So this isn't your usual "what do you call your job" thread. Rather, this is a half-rant about how most people genuinely know nothing about technology. So, I do web design. I create websites. It's not a very technically challenging job for the most part. On more than one occasion, I've had clients, friends and even family members hear the phrase "Web design", they think "IT", and then proceed to ask me if I can fix their computer. Don't get me wrong, I probably could fix their crappy laptop and upgrade their RAM, but I'm just perplexed at how, in this day and age, do people still not know anything about the internet other than the fact that it involves "computers and stuff"? It's like asking an UBER driver if he knows how fix your car. I'm just curious if anyone here has had a similar experience?
Yes, I worked as a web designer for 2 years. It's usually the older generation though. I try to explain the difference between things like PC repairs and the web, but it seemed like it went in one ear and out the other.
I experience this first hand most days. When working with clients who ask me to write web automation software I have to try to explain things without mentioning something as simple as a HTTP request. They just don't get it. On the flip side though, they're not meant to understand it. The family stuff is funny. I always get calls from family who expect me to fix their devices and expect me to know the answer. If I don't know the answer, I Google, and find the answer. I've tried to teach them how to Google but they never do. And nobody in my family ever seems to pay me.
Well, I can feel you here buddy. It is the exact same thing with a few of my family members. Specially when they are from the older generation. For example one of them never stopped to bugg me about his computer related issues. Somehow he managed it to "destroy" his lappy every few weeks/months. Of course he always asked me if I could help him, again. One day I said that I dont have time to reset windows every few weeks on his laptop. About three month´s later he helped his self since I was not available anymore. You know what he did ? He bought himself a new laptop.
This is an issue all on it's own. They assume just because you know how to do it, that you enjoy doing it as well. You don't pay people to do something they love. The owners of this farm I used to live on would always call me over to try and fix the latest issue on their computer. I lived close by, so obviously it wasn't any issue for me at all to just pop round for a quick repair session (sarcasm). One day I sent them an invoice for a couple hours work at my standard rate. They never needed my help again after that.
I have been asked on a number of occasions to fix peoples phones. Putting affiliate links on sites and buying ads does not make me fucking Steve Jobs. Always seem offended when I say no too. Then when I have to go into the explanation of knowing fuck all about phones. I get that look that says "don't get fucking sarcastic".
My dad thinks i'm a bum cos I don't have a 'regular job' or an office. My sister thinks just because I do copywriting and web design, that I also can assist with designing products/setting up WiFi routers/ and even setting up stuff like interspire. Oh well, it's just like how I assumed every school teacher would make a great parent or at least have smart kids.
Worst part is when they say - its just a really quick one or its a really easy problem..... Yea right, like you would know
On the plus side, this allows you to markup your prices 10 or 15x than it actually costs (provided they do get a positive ROI of course), because they have no idea how to do it themselves and they are paying for the knowledge mostly, not the actual work. Remind yourself of this every time you have to answer retarded questions from your clients and you will overcome the pain of repeating yourself those simple things over & over again. This is true mostly for business owners which require IM services, but the same applies to many other industries as well - lawyers, doctors, dentists, etc... all charge an arm and a leg for their knowledge! Regarding family members, I take my decisions on a per-case basis - if it's just an hour of work tops once or twice per year let's say from a family member that I have very good relations with, then I have no problem doing it. After all, you do for family! And a few hours per year won't really interrupt my business workflow. Same with friends. But if they bitch about changing this/that color or anything else repeatedly because they woke up in the middle of the night and decided they don't like it, then no, sorry my time is too valuable for that. Same with tasks that require hours to do. Once a family member asked me to build him the next "social network" big thing (a platform similar to FB) for free, because web design and development comes easy for me and doesn't take much of my time. Without even entering the discussion that creating a social network is such a huge project that one developer cannot handle alone anyway, I told him sure, it will cost you 6 figures at least. He never asked again
lol my mom thought the same thing. And I 100% understand you OP, some people even think I can hack PC's. People are truly clueless.
Every family member comes to me to fix their phones, computers, games consoles etc. Whenever I have done these in the past I just follow online tutorials or YouTube videos. I tell them to do the same but they still come back to me next time!!! If they want to find something specific or cheap they ask me to search for them even though they have their own internet connection, like I'm some sort of googling genius!
I know exactly what you mean, the other day I was asked to jailbreak a mobile phone, I can barely use mine.
I did something similar with a friend of a friend. He wanted a huge classifieds site built for free, in exchange for "a percentage of the business". It's not that I don't totally have faith in people's great ideas, but I'd rather get paid upfront for my time.
It's these melts that fall for tech support scams, paying some kid in a sweat shop $400 to install a free antivirus
Play dumb. Anytime someone asks me for free tech support I just tell them I know nothing about it and that I pay someone to fix mine. Works like a charm and they don't get mad at you for not helping.
