Ladies? How technical are you?

[Shalla]

Just how good are you with technical things around the house? like problems with the vcr, dvd.. tv.. or dare I say car?

I know diddly squat besides pressing play and stop. Nor do I drive, since I got used to people driving me around. Given I don't really read manuals for these gadgets and gizmos other than knowing the basic. I probably should read the manuals.. but it's just not my thing.

Today, I had to call a repair man for our air conditioner. He said the rate is $22.50 for simply coming in, $85.00 for the labour. He checked it out, or so he says.. and it needs some kind of gas which starts with letter F. Freon or something. Whatever. But he didn't tell me he was going to charge for that!. Which i probably should've asked, but I assumed it was part of the labour. Duh. extra 95$ for it. He was like. There's 2 options we could do. option a.) we can fill up the F thingie and it won't take very long and it will last you for the season or until the next season, but the leak might still be there. or option b.) to which I will check for the leak, which will take more than 3 hours. So I picked option a. coz I'm dying here and need the air conditioner pronto.

I have to shell out $220 for this shiznit. :(

Not that I have any choice, but I certainly assumed I was only going to pay for the 22.50 and 85 labour charge. Shit, if I start driving, I just know I will end up being lied to by the mechanics, or resort to flirting to get a discount.


I don't know what to do. Either I have to learn these stuff.. or I marry someone who is a handyman.

probably the latter.

/end rant.

[Edited on 6-30-2005 by Lady Shalla]

[Brattt8525]

Anything technical I either take it to someone who can fix it or just buy another one. Vehicles? No way I have my Chevy service number on speed dial.

Heh.. Chevy service on speed dial.. Gotta love American made cars.

- Arkans

[Sean]

I would have just bought a new window AC unit .. they only cost like $60, forget central air.

[Skirmisher]

I'm way better with mechanical stuff than my brother.

Of course thats not setting the bar very high.

[Skirmisher]

Well now like you said if its cac...thats not bad to keep it running for the season.

[Itachi]

Lol Freon, we used to fill up balloons of it from air conditioners in junior high. Free upgraded whip-its...

[Shalla]

Originally posted by Tijay
I would have just bought a new window AC unit .. they only cost like $60, forget central air.

I don't think our windows are set up for that kind of air conditioners, since the windows are set up for winter climates. :(

[Trinitis]

Actually, he did not rip you off at all. Most places like that charge you $60-$90 an hour to come do repairs, and just because you are paying for the labor, does not mean they supply the materials.

On the other hand, I personally feel you made a bad choice. If the tank is leaking, that $85 worth of Freon is going to leak out, and you will be calling this guy again in a few months time. Not to say he minds, just showing up at your door is another $100. Cha-ching.

You should have paid the extra, and had it fixed right the first time. :) Just my opinion on the matter though.

[Edited on 6-30-2005 by Adredrin]

[Hips]

I couldn't fix something if my life depended on it. Luckily both my uncle and dad can fix just about anything there is... including my car. Comes in handy when I don't want to spend some ridiculous amount of money to have the guys at the Infiniti dealership here in town fix my car. :D

[Shalla]

I know :( I thought about that too. It's just that my sister is getting married this friday and we've all been very busy. People are coming in and out, and we have guests sleeping in 2 guest rooms at the house. My sister and I have severe asthma, and the temperature here is at 30 someting degrees c. with the humidex at 36. We are practically melting, I think I lost a couple of pounds :(

I thought of making him do the 3 hour job, but he looked really tired and exhausted to the point he was walking funny. I had to give him something to drink.. I certainly didn't want to make him stay long. I would feel really really bad.

I think he was a descent guy, and I didn't feel ripped off at all. It's my mom really who was complaining it was too expensive, but that comes naturally from her.. since she's a penny pinching nag.

It's just that when it comes to technical stuff like this, I feel very vulnerable. I have heard incidents when service men do take advantage of women when it comes to repairing stuff. I mean, throw me in the board room, I'll do presentations, manage an account and tap dance my way around my superiors at work, but getting down with the hands on job like this is not my forte'

[Edited on 6-30-2005 by Lady Shalla]

[Trinitis]

This is why man invented the "second opinion". :smilegrin:

We just got our AC fixed a few days ago. We had 3 different people come out and price quote us.

