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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: sir moanalot on 06 March 2008, 22:41:17

Title: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: sir moanalot on 06 March 2008, 22:41:17
its getting to the point that im gonna have to say "no" to others for my time and knowledge.
if its not sort out my computor, put up an outside light for me, clean my spark plugs, sort out my dishwasher or set up my new tele its help me install this or that.
now i dont mind helping out other people but when i dont even get offered a cuppa its time to say p*ss off. from now on its £10 an hour for my labour/knowledge and if they dont like it then get a company in !!!  present company is free of course!!!
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: markey mark on 06 March 2008, 22:43:35
Quote
its getting to the point that im gonna have to say "no" to others for my time and knowledge.
if its not sort out my computor, put up an outside light for me, clean my spark plugs, sort out my dishwasher or set up my new tele its help me install this or that.
now i dont mind helping out other people but when i dont even get offered a cuppa its time to say p*ss off. from now on its £10 an hour for my labour/knowledge and if they dont like it then get a company in !!!  present company is free of course!!!

i know exactly what you mean bud i am getting to same stage !!  >:(
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: MikeDundee on 06 March 2008, 22:46:27
Quote
its getting to the point that im gonna have to say "no" to others for my time and knowledge.
if its not sort out my computor, put up an outside light for me, clean my spark plugs, sort out my dishwasher or set up my new tele its help me install this or that.
now i dont mind helping out other people but when i dont even get offered a cuppa its time to say p*ss off. from now on its £10 an hour for my labour/knowledge and if they dont like it then get a company in !!!  present company is free of course!!!

Stopped that a long time ago, don't let on what I know or what I can do :y
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Cav9_4 on 06 March 2008, 22:52:47
Quote
Quote
its getting to the point that im gonna have to say "no" to others for my time and knowledge.
if its not sort out my computor, put up an outside light for me, clean my spark plugs, sort out my dishwasher or set up my new tele its help me install this or that.
now i dont mind helping out other people but when i dont even get offered a cuppa its time to say p*ss off. from now on its £10 an hour for my labour/knowledge and if they dont like it then get a company in !!!  present company is free of course!!!

i know exactly what you mean bud i am getting to same stage !!  >:(

I too can relate to that,been out of pocket a few times,i keep practicing the word 'no'!....i'm just like yourself sir moanalot,i do like to help in any way shape or form,but some do take the p*ss,and the thing is when they've done it they still ask for other things to be done.
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Richie London on 06 March 2008, 22:52:49
my x wifes neighbour phoned me xmas day at 1pm to come and open her back door as it was sticking. i had to put the phone down  on her in the end. all my x,s neighbours used to hassle me to do work until i gave them a price to do it, never asked again  ;)

richie
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Markjay on 06 March 2008, 23:03:12
...you can't fix all the broken computers in the world.

...you can't fix all the broken cars in the world.

Once to realise this, it is only a question of where you draw the line... and I know exactly where you are coming from.

Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 06 March 2008, 23:59:14
Ahh, the one thing that's worse than letting on that you know a thing or two about cars...

Letting on that you know a thing or two about computers... >:(

Kevin
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: sir moanalot on 07 March 2008, 07:37:32
i gave a price for 2 jobs at a house and while there got asked "while you have a drill in your hand can you just do this" the jobs i quoted for took an hour but the other "add on jobs" took another hour- she still paid the agreed amount- cheek!
my brother has always acted "stupid" and all he gets is people around to do him favours with a promise of a pint in the future..... who is really the stupid one !!!!!!!!!!! ;D
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Markjay on 07 March 2008, 09:06:58
My favourite T-shirt...:

(http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4359/geek025hi3.jpg)


Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Vmax on 07 March 2008, 09:10:53
Quote
My favourite T-shirt...:

(http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4359/geek025hi3.jpg)


HEHE I want  a few of those. get your own jam jar lid off / fix car / wash car / carry heavy stuff / mind you wifey would probably respond with Ironing / washing etc... :(   ;D
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 07 March 2008, 10:14:56
I'm thinking of printing some flyers to do TV setting up ect a £10/hour
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 March 2008, 10:43:54
When I do jobs for my neighbours they generaly dont take advantage and give me some cash or do some baby sitting in return.

If you want to make money then I would sudgest fitting 'digital' aerials (not that there is truely such a thing as they are only wide band analogue!), my neighbour had one fitted to an existing mast using existing cable for............wait for it........

