Fixing bikes for mates sucks!!

[ManDownUnder]

Far out... sucks dunnit?

THEY always have the option of swapping the original motor back in to get it back to how it was... or THEY can pay some professional services (i.e. a mechanic) to do it if THEY are not happy with something THEY didn't pay for.

THEY are well ahead of the game at this point... and THEY need to recognise that.

THEY should also bring any problems THEY have with you - to you so answers can be gained rather than the traditional "I feel better by making them look worse".

THEY need to be avoided like the plague... and if sounds like YOU have nothing to answer for.

What would happen if you picked up the phone to them and asked about the bad reputation you seem to be getting for some reason - and take it solely from the point of view that you don't understand. Let THEM bring it to you. You might have something to learn (it doesn't sound like it but then I only have one side of the story here... not having a go - just stressing the need for a balanced perspective)

If THEY can't put up... THEY can shut up

Above all - don't let this rip you a new one. Stay generous, but avoid the leeches... there's a few of them around.

[Flip]

Dont stop helping folk because of a few nutters. You only drop yourself to their level. Im an engineer and been there done that and will probably do it again. I bet they rode the GN until the clutch pack disintergrated and thats why they are nutting out.

[MSTRS:Me]

As others have said, tis a shame that a few spoil it for the majority who would be genuinely grateful. Always the way. The odd thing is how the few always seem to be the ones to find 'you'...

[sidecar bob]

there are genuine people who actually appreciate help and most often than not, are more than willing to return favours or exchange energy that is beneficial to both parties.

And then there are dumbarse gold digging users with severe behavioural & social interaction issues that will suck up all you give & want more.

[imdying]

there are genuine people who actually appreciate help and most often than not, are more than willing to return favours or exchange energy that is beneficial to both parties.

Exchange favours eh

[Ixion]

IME the people who appreciate assistance are the ones who are entirely receptive to the idea that "I won't do it for you, but I'll assist you to do it". The ones who have a problem with doing it themselves under guidance usually have an entitlement attitude. They're not interested in helping themselves, or trying anything new, and expect someone to do it all for them.

Of course, sometimes the "guidance' may have to be fairly significant - but the point is that the person "owns" the process, no matter how much of the actual task they end up doing themselves.

[Winston001]

Good advice Ixion.

I feel for you Conq it is a bitter cup to swallow when you have helped out, only to have your name trashed afterwards.

My observation over the years is that the average person undervalues what they get for free. I'm probably guilty of that myself.

As a result I've seldom ever done contra deals - job exchanged for job. Seen it go wrong too many times including a guy who got sued because the other guy denied he'd ever got the free work he'd received.

But it would be a sad world if we didn't help each other so I guess it comes down to following Ixion's example and being careful who you say yes to.

[Squiggles]

I've only ever worked on someone elses bike once when they werent around, and i dont plan on doing it anytime soon. If they want me to do it, they can pay me to do it. But if they want to do it, with my help, thats fine by me... They must understand though, that nothing is going to happen to the bike while they're not around.

[fire eyes]

And then there are dumbarse gold digging users with severe behavioural & social interaction issues that will suck up all you give & want more.

Whoooaaaa ... yes there are those definitely .. tragic really but hey there are equally as many good folk to. It's all just an experience at the end of the day

[fire eyes]

Exchange favours eh

Oi you! Cut that out!

[phantom]

I try and avoid fixing friend's computers as the perception seems to be that we are all computer geeks who know everything about anything vaguely computer related and love being rung up at anytime of the night or day for ongoing advice. I am a technician - I fix hardware, software is the cause of me drinking too much. Not really , but someone has to take the blame. And now you have got me started, why does evryone expect to be able to borrow your tools. We run a gardening and landscaping business so everyone wants to borrow the trailer, the weedeater, the water blaster, the chainsaw, the ........ For friends we will give them a hand by turning up with our gear and helping out but we do not lend out the very things that help us make the money we need to eat and clothe ourselves and our children

[NOMIS]

What i hate most is people who ask you your advise and then say " noooo" but rararara" ... that really gets to me.

I have a friend with a bmw. Asked me advice on his car ( im qualified he doesnt have a clue )

Then he say's nah but this and that and this is right , no you do this .. WHY ASK ME IF YOU ALREADY KNOW BETTER.

Another one I had was someone brought some springs, comes round jacks up theit car in my garage then expected me to do it. I said im busy, so they go ahead pulling it apart don't know what there doing then expected me to finish it because they stuffed it up took everything out wrong, miss placed nuts and bolts almost killed themselves using my spring compressor. lost my tools. scratched my new rattle gun didn't drain the moisture out of air compressor so all the water was still sitting in it.. arrghh


** HAD TO KEEP PEOPLE LIKE THE STRANGER HAPPY *** .... as they have nothing better to do than complain about peoples typo errors on a public forum

[Slyer]

I've only ever worked on someone elses bike once when they werent around, and i dont plan on doing it anytime soon. If they want me to do it, they can pay me to do it. But if they want to do it, with my help, thats fine by me... They must understand though, that nothing is going to happen to the bike while they're not around.

Unless it's a pocket rocket and you want to ride it eh?

[The Stranger:Me]

What i hate most is people who ask you your advise and then say " noooo" but rararara" ... that really gets to me.

I have a friend with a bwm. Asked me advise on his car ( im qualified he doesnt have a clue )

Then he say s nah but this and that and this is right , no you do this .. WHY ASK ME IF YOU ALREADY NO BETTER.

Another one i had was someone broguht some springs comes round jacks up there car in my garage then expected me to do it i said im busy, so they go ahead pulling it aprat dont no what there doing then expected me to finish it because they stuffed it up took everything out wrong, missplace nuts and bolts almost killed themselves using my spring compressor. lost my tools. scratched my new rattle gun didnt drain the moisture out of air compressor so all the water was still sitting in it.. arrghh

Just a thought here.
Perhaps you could do their work for them in exchange for English and spelling lessons?

[pritch]

Then I hear that I did a crappy job and the bike is now not working as a result of my workmanship... (That is what his mum is telling ppl)

Really you should be grateful to his mum.

Her story will be a disincentive to like minded leeches among their mates. Hopefully you will be left in peace as a consequence.