[AnticorRifling]

My wife doesn't even know how to start the lawn mower. But that's ok because she can cook and she has a nice ass and that's all she needs :cool:

That being said if I don't know how to fix it my dad does and he can walk me through anything over the phone because we speak the same language. And I don't have a problem downloading any manuals I need for stuff.

[Trinitis]

Originally posted by AnticorRifling
My wife doesn't even know how to start the lawn mower. But that's ok because she can cook and she has a nice ass and that's all she needs :cool:

That being said if I don't know how to fix it my dad does and he can walk me through anything over the phone because we speak the same language. And I don't have a problem downloading any manuals I need for stuff.

Please FOR THE LOVE OF GOD have your father contact my parents and give them lessons!!

Me helping my parents with their computer ------>:banghead:

[Sean]

Originally posted by Adredrin

On the other hand, I personally feel you made a bad choice. If the tank is leaking, that $85 worth of Freon is going to leak out, and you will be calling this guy again in a few months time. Not to say he minds, just showing up at your door is another $100. Cha-ching.


It's Canada ... summers like 8 days long.

[Trinitis]

Originally posted by Tijay

Originally posted by Adredrin

On the other hand, I personally feel you made a bad choice. If the tank is leaking, that $85 worth of Freon is going to leak out, and you will be calling this guy again in a few months time. Not to say he minds, just showing up at your door is another $100. Cha-ching.


It's Canada ... summers like 8 days long.

Oh well shit! They are in Canada?! People never tell me anything. Christ.

So you paid..what, a grand total of 75 cents for everything? Go you! :D

[AnticorRifling]

Originally posted by Adredrin

Originally posted by AnticorRifling
My wife doesn't even know how to start the lawn mower. But that's ok because she can cook and she has a nice ass and that's all she needs :cool:

That being said if I don't know how to fix it my dad does and he can walk me through anything over the phone because we speak the same language. And I don't have a problem downloading any manuals I need for stuff.

Please FOR THE LOVE OF GOD have your father contact my parents and give them lessons!!

Me helping my parents with their computer ------>:banghead:

Helping my dad fix his computer over the phone is fun. It's like "Right click on the thing that says My Computer" pause....."Ok I clicked on it" "Good now go to properties, network identifications or computer name tab" "Wait slow down! Properties......ok now what?"


And he types like 4 words a year. But he follows directions and wants to learn so it's not horrible. It's more fun to help him when I can be there though so I can see his face skew up while he's thinking.

[SpunGirl]

Wow, Shalla, you don't drive? I don't think I could survive if I didn't drive. It's one of the most fun things to do! Anyway... I'm usless when it comes to entertainment center hookup crap, which my husband is all into. We have like eight different remotes for all the shit on our main entertainment unit. If I want to watch a DVD and he's not home, I usually wind up calling him because I can't get the sound on, or something isn't right. Cars, whatever, that's what mechanics are for. I did replace the air filter on our AC last week, I was proud of myself.

At work, I r00l with the technical stuff.

-K

[Trinitis]

My parents : The computer is not working.

Me : Umm..ok what is wrong?

My parents : I think it's this damn game you installed while you were staying last weekend. The interent is broken, and it has not been working since we got back.

Me : Umm..Diablo has nothing to do with the net access, honest. There must be something else wrong.

Them : Well! SOMETHING IS WRONG and the only thing different is your stupid game!

Me : ok..so uninstall it.

20 min pass, and they call back.

Them : Ok, we fixed the internet. It was your Diablo game. We uninstalled it, and restarted the computer. While I was reaching back to turn it off, a cable fell off the computer so I plugged that back in too.

Me : .... What cable fell off?

Them : The one that connects to the modem.

Me : .....

[4a6c1]

I'm about as retardedly girly as it gets with that fix-it yourself crap. Which really gets to the men in my life (brothers, father, cousins, friends) because its not for they're lack of trying to show me how to do things.

I drive tho. OMG WTF SHALLA. How can you not love driving crazy fast EVERYWHERE??!!

But yes. I am very much computer stupid and car stupid. Basically if either one starts making funny noises one of my men get a call. I know. I'm hopeless. :no:

[Trinitis]

Originally posted by SpunGirl
Wow, Shalla, you don't drive? I don't think I could survive if I didn't drive. It's one of the most fun things to do! Anyway... I'm usless when it comes to entertainment center hookup crap, which my husband is all into. We have like eight different remotes for all the shit on our main entertainment unit. If I want to watch a DVD and he's not home, I usually wind up calling him because I can't get the sound on, or something isn't right. Cars, whatever, that's what mechanics are for. I did replace the air filter on our AC last week, I was proud of myself.

