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AIBU?

to charge what I want ?

30 replies

SeptemberFlowers · 31/07/2016 19:11

I've taken up sewing in the last 2 yrs, I do it purely as a hobby and a way to relax.

Over that time I've made various clothes (dresses, skirts, jumpsuits etc) for both dc and myself. I've been lucky enough to have lots of positive feedback about them and have made the odd gift. Along with the clothes I've made other items too.

I've posted some items on FB showing pics of my dc wearing them occasionally and just kept an album of various things.

I made my dc an item of clothing this weekend and put a pic on Facebook. A friend has left a really lovely comment and asked what I would charge for similar for her dc. I left a comment saying as it's only a hobby for me, then all I ask is she pays for the materials.

I then get a quite abrupt message from a an acquaintance who has just gone into business for herself as a professional seamstress, she has said "People like me are the reason she is finding it hard to make a living" as by friends paying a reduced price from me are undercutting her

I can see her point to a degree but surely what I charge a good friend is between her and myself suirely ?

OP posts:

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SpringerS · 31/07/2016 20:32

Be very careful about offering to make something for free for a friend on Facebook. An aunt of mine put up a picture of a hat she made for her GD and one of her friends asked if she could do one for her niece. No problem, said my aunt feeling happy that someone liked her work enough to want their own item. Then another friend asked her, then a relative. Within a week she had 12 requests and as she'd said yes to the first few, she felt she had to say yes to them all. A few months later someone tagged her in a picture of a hat and asked if she could make it. Before she could reply, a bunch of the last hat requesters had asked for this one too.

It happens to her all the time now and it's become expected that she'll say yes. Everyone is nice about it and most people give her a box of chocs/bunch of flowers as a thank you. But she'd really just like to go back to knitting/crocheting as a hobby rather than an obligation. I learned from her experience and when I took up both crafts I either avoided posting up pictures of my work (apart from in hobbyist groups) or as soon as someone asks me to do one for them, I self deprecatingly point out that I'm such a slow knitter that I'd have to charge about 400 quid a jumper to even make half of the minimum wage. That way people stop asking. I do make things as gifts sometimes but I keep it off Facebook.

MatildaTheCat · 31/07/2016 20:25

Message her back saying, 'Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't realise you had already been asked to do this.'

She's a twit. You might soon find you get fed up with making things as favours, though so I wouldn't be too free with these offers.

PacificDogwod · 31/07/2016 20:16

Sunshine, I am a FB Refusenik too

Smurfnoff · 31/07/2016 20:14

Your friend didn't ask 'Does anyone know a good seamstress?' She asked you if you'd make her something similar to something you'd already made. It's not as if there was a 'job' you somehow stole from this other woman. She's being ridiculous and really shouldn't be running a business.

Cheerybigbottom · 31/07/2016 20:04

Your friend is being ridiculous. What are the chances your other friend would find a professional seamstress to make the item for her? Quite low id expect as she'd have to get the pattern from you, or pay for a bespoke private piece. You are not stealing business if there was no intention of giving her business in the first place.

Honestly, my husband is forever fixing things for friends and we've never had a business complain

Sunshineonacloudyday · 31/07/2016 19:54

Thats why I don't join FB people are to nosy.

PacificDogwod · 31/07/2016 19:53

Of course you can charge whatever you want.

This is not a business problem, it's a FB problem

Sunshineonacloudyday · 31/07/2016 19:51

Its hard running a business it could take her 1 to 2 years but taking it out on you is not fair and she won't build her customer base that way. Potential customers will see her message and take a disliking to her. As you said you do it as a hobby to relieve the stress from you're body and soul. If she says anything to you tell her to mind her own business.

Goingtobeawesome · 31/07/2016 19:44

Does she make what you do? If it's exactly the same and your friend would have commissioned her without you being a seamstress then yes, she might have a point. If not, no chance and she's jealous and rude.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 31/07/2016 19:43

Agree that her attitude is more likely to make it hard for her to run her business, not hobbyists doing favours for friends!

topcat2014 · 31/07/2016 19:42

Your 'friend' needs to learn the words "free market economy" and mind her own business.

Even if you were 'in business' you would still be free to charge what you like.

nennyrainbow · 31/07/2016 19:40

Maybe she was joking? (In a passive aggressive sort of way). She must know she hasn't got a leg to stand on anyway - you're not a business.

HermioneWeasley · 31/07/2016 19:36

Ha ha ha! Ignore, she's bonkers.

MammouthTask · 31/07/2016 19:35

And yes if she is getting arsey on FB, this is not going to help her business!

MammouthTask · 31/07/2016 19:34

Hmm your acquaintance is missing a point there.
The service she is giving should be quite different than what you are going to do.
Eg she will be bound to do the dress (or whatever it is) by a certain date, you're not. So if your friend wants it for a specific occasion, it won't work.
If the dress isn't actually what the friend wanted or it didn't fit ec... She would have no way to come back to you and complain. She could with a proper seamstress.

In effect, you are offering somethng as someone who is doing as a hobby with all the advantages but also all the issues linked with that.

Yes I can see that she will think you are undercutting her in some ways. But that's only if she sees her work as putting a few bit of fabric together, not as offering a full on service iyswim (Not saying that's all you did btw but you get the idea)

SapphireStrange · 31/07/2016 19:31

Ignore – actually, block! None of her fucking business.

ILoveAGoodBrusselSprout · 31/07/2016 19:30

Her attitude is why she's finding it difficult to make a living, not your gift.

Saying something on FB is like saying it in public and she's shown her true colours to potential customers by this remark. I'd respond to that effect and perhaps give her something to think about

Amelie10 · 31/07/2016 19:26

I would suggest private messaging friends on FB if you are going to offer to make things without charging for labour though.

What? why should the op hide and do this to please someone else?
Yanbu op, you can choose to do if for free as well if you want to. The acquaintance should mind her own business.

DeadGood · 31/07/2016 19:23

Yep, I agree with the consensus, your acquaintance is clearly going through a tough time that has exactly zero to do with you.

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 31/07/2016 19:22

If she's just an acquaintance and going to get arsey on Facebook, I'd block her, job done!
I'd also add a comment under the original thread (giving friend quote for materials) that "this is one off, don't go getting ideas everyone! 😉) or you'll be inundated

foursillybeans · 31/07/2016 19:22

Well honestly. It's true. People who do things like that do undercut others trying to make a living in that field. But that is the tough part of running your own business. Hobbyists will undercut you. The acquaintance will have to get over it and make such good products that people would rather pay more for her product. It's the way it works in retail. It is what causes competition in business which is good for us most of the time but don't forget someone always loses out to this.

I would suggest private messaging friends on FB if you are going to offer to make things without charging for labour though.

M00nUnit · 31/07/2016 19:21

She should mind her own business - what you do for your friends is no concern of hers.

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Grilledaubergines · 31/07/2016 19:20

If she's that snarky with her messages perhaps she would benefit from a course in customer service. It may increase her business. No matter how good someone is at their skill, if they are an arse, I'd take my chances and go elsewhere.

YANBU

M0nstersinthecl0set · 31/07/2016 19:18

Ignore her. You're not "people like anyone". I sew purely for me / my dc and when the mood takes me for gifts.
Respond firmly that you're not undercutting her, this isn't a buisness deal it's a gift to a friend. It's not her design, you're not in business and have no intention of that. Or just ignore her. It's not easy to make a living out of sewing, but favours for a friend aren't affecting her market share ...

NaffOffMartha · 31/07/2016 19:17

Agree that deals between friends are none of her business.

I'm a translator, that would be like me complaining when another friend offers to translate a form for someone as a favour!

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