Okay... a little back ground:
I've been an interior designer for 15 years and I work out of my home - small potatoes, but I'm good and I've been able to make a steady income through referrals.
Now the problem:
A year and half ago, I had the client from hell! She asked me to help her with a kitchen remodel. She never liked any of my suggestions, had terrible cheap tastes (she's quite wealthy so that wasn't the problem) drove my contractors away with her cr*ppy attitude and complaining, filled the room her gross collection of shot glasses and the end result was a room that I hated and wouldn't feed my dog in! She brags to everyone that she hired an interior designer and gives out my name when I hated the room and couldn't wait for the job to be done! Now she wants me to do the rest of her house... her WHOLE HOUSE! Nooo! I don't want to hurt her fellings but I definitely don't want to EVER work for her again! What should I tell her?
2007-03-28 08:58:41 · 14 answers · asked by Aunt Bee 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
john p - lol... no she doesn't have to have a release from me to tell people who she hired to design her kitchen.
As for referring her to someone else... I honestly can't think of any one that I dislike that much!
2007-03-28 09:16:19 · update #1
Wow, that's a tough one. Lord knows you don't want to work for her again and I think that alone is enough to make you take a pass on her offer of future employment. She sounds like the type that just wants to say she "hired" someone but really just wants to do things her own way. I say let her do just that!
2007-03-28 10:47:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would tell her that you have too much on your plate to accept her offer, Thank you.
OR
On the other hand tactfully expressing your position to her would remedy the dilemna of referrals you don't want. Such as "We seem to have very different design ideas, and though I appreciate your buisness, I would prefer to recommend a designer more suited to your needs".
OR
Do you have an assistant or design student that would do the job with you as consultant? She may have tacky tastes but could she damage your hard earned rep?
Hope it works out for you. Remember that saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Well, in this case it may be "Beauty is in the eye of the checkbook holder" depending on your circumstances.
2007-03-28 09:12:06 · answer #2 · answered by B*Family 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her that you are booked up for now (thanks to her word of mouth) and will let her know if something opens up.
Meanwhile, if anyone asks about the travesty, you can honestly say you took the owner's likes into account when the room was designed - the owner was very definite on her wants. Her choices should not have to reflect badly on you.
You are not being dishonest or disloyal.
2007-03-28 09:13:03 · answer #3 · answered by tryingmypatience 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the business owner, so you have the right to deny service to anyone you choose. Just tell her that you are unable to do the job. For me, dealing with her crap wouldn't be worth my time and money. Unless you are a sucker for punishment, you will find a way to gracefully bow out of the job.
2007-03-28 09:03:44 · answer #4 · answered by nowyouknow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply tell her you are pretty booked up for the next 10-12 months, and you aren't sure you would be able to get to it in a timely manner.. it will look like you have her best interest in mind.
2007-03-28 09:02:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell her that you can't because you are all booked up. or just tell her the truth, that the contractors won't come back because she droved them away with her complaining, but if the pay is good. do it and just ignore it. and after its all done you don't have to associate with her anymore. good luck.
2007-03-28 09:05:50 · answer #6 · answered by misty blue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply tell her you would not have the time required to do the rest of her house. If you have a competitor that you hate, give her their name as a referral.
2007-03-28 09:03:05 · answer #7 · answered by Lady M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay, best answer right here.
Tell her, you are unable to work at her house, but you have a great friend in the business who'd be willing to work with her.
Ya know, something like that.
2007-03-28 09:02:43 · answer #8 · answered by sonicachic311 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Tell her you have a huge backlog that won't be resolved anytime within a year, and refer her to someone else.
2007-03-28 09:08:34 · answer #9 · answered by KatGuy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just tell her you're flattered that she would ask but you are just so busy that you couldn't give her the attention she deserves.
Good Luck!
2007-03-28 09:08:32 · answer #10 · answered by kmv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