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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to refuse this sale?

163 replies

CharliesSister · 02/04/2017 13:27

I run a small business making bridal hair accessories.
I've been contacted to create a headpiece that matches this woman's bouquet, and she needs it by next weekend. (Rush orders for weddings are astonishingly common, but thats a whole other thread!)

She asks for a quote, which I provide. In retrospect, I massively under-quoted as I wasn't thinking straight, but obviously can't go back on that now, but I'm already losing out when you factor in the time taken to make the piece (I quoted £21 and its at least 3 hours + work, I'm an idiot).

I set up a custom order for her (Etsy) but she's refusing the pay for the piece, or a deposit, until she's seen photos of the finished item, in case she doesn't like it. I can kind of see where she is coming from but I can't really afford to spend hours designing and making something without at least a deposit to barely cover the material costs.

AIBU?

She's getting very stressed as her wedding is next weekend and I feel really guilty as she's saying this is spoiling her big day.

OP posts:
FriendshipBraclet · 03/04/2017 15:40

''Hi xxxx
I am unable to make any changes to the headpiece as requested as this is beyond my skill set. In these circumstances I am happy to refund your deposit and wish you luck in getting the headpiece you require.'' Would that be an option?

Megatherium · 03/04/2017 15:43

Yup. Seller can say 'sorry I've messed up the price it's £x, are you still interested?' Even if it had been paid for seller could offer a refund or ask for the difference

Not if there's a concluded contract, and once a deposit has been made, there definitely is.

However, as stated, if the buyer is trying to change the terms and ask for something totally different, it would be justifiable to cancel.

skerrywind · 03/04/2017 15:45

A lucky break

EweAreHere · 03/04/2017 15:45

Refund her and wish her luck in her (last minute, poorly planned) quest for a bespoke headpiece in less than a week.

Enjoy your week.

Chloe84 · 03/04/2017 15:49

When she said she wanted to pay after seeing pics, I would have taken the opportunity to say sorry, that's against our policy, I have to cancel the order.

How much time have you spent on the piece? Could you keep half the deposit?

BoffinMum · 03/04/2017 15:51

I would cancel. She should have got more organised.

Floggingmolly · 03/04/2017 15:53

Please don't engage any further by trying to hold onto a fiver!

IamWendy · 03/04/2017 15:56

I'd have a bit of fun sending photos of ridiculous headpieces to wind her up. Maybe a crude daisy-chain suspended between two lengths of brightly wrapped wire? Or a fascinator with Lego men holding the real flowers?

BoffinMum · 03/04/2017 15:59

How about these?

to refuse this sale?
to refuse this sale?
HappyFlappy · 03/04/2017 16:00

Wendy and Boffin

Grin
Dagnabit · 03/04/2017 16:02

Ooh, very nice, Boffin Grin

IamWendy · 03/04/2017 16:02

Perfect boffin!

Jux · 03/04/2017 16:02

Don't waste another minute on this. She's not going to pay you, she'll find some reason or other.

Hissy · 03/04/2017 16:02

Please just cancel the order, get it over and done with

fzz33 · 03/04/2017 16:05

Whhhhyyyy did you take her deposit. The woman is agg personified. Just refund her and be done with it.

namechange20050 · 03/04/2017 16:06

.

SenseiWoo · 03/04/2017 16:07

Be very clear straight away that you will not do anything experimental for the price quoted, and that you need a FINAL decision on materials, colour, style etc by a certain time today (two can play the deadline game). If she agrees, send a confirmation email making it very plain what it is that you will be making. Any hitches, I would pull out, as others have said.

TitaniasCloset · 03/04/2017 16:08

£21 for a custom piece and she is complaining? Blimey. I. Would like to see pics of these head pieces.

Aeroflotgirl · 03/04/2017 16:09

Just refund her saying that you are not able to provide what she wants.

Nomoreworkathome · 03/04/2017 16:10

If she thinks the lack of a hair piece will 'spoil her day' she is an idiot. YANBU

Groovee · 03/04/2017 16:11

Refund her and block.

NoLotteryWinYet · 03/04/2017 16:12

anybody that hounds you, attempts to manipulate you over it 'ruining' their big day is a weirdo and you should refund and have no more of it.

Vegansnake · 03/04/2017 16:14

Let her go elsewhere.not yr problem

TheLastUNIC0RN · 03/04/2017 16:14

I would do as FriendshipBraclet has suggested.
It's now gone beyond what you had initially agreed to and just not possible in the timeframe.

I have an etsy shop and I know the fear of the dreaded bad review! But unfortunately you just can't please all the people all the time and hopefully if she does manage leave one it will soon be buried with positive reviews.

I also managed to ruin a brides big day because the delivery man left her wedding sign order at a neighbours, who were out until 10 that night - caused her so much stress, with the wedding a week off. Hmm

notangelinajolie · 03/04/2017 16:17

No way. She pays up front or you don't make it. It should also be non refundable as you are making it specifically for her.

Seriously, she says your are ruining her wedding over a £20 hair thingy that she has suddenly decided she needs just days before her big day. She sounds demented - infact I think I'd actually tell her you can no longer do it. Tell her what while she was faffing about over payment someone else has come along and placed a firm order and you will have to give that priority instead.