Giving out tips for free: Good or bad?

[Iamme]

I am in the property maintenance field as many of you probably know by now. I am never hesitant to give out advice and tips. In fact, I enjoy it. I don't find that it is hurting my chances to make a living.

But by doing so, am I wrecking it for someone else? Or...could this be a good thing? Could it be that if more people learned how to do the simplest of plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, electrical work, major appliance repairs...that maybe the price-gouging tradesmen might have to keep their prices in line?

Someone like me, can work out of their home for cheap, and make a living. But the big boys have a fleet of service mobiles and a showroom and uniforms and all that jazz that they are able to buy...with YOUR money.

I called a carb shop the other day for advice. The guy seemed friendly at first. I went to the well one to many times. I called back up and he got a little funny with me. He said the boss doesn't like it about giving out information over the phone, and that our conversation was being recorded. I suspected not only greed was the motive, but liability as well. But if it were liability, he could be recorded saying, that any advice if performed by me, comes at my own risk. I ended up going to the carb shop to buy a float,and it cost me almost $20 for this flimsy part. No other customers were on the premises. I could imagine how much they would have charged me if THEY opened up the carburetor and installed it, rather than me!

Plumbers around my neck of the woods get about $70 an hour on up. Appliance people get about $30 trip charge plus maybe $40 an hour. Wouldn't you enjoy having someone tell you for free how you can easily diagnose and fix a problem yourself? I'm sure you would.

But in replying to this post, address the ethical part of this.

I believe I should be able to give out free information. What do YOU say?

 

[Yahweh]

(For the most part,) I dont feel inclined to give people my advice unless they ask for it.

 

[michaellee]

I support myself (no wife, no children) by providing my services in person, and over the telephone. One could say my title to be that of a "computer consultant", even though that does not encompass all of which I do. Nonetheless, I provide hardware, software, customer support, and general knowledge and assistance to clients(both retailers and personal computer users).

The reason my clients call on me for assistance instead of some other company or consultant is twofold. First, I am the one introduced to them by my partner, who contacts and sells one of many hardware/software packages to them- and I perform the initial installation and any follow up troubleshooting etc.,

Second, the individuals employed at these retail establishments who also have a personal computer at home have no aversion to calling me if they have a problem or question related only to their personal computer.

How do I deal with these different scenarios?

In the first circumstance, I am paid through our company, i.e. my partner and I's- for a new installation we present a written contract which includes the cost of installation, training, labor etc..
This is a no brainer. It gets complicated after the fact... when individuals realize that because of my extremely friendly nature and amazingly brilliant computer mind that I would be the one they would call at midnight on Saturday night for help.

So, after being in this line of work for the last 7 years, what has worked for me is this:

I am paid well for the contractual work I perform for the COMPANY involved. When approached or called by individuals for personal assistance, I generally offer my assistance, over the telephone at no charge, at my convenience.

Most of these people offer to pay me, and most of the time I refuse and that is the end of it. However, some insist on paying, and I accept without question.

I have learned that although there are plenty of other computer experts to call other than me, at a price or no charge these people would prefer to call me instead of calling another expert.

What am I trying to say?

If I "give away" my advice, assistance or knowledge to these people, am I possibly hindering others from making a living?

No way. Most people, in their professional or personal lives, have certain contacts they make, be it through work or a friend. If the ones who call me and receive free advice could not do so, they would not call an unknown number in the phone book and pay for a service unknown to them. Their alternative would be to call another contact made similar to me.

I have no problem with "giving away" a service or knowledge in my field, unless it was to be abused by the recipient for future profit.

On this forum, if asked or if I see someone in need of computer assistance I am more than willing to offer ALL of what I know to help out, and at NO CHARGE WHATSOEVER. As long as I am not inconvenienced beyond what would be considered normal. I do not believe this hurts any business out there whatsover, as the person requesting help in this fashion is not going to pay to have the problem fixed- they are going to continue to ask for help- probably over the Internet- and if they look hard and long enough, they will find it. If not, they usually learn how to fix it themselves, which is exactly what I try to do as I assist them, so they do not call me for a similar problem in the future.

 

[Professor Frink]

I think most people are afraid to do something with plumbing, electrical, etc. by themselves, and I think those occupations are safe. It's one thing to know how to put in your own faucet or repair your own drywall, but I bet 97% of people would never consider repairing their own refrigerator or stove, or wiring their basement or replacing their outdated plumbing.

As far as things like computer consulting, if someone is giving away free advice, that may in fact strengthen the relationship with the customer and make the customer more beholden to that person's company, knowing that the good relationship on the business level might benefit him/her on the personal level.

I was at the shop getting an oil change a few weeks ago, and the person behind the counter was on the phone trying to tell the person on the other end to call a tow truck. Meanwhile, the stranded motorist was holding the phone up to the engine for the mechanic to listen to, to see if he could tell what was wrong. I bet after the 3rd or 4th call like that, you start to get tired of too many questions. I don't blame them for not spending all their time giving out free advice.

Frink

 

[Boo]

Nope, can't, not allowed.....It's called practicing medicine without a lisence.


Best I can tell you is go to the ER or go see your Dr.

(BTW, I've got this bridge with a great view of the NYC skyline )


Seriously though, it depends on my relationship with the individual, I may suggest trying an OTC until they can get an appointment. I will alwayssuggest they go see a Dr.


Boo

 

[arcticpenguin]

Maybe it's good, maybe it's bad. For $10 I'll give you my opinion...