Any other turd polishers here? A rant

[hornadylnl]

It never fails that whether at home, work or other family, I always get the call to unfarq everything. You know, the family member or friend who always buys the wrong or cheapest thing they can find and then want to put the responsibility of fixing it on me.

I have an elderly grandfather who can't do much for himself anymore and I'm the closest relative to help him. I don't mind helping him as I owe almost everything I am to that man. He taught me the value of money and worth ethic. It just gets frustrating that I'm the only one of the family that bothers to help. Some family don't have the option as they are far away. Others aren't more than 30 minutes away and only see him at family gatherings. I'm just waiting for any family members to open their mouths after my grandfather dies about how this or that isn't fair come inheritance time. Or about how much he pays me to do this or that for him. I don't do it for the money and I don't expect him to pay me. Some would think I should do it for free as he's family. I wouldn't do what I do for him for someone else for what he pays me.

I have an elderly neighbor that is doing a home improvement on his house. It is absolutely hosed from the get go. I understand that the guy is doing what he can with what limited money he has. I'd normally offer to help the guy but there is no way that I can do anything to make it right with what is available. I always feel like the bad guy by having to tell someone that they need to spend money and buy the right stuff.

At work, it never fails that I always go to work on something and if it were fixed right the first time, I wouldn't have to be fixing it again. I'd rather spend my 10 hour shift standing on my head rebuilding a hydraulic valve bank than have to spend 1 hour fixing something that was farqed up by some lazy idiot.

My biggest problem is that I'm too nice of a guy (despite what my appearance on here may be, I'm not a confrontational person) and don't want to tell someone that it's not my problem. It's just frustrating being handed a turd by someone and expected to be able to polish it to a perfect shine.

 

[x10]

amen brother

I get cars, electronics, guns, ect.

either it was junk to start with or they made it junk, and the real story is not that they can't get it fixed they don't want to spend the f'in muny

OR

you give them detailed instructions, including model number, place of purchase, exact name and brand, and they find something close somewhere else cheaper and want it to work the same,

can we tazer people when they do that?

 

[tyler34]

I'm in the same boat. my mom calls me at least every other day with some redundant task that can't wait and I need to come fix it no matter what I'm doing, luckily I'm able to talk her through most things. I guess the mistake I made is actually having pride in being able to do almost anything and do it good and quickly while my other family members half a$$ed everything so they could get out of whatever they where doing. so morale of the story don't let everybody know how awesome you are or they will want you to do everything.

 

[Bubba]

 

[Fletch]

Everyone in my family: "You're the computer expert. What kind of computer should I buy?"

Me: "What do you want to do with it?"

Them: "Surf the web, check email, nothin fancy. I just don't want it to have problems with spyware and viruses and all that."

Me: "Buy a Mac."

(a few months later)

Them: "Can you help me out? That new PC I bought isn't working anymore. I try to check my email, and all I get is a bunch of popup windows advertising porn sites and Viagra."

Me:

This has been going on for over a decade.

 

[Uralguy]

Take it as the complement that it is. When the SHTF who do people come to? The mechanically inclined. Hell, even Hot Chicks will talk to us when something they value is FUBARed.

Grease monkeys of the world unite!! (Ooops, inner voice)

 

[henktermaat]

me and cheap PCs...

 

[hornadylnl]

It's especially frustrating when someone buys something for me to put together. They have a choice between a $90 item an a $100 item. The $90 item is 10 times more difficult to put together and takes a lot longer. Which one do you think they buy?

One example of what I do for my granfather. I mow his yard for $20 with his gas and his mower and it takes me about an hour and 15 minutes to do. I feel guity taking his money as he is my grandfather. It would cost him at least twice that to have a lawn service to do it. I have cousins who have never given the slightest thought about how an 83 yo man can take care of his property. I just know one of them will find out he's paying me $20 and they'll complain. They won't like my response if they ever do.

 

[hornadylnl]

I'm in the same boat. my mom calls me at least every other day with some redundant task that can't wait and I need to come fix it no matter what I'm doing, luckily I'm able to talk her through most things. I guess the mistake I made is actually having pride in being able to do almost anything and do it good and quickly while my other family members half a$ everything so they could get out of whatever they where doing. so morale of the story don't let everybody know how awesome you are or they will want you to do everything.

You've described my family to a t. Once my grandfather is gone, some family will get a rude awakening. My "services" will cease.

 

[dice dealer]

there is only 2 people that i know that will call me for something other than them needing something .

Most of my family only contacts me when something is broke ,or they just bought somthing and don't know how to put it together .

So i feel your pain .

 

[josterman]

I dont mind helping family out, the only problem I have is when I finish the work (working on cars or computers) if something else brakes a week or two later it is my fault and I need to fix it for them at my own expense. My sister is big at that so I do not work on her car anymore.

 

[calcot7]

I've polished so many turds over the years that I am finally finding pleasure in only having to polish my own.

 

[edsinger]

Everyone in my family: "You're the computer expert.



Me: "Buy a Mac."

I dont have those issues with my pC.......

 

[hornadylnl]

I dont mind helping family out, the only problem I have is when I finish the work (working on cars or computers) if something else brakes a week or two later it is my fault and I need to fix it for them at my own expense. My sister is big at that so I do not work on her car anymore.

Isn't it nice when they act like it's your fault when you tell them they need to shell out money for parts?

 

[Benny]

I get all guns/electronics problems with my family (Dad's guns, Mom/Dad/Brother/Sister's electronics, mainly computer problems), but in turn if my car is messed up all I have to do is go to my parents house and my Dad hooks me up, so it's fair IMO. I can change my oil and break pads, but that's about it...And of course I have to fix everything in my immediate family, but that comes with the territory.

 

[Bigum1969]

I can't fix crap. Literally, I can barely jump start a car.

I've proven my ineptitude enough to my family to now completely avoid having to ever "polish turds".

 

[hotfarmboy1]

I'm with you guys, I'm one of the people alot of my family and friends always turn to for help to work on or fix something. Most of the time I help out, and sadly for little to no pay most of the time. But sometimes I just make up some sort of an excuse like dad needs my help too much and I don't have the time, or something like that. lol

 

[hornadylnl]

Not getting paid isn't nearly annoying as the idea that they have no respect for your time and that it wouldn't even occur to them to pay you. I have a plow for my truck and plow various friends, family and neighbors. I don't do it as a business and almost never take money for it but if they don't even offer, I usually don't plow them out again. It's not about the money, it's about respect and appreciation.

 

[hotfarmboy1]

Not getting paid isn't nearly annoying as the idea that they have no respect for your time and that it wouldn't even occur to them to pay you. I have a plow for my truck and plow various friends, family and neighbors. I don't do it as a business and almost never take money for it but if they don't even offer, I usually don't plow them out again. It's not about the money, it's about respect and appreciation.

Oh I agree. If they are grateful and thank me, I don't mind not being paid. After all I'm helping family/friends. But when they don't seem to care and don't show any appreciation. Then I'm done helping them if I can help it.

 

[Chefcook]

YouTube - Mythbusters - Polishing Poop