** to bad his boss didn't cry in front of him... wish I had taken pictures ***

There's not a lot of "real copier techs" anymore.
** FACT!!!! **
Mostly IT people turning screwdrivers and not happy doing it. It's the opposite with a real tech who would rather have a screwdriver in their hand to be happy!

Frankly I can do both and DID for the ex... but STILL got my 'Tech Pay' not what I would have gotten out of the $125/hr rate he payed the IT/OPMGR/WM for the same duties... Thank the God, Tony trained me in the office setup.. many of the bigger Co's had their own IT Dept so I didn't have to mess with their Chit.

But Yes I do recommend a Experienced Tech.. with 15-20+yrs.. that is tired of the Corp BS.. to at least give it an HONEST try.

-=OR=- use your other skills to pursue seasonal part time on your own work. (lawn care.. debris removal ... metal recycle are a few of mine BESIDES picking and choosing what 'toner/ink monsters I care to take on)

Plus I have found more simple/cheap projects on my " ranch " to keep me busy.. and there's always sleeping till 0900..making coffee ..having a cup (or 2) watching the tree rats .. birds.. ..sun and clouds in the morning ...

AND Yes... Fishing!