scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,307 
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Post by scrappinghappy on Dec 9, 2023 23:42:55 GMT
Email. "I guess we never discussed price but those tumblers are five bucks apiece. Merry Christmas, and thanks again!" Yes, this!! |
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,307
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Post by scrappinghappy on Dec 9, 2023 23:46:40 GMT
I personally don't think that's it's too late to send an email. If you don't ask, you definitely won't be reimbursed. Think of the worst consequence? If you can live with that, then ask.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,660
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Post by bethany102399 on Dec 9, 2023 23:50:31 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? When this happened to me with DD's senior photos, photographer friend who refused payment I asked others what they paid for senior photos then venmoed him that much. |
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dexter
Full Member
Posts: 255
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
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Post by dexter on Dec 9, 2023 23:58:38 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? When this happened to me with DD's senior photos, photographer friend who refused payment I asked others what they paid for senior photos then venmoed him that much. I’ve done similar. If not cash then a gift card to somewhere the receiver would use. |
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,852
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Post by Rhondito on Dec 10, 2023 0:00:09 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. Oh I feel for you! I used to get the same requests from people who wanted me to knit things for them. They'd want me to knit them a scarf or wrap like one I was wearing, and when I told them just the yarn was $100+ they'd change their minds. I had one coworker who, two weeks before Christmas, asked me to knit hats for her 4 foster kids! I told her sorry, but I was trying to finish up my own Christmas gifts. I hope she realizes the tumblers took so long for you to make and you didn't whip them out in half an hour. Maybe you should find a way to mention that when she's around. |
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,987
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Post by Nanner on Dec 10, 2023 0:18:41 GMT
I never make things for someone who asks me to. I make things for people I care about and intend to GIVE to, but never ever when I'm specifically asked. Too much stress and I'm trying to cut that crap out of my life.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 10, 2023 5:00:47 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. She probably figured that since she provided the tumblers you already had the other materials so that expense was minimal. Not saying that’s the right thing to do at all but I can totally understand how people who don’t craft don’t have any concept of the true costs and that if you’re asking someone to use their “free” time it shouldn’t be free. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Dec 10, 2023 5:06:40 GMT
I like the answer no, I only craft for myself. What I tell people now is that if I sewed/quilted for others it would turn my hobby into a job and I prefer to keep it a hobby. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Dec 10, 2023 12:47:05 GMT
I like the answer no, I only craft for myself. What I tell people now is that if I sewed/quilted for others it would turn my hobby into a job and I prefer to keep it a hobby. This is what I say too. My hobby time is just going to be projects I choose to work on with no deadlines. |
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,903
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Post by tracylynn on Dec 10, 2023 22:05:31 GMT
People just don't get it - the costs or the TIME it takes.
Several years ago I had cross stitched a map of Italy. It was painful. It had all kinds of stitches in it, but what was worse was even the full stitches were spaced oddly and not in straight lines (for those that understand cross stitch, instead of stitches all in a row like XXXX halfway through the row it would drop down one thread and then be "off" in alignment by half a stitch for awhile). Also, there were several small motifs and tons of backstitch.
One of my coworkers saw it and found the same company made many Country charts and asked if I would do one for her. She actually said she would pay me by the hour. But I just laughed and said she wouldn't be interested in that. When she asked why, I told her it took me 168 hours to stitch that piece (and I'm a pretty fast stitcher after 30+ years stitching). She never asked again.
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390
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Post by peaname on Dec 10, 2023 22:11:31 GMT
People are clueless! I wouldn’t be surprised if she asks you for more. I’d have an answer ready!
