A bit TLDR sorry, but...

Whilst it's not my job/business, I've fixed PCs for years and I'll do it for anyone who asks nicely. As with everything there's always one person who takes the piss tho and - well, a bit of history.

About a year ago I got a call from someone who had problems - a workmate of theirs had recommended me and so I arrange to pop around the next evening. When I get there - he's not in...

Called his mobile and got a tale of 'his wife' forgetting about it - so I arranged to come back the next evening. When I finally got into their house they had a config problem on their router which I fixed but their laptop was hosed with crapware and their desktop was crippled with viruses so I fixed the laptop as best as I could and then took the desktop away to repair. When I returned it (at the time they asked me to) - they weren't in...

When I called, they said they were 'busy' and I should call later - when I called the next day (withholding my number) they hung-up on me.

That was at least a year ago, their desktop is still here (it's actually a decent footrest!) but tonight I get 3 calls (which I ignored) and 3 texts asking if I'd mind popping around ASAP as their internet was off and they NEEDED IT FIXED ASAP

My primary thought is to ignore them completely but there's another part of me that thinks saying

"You owe me £x for the work I did last time and £x for this call - any use to you?" - where x is a silly sum, in excess of anything I'd take from someone who isn't - for the want of a better term - a .

WWPHD?

p.s. TXT MSG No 4 just arrived...

I'd be politely telling them to get stuffed!

I'm half expecting the classic

"You know the internet you changed the last time you were here - well it's not working now" approach in the next TXT

I wouldn`t help or take any money off them. Just say sorry, not involved with computers anymore. If they ask for theirs back, just give it back. These sort of people are really not worth the grief.

Don`t get involved, in my experience you`ll open up a world of trouble.

Best of luck

Just tell them you are too busy. Or be blunt and tell them that you wont work for them as they messed you around. Some people just need to be put straight.

That is, of course, the sensible answer - the issue I didn't mention is that I've discovered, since I got messed around, that he's a bit well-known not just for this, but also for spreading nasty rumours and other lies about people he's has any sort of falling-out with.

PC repair isn't my business - he's entitled to tell people I'm crap at it if he really wants to and I don't care BUT I'd rather not stir that pot if I don't have to - so I'm caught between either

a - exploiting his wallet
b - ignoring him entirely

I think engaging with him may not go well tho - I'm not noted for diplomacy - I think I may pretend I've changed mobile numbers...

Ask for cash upfront and the money he already owes you?

If he spreads any rumors, simply respond with a very ambiguous statement, along the lines of "Yes, I know him, I used to fix his PC, but was a little concerned with the contents of his internet history file"

As mean as I can be, that's just a BIT risky really - potential for backfire in many ways...

I like the cut of your jib tho!

If you ignore him that will wind him up and he'll start gossiping.

If you ask for your money that will wind him up and he'll start gossiping.

If you go fix his computer he won't start gossiping or pay you.

You know what to do.