dexter
Full Member
Posts: 233
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
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Post by dexter on Dec 9, 2023 18:38:54 GMT
As most of us are, I’m a little crafty. I’m not a pro by any means and don’t sell, just craft as a hobbyist for fun. Once in a while someone will pay me to make something but rarely.
I made my DH a tumbler for his birthday. (Well personalized a tumbler not created a tumbler lol). I used citristrip to etch onto a tumbler and I loved how it turned out. I took it to school to show some coworkers and they were impressed. Someone not in my immediate team or department asked if anything could be etched and I said well yeah whatever stencil I cut out of vinyl.
A few days later she showed up in my room with three tumblers and asked if I could put names /designs on them. I was nervous because what if it didn’t work. And stupidly I didn’t mention any cost. I bet you can see where this is going….
2 of the 3 worked perfectly. The third just gave me fits and did not work at all. I almost ordered a new tumbler but talked myself out of it! I managed to come up with an alternate plan and she loved all the tumblers.
I stupidly assumed she would offer to compensate even if just the cost of materials!! Nothing. Don’t offer a penny. Now I am salty and it really is my fault isn’t it?
Ugh. Moral of the story it’s dont say yes I guess??
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Dec 9, 2023 18:44:07 GMT
Unfortunately, that is not unusual. The 'asked one' needs to discuss the details upfront.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Dec 9, 2023 18:44:24 GMT
Ugh. Moral of the story it’s dont say yes I guess?? No, the moral is to set a price for compensation up front. If you don't, then it is safe to assume that the average person who has the balls to ask a 'favor' like that of someone not close is most likely going to stiff you. BTDT. I think many of us who craft have had this same scenario happen to us. Way too many takers out there who want something for nothing. Sorry you had this happen to you. |
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,883
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Dec 9, 2023 19:11:47 GMT
Yes you should have set a price from the beginning. It's tacky that she assumed it would be free. But you never told her a price, so that's really on you. I'm sorry this happened though.
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Post by Lexica on Dec 9, 2023 20:08:58 GMT
Yeah, I would hazard a guess that most of us have been taken advantage of to some degree for our crafting ability. I started saying that
I would be happy to teach the person how to make their own item and would give them a list of supplies. Not one person ever took me up on being taught to do their own, either because of the cost to make their own or because they really just wanted the freebies.
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Post by littlemama on Dec 9, 2023 20:12:18 GMT
You should have given her a price when she asked you. I dont know how she would be expected to compensatw you for costs if she doesnt know the cost.
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Post by Layce on Dec 9, 2023 20:23:10 GMT
Email. "I guess we never discussed price but those tumblers are five bucks apiece. Merry Christmas, and thanks again!"
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Post by melanieg on Dec 9, 2023 20:35:28 GMT
And the next thing, she will probably bring more to get done and assume no cost as well.
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Post by ~summer~ on Dec 9, 2023 20:41:38 GMT
What is the cost of materials?
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Post by epeanymous on Dec 9, 2023 20:47:30 GMT
People who don't craft often assume crafting is cheap and that it takes little time. I am sorry!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Dec 9, 2023 21:05:49 GMT
I started saying that I would be happy to teach the person how to make their own item and would give them a list of supplies. Not one person ever took me up on being taught to do their own, either because of the cost to make their own or because they really just wanted the freebies. Not surprised! The worst one I've had is my own sister! I quilt casually and last year she asked me if I had any extra baby quilts lying around because a friend of my niece was having a baby. No because I make for specific people/events and even if I did I have never met this person. Then she hinted at me making one (she's the cheapskate in the family who wants everything for free). Told her I'd be happy to if she paid for everything and gave her a ballpark figure on what she would have to pay just for the materials and long arm quilting. Ha! Never heard another word about it. |
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,827 
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Post by CeeScraps on Dec 9, 2023 21:18:43 GMT
I started saying that I would be happy to teach the person how to make their own item and would give them a list of supplies. Not one person ever took me up on being taught to do their own, either because of the cost to make their own or because they really just wanted the freebies. Not surprised! The worst one I've had is my own sister! I quilt casually and last year she asked me if I had any extra baby quilts lying around because a friend of my niece was having a baby. No because I make for specific people/events and even if I did I have never met this person. Then she hinted at me making one (she's the cheapskate in the family who wants everything for free). Told her I'd be happy to if she paid for everything and gave her a ballpark figure on what she would have to pay just for the materials and long arm quilting. Ha! Never heard another word about it. Quilting costs scare a lot of people off. They have no idea what a quilt costs let alone the time it takes to complete one. |