200 quid!

And the trade cost of the aerial.....17 notes!
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 March 2008, 11:06:57
Digital aerial.  ;D

Must work out at about 150 quid an hour labour. 'course he's probably a highly skilled "engineer". Must be able to operate a ladder, a compass and a set of wire strippers. >:(

Reminds me of the burglar alarm company who tried to extract 80 quid out of me to come and train me on the burglar alarm when we moved into our current house, and another 20 quid to change the PIN number.

They got a bit shirty when I told them I had the installation manual and why wouldn't I just use the "NVRAM Clear" jumper and do it myself.

Kevin


Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 March 2008, 11:20:31
Quote
Reminds me of the burglar alarm company who tried to extract 80 quid out of me to come and train me on the burglar alarm when we moved into our current house, and another 20 quid to change the PIN number.

They got a bit shirty when I told them I had the installation manual and why wouldn't I just use the "NVRAM Clear" jumper and do it myself.

Kevin



Lol, I removed mine and posted it back to the installers when they got shirty about a miantenance contract when we moved in.

I sudgested that maybe a 4 zone setup wasn't ideal for a 4 bed house and so it had been miss supplied and that being the new owner I had no written deal with anyway.......I had of course applied a fully charged 50V 1000uF cap across the 7812 reg first....

I then did a proper job of fitting an 8 zone better alarm for the cost of two years support!
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 March 2008, 11:26:09
Its the window sellers I like...

Seller: Hello, we are in your area with a special offer on double glazing

Me: But, I already have double glazing

Seller: But these are wooden windows

Me: Yes

Seller: Well plastic windows are better insulators.

Me: No there not, plastic is a much worse insulator than wood.

Seller: But, you dont have to paint plastic ones.

Me: Correct but, these only get painted every 4 years and when done they are painted well so they last well.

Seller: Well you would save the cost of painting.

Me: At the cost of 5K plus for some plastic windows poorly fitted by you lot that dont look so good in order to replace my windows which have more detailing and currently have no faults on them?

Seller: I take it your not interested.

Me: I take it you dont know anything about windows....


And dont even get me started on energy salesmen..........
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 March 2008, 11:32:04
Quote
Lol, I removed mine and posted it back to the installers when they got shirty about a miantenance contract when we moved in.

I sudgested that maybe a 4 zone setup wasn't ideal for a 4 bed house and so it had been miss supplied and that being the new owner I had no written deal with anyway.......I had of course applied a fully charged 50V 1000uF cap across the 7812 reg first....

I then did a proper job of fitting an 8 zone better alarm for the cost of two years support!

 ;D

Same deal with me.  ;D Tried all sorts of threats to make me sign up to their contract to hoover spiders out of the PIRs every year. Told me the equipment would revert to their ownership and they were coming to collect it.

I took the view that it was attached to a house that I'd bought and there was no contract saying it was other than mine so they can f**k off unless they want to come uninvited and commit theft in which case they would be dealt with accordingly. They could have removed it when the previous residents left. They decided instead to try it on with me and failed.

They seem to have given up now.  ;D

Kevin
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Paulus on 07 March 2008, 12:17:35
2nd rule of Time Management...learn to say no.
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: shyboy on 07 March 2008, 12:48:30
My wife's late brother was a sparky and spent his life doing favours for others when he could have made a fortune charging just normal rates. No amount of cajoling on my part persuaded him otherwise, and I found my younger son doing the same thing a year or two ago. Fortunately he listened to me and now does nothing now unless for a reasonable return. (Unless it's for his Dad, of course).  ::)
Skill, talent and expertise is not easily acquired, and shouldn't be squandered on the ungrateful.
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 07 March 2008, 13:03:30
Quote
Its the window sellers I like...

Seller: Hello, we are in your area with a special offer on double glazing

Me: But, I already have double glazing

Seller: But these are wooden windows

Me: Yes

Seller: Well plastic windows are better insulators.

Me: No there not, plastic is a much worse insulator than wood.

Seller: But, you dont have to paint plastic ones.

Me: Correct but, these only get painted every 4 years and when done they are painted well so they last well.

Seller: Well you would save the cost of painting.

Me: At the cost of 5K plus for some plastic windows poorly fitted by you lot that dont look so good in order to replace my windows which have more detailing and currently have no faults on them?

Seller: I take it your not interested.

Me: I take it you dont know anything about windows....


