Slashdot Mirror
Cutting Off an Over-Demanding End-User?
SpaceNeeded asks: "Numbers of you will probably recognize the start of the situation. Because I work with systems, I perform occasional builds. This occasionally crosses over to support (especially where it's my kit I'm asked to support). This isn't a problem, nor is it a problem when I get the occasional support query from someone I haven't supplied a system to, but who needs assistance. This is all well and good, but I've had pretty poor year personally. I've lost two relatives and a third is in a pretty bad way in hospital. An eleven year relationship ended a couple of months back, and I'm now having to perform _all_ the domestic tasks that used to be shared. Between these few things and my regular job I'm finding I have a whole lot less time to allow to support calls. What methods do you know of for gently cutting off someone, support-wise?"
"I have a regular end-user who is the one that we all dread. They have little interest in PC systems for itself, and regularly call up with problems, usually related to Windows spy-ware/Trojans/Viruses. I haven't supplied the systems, which comprises of two Dells and a Tosh laptop. Although I quite like them personally, I really don't need the hassle of their regular calls at the moment.
Before the regular cries of 'Supply Ubuntu' get too loud - that will _not_ work. They aren't up to Windows after a couple of years, and will expect interoperability with Windows systems (through college/employer) and don't have the technical skills to manage a *nix system."
Before the regular cries of 'Supply Ubuntu' get too loud - that will _not_ work. They aren't up to Windows after a couple of years, and will expect interoperability with Windows systems (through college/employer) and don't have the technical skills to manage a *nix system."
give 'em some reasonable number of requests, and after that charge them $55-65 per incident (which should nicely cover the cost of having cleaners deal with at least some of the domestic stuff for you).
I know its too late, but the simple solution to the problem is to not provide support in the first place, unless you're being paid specifically for that support. Either way, refer them to someone who is willing to make a job out of support.
This is a really simple business decision - these are the customers you don't want, you need to get rid of them to have a healthy business. Dump this guy, politely, but firmly. "I'm sorry but I'm not going to be able to provide support any more because priorities have had to change and I won't have the time, it's nothing personal it's just business".
If the guy takes it badly, that's his problem.
Why not tell them the truth, and if you need to, give them the name and number of someone that would gladly help them. Perhaps you can find someone that could use the money, such as a student...
I find that increasing rates also helps, as previously mentioned.
well, of course they'll keep coming to you, because you're free, and you never say no. One or both of these has to change.
The reason girls and Windows users don't understand UNIX is because all the documentation is in Man files.
I wound down the suport aspect of my business a while back but the only way to get rid of the support people was to start raising the rates so they would find someone else.
I don't know what you charge now, but start upping it fast. Increments of 25% is a good way to wean people off stupid calls. You can always charge less, later. Demanding a 3 hour minimum is a good way to go as well (even 4 hour minimums).
How about just telling them what you told us?
"I have too much shit on my plate right now to take care of your technical problems."
You don't even owe them an explanation, it's perfectly ok to set your boundaries as you wish them to be. If after that they still bug you they're not your friends, they're just parasites.
Good luck with everything man, hang in there.
Offer to help him out if he brings his PC to your house
Definitely works.
They figure its easier for YOU to come over to their place than it is for them to:
I've seen systems sit on the floor for half a year in other people's homes, inoperable, because people are too lazy to bring them over, so they use this as an excuse to buy a new one ...
Wait long enough, and those systems become yours for free. Great for spare parts.
It really is OK to not give out free customer support to people, even if they're friends or family.
True enough, although I would never say no to my parents. Cleaning out their spyware is a very small return on their investment. You'll feel better for it too, unless you are a totally hopeless person.
The majority of his customers are more than likely not bastards. They have found an excellent means of support and he, being a kind person and happy to help them thus far, hasn't given them any indication the situation needs to change. I don't see why anyone should assume they won't be understanding.
Communicating the truth to the best of your ability is what I'd suggest. Not everyone needs to know every detail of your life, but being honest that you're going through a rough time and need to cut back on some aspects of your job will work. If they ask what's going on, tell them if you're comfortable; they may be able to offer _you_ some advice or kind words of support, too. If they don't understand at that point then sure, bastards. They're easy to cut off.
Something else you should do as has already been suggested is offer information to another means of support. If there isn't one you're aware of tell them that too, but make sure they know their continued support is a concern for you.
I'm really surprised at the number of people suggesting to raise prices as an only solution to get out of a situation you don't want in at all. If more money would make the situation better for you then sure, it's an honest option but, sheesh. Is directly communicating your needs to another person really scary enough to resort to random manipulation instead?
Agreed. Somehow clients don't appreciate the work done when they don't have to do it.
... what I said, in the first part of this post.
Tech support clients would be the equivalent of medical patients in my practice, and in any practice we see all sorts of people, including the needy/clingy/demanding type of person who wants everything done for him (== her). "I want an Xray!" "I want better medications!" "I want to see a specialist!" And all this after the patient declines to improve his eating habits and "forgets" to take medicine. (You can envision the equivalent scenario for tech support.)