At work, I r00l with the technical stuff.

-K

MORESO WHEN SHE CALLS ME ON HER CELL WHILE DRIVING!!!

It's people like you that I yell at on the road :(

[SpunGirl]

LOL! I'm way good at talking on my cell and driving. The only accident I've ever been in was beacuse I fell asleep, I wasn't even talking on the phone! Also, Jihna sounds like a kindred driving spirit. We should have a race.

-K

[Shalla]

I know how to drive. I just don't have a car. And people won't let me drive their car. :( even with they're on the passenger seat. :(

[Amber]

I'm pretty mechanically inclined. Can take apart and rebuild a pc, replaced quarter panels and the bumper (with help on the bumper) on my old truck after it'd been in an accident, and can take apart and rebuild just about any piece of lab equipment I use. It's kinda fun and not really all that hard.

[4a6c1]

Originally posted by SpunGirl
Also, Jihna sounds like a kindred driving spirit. We should have a race.

-K

OMG YEZZZZZZ

[Trinitis]

Originally posted by Amber
I'm pretty mechanically inclined. Can take apart and rebuild a pc, replaced quarter panels and the bumper (with help on the bumper) on my old truck after it'd been in an accident, and can take apart and rebuild just about any piece of lab equipment I use. It's kinda fun and not really all that hard.

No, no it's not. But see, these tasks require LOGIC. Now, the drawback to this is just that 98% of the female population is born without logic. :D

[peam]

I'm not a lady, but I can fix anything.

I learned from my Dad.

[4a6c1]

Originally posted by Adredrin

Originally posted by Amber
I'm pretty mechanically inclined. Can take apart and rebuild a pc, replaced quarter panels and the bumper (with help on the bumper) on my old truck after it'd been in an accident, and can take apart and rebuild just about any piece of lab equipment I use. It's kinda fun and not really all that hard.

No, no it's not. But see, these tasks require LOGIC. Now, the drawback to this is just that 98% of the female population is born without logic. :D

Adredrin needs to learn when to be a good penis and stfu.

(I say this lovingly of course.)

[Iqxero]

It's apparently not just ladies that are born without logic, since apparently I was born with selective logic. I can fix most anything electric, four of the four computers in my house have had everything upgraded done by me for the most part, almost all the wiring for speakers and all the things of that nature I did for the most part.

I understand how simple machinery works, and I could probably draw or explain how an engine or lawn more/ac/garbage disposal works, but I would use alot of "That thing turns this thing, which pulls that along to turn this thing" I also "fix my car" by replacing the engine every 6 months. Auto Mechanic I R Not. Just wanted to make some of the girls feel better, not all guys look at broken stuff, scratch, spit and go "Yessum, I can fix that."

[Shari]

I can:

Change a tire

Change my oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter.

If I can ever find the right size goddamned screwdriver (tools dissapear in this house) I'm pretty good about taking apart small electronics and fixing them, ie: vcr, cd diskman, etc.

Computer stuff I'm just slightly ok with. I don't dare take them apart though.

But...I guess most of you aren't too suprised considering I can oxy/acet, mig, and stick weld. :D

[Apotheosis]

Originally posted by Jesae
I can:

Change a tire

Change my oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter.

If I can ever find the right size goddamned screwdriver (tools dissapear in this house) I'm pretty good about taking apart small electronics and fixing them, ie: vcr, cd diskman, etc.

Computer stuff I'm just slightly ok with. I don't dare take them apart though.

But...I guess most of you aren't too suprised considering I can oxy/acet, mig, and stick weld. :D

Jesae kicks ass in my book, and in a fight to the death, she'd definitely kick Jihna's ass.

[Edaarin]

Originally posted by Lady Shalla
I know how to drive. I just don't have a car. And people won't let me drive their car. :( even with they're on the passenger seat. :(

Luckily, women aren't allowed to drive in Virginia.

[peam]

yeehaw!

