No I will not fix your computer!

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So I was delivering something to another department today, when I person I've seen around but have only interacted with maybe twice walks up to me and initiated the following conversation:

HER: "So-and-so says you're good with computers..."
ME: "Uhhh..."
HER: "I brought my son's computer. Will you look at it? I have that antivirus stuff, but the screen won't work."
ME: "Uhhh... I... Guess..."
HER: "Do you think you can fix it for me? I have that antivirus stuff..."
ME: "No promises. I'll take a look."

Later, I arrived back in my department to find that it had been deposited on my workstation while I was away. I plugged it into a spare monitor, and determined that everything was fine except for the display being blank, guessed that it was probably the connection between the display and the MB, and checked with Google to see if I was way off base (which I wasn't).

I explained to her that it was probably either a loose connection, a bad cable, or a bad display, but I didn't have my tools to crack it open and check. She asked me if I could fix it, and I told her again I wouldn't make any promises. So now I'm basically committed to bring my screwdriver set to work and spend another lunch break fiddling with the computer of someone I don't even know.

First off, what the heck? Seriously. I wouldn't walk up to a coworker I never interacted with and say "I hear you make good lasagna, I brought a pan." I've helped coworkers with computer problems before, but generally because they asked nicely and were people I interacted with on a daily basis. Also, she didn't even mention paying me for this, even though she's gotta know if she took it to a PC repair shop, she'd be paying through the nose. It's not like we're friends or something, so I'm not obligated to spend my lunch break (which always gets cut short, anyway) doing her a favor.

Which brings me to my second question: Why can't I say "no" to people? I mean, granted I love to fix things, but just because I want to give my Midi-chlorians a workout doesn't mean I can't say "nope" or, "It'll cost you." I was swamped all day today, too.

I don't understand other people. Or myself for that matter.

My husband has the same problem. He is also good with computers and EVERYONE always want him to "take a look" as their computer. For free. And he never says no. What he does is he does not take a look, either. He leaves the computer there and says he will do it when he has time, and he always does everyting else but take a look at the computer, until people gets frustrated of waiting and take their computer somewhere else. You can try the same technique. Personally I do not like it. I prefer saying no upfront. But my husband seems to have a problem with saying "no", just like you.

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Yes, most of the members of my family are "good with computers" so we get this quite a bit.

Various methods we use to deal with such queries:

1. Sorry I'm not able to do that for you. You could try GeekSquad though?

2. Sure. I have a computer consulting business and I charge $75/hour.

3. *dumb look* Oh, I'm sorry to hear you're having computer difficulties. Doesn't Windows just suck wind? I liked my Mac so much better.

4. (worst case scenario) Oh, your profession is <X>...do you give away your work for free? No? Well, neither do I. (I save this one up for the random M.D. or plumber or what have you that I barely know that thinks I should fix their computer problems for them.)

5. (if the person is younger) I jokingly suggest they stop looking at porn online.

Anyway, the last thing you want to do is leave any room at all to let the person asking imagine you will do their work for free.

Many people take advantage. The sooner you learn to politely shut the door to them, the better for you.

Because even if you spend hours trying to figure out the problem, if you're unsuccessful they'll be annoyed with you anyway. And if you are successful, you'll just get more people disrespecting your time in this way.

Oh yeah, if there are any fellow musicians here, musicians get this a lot too. Because you know the caterer charges big bucks for wedding services, but YOU are supposed to just give it away for free.

My favorite is when people go up to you and say "You're smart. Could you fix my computer?" People sometimes

Yeah, I'm gonna have to tell her I can't do it, anyway.

Well, I probably could do it, and if it were my compy I'd crack that sucker open and have at it. But if I accidentally screw up, I don't want her telling me that I owe her the two grand she spent on it at Best Buy two years ago.

The weird thing is, real actual computer repairmen can't find work, and when they do, it's for far less than they're worth. I am a real computer repairman, with an actual A+ certification, and several weeks of advertising on Craigslist (because I can't afford any other form of advertising) has netted me exactly TWO calls.

1) "My PC is slow." Ok, my fee to come out and look at it is $20. "Uh, I'll call you back." He doesn't. My guess is that he called some yoyo who will charge $30 for the entire repair, and then cry when his private info ends up in the hands of the Russian Mafiya.

2) "My laptop's wireless isn't working. What's wrong?" Well, I don't know, but I could take a look at it. "Click. (hangs up)"

So yeah, life's tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid, and expect the best things in life to be free. Ask the music industry, once people expect freebies you do NOT stuff the freeloader genie back into the bottle. Hell, I saw a video clip from Atlanta about food stamp cards going on the fritz, and these women say "I'm desperate! My six kids haven't eaten since yesterday!" They looked ready to rip the head off the front line bureaucrats at the welfare office. Once people become accustomed to free, there's no going back. People will scour the earth looking for free computer repair, since for ages PCs were fixed by some geek in a garage.

IT pro (friend) needs new pipes,
the plumber (me) gets new cpu

His wife keeps volunteering us to fix everyone elses stuff
He has a T-shirt that says "no I won't fix your computer"
I need to get one that reads "no I wont fix your pipes"
on the back "especially toilets"

Just hesitate more before you answer. Say something like if I can get to it. If they make a fuss just tell them you need so much time to inspect everything. Maybe they will get impatient and take it some place else. You'll soon get the reputation your too busy and everyone will look elsewhere. Plus, don't guarantee anything.