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AIBU?

to be mightily pissed off

275 replies

MooningIntoTheAbyss · 07/05/2016 08:43

I supplement my income by doing a variety of thugs but one is alterations/seamstress work.

I tend to hold a policy that I don't do work for friends/family as it creates issues (if it's not as expected or there's a problem or money type issues)

Anyway, a friend has lost weight and needed a dress altering for a wedding. She took it to a place locally but they didn't do a great job. She begged me to alter it.
This involved some 10+ hours work.
During all the begging I clearly stated multiple times that I didn't want to die to my reasons above and that I can't afford to work for free or even much discount. I usually charge £10 an hour.
She kept saying 'I'll pay you I'll pay you' 'Money isn't the issue here I really want this dress' etc etc.

You can see where this is going right?
I caved. I did the alteration. It took me ages. Not because I'm not good at it, because it involved so much unpicking and undoing of the poor work done already.

She picked it up, fits like a dream. She handed me £20. My jaw dropped a bit and she said 'what's wrong? Oh! Your not going to exploit me are you?'
I said 'it seems like your exploiting me!'

I told her how long it took and how much work and I said I would want at least £50, which is a 50% discount and she knew this from the start.
She refused.
I have her dress.
She is now sending me quite nasty messages about how I've ruined her weekend and I'm only doing this cos I'm jealous of her weight loss and stuff like that.

I'm really fucked off.
I didn't tell her a price at the start as I didn't know how long it would take.
She says I'm being U to expect her to spend this much money on one dress (original cost plus 2 alterations) and also that as were 'friend she should get mates rates.

AIBU to have kept the dress til she pays me?

OP posts:
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NorbertDentressangle · 07/05/2016 20:58

I've only just seen this thread so was skimming through it thinking "unpick all the work you've done and give it back to her like that" but what a great outcome! Smile

Enjoy your wine and £££s!

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CalleighDoodle · 07/05/2016 21:00

I Once made my niece a dress. She was 6 at the time. So not a big dress. I bought the pattern, then the fabric and thread and COUNTLESS HOURS LATER the dress was nearly done. (My mum had to hem in though as i dont know how to hem). One bloody expensive dress when time was factored in.

Well done op

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PiecesOfCake · 07/05/2016 21:23

Just popped back to read the outcome. How lovely! And well done you.

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2ManySweets · 07/05/2016 21:29

I've loved this thread. Now who's going to get the film rights? Grin

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thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 07/05/2016 22:21

Great outcome wtg Mooning! Smile

Although I've got a funny feeling the £20 was from her and the £100 was out of his pocket just to shut her the fuck up as I bet she was doing his head in bitching about it ...

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mix56 · 07/05/2016 22:29

snort !

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Buddahbelly · 08/05/2016 08:25

Wow Op im impressed and well done for sticking to your guns, fwiw can bucking please never come to me for any alterations please, she probably wouldnt be too happy that I don't charge £2 for everything either.

I specifically do Bridal alterations and £100 for them is nothing compared to the amount of time it actually takes to unpick, cut, add darts, press, hem, add zips etc then god forbid you have to alter beadwork!!

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TheJediSmurf · 08/05/2016 10:34

Just tell her you needed the money urgently and you sold it (don't actually sell it though!! Grin ) wait until after you speak to her to sell it. Wait to see her reaction she whether she just leaves in a bad mood or gives you the money and begs you for forgiveness asks if there was anyway of getting it back. Or tell her if you don't get full payment by X/X/X then you have no other choice other than to sell it. I'd go mad if that was me. Maybe ring the police? Hope you can get your money

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bigpigsmum · 08/05/2016 10:34

Oh Lordy Lordy, I'm a seamstress by profession I get this all the time, can you just... hem my jeans, fix this rip etc.

I've learnt from hubby who's in the motor trade, give them a quick quote that more than covers the work you need to do. (trust me you will learn from experience). They give you a short in take of breath and proclaim it would be cheaper to buy another frock you smile sweetly and tell them that is the difference between off the peg and making something bespoke.

Sadly in this instance you'll need to accept that she will no longer be your friend, but on the up side you won't be asked to do anything else for her.

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BuunyChops · 08/05/2016 10:58

Fucking Hell!!


Nice one

I'm going to save this thread and give to people when they ask why I don't take orders for baking; and will only do for friends/family when I want to.

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Cubtrouble · 08/05/2016 11:02

Yanbu.

Unpick your work- restitch it and shove it back in a bin bag- count your lost hours as learning time and don't ever do it again.
I once made something for a friends to give to someone for a present- my friend never paid me for it.
People at arseholes.

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falange · 08/05/2016 11:27

She ain't no friend. Cut all ties immediately.

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nbee84 · 08/05/2016 11:29

GrinWhat a great result!

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piggypoo · 08/05/2016 11:34

Give the dress back, you don't need friends like her. My mum used to work as a dress maker from home, and people were always asking her for favours, last minute alterations, and they acted so offended when she asked for payment. One so called "friend" asked her to make a christening dress for their daughter, they agreed a price, then as soon as the dress was delivered, kept "forgetting" to pay. My Mum got the money eventually, then just cut them out of her life. Good riddance to bad rubbish! :)

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MrsMimmy · 08/05/2016 11:44

Thank you for sharing the outcome - I was on tenterhooks the whole way through this saga 😁

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ZacharyQuack · 08/05/2016 11:49

I hope CrazyDressLady wears her dress to the wedding, looks and feels like a millions bucks and gets lots of compliments. Then I hope she sits on a plate of curry and tips a glass of red wine down her front.

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Guiltypleasures001 · 08/05/2016 11:54

Maybe should have invited him in to share the wine Wink
I quite like a man still in work clothes with a bit of grime on his hands

skips off humming thug life

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AllMyBestFriendsAreMetalheads · 08/05/2016 12:00

I wonder how much she thinks he's paid.

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RuthyToothy · 08/05/2016 12:06

I supplement my income by doing a variety of thugs

Grin

Well, if it pays the bills ... Wink

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OnlyLovers · 08/05/2016 12:22

Yay, OP! Well done.

How does someone that nice end up married to a twat like her?

I really don't understand this either.

I'm not sure about Don't take it personally love either. How can you NOT, when she took the piss and posted spiteful things on FB about you?

I hope he went home and read her the riot act.

Anyway, I'm really pleased for you.

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PheasantPluckerToADegree · 08/05/2016 12:24

Best AIBU thread outcome yet! Well done for sticking to your guns OP. Enjoy your wine and hard earned ££s x

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SooBee61 · 08/05/2016 13:01

Sew some prawns into the hem before you give it back!

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SooBee61 · 08/05/2016 13:04

Just read you had a good outcome. Glad for you, but what is such a nice guy doing with her? And you must take care to steer clear of thugs!

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BarryTheKestrel · 08/05/2016 13:18

Just read this from the beginning. What a lovely man, how on earth he is married to her is beyond me! Very glad to see a happy ending for you though! Hope you enjoyed that wine! Grin

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BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 08/05/2016 13:21

Yay! My Grandad says cherry-bye.

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