And dont even get me started on energy salesmen..........


Would you like to buy some new windows?

Would you like to buy some flat glass processing software?
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: supermop on 07 March 2008, 13:03:44
Quote
My favourite T-shirt...:

(http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4359/geek025hi3.jpg)



I want that t-shirt!
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: davlad22 on 07 March 2008, 14:29:46
Quote
Seller: I take it your not interested.

Me: I take it you dont know anything about windows....
;D ;D ;D

I particularly like the plastic facsias and soffits that they nail on top of the existing rotting wood to seal in all the damp  :y  ;D
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 07 March 2008, 14:44:09
I agree the line has to be drawn somewhere, but I always help others for free in the hope that when I may need some help with something, it may be available...

Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Debs. on 07 March 2008, 14:50:23
Quote
Quote
My favourite T-shirt...:

(http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4359/geek025hi3.jpg)



I want that t-shirt!

.....`been there.....`got one!  :'(
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 07 March 2008, 14:54:44
Quote
Quote
My favourite T-shirt...:

(http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4359/geek025hi3.jpg)



I want that t-shirt!


one for me also  >:(
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 March 2008, 15:01:09
Don't suppose you've got a "I'll fix your PC / Car if you weed my gardenjungle! " one?

Kevin
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Debs. on 07 March 2008, 15:18:03
.....this altruism 'thing'; tell-me, what in it for me?  ;D ;D ;D ;D

I`ve had my good-will well drained on may occasions; but I refuse to let the  actions of such people who 'take the p**s' (or "Karma-Comedians" as I call them) ruin my willingness and pleasure to help other 'genuinely' appreciative  people.  :y
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: supermop on 07 March 2008, 15:36:54
Quote
Quote
Quote
My favourite T-shirt...:

(http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4359/geek025hi3.jpg)



I want that t-shirt!

.....`been there.....`got one!  :'(

IT support is my day job. With this, I can go to work and people just wont ask me for help, thus enabling me to be lazy and do no work.
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: shyboy on 07 March 2008, 15:49:39
Hi Debs and James,
I agree with your sentiments entirely, and I do favours for appropriate people all the time and get help myself occasionally. And that makes you nice people. But you do have to draw the line at times, because far too many people are prepared to take all and give nothing, and I find that hard to come to terms with.
It's sad, but it's a fact of modern life, IMHO.
Bill.
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 07 March 2008, 16:38:23
Quote
I agree the line has to be drawn somewhere, but I always help others for free in the hope that when I may need some help with something, it may be available...



It depends on the person
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: sir moanalot on 07 March 2008, 18:20:17
i had a persistant "extension" salesman pestering me a few weeks ago, and after telling the berk i was not interested decided to invite him around for a "size up."
did he feel a total tw*t when he turned up at my first floor flat at 7 0'clock one evening!!!
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: Debs. on 07 March 2008, 18:24:21
Quote
i had a persistant "extension" salesman pestering me a few weeks ago, and after telling the berk i was not interested decided to invite him around for a "size up."
did he feel a total tw*t when he turned up at my first floor flat at 7 0'clock one evening!!!
;D ;D ;D Genius...just brill!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: STMO123 on 07 March 2008, 18:30:03
Most of my neighbours are getting on a bit, but they never seem to ask me to do anything. Cant think why ::)
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: CaptainZok on 07 March 2008, 19:00:57
Quote
Most of my neighbours are getting on a bit, but they never seem to ask me to do anything. Cant think why ::)
They usually are in sheltered accomodation you doddering old codger. ;D
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: STMO123 on 07 March 2008, 19:29:21
Quote
Quote
Most of my neighbours are getting on a bit, but they never seem to ask me to do anything. Cant think why ::)
They usually are in sheltered accomodation you doddering old codger. ;D

You've made me wet myself.........again
 ;D ;D ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: platty on 07 March 2008, 19:51:31
I would like to think people would remember me doing them a favour and return it someday - not always the case though.

If I can think fast enough, I will try and do a part exchange of some sort - "i'll service your sh1te heap Ford if you reformat my laptop" was the latest one with a uni mate!

Generally seems to work as long as you shake on it :y
Title: Re: is it better to act stupid?
Post by: sir moanalot on 08 March 2008, 09:25:54
unfortunately most of the people who ask help and advide from me are totally bloody useless at everything, mind you i could ask them to empty my rubbish bins.............