Sometimes, it?s easier to vent to like-minded strangers than it is for me to talk to people that I am close with, since they do not really understand me. So here goes? **rant on**
I am trying to get a PC repair business established with little money for neither advertising nor renting a commercial building in a busy location. So, I work out of my home and that way I don?t have to charge more like the bigger well established businesses, such as Geek Squad, etc? Currently my business is working off of word of mouth and I am developing a decent client base. My client base mainly consists of the elderly or military veterans that do not have a lot of money. The great majority of these individuals are honest with me about their budgets in regards to what they can afford and I work out, what I consider to be, a fair fee for my services. These kind people then tell others about me and some of these other people are not hurting for money. However, I do not take advantage of this fact but rather keep my prices low in hopes that the word will spread.
I get a great sense of satisfaction from helping these people and not taking advantage of the fact that they need my help. But, of course, there is always a person out there that knows how to take advantage of my kindness. I am a beacon for almost everyone I have met, to pour their soul out to me, even if it?s so they have someone that will just listen or they seek advice from me. I have been told that I am wise beyond my years, but I think it?s a part of Asperger?s and also my life experience, that gives me the ability to be able to see how things will play out. (I have to analyze every situation, so i'm prepared for any outcome, in hopes of lessening my anxiety in social situations.) With that being said, on with the show?
My latest experience was from a woman whose husband was referred to me from a client of mine. This was the second time in over a year that he brought his laptop to be worked on, but this time he also brought his wife?s? desktop. His laptop was very easy to clean up and return, but that desktop had various major issues and it did not go down without a hellish fight. During this time, I had to communicate with his very friendly wife, instead of him, since it was her desktop. Through the frustrating trials of fixing this desktop, which took me almost two weeks to fix due to complications and waiting for parts to arrive, we conversed a LOT. She did confide her very personal problems to me and, of course since it?s in my nature, I listened to everything she said. She did describe her husband to me in detail and just about everything that he did or said, sounded like he has Asperger?s.
At this point, I only wanted to help them by trying to enlighten her about Asperger?s and directed her to several websites for more information. She seemed grateful and invited me to lunch to repay my kindness. She even worked with me about going to have lunch, during a non-peak time, so I would be more comfortable. I thought that we might actually be able to become decent friends. During the time that I worked on the desktop, we talked every day at length, about things other than just her PC. It was nice to talk with someone since I don't have a lot of friends, but that?s by choice due to most people annoying me or being boring to the point that I look for an escape route, and I also prefer being alone for the most part (less drama that way).
Anyways, getting to the point? After I returned the repaired desktop for an extremely reasonable price; she pretty much stopped talking to me. Regrettably, I forgot a very important bootable USB stick that I use for all of my hardware diagnostic and virus removal software. I do have a backup of the contents but the USB stick was not cheap and when I text or call about having it returned, even after a week, all I get is silence. She might be too busy, but a considerate person would at least let you know that they are in some way. **rant off**
21 Jul 2014, 11:01 am
