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Thread ID: 91003	2008-06-23 04:30:00	Question for you techs	pctek (84)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
681364	2008-06-23 05:15:00	A technique you can use is to pepper the conversation with every bit of relevant jargon you can think of. The poor sod on the other end of the line goes into information overload and either decides to ask someone else, or brings it in. The downside of this is that they will probably think you are incapable of explaining things in layman terms, and may take their custom elsewhere. EDIT: No BOFH (bofh.ntk.net) excuses allowed - the population at large is now generally savvy enough for them to trigger the bullshit detector.	Erayd (23)
681365	2008-06-23 05:17:00	"Yep...yep. This issue seems a bit complicated to solve over the phone, and unfortunately I don't have the time right now. It's always a lot easier when you can actually see the problem in front of you. If you'd like to bring it in, I'd be more than happy to look at it as soon as I can, or I can book a job in, or pop out to your place sometime in the next few days to have a look at it..." Or something to that effect.	wratterus (105)
681366	2008-06-23 05:56:00	Ask them for their customer number (which you have stuck one one their processor)... also makes you sound like a big company :D Depending on how they react to the first question, you can decide whether you will help them or not.	dolby digital (5073)
681367	2008-06-23 06:14:00	I normally talk to them for a couple of minutes and if it is going to take longer than that then I say bring it in or I can come to your place to have a look.	CYaBro (73)
681368	2008-06-23 06:39:00	A technique you can use is to pepper the conversation with every bit of relevant jargon you can think of. "... and now with an "eye dee ten tee" being displayed..." :D	Renmoo (66)
681369	2008-06-23 06:52:00	Just reading through the replies, it appears most of think along the same lines, sometimes its awkward. Generally though you can tell if they are wanting a complete answer to every problem, in that case it's in the workshop,or service call. Something simple that you know the problem and takes only a minute then I do it on the phone. Bit like the Old " Non System Disk Error" - have you got a floppy in the drive - yeah - take it out, try again. If its someone who is just penny pinching and wants it all done for free,depending on the problem they describe, I usually politely say " Sorry but I cant fix it over the phone" The best ones are " My Mate/brother/ husband etc" Knows all about computers.......", that's when you kind of play along (While trying not to say - and you called me why? ) and say well it could be quite serious and needs the skill of professional - when would you like me to come around, or you may drop the PC into the shop etc.	wainuitech (129)
681370	2008-06-23 06:56:00	"... and now with an "eye dee ten tee" being displayed..." :D :thumbs: Thats Always a good one - as long as they are not to clever you say in a real serious voice its a well known problem - PBCAK :D << mind you only done that one to people I know and can take a joke.	wainuitech (129)
681371	2008-06-23 07:18:00	Tell them they have 2 minutes of your time, and any help beyond that will have to be done through the books.	Metla (12)
681372	2008-06-23 07:27:00	"... and now with an "eye dee ten tee" being displayed..." :D Or maybe a 1D1OT error?	password (5384)
681373	2008-06-23 08:14:00	pctek, I will not tell you how to run your business. You should know this already otherwise do not be in business. Free advice is just that but it may not work. Otherwise people should pay but not be ripped off. Some people charge $40 per hour and others charge somewhat more. Unless the customer stands over you they would have no idea how much time it took to "fix" the computer. It would take some time to format a 500 Gig hard drive and install whatever but only a few minutes of my time.	Sweep (90)
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