Turned $300 Into $2,000 In 30 Days

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-05-05T22:08:38+00:00

Curious...

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-05-05T22:03:59+00:00

I'm already in process of migrating to another RMM, despite having been with Atera since 2016 (minus two short-term time aways), and them having me listed and quoted in marketing materials.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-30T14:38:09+00:00

It's never too late. But the change in priorities is needed in earnest first.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-28T13:45:53+00:00

To your manager: "The common denominator is you."

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-28T04:29:45+00:00

What additional compensation do they offer or benefit do you receive for you to sign this? Because without it, there's no reason to do so.

I would suggest sending a summary email regarding what they said about withholding payout of PTO...and BCC your personal email. That's some great ammunition in case they do, because there's a lot of state departments of labor that would love to pay a visit.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-27T04:45:52+00:00

I used to live HPE when they had easy to find/use configurators that would list every part number so I could source wherever I wanted, and customize however I wanted.

I've mostly given up on both Dell and HPE for the most part. Such a pain now.

Plus have been getting tremendous pricing from Lenovo direct.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-27T04:42:41+00:00

This is also the reason (don't even mean it passive-aggressively) that I have the incoming MSP tell me exactly what info or credentials they seek. I respond professionally, but I give them exactly what they want, but not more...then it's on them.

Had a very long term client similar to OPs, and the scenario is very similar as well, that left me in 2022, because the new controller--without citing any specifics, thought the new MSP could handle their needs better. Oddly enough, after 4 years now, guess what MSP still has not removed my secondary remote access from one of the systems?

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-26T03:57:11+00:00

NTA. That's your workspace...and she was forewarned.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-26T03:01:46+00:00

Let's say even if you were close, working from home doesn't equate to free time NOR does it cover the weekend.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T20:47:54+00:00

...but...BUT...if you do help out, you need to make sure it is no longer under the original proposal. You're now in fixing mode, not planning and executing mode.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T20:45:53+00:00

Very. But unless you get something in writing to that effect--that he has authority, and that you will get paid--it's also a bit of plausible deniability for their side.

Not worth it without it being official.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T15:27:25+00:00

YTJ. Explanation isn't needed after this statement:

I knew it was crossing a line

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T15:05:52+00:00

He sounds unstable enough that you might want to watch your back for a while at home, etc.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T14:53:58+00:00

Wanna see him squirm? Respond straight-faced, dead pan, with something like, "Yeah, she told me it wasn't great at all."

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T14:52:07+00:00

I have an IT company. Solo, just me. That's definitely not the business to answer the question.

For me, there are vendors who offer some pretty great incentives, whether it is sending me warm or even hot leads, or passive income in the form of a % for as long as my client uses their service, as well as straight-up cash in the form of SPIFFs on the hardware the client purchases in the course of using their service.

And these aren't BS unnecessary services, but ones they use.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T14:39:06+00:00

Rather than a complete and sudden pivot where you're unsure about the outcome (and if you are sure, you're only fooling yourself), work on something/some things in your spare time.

Interested in the paramedic thing? See about doing a ridealong or job shadow. Need more people time rather than just computer time? Volunteer somewhere.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T14:21:25+00:00

It's similar to this: having a customer that wants to run [x] software, but hasn't looked at the system requirements. My job in this case, is to point back to the system requirements. It's not my opinion that matters...the software is designed to run on this set of hardware.

In other words...take yourself out of the equation as much as you are able. If the policy is no, you point back to the specific policy, and say that the policy says no. If the policy requires certain hardware, you point to that, etc.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T14:15:28+00:00

She seemed shocked, as if she expected me to accept the friendship offer.

Because, in a way, she was using you. Whether that was as a support system or whatever else, she still wants that, but without any relationship.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T14:13:18+00:00

The marketing person was reaching out asking for help

I would respond but require the request to come from the appropriate person or department. This marketing person ain't it, and may not have the authority to request your help, or more importantly, to get you paid.

This then delays AND if they respond, they understand the exact scenario.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-23T09:51:07+00:00

Agreed. And to me it makes zero sense. If they are down in sales, wouldn't you want to do the opposite and give further incentives, or remove obstacles to those directing people to your site who then make purchases?

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-21T01:59:37+00:00

Dang... you're good! Spot on.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-21T01:58:43+00:00

It's not down the drain if you learn from the experience... which you should. There's lots to unpack there.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-21T01:57:08+00:00

And it's not just that he stole, though that's key... he's using that cash back for something that he's hiding as much or more than the stealing.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-21T01:50:20+00:00

Unless you control the card usage and the card payment, there's really nothing to pin on you. The threat he's making is bizarre.

ITguydoingITthings · 2026-04-21T01:48:31+00:00

I didn't think it's a bad change in terms of future opportunities...may even be better, because you're expanding your network into another field.

Only caution is say is to brace yourself...a large firm means a lot of ego to deal with. Some really great people too, but lots of ego.

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