Help me be a nice guy AND get paid.

December 7, 2007 5:24 AM

Whats a better way to say "Just pay me whatever you can afford for fixing your computer" than calling it a free will donation?

I work in IT and fix peoples personal computers on the side at home. I have a nice little bench set up, and it keeps me busy and gives me a little spending cash.
I know one solution for my problem, would be to just set a rate, but I also know what its like to be going through rough times and have your computer break. And my work place has people from all walks of life, so I generally tell people that its a free will donation when they ask how much to pay me.
But obviously that leaves it up to them to even pay me at all. I've been stiffed a few times, the most recent being yesterday in a system with a crapped out HD that I replaced with one I had laying around.
So I am looking for a better phrase to use, that will let them know that I expect to be payed in some manner, be it with booze, cookies, or cash but leaving how much up to them.

posted by Jonsnews to work & money (19 comments total)

Sliding scale? Barter?
posted by cabingirl at 5:31 AM on December 7, 2007

I say I will give you my "friend's rate" or I'll do a "barter" if it is for trade.
posted by coevals at 5:33 AM on December 7, 2007

When someone approaches you about a repair, smile gamely and ask "what's it worth to ya?" Have an informal negotiation before you do the work.
posted by jon1270 at 5:38 AM on December 7, 2007

I'll do it for mates rates. OTOH just get me six beers.
posted by ClanvidHorse at 5:39 AM on December 7, 2007

"I charge on a sliding scale"? "I'll accept payment in kind"?
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:41 AM on December 7, 2007

I think it would be far better for you to agree on what is acceptable payment before you start the job. That way you can eliminate any possibility of resentment.
posted by grouse at 5:48 AM on December 7, 2007

I am in your line of work. I have a set rate. I am also a nice guy.

I offer incentives and discounts. I round down. I slip in the occasional free hour, offer plenty of free advice, make myself available at all times, and keep the customer satisfied, satisfied.

You'd be better off with a set rate you can adjust as necessary. When you see someone in a rough spot, you can comp them - or offer them a lower rate or a barter.

There's no reason your side project should rely on the kindness of others. Too many people will choose to pass on the collection plate, I'm afraid.
posted by thejoshu at 5:51 AM on December 7, 2007

If its for someone that I genuinely know has little or no money or is barely scraping by, I'll say : "pay me whatever you can afford"..

If its someone who's just trying to be cheap (or I dont feel like haggling with them). I say: "Pay me whatever you think my time and expertise is worth."

I do the same kind of thing (full time IT job.. but do side work for friends/family,etc).. It comes with the territory that sometimes you are going to get stiffed or low-paid. Take it in stride and move on .
posted by jmnugent at 5:53 AM on December 7, 2007

I have a "friends and family" rate of a 12er of NewCastle.

Depending on how important the job is, they can drop the beer off with the machine or when they pick it up. :-)

Otherwise, for most side work for people not "friends and family", I charge 40-50 bucks, or more; depending. I used to charge hourly, but people with slow machines get penalized. So I went flat rate. It seems to work out better.

I make clear what the rates are before I do the work, though. I think that helps.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 5:53 AM on December 7, 2007

If you give people an out to stiff you, some people will always take it. I'd have a rate, and then with people you want to offer a deal to, say "I charge $50 an hour, but we can work something out if you'd rather barter or trade." That's makes it clear that you are not working for free.
posted by COD at 5:54 AM on December 7, 2007

You could let them know that you have "Negotiable Rates." Then allow then invite them to make the opening bid.

As in "How much do I charge? Good question I normally charge XX but my rates are negotiable. What do you think is a fair rate for this repair?" You can then choose to simply accept their first bid or actually negotiate with them to get something you feel is more in line with their economic situation.

(Of course since you are telling them that you want to negotiate, most people will make a low-ball first offer. So, you'll probably end up bargaining with a large number of your clients. You'll need to consider whether you are ok with this. (One of the best things about traveling is that I actually get to go to markets and negotiate with people. The America retail experience has many advantages but it's a bit dull.))
posted by oddman at 6:08 AM on December 7, 2007

I have to agree with thejoshu in that you can be a nice guy and charge for it.

I had an old employer who said that if you don't demand a fair price for your work, you or your service won't get the respect that you/it deserve.

And as thejoshu said, you can always reduce your fees if you feel that someone is hard on their luck.

But be warned, when it comes to money (or weaseling their way out of paying it), many people are capable of putting on Oscar-worthy performances to convince you that they are in dire straits.

And another thing - there were plenty of people in the poor neighbourhood where I used to live who couldn't afford their rent or food, but always had the nicest clothes, cell-phones, etc. In my eyes, these people had their priorities all wrong and perhaps were somewhat responsible for their predicament. You don't want to enable that behaviour with your good intentions.

How about charging full price and then donating proceeds to a charity? Or doing your work for free only for those who you are 1000% sure can benefit and will appreciate your kindness?

Finally, good on you for being thoughtful! Our society needs more people like you!
posted by bitteroldman at 6:15 AM on December 7, 2007

Very good advice so far.

I think I am going to set a rate. Maybe 25 a hour if they bring it to me, 35 if I go to them. The local places charge 45-65, so that should be a sufficiently cheap alternative. Either that, or just do like 50 bucks for cleaning up spyware/virus, etc, etc.
posted by Jonsnews at 6:33 AM on December 7, 2007

For hardware replacement, make sure you let them know how much of the rate is parts and how much is labor. Charge fair market value even if it's a part that's just laying around, or used but still good.
posted by cabingirl at 6:53 AM on December 7, 2007

I am in your same position. Fixing computers for friends and family. I charge $25 a hour and that is cheaper than any other option around me. Everyone I have worked with have been thrilled at my prices because I am a nice guy and they trust me.
posted by remthewanderer at 7:27 AM on December 7, 2007

Another thing to consider is something that you mentioned - a list of fees for specific services you offer. You could ideally do both, if you want to put a little thought into it - you could develop a suite of services with specific parameters, something like:

Spyware/Adware check/clean/defend (includes installing necessary tools (adaware, spybot) and instruction on how to run them): $x dollars
System optimization (defrag, disk cleanup, etc): $x dollars
Home networking setup/troubleshooting: $x dollars
All other services: $x/hour

And mention when you talk to people that you're willing to barter/bargain for your services.
posted by pdb at 7:59 AM on December 7, 2007

Make sure you charge for expenses--if you put in a hard drive that you have lying around, you need to charge for the hard drive itself. I don't know about market rate, but you do need to charge.
posted by sondrialiac at 10:57 AM on December 7, 2007

"Buy me lunch|dinner|a beer sometime" is my old saw for fixing friends' computers. They usually track me down and force-feed me Yeungling but YFMV.
posted by Skorgu at 12:33 PM on December 7, 2007

I used to set a rate but not expected to get paid it. I would say "I charge X amount (market rate) but I offer non profits a discount of Y, as an individual you qualify" (the discount would vary).

For small non profits with no money I would invoice for the appropriate amount and include a donation for the amount so no money changed hands but its worth was recognized.

For individuals with no money it would be: "I normally charge for this but...."

"consider it as a donation in kind to" good cause they were involved with.
"you are a friend so it will do it for free. Beer is always appreciated"
Get them to cook me dinner so the social angle was recognized.
Negotiate a trade based on time/labour/skill. This wouldn't necessarily be for myself: sometimes I would get people people to donate time to a particular project or cause.
posted by tallus at 5:17 AM on December 8, 2007