[4a6c1]

:lol:

this thread rox

[Nauriel]

hmm, I havent a damn clue about anything electrical..but I can wire the vcr, dvd, tv..etc. if there is a manual I can do it! and not have parts left over. even wired a ceiling fan once, it was one of my proudest moments :yes: cant fix a car..but I can change my tires, oil, and all the other filters. im pretty good with my changing the oil and the fuel filters on my boat too. cant mow the lawn, always had a lawn service;) computers are a alien language to me. I have basic knowledge on how to work it, and fix minor things, but thats it. I own a tool box, and actually know the names of the tools and what they are used for. Basically I will try to fix anything whether I know how to or not, I usually end up covered in grease and dont get far with fixing anything most times...but its the effort damn it! :lol: plus I look good with smudge marks on my cheeks ;)



[Edited on 6-30-2005 by Nauriel]

[Caiylania]

I do more than my husband does, even learned how to wire a car for sound> can change filters, oils, tires. Know which cable goes where on pc's and tv's. yada yada.

If someone asks where the flathead is, i answer before he does :D

only because he humors you Caiylania :)

[Leetahkin]

I learned at an early age how to wire the TV, VCR, stereo, etc etc together to make everything work nicely. Was kinda fun unhooking all the wires and then figuring out what goes where.

As far as my car goes, I don't open the hood. I get it serviced (oil change, etc) when it needs it. They can look for any other issues with my car. But if the air filter needs changing, I'm apt to have a replacement on me, because the dealership charges way too much when I can go to Auto Zone and get it cheaper.

I hate not having anyone around to help when I need something put together or fixed. I can say though I am proud to have put together the TV stand all by myself (took several hours), as well as the tall computer stand (that took a hell of a lot longer).

I never try to open something up though if it's not working right. If it's broke, I buy a new one :whistle:

I very much know how to work a lawn mower... another chore I had growing up. But don't ask me to check the oil or spark plug or anything. It has to be in good operating condition. I can add gas though.

[Atlanteax]

Originally posted by Dave
only because he humors you Caiylania :)

That or he's like...

"Damn, I got it made... I don't have to get up and do anything, my wife can fix up anything in the house. I think I'll just lay here in my lazy-boy, enjoy my beer and porn on the TV, while she brings me food too to boot!"

:lol: :yes: :lol:

[HarmNone]

I can fix most things around the house. Whether I choose to do so, or not, is another issue. Most of the time, I don't want to spend the time doing it, so I call somebody who does that for a living. I did replace the fuel injectors in my friend's kids' car a few years ago. It was kinda fun, but I don't wanna do it again. :no:

[Skeeter]

The co-dependent women make me tired. and :(

[Vixen]

I know jack about the electrical stuff in my house. But when I got my first car, my dad wouldn't let me go near the inside of the damn thing till I knew how to change the tires should I get a flat, change my own oil. And know what was what under the hood so I wouldn't get screwed over. I don't know how many times he made me do it till he finally let me drive the damn thing. "No daughter of mine is going to be some helpless woman on the side of the road"

Vixen

[Skirmisher]

Originally posted by Vixen
But when I got my first car, my dad wouldn't let me go near the inside of the damn thing till I knew how to change the tires should I get a flat, change my own oil. And know what was what under the hood so I wouldn't get screwed over. I don't know how many times he made me do it till he finally let me drive the damn thing. "No daughter of mine is going to be some helpless woman on the side of the road"

Vixen

Change "dad" to "mom" and that is exactly the same for me.

[Jazuela]

I can handle most of the problems with my computer without help, and know who to ask to walk me through anything else. I change my own oil in my truck - it's not that difficult (although sometimes the filter gets stubborn and I have to get hubby to tug it free).

As for house repairs, we don't send out. Hubby does it himself. All the electrical, plumbing, renovating, it's all him. He's pretty awesome. I act more as his helper when it comes to stuff like that, painting walls and attaching wallboard to the beams in our ceiling, that kinda thing.

I agree that it would've been more cost-efficient to get the AC fixed, rather than patched up temporarily. You'll be paying twice now, and the leak will probably just get worse and you end up with a mess on top of a repair to fix.

[Kyra]

I wind up fixing just about everything that breaks down & or needs it in my house and my car.

If I were to wait for a man to come help &/or fix it I'd be snoozing in a nursing home with my broken down car in the parking lot STILL waiting to be fixed.

