“Have you plugged it in?” is a phrase computer tech customer service workers find themselves asking a lot. Many issues people have with technology are only issues if you aren’t using common sense.

See why the worker in this story was baffled why his customer wanted help.

Being able to read makes me a tech support wizard!

Just been out on a customer’s site doing a repair. Completely routine job, went fine, nothing exciting.

After completing the repair, I was told to go to the office so we could complete the paperwork for the job (because my boss likes to get paid for the work we do).

It looked like an easy job.

I knocked on the door, “Yeah, come on in mate, grab a seat.”

The office was not exactly overstocked with chairs (two in fact, one for each desk), so I had to walk past old mate standing at the photocopier (actually a printer/scanner/copier/fax).

As I walked past, I glanced down at the screen to see an error message: “Open door A, clear paper jam.”

Complete with a pretty animation showing door A opening.

So I sat there, aimlessly browsing my phone while old mate muttered to himself.

After a minute or two, he apologized for the delay, but he was having problems with the photocopier.

Beyond easy. Like a small child could fix it.

Looking up from my phone, I noticed a label on the end of the machine that said “Door A”, which corresponded with the animation I’d seen earlier.

Feeling brave, I suggested that he try opening Door A, perhaps using what appeared to be a latch handle next to the “Door A” label. When he looked at me blankly, I helpfully pointed at said latch handle.

Lo and behold, Door A duly opened. Old mate was standing there with a stunned. “Now what do I do?” expression on his face, so I stood up and looked behind door A.

There was a piece of wrinkled up paper plainly visible, so I suggested he try removing it, then close door A.

It was a “What is this sorcery?” moment.

Following my suggestions, the instant door A clicked shut the machine sprang to life, spitting out about 30 sheets of paper.

“Thanks mate, you’re a wizard. I can’t understand these super-dooper complicated contraptions!”

Mate, even if you can’t read — it’s got an animation showing you what do do!

Here is what people are saying.

Seems that way.

I bet it happens a lot.

LOL endless supply.

This made me laugh. Long live the goats.

At least it’s easy work.

Imagine how much money companies waste on laziness and ignorance.

If you liked that story, check out this post about an oblivious CEO who tells a web developer to “act his wage”… and it results in 30% of the workforce being laid off.