I run a small business. I’m worried I’ll be identifiable so I’m changing some of the points and product to disguise, so it may not make complete sense but that’s because I’m being careful!
My business is my only income, so I have to be tough which doesn’t come naturally. I run, let’s say, ballet classes. There’s 6 a year and as my reputation has grown, are in demand. As such, I’ve increased the size of the space I rent to accommodate. When I first put out the dates, I want to guarantee I’ll have a set amount of bookings to cover my cost and drive traffic. I offer the classes at a very reduced rate if the package is bought.
A woman bought them, 6 months ahead, and all was well. That meant the number of discounted packages sold out and the price went up.
Now, the woman has found out she got into some classes at an expensive and prestigious ballet school, so doesn’t need my little fun classes anymore. She asked for a refund. I pointed to the terms and conditions which say no refunds after the initial 14 day cooling off period that she agreed to.
She then decided, due to the time of when she tried to cancel, that she’d come to the first class. After that, she emailed to say how amazing it was but since she’s going to the prestigious classes, she doesn’t need mine. I reminded her of the refund policy and she said that it was fair, but could she sell her place on.
Whilst not transferable, I understood the dilemma and felt bad so agreed, provided I did not facilitate finding someone new at all. Instead, she can just tell me the name of the new person I should expect.
I run a small Facebook group which is where most my customers come from but some go to other competitors classes and that’s fine, it’s mainly to talk about ballet and share videos of ballet moves / recitals etc. I am the only lead of it and there are definitely many people in the group who haven’t yet booked my class but may potentially, closer to the time, on a class by class basis.
She has asked to post advertising her sale of my classes on there. I feel this may deprive me of a future customer. I am fine if she has a friend or someone in another group (plenty of dance groups out there) to sell to, but in a community I put many hours to and how I built my business, feels like I’d be taking money from myself.
This was longwinded, sorry. So, what would you do? Allow her to post in my group or not?
YANBU - don’t let her post in your group but she can find someone elsewhere
YABU - just let her post