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Post by disneypal on Dec 9, 2023 21:48:06 GMT
Now I am salty and it really is my fault isn’t it? Sadly, yes...I guess you have to eat the cost on this one...it amazes me though how many people think that is just so simple and free for us crafy folks to make things for them. Besides the materials, they don't have any consideration for the amount of time something like that takes. I'm sorry your spent time on these projects and didn't get compensated for it. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Dec 9, 2023 21:51:30 GMT
What is the cost of materials? I'm curious too. I think the ship has sailed on a fair price for your time and talent. But are you out any significant money for materials? If so, you might pursue that at least. |
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kate
Drama Llama
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Location: The city that doesn't sleep
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Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Dec 9, 2023 21:52:11 GMT
if I had any extra baby quilts lying around  "Oh, yeah, sure, help yourself!" Doesn't EVERYBODY just have a bunch of handmade quilts lying around for family and friends to free-shop? I asked a crafty friend-of-a-friend if she could do a similar job for me (personalized tumbler), and I asked what it would cost - it's way out of my realm of crafting, so I was ready for $5 to $30 - more than that, and I probably wouldn't have gone ahead with the job. But she wouldn't give me a price!!! I told her I would not let her do it for $0, so she said, "Okay, so just give me whatever you want." So frustrating! I didn't want to overpay or insult her by underpaying. All that is to say: You'll be doing both yourself and your friends/customers a favor by giving them a price. Don't be shy!  |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Dec 9, 2023 21:53:53 GMT
I priced the cost of having 5 smallish quilted. I have no problem with the quoted price, but rather give that to a friend, but afraid she will say payment is not needed, then what do I do?
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Dec 9, 2023 22:41:30 GMT
"Oh, yeah, sure, help yourself!" Doesn't EVERYBODY just have a bunch of handmade quilts lying around for family and friends to free-shop? Right?  Worst part is that she cross stitches, so she should have an idea of how much work and cost is involved in crafts.  She's that friend/relative who is always trying to get something for nothing though. Fortunately she lives 2 states away.  CeeScraps - I think people have gotten so used to cheap knock offs from China and Walmart prices that they truly have no clue of the true cost of arts and crafts. |
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jill8909
Junior Member
Posts: 75
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Post by jill8909 on Dec 9, 2023 22:50:47 GMT
yes it's your "fault" but don't beat yourself up over it. People have NO idea how expensive and time consuming crafting is.
I've learned to say: "Oh I never do work for anyone else. I'd be a nervous wreck."
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Post by epeanymous on Dec 9, 2023 22:52:14 GMT
Not surprised! The worst one I've had is my own sister! I quilt casually and last year she asked me if I had any extra baby quilts lying around because a friend of my niece was having a baby. No because I make for specific people/events and even if I did I have never met this person. Then she hinted at me making one (she's the cheapskate in the family who wants everything for free). Told her I'd be happy to if she paid for everything and gave her a ballpark figure on what she would have to pay just for the materials and long arm quilting. Ha! Never heard another word about it. Quilting costs scare a lot of people off. They have no idea what a quilt costs let alone the time it takes to complete one. A distant relative once asked me to make and gift her a king-sized quilt o.O. Truly baffled when I said it wasn't feasible. |
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dexter
Full Member
Posts: 233
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
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Post by dexter on Dec 9, 2023 22:58:22 GMT
What is the cost of materials? I'm curious too. I think the ship has sailed on a fair price for your time and talent. But are you out any significant money for materials? If so, you might pursue that at least. Obviously not a huge cost. But vinyl for stencil, tape, stripper, disposable brush. The greatest cost is probably the soft scrubby sponge I’ve been able to use just once so a new one for each tumbler. Time spent? A good five hours between design and work. |
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Post by ~summer~ on Dec 9, 2023 23:06:09 GMT
I'm curious too. I think the ship has sailed on a fair price for your time and talent. But are you out any significant money for materials? If so, you might pursue that at least. Obviously not a huge cost. But vinyl for stencil, tape, stripper, disposable brush. The greatest cost is probably the soft scrubby sponge I’ve been able to use just once so a new one for each tumbler. Time spent? A good five hours between design and work. so < $20 for materials? I agree, I can’t imagine not offering to reimburse you for materials (and effort!) - I also can’t imagine working on something for 5 hours though, if I didn’t really want to! |
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 9, 2023 23:10:31 GMT
Oh how frustrating! I can't believe she didn't even ask what or whether you would need to buy to make them.
