How do you say NO?

Even if they are friends you have to say no. The main problem is that there is something you know and your former employer knows it. He asks a friend of yours to call you to get the info for free. If you say yes this time they will keep calling.<br>
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Your standard line for them HAS to be: I will come in to sort that problem out at a rate of $XX per hour. Don't give out anything further than that or you are doing yourself down.

Oops! I wish you had responded sooner, Zel. I just told a manager how to open a script for editing (he INSISTED). Life could become very interesting in a few minutes.

Alt - I agree with Zel - that your line should be: &quot;I'm happy to help at the standard contract rate of $XXX per hour.&quot;<br>
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&lt;smile&gt;<br>
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Mike<br>
<p>Mike Lacey<br><a href=mailto:Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com>Mike_Lacey@Cargill.Com</a><br><a href= Cargill's Corporate Web Site</a><br>

Mike and Zel, you're both right (but I like Mike's $XXX figure a little more). I guess I've been a bit undisciplined. Releasing ANY information just encourages them to create a bigger mess for me to clean up when they finally decide to cough up some cash.<br>
It's sad, though. Two departments are already shuffing through reams of paper and using WordPad to generate their reports.<br>
But I really don't feel too guilty. The company is sending a security guard to classes so he can learn how to re-write all the software so it will work forever and ever and ever (maybe even the week after they lay HIM off).<br>
The line &quot;I told you so&quot; is starting to convey a certain sense of satisfaction.

If they're accusing you of doing incomplete sytems that won't run without you, just walk away. (Get Caller ID, so you don't have to even answer the phone etc.)<br>
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If they are just finding out that life ain't as simple as it looks and want a little help, charge 'em your $XXXX ;-) per hour rate and help 'em out. But don't give anything away. <br>
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Even if you have friends there that are suffering, the <i>company</i> screwed you. They felt your work was done enough to dump you, therefore, by their own admission through their actions, you don't <i>owe</i> them anything. <p> Jeff<br><a href=mailto: masterracker@hotmail.com> masterracker@hotmail.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br> Of all the things I've lost in life, I miss my mind the most ...

I agree with all the previous posts and only have this to add:<br><br>Remember why you left the company in the first place and use that when dealing with them!<br><br><br>Marty<br><br><A HREF=" TARGET="_new"> <p>MartyLogo<br><a href=mailto:MartyLogo@netzero.net>MartyLogo@netzero.net</a><br><a href= to my Main Page!</a><br>Logo & Web Page Designs Inc.

I'd like to add my two cents,<br><br>it isn't anything personal, just business!<br>Besides you have to eat as well. <p> fenris<br><a href=mailto:fenris@hotmail.com>fenris@hotmail.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>

My Opinion is, that if the company needs your help, they should be willing to pay for your help, just like they pay every other employee, if they are dependant on a non-employee at the time, they should consider hiring someone who can do the work, but I guess if they wana keep calling you up, just shows they would rather get free information(who wouldnt want free info) I normally give free help to alot of people online, but if its a company seeking my help, I'd much rather get paid for it since they might become attached (hehe those leeches). anyways Hang in there. <p>Karl<br><a href=mailto:kb244@kb244.8m.com>kb244@kb244.8m.com</a><br><a href= </a><br>Experienced in , or have messed with : VC++, Borland C++ Builder, VJ++6(starting),VB-Dos, VB1 thru VB6, Delphi 3 pro, Borland C++ 3(DOS), Borland C++ 4.5, HTML,Visual InterDev 6, ASP(WebProgramming), QBasic(least i didnt start with COBOL)

I thought of another thing, if they pay you as a consoltant, it is cheaper for them. They don't have to pay taxes, insurance, benefits, etc. on you. So what you could do is start a company and bill them through it. Some of the perks that I know of for having your own company are that you can write some or all the costs of your computer systems, travel, meals etc.<br><br>This might be an alternative for you. <p> fenris<br><a href=mailto:fenris@hotmail.com>fenris@hotmail.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>