to be mightily pissed off

[MooningIntoTheAbyss]

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?

[expatinscotland]

Print all the messages first. No dress. Fucking bitch.

[LouBlue1507]

Fuck taking the moral high ground, where does that get you? Besides letting a bully win?

The police can do naff all as she has provided a service that hasn't been paid for! :)

[expatinscotland]

Any yy, fuck the moral high ground.

[GinnyMcGinFace]

You run a business, essentially, so be business like. Keep the dress until the outstanding amount is paid. If it isn't paid within, say, six months then you sell the dress to recoup your costs. She's not your friend which makes her a client do treat her like one.

[Queenie73]

Wouldn't this be a similar situation to a dry cleaner who takes in a dress for cleaning, but it's never picked up/paid for? I'm sure there is a set amount of time after which the item can be sold to recoup the cost of cleaning, but I can't remember what it is.

I sew a lot too but this is precisely why I don't sew for anyone else. I sell a lot of sewing patterns and you'd be surprised how many people think I should make the whole garment for them (often a wedding dress or similarly faffy item) for not much more than the cost of the pattern.

[chelsbells]

Don't give it back to her for free, she'll think she was right and it didn't take you all that time and that's why you're giving it back for free - she won't care that you are trying to be the moral one!!

Either sell it on to make back the money you've lost on your time and effort or make her pay for it.

[MooningIntoTheAbyss]

I have sent her a message telling her if she wants her dress back it is now £100 as I have cancelled the discount due to her heinous behaviour.
I haven't had a reply.

I feel in 2 ways about it:

1. I'm not in a rush for the money. It was extra money so if I never get it I haven't lost it IYSWIM
   
   
2. it's the principle of the matter. She knew before hand how long it would (ballpark) take and how much it would (ballpark) cost. So I don't see why I should give it back for free.
   
   No idea how much it cost to begin with, it is good quality. I have drawn up a pattern for a lovely tote bag already
   I highly doubt she will pay me, especially as I've removed the discount.

[bumbleymummy]

Excellent reply. What a horrible person.

[bumbleymummy]

She is! Not you!

[LouBlue1507]

Well done OP!! Let us know if she replies! xx

[OnlyLovers]

Nice one, OP.

And I love this: 'I have drawn up a pattern for a lovely tote bag already'

[WreckingBallsInsideMyHead]

Good for you OP!

[Hissy]

Good for you!

[flanjabelle]

Good for you!!! Sod her, cheeky bitch.

[expatinscotland]

Good on you. Save all her nasty messages. I'd show everyone.

[AyeAmarok]

Good reply OP. You've been more than fair.

[Buckinbronco]

You would charge £100 to alter a dress? Bloody hell

[FayKorgasm]

Good for you OP. Cheeky cunt needs to learn her lesson.

[LouBlue1507]

Buckinbronco Have you read the thread? It took OP 10 hours to alter the dress and fix the botch job of another person!

[Buckinbronco]

Yes I've read it.

[LouBlue1507]

Then you also would of read that OP was originally willing to take £50. What was your point you were trying to make?

[Poppledopple]

Well done stand your ground. Your mutual friend declaring unprompted that she is a PITA tells you all you need to know.

[Buddahbelly]

Well done OP, You're a better woman than me not writing something back on facebook, but well done anyway.

[EllaHen]

Well done op. This woman has treated you abysmally. Perhaps she will learn a lesson. I doubt it though.

I hate reading posts on here from people who are walked over. Good for you for not giving in.