Friend ordered something from business and hasn’t paid

[SmallWorrier]

This is a really awkward situation! I recently started my own business where I sell goods that I’ve made. Im lucky it took off quickly and am managing to make it work so far. I mostly sell to strangers as I knew I’d struggle to sell and take money from friends if they ordered. These items are for children.

a couple of friends have ordered for their children and I’ve always sold them much lower than I would to strangers, not making a profit but breaking even on materials. A friend asked about ordering 3 items for her daughter for Christmas, which would usually have come to £30. I told her £10 would be ok. She took the items and her daughter got them for Christmas and has been wearing them however she didn’t pay for them. At the time I offered bank details and she said she’d pay cash. I’ve seen her a few times and last time I mentioned her daughter looked nice in what I’d made and her reply was “oh I’ll pay you at some point.” The woman is usually complaining about being skint however books nice holidays etc. I feel awkward but frustrated as I did them at a cheap price anyway and taking on her order before Christmas meant I couldn’t take on as many other ones (I only take so many a month to make sure they get done in good time and I don’t overwhelm myself). This is the reason I don’t want to take orders from friends!! I’ve asked a couple of times now with no reply. I don’t want to lose the friendship or people think ill of me by pushing it, especially in our small community. WIBU to ask again for the money or should I just let it go?

Tell her the delay has meant your cash flow has been disrupted and lower their reduction and need immediate payment for your tax return.

She is not embarrassed to take advantage of you so you shouldn’t feel any awkwardness to tell her to send the money. Tell her you’re balancing the books and need the money foday.

Also, take this as a lessor to ALWAYS take money upfront first.

Don’t let her get away with it. She’s abusing your politeness and assuming you won’t want to cause a stir so she’ll get away with it.

Could you send a message saying you are doing your accounts/tax return, so could she please transfer the £10, then at least she is viewing you as a business rather than it being a freebie favour.

Don’t devalue yourself or your skills. If the product is worth £30 it’s worth £30 and a real friend would be happy to pay it. Also, they pay up front. If I buy from Amazon or Tesco delivery, or Vinted, I pay before I receive the goods, not after - it’s a completely normal practice. Your business is your livelihood and you are taking the food from your children’s mouth and giving it to your ‘friend’ when you do this.

Add a deadline eg ‘by next Weds’.

I voted YABU because this is ALL your doing. You made and sent out an order before you received payment. You gave an ABSURDLY huge and thoroughly unnecessary discount. You took this order in place of others that would’ve earned you more money. You pussy-footed around asking for payment and used hints instead. OP, your business won’t survive if you aren’t, first and foremost, fair to YOURSELF. Tell her she needs to pay.

You need better friends!! If one of my pals had just set up a business there is no way I’d let her charge me ‘mates rates’ and make no profit at all. You sound a lovely person but don’t let them take the piss.

1. She is never going to pay you
2. Stop offering such a big discount to friends
3. Do not have over the items before payment

This thread can now be closed.

I’ve offered mates rates with my business, an ex friend took the piss so badly that I’ll never once again do it. It’s not just about the money, it’s about respect for what you do too, and offering mates rates encourages them to see it as not important.

It’s £10. Let it go, but it’s an important lesson so in a way it’s money well spent. This person is not your friend. Friends will support you and understand how hard it is to get a business off the ground. Business is hard and there will be many incidents along the way. I wish you all the best!

Please respect your business and yourself. Mates Rates should not be a thing in any business. You're in business to make money from your time and skill. Otherwise what's the point?

Your friend has had a huge discount and still not paying. Is she your friend?

Give her an invoice. Physically hand it to her. Put a red Overdue heading on it.

Either what you sell is worth what you sell it for or it isn’t. Your time has value. You only get your time once you can’t resell the time that you use. Try and understand these things now to stop undercharging.

It’s the principle now! Tell her that, and bin her. Such entitlement.

Tell her breezily its tax return month & you need paying or she'll have to return the items.

Don't let people like this do this, she's a CF

Maybe text her something like this
"Hi, just sorting out my accounts from last month and noticed £10 from you is still outstanding, can you send payment please. My account details are-

Thanks"

This!! Doesn't matter the price, if I ever use services of friends (especially beauty stuff) I always pay immediately or upfront, it's disrespectful to them otherwise as a business not to mention the friendship. One close friend always gives me a slight discount but I never take it for granted.

I would add at the beginning something like going over my due payments or similar... Gentle reminder you owe .... Etc

I think it’s the principle rather than just a tenner. You run a business, not a charity and you already did her a massive favour by reducing the price so heavily. In future ensure they pay before they receive the order and I would be asking her firmly one more time. I’d also be rethinking the friendship, she’s used you.

Agreed.

For a tenner I would let it go. I think she would have been more likely to give you the money if you had charged £30. She probably thinks you can do without £10. I agree with pps, no more discounts or no selling to friends.

“I need the £10 today. I am out of pocket.”
Piss Taker, is not your friend

Another vote for standing up for yourself. You're a business, not a charity. And definitely adjust your boundaries with this 'friend' to make sure this never happens again.

Pressed the wrong vote saying u were being unreasonable- sorry. Your'friend' has a cheek, saying she will pay you at some time. She couldn't do this at a shop. Suddenly you have gone from doing a friend a favour to feeling like you have to pester for payment. U say u don't want to jeopardise the friendship, but clearly she isn't bothered- what a joke. Nxt time if u do mates' rates make sure u still charge a decent amount, perhaps two thirds. I would always get payment in advance. Hate it when people do this OP. Good luck with the business.

That is awful. Never sell to her again! Unfortunately when you offered such a massive discount you may then have undervalued your hard work, materials and goods in her eyes. That IMO was a totally necessary discount amount. A learning curve and maybe an invitation for you to check in with your own feelings of self worth, impostor syndrome etc that may have led to to this. Congrats on your hard work otherwise paying off. She's prob done you a massive favour for boundary setting going forward. Good luck!