A lovely surprise offer has come from someone I have never met. A fuzzy feelgood factor has entered my phase of worrying about how to deal with changing my HP laptop from Windows 7, which Microsoft are due to part company with in January, to Windows 10 which I have avoided upgrading to. I heard it is difficult to learn, I don't have a relative who can sort things out, and the few I.T. Consultants I have found by their advertising , who have sometimes fixed a breakdown or done a service, have cost between £70 - £100 a time. I believe getting a professional to do the required upgrade is a frightening cost, and had not favoured any particular past experience.
So I turned to Chris, a chap who was a friend and colleague of my husband. Last year, he said he wished he could advise on computers for me , but his knowledge had become limited re keeping up with the changing I.T.world. BUT he had acquired a 'son-in-law-to-be; who is an I.T. Consultant. If you get in touch over a problem, he said, I can refer to Matt.
Last night I did exactly that, and I obviously intended paying if Matt would help.
Today Chris, who had taken relevant details from me (HP model number, serial number etc) emailed me that Matt could have my laptop to upgrade it over the weekend (Chris will collect in the morning) and all for £30 cash. Unbelievable! I expected it to go to three figures, rather than take advantage, but will up it anyway.
Meanwhile I have sent for a book on How to use Windows 10, to arrive on Monday. After getting used to pitfalls of how to source tradesmen etc and some rip-offs along the way, things are looking up. On my current little list of excellent tradesmen acquired through word-of-mouth, I now add this new surprise offer from a young professional, in great hopes.