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,805
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Post by ellen on Dec 10, 2023 22:53:03 GMT
Email. "I guess we never discussed price but those tumblers are five bucks apiece. Merry Christmas, and thanks again!" Yes, this!! I think it would totally be ok to do this. She put you on the spot and it was incredibly rude of her not to compensate you for materials. Five bucks a piece is cheap considering you had five hours into this project. If she doesn’t give you the money at least you know she is very unlikely to ask again. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 10, 2023 22:57:21 GMT
Lesson learned. At least she loved them. Consider it free asveu of your talents. Next time, charge.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Dec 10, 2023 23:13:26 GMT
People are insanely clueless! And honestly in both directions. There is the you're crafty and have all the supplies and will "enjoy" making me this for free idiots as OP discovered. And the - wow I love that skirt, I'll pay you $50 to make me one - my daughter felt terrible as she wore a cute skirt - she and my mom had made to ballet class and her friends were offering crazy amounts of money for her to make them one and it's about $2 in materials and less than half an hour to make.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 11, 2023 3:33:41 GMT
I think it would totally be ok to do this. She put you on the spot and it was incredibly rude of her not to compensate you for materials. Five bucks a piece is cheap considering you had five hours into this project. If she doesn’t give you the money at least you know she is very unlikely to ask again. If it took her five hours to make them, $5 apiece isn’t nearly enough, IMO. That’s literally less than $5 an hour once you take materials into consideration. |
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Post by Zee on Dec 11, 2023 3:37:32 GMT
I think it would totally be ok to do this. She put you on the spot and it was incredibly rude of her not to compensate you for materials. Five bucks a piece is cheap considering you had five hours into this project. If she doesn’t give you the money at least you know she is very unlikely to ask again. I wouldn't ask at this point but yes, the time would be worth a lot more than $5/apiece I bet! |
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dexter
Full Member
Posts: 255
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
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Post by dexter on Dec 11, 2023 3:43:16 GMT
People are clueless! I wouldn’t be surprised if she asks you for more. I’d have an answer ready! I am sort of worried about this! The thing is she caught me off guard and had already bought the tumblers when she asked me to do them. Kind of felt trapped. I guess if anyone else shows up with tumblers to my room I will just say while I enjoy playing, I will have to charge $10 each to do more. Lol |
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,805
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Post by ellen on Dec 11, 2023 4:15:03 GMT
I think it would totally be ok to do this. She put you on the spot and it was incredibly rude of her not to compensate you for materials. Five bucks a piece is cheap considering you had five hours into this project. If she doesn’t give you the money at least you know she is very unlikely to ask again. If it took her five hours to make them, $5 apiece isn’t nearly enough, IMO. That’s literally less than $5 an hour once you take materials into consideration. I am in complete agreement. I have made some really pretty blankets that have about $45 in yarn into them, but close to 50 hours into making them. I’ve told people that I don’t sell anything. I’m in a crochet Facebook group and someone posted something about how it’s like sex - If I like you enough it is free. If I don’t there is not enough money in the world. |
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Post by Lurkingpea on Dec 11, 2023 4:15:46 GMT
People are clueless! I wouldn’t be surprised if she asks you for more. I’d have an answer ready! I am sort of worried about this! The thing is she caught me off guard and had already bought the tumblers when she asked me to do them. Kind of felt trapped. I guess if anyone else shows up with tumblers to my room I will just say while I enjoy playing, I will have to charge $10 each to do more. Lol If each one takes an hour plus materials you are undervaluing your work. I don’t know what your coworkers are like or how many you have but are you really willing to do one for anyone that asks for 10? |
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Post by cakediva on Dec 11, 2023 13:35:51 GMT
People are clueless! I wouldn’t be surprised if she asks you for more. I’d have an answer ready! I am sort of worried about this! The thing is she caught me off guard and had already bought the tumblers when she asked me to do them. Kind of felt trapped. I guess if anyone else shows up with tumblers to my room I will just say while I enjoy playing, I will have to charge $10 each to do more. Lol Change that to $25 - to cover all your materials and your time. You need time to design & set up the project so don't undervalue yourself!! |
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,117
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Dec 11, 2023 16:09:01 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. Oh I feel for you! I used to get the same requests from people who wanted me to knit things for them. They'd want me to knit them a scarf or wrap like one I was wearing, and when I told them just the yarn was $100+ they'd change their minds. I had one coworker who, two weeks before Christmas, asked me to knit hats for her 4 foster kids! I told her sorry, but I was trying to finish up my own Christmas gifts. I hope she realizes the tumblers took so long for you to make and you didn't whip them out in half an hour. Maybe you should find a way to mention that when she's around.I agree with this. I would send the email someone else suggested about telling her they were $5 each, but then add something like this: "Please do not advertise this price to anyone else. Because we did not discuss price beforehand, I am only asking you for the cost of the tumblers I had to purchase. However, it took me several hours to complete the project and would not repeat it for just $5 per tumbler." ETA After reading again, I realize the co-worker provided the tumblers, not the OP. So I would NOT send the email about them costing $5 each. I thought OP had purchased them and should be reimbursed for that. |
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,063
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Post by scrappyesq on Dec 11, 2023 16:24:12 GMT
One of the reasons I refuse to do anything crafty for others is that they have no idea how much it costs, both the price of materials and the labor intensive side of it. I would never give anyone something I made that didn't meet the perfectionist standards I have for things I make myself. My response to requests is always "I craft for me because it makes me happy and I doubt I would feel the same making things for others".
