I have a client who brought his old desktop computer to me – I determined the MB was dead but that the HDD was fine – no charge. I offered to install the HDD in a loaner computer which I placed in his office – the idea being that he would have immediate access to his files – no charge. In the meantime I ordered new equipment for him. After setting up the new equipment – no charge – I contacted him and advised him that I was ready to install his old HDD (PATA) into the new system (containing a new 160 GB SATA drive)so that he would continue to have access to his files. (I did adivse him that I could port his files onto the new drive – no charge – but he insisted he wanted the old drive as it was, which was fine.) HOWEVER, he insisted as well that he attend my workspace (“so I can learn how it’s done”) while I installed and set up the old drive in the new machine. My policy is that clients do not enter my workspace, so I refused. Consequently he began ranting and hung up on me. I do not work well with clients standing over my shoulder – I know how easy it is to make a mistake when distracted. Am I wrong? I get enough interuption as it is when working on systems – another distraction is not welcome. Your input would be appreciated.
