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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

For not wanting to donate to this charity anymore now?

71 replies

AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:12

So there's a charity close to my heart (animal, local)

They were looking for ways to raise money. Asking for auction items. As a hobby I make items like tote bags as gifts.

I offered to make some logo items for their online auction.

I made a very relevant logo with the charity name.

I sent them a photo and the woman replied with thanks then said that something was wrong with the writing.

I edited it and sent it her.

She then said something was wrong with the logo, I changed it to work with what she said.
She then said she didn't think it worked and could I change the image to 'xyz' and also add something (like a heart)

All these changes take time. And the way they're made each colour adds a whole other dimension and time to make.

All of these 'suggestions' came with no please or thankyou.

I feel really annoyed tbh. I want to help the animals by raising money but people donate things like old scarfs and used dvds to the auction, so I felt this was a really nice item to donate. And multiple of them too.

I was just showing her what I came up with. I wasn't asking for a critique. It wasn't a design session for a logo for them. Each change takes time.

I was supplying the making materials, the items they went on, the time to make them and also paying to post them.

I just feel a bit put out and the fun has gone now :(

I don't want to let them down but I feel awkward now, do I just make the changes and suck it up?

This might be a bit compounded as I've been thinking alot lately about how people often take advantage of the fact I like to help or find it hard to assert myself.

OP posts:
Newusernameaug · 22/05/2023 18:14

No way. Sadly most charities are a total scam these days

musixa · 22/05/2023 18:15

Of course YANBU not to donate, for any reason whatsoever.

I'm curious about the logo and why you needed to devise one - don't the charity have their own logo?

Badbudgeter · 22/05/2023 18:15

I’d just message back and say due to all the changes you will be unable to complete the items before the auction so you will have to pull out on this occasion. Good luck with the auction I’m sure it will be a wonderful evening.

Original poster
AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:17

musixa · 22/05/2023 18:15

Of course YANBU not to donate, for any reason whatsoever.

I'm curious about the logo and why you needed to devise one - don't the charity have their own logo?

They do, but it wanst possible for me to make them with that logo because of the media I use. So I made a more simple version just for these items with their name.

OP posts:
78thcat · 22/05/2023 18:20

Sorry OP, that's really sad and she should definitely have been more grateful and friendly. In my experience anything to do with logos is a nightmare as it's all part of the branding so people want to get it right and it all goes a bit crazy. It might have been safer to donate tote bags with just a relevant image rather than include the charity name. Is it too late to do this rather than waste more time? Then they can just take it or leave it?
Well done for donating your time, effort and skill to support a cause that you love. Sorry to hear that it's left a sour taste in your mouth.

Dacadactyl · 22/05/2023 18:21

YANBU.

PurpleBananaSmoothie · 22/05/2023 18:22

You can’t just change a logo though. If it doesn’t work for you, then don’t do it. If you’ve taken it on yourself to change their logo then they can criticise it, especially as that will be going out to the public and with the aim of fundraising. I’d have probably messaged them to see what they would find useful for their raffle rather than simplifying their logo and expecting them to be happy with it.

Dacadactyl · 22/05/2023 18:24

@PurpleBananaSmoothie does make a very good point though. They will want to keep everything "on brand" but I can see why you felt upset.

Costacoffeeplease · 22/05/2023 18:25

I find this more and more with charities.

I also support a local animal rescue charity and offered some things of mine (also craft, but not hand made, and relevant to the charity) in response to their request for fund raising ideas.

I got a strange reply about not being able to put links on their page, which they wouldn’t have had to do, they could have just tagged me as I would have organised it all - and then an hour later they put on a link to something else.

So they’ve now lost my support and a fund raising opportunity 👏well done them.

Original poster
AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:30

I don't think I'm explaining myself.

I told her I couldn't make it with the logo but I could put an image of the main animal with their name.

That was OK'd.

But then she didn't like the image because she wanted the animal sat down. Then she wanted it with a bow on its head. She also wanted the writing changing for a few reasons (nothing to do with their real logo or brand)

So it's not because of their brand or logo as it was never supposed to be that. Just a nice silhouette of (for example) an Owl, with 'Billy's owl sanctuary'

OP posts:
Original poster
AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:32

PurpleBananaSmoothie · 22/05/2023 18:22

You can’t just change a logo though. If it doesn’t work for you, then don’t do it. If you’ve taken it on yourself to change their logo then they can criticise it, especially as that will be going out to the public and with the aim of fundraising. I’d have probably messaged them to see what they would find useful for their raffle rather than simplifying their logo and expecting them to be happy with it.

See above.