I will often tell the patient quite frankly: "I will work very hard for you --I will bend over backwards, if necessary-- but I will NOT work harder than you." And I give them homework. Measure your blood sugar twice daily, or do your back exercises every night, or mark on your calendar when you feel the pain coming on, or whatever. Don't come back until you've done that.
Not only would this (hopefully) improve his problem, but it also gives him an appreciation for what you're doing for him. It makes him less whiney because now he doesn't feel as helpless --there's something that he can actually do about it! And, of course, if he's a real loser, he won't see you again because he's not going to do what you asked.
I realize that the OP was referring to cutting off support completely, not helping his client improve the problem. On this, I would agree with other posters who have suggested telling him the truth, and then setting him up with alternative means of support, telling the client up front that he probably won't get as good support from Geek Squad or whatever, but you can't support him any more.
Then set a deadline to cut off support: "I can support you for two more weeks, and then that's it." This is important. Tie the deadline to some milestone so that he won't push you to change it: "I start my night classes in two weeks, so that's why I can't do this any more after two weeks." (It is irrelevant whether this is the true reason; you just don't want the client to say, "Aww, how 'bout 3 weeks? How 'bout 4?")
And then if that doesn't work then
404555974007725459910684486621289147856453481154 in hex is "You sank my Battleship?"
[GPG key in journal]
If you have a relative who's a car mechanic, do you expect them to fix your car for free?
What, you think handymen don't have these "support" problems? How many times hasn't my dad fixed peoples' cars, changed the tires, changed the brakes, changed their oil, do some engine work etc... How many times haven't I witnessed friends of mine help other friends install a car stereo system, "tint" the windows etc? How many times hasn't my uncle had to help someone in the family install or fix a sattellite dish + receiver, how many times hasn't another one of my uncles helped people fix broken electronics? You know shit other people don't, and if they're friends or relatives, they often expect you to come help them for free. The good guys offer something in return; I have this kind of relationship with my sattellite dish uncle: I regularly help him with his computer, and he helps me with car stuff (most of my family knows a fair bit about cars since they all work at the Ford Motor Company plant in Genk, Belgium).
If you have a relative who is an airline pilot, do you expect them to give you free rides?
That's different; the airplane ain't his, the tickets aren't his to give away. But I suppose most airlines have this policy of letting their pilots' relatives fly cheaper, so yeah, even there you get something out of it. This question should be rephrased as "If you have a relative who's a pilot, would you expect him to give you free lessons when you learn to fly that little sports plane? I'm assuming the rental fee is yours to pay, of course; the lesson is free, but you don't expect them to spend their money to do you favors. Rephrased like this, it becomes quite similar to "if you have a relative who has a driver's license, do you expect them to teach you for free?" Gosh, well... isn't that how most of us learned to drive?
If you have a relative who is a prostitute, do you expect, umm, well anyway...
No, but I have a relative who's a hairdresser. She even offered me to cut my hair for free on several occasions. I said no, because I don't like to owe people favors. But to answer your question: if it were a good looking relative, and not too closely related (a sister would be kinda yuck, a cousin would be awkward, but your brother's wife's sister would be OK) I see no reason why I wouldn't take advantage of her services. I wouldn't expect a discount, but I'm sure I'd be getting better service than most of her other customers...
Oh God, what am I saying??? I can't betray my poor Fluffy like this! Ignore that last paragraph!
Anyway, last installment in the saga of my dad's life: a cousin of my mother came by the other day, funny how you hardly ever see them unless they need something done, but they're OK, so it's allright... Anyway, he wanted my dad's help laying new floor throughout his house. It was something like "I got a favor to ask; if you have time, could you help me lay new floor throughout the house? The old floor is busted, my tax return will come in pretty soon, and I thought of investing it in a new floor. I know you can do it since I saw you put in new floor in your own home, so if you would have some time somewhere next month, you think you could help me out? Or just show me how it's done so I can do it myself, 'coz I got no clue on how to do it myself...
Note that last part: he doesn't mind doing the work himself, but he just doesn't have the experience, and understandably doesn't want to mess up a project with this kind of expense involved. He doesn't expect my father to do all the work. My father has the choice of either coming to help, while the guy does part of the work as well, but with lesser risk of screwing up because someone knowledgeable is around to keep an eye on his work, or just teaching the guy how it's done, telling him what he needs to keep in mind while doing it. Those are the best kind of "support calls": these people know you have your own life and respect the fact that you want to manage your own time. Also
Install windows on my workstation? You crazy? Got any idea how much I paid for the damn thing?
for all your customers, send them a bill for all the work you have done. On that same bill, add an adjustment that brings that bill to $0.00. Give it a lable of "No charge for previous work" or "Service done at no cost".
Make sure your rates are posted on it.
It will list all the work you have done for them in hours and when you charge them for the next call, they have nothing to complain about. Also by charging them they will call less.
Never ever do anything for free. charge them $0.00 for it so it shows up on the invoice. always send an invoice for work done, even if its at $0.00. That shows them how much you are worth to them and they are more willing to pay for the stuff you do charge for.
Im a gamer, not a grammer major. This post is full of spelling and grammer mistakes.