FAQ for phone call response

The qestions listed below are those most frequently asked of callers to Free Geek. They are followed by suggested responses. I recommend that each Front Desk worker have these questions handy and periodically review each for a quicker response.

• Where is the location of Free Geek?

1731 SE 10th, two and 1/2 blocks from Hawthorne between Market and Mill

• I'd like to know more about your program, can to give me information?

Thank you for your inquiry. We don't give information over the phone. All you need to do is come down for a tour. We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 7pm. We have two tours each day, one at 12pm and another at 6pm. Scheduling isn't necessary, but do be here 5 minutes early. If you want to join our program, we'll sign you up right after the tour.

• What time am I suppose to arrive today OR I can't remember when I'm suppose to arrive today?

a. ask them what program they are in, Build or Adoption (24 hour program)

b. if they don't know, check the volunteer Data Base and then

c. check the appropriate schedule sheet to find them

d. give them the information

• Do you accept what I have to donate?

a. Have a "receiving donation form" handy to answer this question

b. ALWAYS tell them that we have one required fee, which is $10 per monitor working or not

c. We cannot accept monitors with broken or exposed CRTs. Metro recycling will take them, for a fee.

d. If necessary, make sure they know that we do not accept, TV's, copiers, Microwaves, large appliances and items having a lot of wood on them.

e. let them know that we accept all computers and computer related equipment. We will take software, but for the most part it will be automatically recycled as we do not use Microsoft operating systems.

NOTE: We do accept MAC software and manuals

• I'd like to cancel for today, can I reschedule over the phone?

a. find out what program they are in and erase their name

b. then reschedule them using the appropriate schedule sheet

• I have community service hours, can I work at Free Geek?

a. Yes, we have a community service program

b. You'll need to come in for a tour before signing up

c. Please bring your paper work, as after the tour, we'll sign you up

• Do you make pickups?

a. No, we don't have a truck as yet, but it is coming

b. If the caller represents a business that has a large volume of items that we can use (P 3's or better), take a message and e-mail it to core, asking if someone would pickup items. The message should include Company name/address/contact person, e-mail and brief explanation of what they want picked up.

• Do you take credit cards?

Yes, we do accept both MasterCard and VISA. We do not accept American Express and Discover.

• I work for a youth organizastion and we wnat our kids to learn more about computers. Do you have a program that will help us?

a. Yes, we have a program called Computers for Kids

b. Explain that you will take down their information and e-mail it to the coordinator, Liane.

c. Take the following information: organization name, contact person, contact number or e-mail address (e-mail address preferred) and a brief description of what they want to learn.

d. E-mail message to Liane, liane@freegeek.org

• I have personal information on my Hard Drive, do you remove the information and provide a guarantee?

No, we do not give guaranteees, but we do wipe the hard drive clean, so that the information is irretrievable, then we place our own operating system on the hard drive. If the hard drive can not be used, we recycle it by taking the screws out and putting each component into a different bin for recycling.

• Do you charge for Donations?

Yes, we have one required fee ($10 per monitor, working or not) and a suggested fee for items too old or broken. The suggested fee is not required, but if you can help us out it will be greatly appreciated.