I have a full time job in the automotive field, but a couple people I know call me from time to time for computer help and they pay me a modest fee.
One of my clients lives right across the street from me. He’s in his upper 70’s and still does accounting work for one client. It is very obvious to me that he is starting to lose it; he frequently forgets how to do something I showed him how to do several times, he has trouble navigating accounting processes involving governmental websites, sometimes he can’t even open a simple attachment in an email in OE.
He called me this morning at my work trying to open the attachment, saying that it was very important from a legal standpoint that he open it. I felt very awkward trying to tell him “double-click the email itself so you can see the attachment clearly” when those around me are talking about vehicle needs. And of course, he still couldn’t figure it out. Chances are I will go over there later this evening and be able to open it right away.
Has anyone else ever been in this situation? If so, how do you handle it without alienating or even insulting a customer without trying?