It was never supposed to be their real logo. Just a generic image with their name which they were very happy about, but then kept asking for changes (it's NOTHING like their logo)

OP posts:
WhatNoRaisins · 22/05/2023 18:32

Maybe they just want to control what sort of logo represents them. Is there some sort of sew on logo you could get from them.

Original poster
AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:37

WhatNoRaisins · 22/05/2023 18:32

Maybe they just want to control what sort of logo represents them. Is there some sort of sew on logo you could get from them.

Their logo is, say, an owls face.

I can't do that. So I did an owls outline. Was very happy and thanked me.

Women then wanted owl flying. I changed it to that. She then says she thinks an owl on a branch would be better.

And could I add a moon.

Which neither are on their logo so it seems its just stuff she fancies.

She doenst even run the charity BTW she's just Admin ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE

OP posts:
Original poster
AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:37

Don't know why that was in caps. Sorry

OP posts:
OneFrenchEgg · 22/05/2023 18:40

Don't do it then. I think they are perfectly entitled to control their image and name.

FloweryName · 22/05/2023 18:42

It could be that the particular individual you’re dealing with is just fussy and difficult, but at the same time I think if you’ve offered to make something that specifically represents and names this small charity, then you have to realise that the people running the show are entitled to have an opinion about it.

I’ve helped run a small charity and I don’t like the idea that we should automatically be grateful for anything that anyone wants to do for us or donate to us, even if we don’t think it’s suitable or helpful.

DiIIy · 22/05/2023 18:46

I dont really see anything wrong with them wanting it done differently. I suppose if you offered and said I can only do this design with no changes it was up to them to say yes or no. But to ask for changes without a please or thank you is unfair of them.

Original poster
AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:46

OK. I'll withdraw. My offer.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 22/05/2023 18:48

Sorry, OP, but I think YABU.

You made a kind offer to help but the charity is right to be wary about its branding and the use of an off-brand logo item. Couldn't you have just offered them some tote bags with e.g. the animal on it but not the charity's brand? E.g. if it is a cat charity, bags with a cat on them rather than cat plus dodgy version of charity branding?

WhatNoRaisins · 22/05/2023 18:50

Could it be that she said yes but then someone above her said it had to be a certain way so she backtracked?

In any case it's great to want to help but do you maybe get a bit ahead of yourself? Just because you've put in a lot of effort it doesn't mean it will work for the other person. Would it be better to communicate more and come up with something you know the other person wants before investing so much of yourself?

Acheyknees · 22/05/2023 18:51

No good deed goes unpunished OP. I'd just reply, I'm unable to make the changes you request to my gift, I think its best I withdraw my offer.

Evaka · 22/05/2023 18:53

AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:37

Their logo is, say, an owls face.

I can't do that. So I did an owls outline. Was very happy and thanked me.

Women then wanted owl flying. I changed it to that. She then says she thinks an owl on a branch would be better.

And could I add a moon.

Which neither are on their logo so it seems its just stuff she fancies.

She doenst even run the charity BTW she's just Admin ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE

Show quote history

Sorry to hear this OP and sounds like you wanted to do a very nice thing. Given they'd approved the font and your interpretation of their animal, and you havent freestyled with their actual logo, you've been treated very badly. I'd step away at this point and spend your precious free time on something you enjoy and people who appreciate your good nature x

PurpleBananaSmoothie · 22/05/2023 18:54

AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 22/05/2023 18:37

Their logo is, say, an owls face.

I can't do that. So I did an owls outline. Was very happy and thanked me.

Women then wanted owl flying. I changed it to that. She then says she thinks an owl on a branch would be better.

And could I add a moon.

Which neither are on their logo so it seems its just stuff she fancies.

She doenst even run the charity BTW she's just Admin ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE

Show quote history

If it is similar to the logo though it’s still similar to a rebrand and so the charity need to go over it several times before they release it to the public. They still need to be happy with it before it’s released. Sometimes you think you want something and don’t realise you don’t want that until you see it, it’s why rebrands are such a process.

You can bow out and just accept you’ve wasted both of your time.

user1477249785 · 22/05/2023 18:54

I don't think you are being unreasonable OP. As you say, you aren't offering a design session. In your shoes, I'd email back saying the changes are taking more time than you have available so unfortunately you're not going to be able to produce the items.

Rowthe · 22/05/2023 18:54

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 22/05/2023 18:48

Sorry, OP, but I think YABU.

You made a kind offer to help but the charity is right to be wary about its branding and the use of an off-brand logo item. Couldn't you have just offered them some tote bags with e.g. the animal on it but not the charity's brand? E.g. if it is a cat charity, bags with a cat on them rather than cat plus dodgy version of charity branding?

No cos then they'll want the cat sitting down.

Oh wait can the cat lick its paws.

Can you change it to put a bowl of milk in front of it?

Then can you put the outline of the moon behind it etc