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Post by auntkelly on Dec 11, 2023 16:41:47 GMT
I think it’s too late to ask for payment at this point.
I would just consider it a lesson learned and decide now what your response will be when others ask you to craft something.
I believe this incident just verifies the old adage about there being two types of people in the world-the givers and the takers. I think the takers see nothing wrong with asking you to make something for them for free. Most of them wouldn’t be willing to pay the cost of the raw materials, much less the price of labor.
If I made beautiful crafts, I would much rather surprise a giver who would treasure my craft than make isomething for a taker who was paying a pittance for my time and even then probably thinks they’re overpaying.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,727
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Dec 11, 2023 16:52:06 GMT
Aw, man. I'm sorry they took advantage of you.  |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,060
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Post by pinklady on Dec 11, 2023 17:28:23 GMT
Email. "I guess we never discussed price but those tumblers are five bucks apiece. Merry Christmas, and thanks again!" Absolutely NOT! You cannot charge someone after the fact when you never said it would cost a penny to begin with.  If I got this email, you would not like the response you got. Honestly, I think there may be more to the story about the way the conversation went down. There had to be an actual discussion about names, spelling, design, style, timing, etc. I just can't imagine a stranger dropping off tumblers and saying "here etch these for me" and walking out. ETA: meaning there was time to discuss pricing. But in any event, if it happened exactly like it is stated in the OP, this needs to be chalked up to a lesson learned and next time make sure you put a price on your work or simply say no. |
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Post by epeanymous on Dec 11, 2023 17:29:41 GMT
People are clueless! I wouldn’t be surprised if she asks you for more. I’d have an answer ready! I am sort of worried about this! The thing is she caught me off guard and had already bought the tumblers when she asked me to do them. Kind of felt trapped. I guess if anyone else shows up with tumblers to my room I will just say while I enjoy playing, I will have to charge $10 each to do more. Lol I'd tell the person "oh, yeah, I don't think I realized how much time the tumblers would take or how much the materials would cost. Obviously I wasn't going to hassle [coworker], but I'm out of business!" (And if it's her, I'd just edit that second sentence to "I didn't want to hassle you since I'd already agreed to do those first tumblers.") |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 11, 2023 21:52:17 GMT
And the next thing, she will probably bring more to get done and assume no cost as well. My thought, too. I would approach her and say something like, “We never discussed cost, but I had to spend several hours and materials cost me $___, so I am asking for reimbursement of $______.” I hope she does pay you, but don’t hold your breath. I’m sure you will have a price you’ll charge going forward. I have tons of supplies, so I will often do things for free, but only for family and close friends. If you aren’t careful, people do take advantage. If she gets upset, then at least she won’t be asking for future favors, but I disagree that you shouldn’t ask to be reimbursed, at least for materials. |
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Post by workingclassdog on Dec 11, 2023 22:13:16 GMT
I am just dumbfounded she didn't offer to pay SOMETHING... REALLY she didn't say anything? Kiss my ass? (lol) or anything?? WOW the nerve of some people!
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Post by Clair on Dec 11, 2023 22:44:02 GMT
I would just let what happened go and take it as a lesson.
If she asks for more tell her...
I was happy to do the first three as a favor but going forward I need to charge $xxx per mug because it takes a lot of time and materials to etch each mug.
Or
I was happy to do the first three mugs as a favor but because of the time involved - xxx per mug - I just don't have the time to do any more.
And if it's another person asking say...I'd love to but the cost is xxx per mug or I'd love to but I don't have time.
You should be nice and direct. I think people would be very understanding with any of these responses.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,968
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Dec 11, 2023 22:51:41 GMT
I am surprised that the coworker would take the items and not offer any payment in return. Perhaps she feels you are better friends with her than just being a coworker?
Does she do anything similar that you could ask her to do in return? Like sell make up or pampered chef, or some other kind of crafting?
I would for sure have a response ready for the next time she or someone else asks you to do some mugs. I would probably also find a way to casually ask if her recipients liked the mugs. That would be a nice way to bring it up if she then asks you for more, you could talk price then or casually say about it being a learning lesson on how much time and materials it took, and that you were going to have to charge in the future.
I would definitely chalk it up as a learning experience and not ask her to pay at this point.
I am a graphic designer, sewer and crafter, and I am always getting asked to help with this project or that project. I have kicked myself many times for not asking for more money for my time, talents, and materials.
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If I got this email, you would not like the response you got.
