Mother told her friend she doesnt have to pay me?

I think that not only has your mum caused you problems with this customer this time, but it will also impact any future potential work with her.

She was initially happy with the agreed price but as a result of your mum’s input, now probably feels put out and hard done by paying the price instead of £10. She will potentially feel the same regarding any future work so won’t use you and this also won’t exactly lead to any future word-of-mouth recommendations.

You also want to be careful (assuming your work is done locally?) that others don’t think you’re doing work cheaply for others - or your mum goes round continuing to cheapen your services! Not good for business!

I’m sorry the lady hasn’t replied to your message. To be honest, the fact that she was happy to leave the £10 without speaking directly to you, doesn’t say a lot about her.

There are no friends when it comes to business. I've seen that too many times over the years. Too many CFs around, wanting something for nothing, or people offering your services for nothing just because someone is a friend of theirs.

Your mother is clearly utterly unreasonable about this.

However, I think you need to write this off as a businsss loss and put in place a plan to protect yourself next time.

You need a written quote for the work: £x per hour. A deposit equivalent to 1 hour at your hourly rate, terms of business on completion, An invoice issued immediately after the work with bank details and or cash on delivery.

Cut your mum out of it and never ever accept anything other than immediate payment on the day.

Your client knew the work was being done and an approx amount, she should have cash at the ready. I think your client is as much to blame as your mother.

I wonder if the client was unaware or whether she colluded with your Mum from the start.

Did she hand over the sealed envelope and say "Here's the money I owe Emma, if you could pass it on to her, please"; or might she have 'arranged' it with your Mum: "I think she was after charging me £££ - but surely she knows that we're good friends who go back years and that I'm a poor old pensioner......" ?

Your mother is not businesslike or any sort of useful employee of yours.

Seems you’ve lost out this time. Don’t involve mother again.

I think this is a perfect, tactful way of doing it - not that you should have to be tactful in the first place. Both pretending that your Mum must have assumed that it was just a 10-minute job AND making it perfectly clear to the woman, just in case she's 'forgotten', how long you spent doing the work for her.

I think if she is a much older person, who clearly had good intentions as she was willing to pay the proper amount, I would let this go, as she has been put in this position by your mother.
It is going to be very awkward, but next time she asks for this kind of work explain that it is your business and the previously agreed hourly rate will need to be the fee for it. If you feel crappy saying this, you could always add that your side business has 'tax obligations', which is most likely true but woolly enough to be a gentle sort of reason why you can't just do things for ad hoc fees.

Good luck OP!

Either you say it was a favour to your mother and a one off price or you will be charging your rate or you are v.busy. your mother should be told to keep her nose out since you are now out of pocket.

Your mother is completely unreasonable it's your business and your income.
Can you reply to the woman and tell her that your mother made a mistake and any more work will have to be at your normal rate which is x

We already know the lady won’t use a bank transfer.

Your mistake was agreeing she could pay your mum. No idea why you agreed to that tbh.

"Ah, but you clearly really enjoy doing it; and you're so good at it, I bet you'll have it done in next to no time; and you probably have loads of old scraps of spare wool lying around that you'll be glad to use up........"

Some people are just out and out users.

This

Mum either apologises to her friend and retrieves the correct amount of makes up the shortfall if she doesn't want to feel embarrassed in front of her friend. But she has to make this right. Completely out of line to do that to you. It's your livelihood!

What has your Mum said about paying the difference?! She is outrageous to do what she did

I would tell her the invoice has already been issued electronically and has to be paid in full to balance your books or the accountant will query it

Also tell her you cannot pay yourself £3 an hour as it would be illegal (I know not if your SE but she may not know!)
Quote legal minimum wage at her and infer her interference has now made you break the law! 😉

I’d guess it’s unlikely to be worthwhile going to small claims for 4 hours admin work.

The first issue is your mother, she is very out of line, she’s basically taken your money off you. Had her hand in your pocket, so she can impress her friend. The second issue is the friend, who looked to capitalise on it, and Get you to do more for very little. The pair of them together owe you an apology.

pressed enter by mistake. Edit to add, your mum needs to give you the difference, if she doesn’t want her friend to pay it’s fine, but she needs to take the hit, not you

Sounds like this woman knew she would screw you over.

Go over there and demand your money.

Your mum is being really crap here.

I presume you have spoken to your mum and said you aren’t happy with how she has interfered here, you had agreed a price with the friend and she has completely messed it all up? Have you told her not to do this again and to contact the friend and apologise?

What exactly did you text to the friend that she is ignoring?

Reply that unfortunately there has been a misunderstanding, that your mother was not in any way authorised to reduce your fee, that as that job is now complete you will consider it settled, but going forward for any future work your hourly rate will be as agreed and discussed with her previously, and you will deal with any payments yourself. Never let your mother be involved in any aspect of your business again. Personally I'd tell your mother that SHE owes you the money she refused to accept, but I guess that won't materialise 🤣

If I had been on the customer's place, I might want to speak to my friend to clarify, but still would apologise and send the remaining account asap.

I would send a message tomorrow morning saying you need paying by 5pm on Wednesday as you need to pay for X on Thursday (ideally something for a child, make them feel guilty) or they'll miss out (like a school trip).
If no payment is made I'd send an overdue invoice notice by registered mail with a due date and an note that says legal action will be taken if payment isn't made.

Absolutely not - the client has taken the mick as much as the Mum. She shouldn’t be rewarded for being a CF.

She didn't do the job at the low rate, she's expecting payment. Her mother intervened and said "don't be paying that", not the person who did the work and set the price. Why make it sound like she's ok being paid the measly sum of £10 for 4 hours work? The woman hasn't paid as far as op is concerned and still owes her the money.

I would send her something by post rather than relying on messaging in case you need to take her to small claims

I wouldn't say "I don't know what's happened" at the issue was clearly the mother and the friend intended to pay...

Perhaps say you're sorry your mum didn't let you pay the agreed amount and can she please pay by bank transfer after all.