A friend lent me her carpet cleaner the other day. She showed me how to do it, then left the machine with me. Prior to her bringing it over, I asked her what type of shampoo I needed to buy, then went and bought a bottle for $24. She told me that she helped another friend of hers to clean her carpets, and that friend didn't even offer to buy the shampoo, so my friend had to use her own. So thoughtless!
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Post by myshelly on Dec 9, 2023 23:11:40 GMT
I think the ship has sailed on this particular incident.
What you can and should do is have a script practiced and ready in your head for the next time this happens (and it’ll happen again if word gets around about your favor for your coworker).
“It costs about $8 in material and $20 in time per cup, so that will be $28 per cup.”
If you don’t want to do this as a business, make the cost high enough to deter people. Make it clear you won’t do it for free. Don’t budge.
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dexter
Full Member
Posts: 233
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
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Post by dexter on Dec 9, 2023 23:14:18 GMT
I have no one to blame but myself. I assume people would offer to reimburse for such a task - as I would. Yes it’s too late but I am not a business person so I like the answer no, I only craft for myself.
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Post by lisae on Dec 9, 2023 23:17:27 GMT
Yep, been there, done that. In my case I didn't expect compensation but a thank you call would have been nice. (I wasn't home when she picked up what I'd made.) When asked again by the same person, I declined to do any more.
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Post by KikiPea on Dec 9, 2023 23:24:02 GMT
"Oh, yeah, sure, help yourself!" Doesn't EVERYBODY just have a bunch of handmade quilts lying around for family and friends to free-shop? Right? Worst part is that she cross stitches, so she should have an idea of how much work and cost is involved in crafts. She's that friend/relative who is always trying to get something for nothing though. Fortunately she lives 2 states away. CeeScraps - I think people have gotten so used to cheap knock offs from China and Walmart prices that they truly have no clue of the true cost of arts and crafts. I have had customers show me things they’ve seen on Etsy for at least 1/2 the prices I charge. I told them right off the bat that those are most likely mass produced, and that if I were to make something similar, it would be “this” price. Thankfully, no one has canceled their custom order due to my prices. |
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Post by KikiPea on Dec 9, 2023 23:29:42 GMT
I have no one to blame but myself. I assume people would offer to reimburse for such a task - as I would. Yes it’s too late but I am not a business person so I like the answer no, I only craft for myself. I would think most would, but if she didn’t ask the cost, or don’t offer payment at the very beginning, I would not have put 5 hours of work into it. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Dec 9, 2023 23:30:22 GMT
Now I am salty and it really is my fault isn’t it? Sadly, yes...I guess you have to eat the cost on this one...it amazes me though how many people think that is just so simple and free for us crafy folks to make things for them. Besides the materials, they don't have any consideration for the amount of time something like that takes. I'm sorry your spent time on these projects and didn't get compensated for it. Don't get me started. The number of people who think I would just love to make it because I'm getting "free materials" for my hobby time is astounding. |
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dexter
Full Member
Posts: 233
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
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Post by dexter on Dec 9, 2023 23:30:34 GMT
I have no one to blame but myself. I assume people would offer to reimburse for such a task - as I would. Yes it’s too late but I am not a business person so I like the answer no, I only craft for myself. I would think most would, but if she didn’t ask the cost, or don’t offer payment at the very beginning, I would not have put 5 hours of work into it. Right? Lesson learned. 🙄 |
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Post by KikiPea on Dec 9, 2023 23:40:09 GMT
I would think most would, but if she didn’t ask the cost, or don’t offer payment at the very beginning, I would not have put 5 hours of work into it. Right? Lesson learned. 🙄 Yeah, it’s hard to remember sometimes, especially if it’s a friend. I have a “policy” that special orders need to be pd for up front, but it’s almost always the same person placing a huge order, and she only pays in cash. She lives about 20 min away, so I never get pmt until she picks up the order. I need to do better, but it’s hard when someone will only pay cash. She’s one of my biggest customers, though, and I want to keep her business! So far, she’s always been good for it, but like with this last order, the pieces have been made for over a month and a half! |
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Worst part is that she cross stitches, so she should have an idea of how much work and cost is involved in crafts. 
She's that friend/relative who is always trying to get something for nothing though. Fortunately she lives 2 states away. 