I figured out how to fix the plumbing before I moved in my new house, saved about 2k doing it myself & a few weeks ago I replaced the serpentine belt & the tensioner on my car.

No way I'm paying someone big $$ to fix something when I know how or can learn how to do it myself.

K.

[DeV]

Originally posted by Jesae
I can:

Change a tire

Change my oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter.

If I can ever find the right size goddamned screwdriver (tools dissapear in this house) I'm pretty good about taking apart small electronics and fixing them, ie: vcr, cd diskman, etc.
Same. Plus, change a car battery, and I've helped my dad change the radiator and cooling fan in my old 92 Ford Exp. I can pretty much fix anything that's wrong with my computer software(thanks to the internet) but hardware is really my strong point. I built my personal computer from parts. Helping my parents figure out the internet is like a slow torture... but they're getting it.

I have my own personal tools including a drill cause, well, someone has to be handy around the house and it sure isn't my girlfriend.

[ElanthianSiren]

I'm a decent tech, nothing to go professional over. I grew up fixing cars with my dad, (he once had a fetish for old muscle mobiles), so I'm decent there. I've never taken my dishwasher apart just to see how it worked though (I had a friend who did this).

-Melissa

[Kyra]

Originally posted by ElanthianSiren
II've never taken my dishwasher apart just to see how it worked though (I had a friend who did this).

-Melissa

I think that's called a serious case of too much time on their hands?? :smilegrin:

K.

[KymberlynX]

I used to be able to do a complete oil change. I was married to a mechanic and sometimes I would help him fix cars by doing some of the simpler things like removing oil pans, making gaskets (out of beer cartons no less :lol: ), and torquing engines.

I own my own set of tools, including a power driver, that I use for hanging things on my walls at home or taking apart broken things to see if I can fix them.

I've been able to assemble everything from entertainment centers to Barbie's love bug, and I can (for the most part) assess what problems I am having with my car based on the way it sounds/drives.

I can hook up vcr/dvd/playstation as well as navigate the remote to time tapings on my vcr. I installed DSL on my computer by myself and I "fixed" a hard drive that my friend dropped when transferring it from her house to her car. (it was as simple as removing the video card and pushing it back in to make sure it was inserted correctly, but I figured it out when it looked like the dropped machine wouldn't work anymore)

As far as feeling comfortable about things when you feel like you don't know jack about repairs and/or fear that people might be taking advantage of you...all I can suggest is that if you have a friend/family member that is knowledgable in those areas, you should ask them if they can be around to lend some advice when you are having something quoted on/repaired or, get more than one quote.

[ElanthianSiren]

Originally posted by KymberlynX

As far as feeling comfortable about things when you feel like you don't know jack about repairs and/or fear that people might be taking advantage of you...all I can suggest is that if you have a friend/family member that is knowledgable in those areas, you should ask them if they can be around to lend some advice when you are having something quoted on/repaired or, get more than one quote.

that's the most sound advice I've ever heard.

My mom is incredibly tech impared -- to the point of being unable to install new hardware on her computer. She's just not tech savvy, so she'll believe pretty much anything any mechanical person tells her -- be it an electrician, car mechanic, or computer tech.

This is where dad and I come in.

-Melissa

[Back]

Some guys have posted their handiness... I know this is about the ladies, but I felt the need to butt in and discuss my successes and disasters with fix-it skillz.

Cars. I have an uncle who has coached me through numerous car repairing scenarios. Enough that I’ve problem solved break downs on my own. We changed a transmission in my ’90 Buick Le Sabre, I’ve replaced starters, generators, changed oil and transmission fluids, fuel pumps and filters, changed tires, air filters, and all that.

After years of success I have decided, fuck that, I’ll pay someone else to do it.

I can clean like the most anal person you know when I am motivated. One morning I woke up at 5am and decided to clean the stove spotless. Admittedly, this is not an everyday thing for me.

I’m good in the kitchen. I need clean dishes and an area to work in. Everything used in the food preparation process gets cleaned when its use is done.

As far as home improvement... thats where I am at a heavy loss. Mainly because I don’t know what kind of drill bit to use on drywall or concrete. I can’t even hang a fucking picture. Electricity scares the fuck out of me and forget about plumbing.

With electronics, I am a whiz. Computers, audio/video, upgrades, troubleshooting. In my career I deal with Macs and the software for graphic arts and I can usually tell you key commands off the top of my head.