I'm a stay at home mom who just stated a side business making custom cards for invitations, holiday cards, etc....
I usually do my friends cards for free and on the back of the card, I put my sticker on them that shows my company name, e-mail address and phone number. It's my way of advertising.
Anyway, my girlfriend asked me to do her cards when she found out I wasn't charging for friends. She gave me a hard time and had me change the card 4 or 5 times. I did it graciously.She knows that I put the stickers on the backs of the cards as well.
I e-mailed her the other day and asked if she got the cards yet because I wanted to put the stickers on the back. She says, I got the cards two days ago, I already sealed the envelopes....sorry.
I got SO pissed and just wrote back....oh. She ordered 100 cards...that would have been great for me, considering most of these people have kids.
The more I think about it, the more I'm bothered by what happened.
Should I say something?
2007-12-16 05:56:06 · 11 answers · asked by qtpie 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
Just wanted to add, I make the cards and use an online service to print them. She decided to upload the cards I sent her to this online photo service herself and order the cards...shipping them to her house.
2007-12-17 02:22:51 · update #1
You probably can't say anything now, but in the future, I wouldn't let them have the cards till your stickers are on them. Either that, or have a fee, reduced for friends if you choose. If she did indeed know that you wanted your stickers on the cards, it was pretty nervy of her to seal the envelopes before they were on.
2007-12-16 06:01:14 · answer #1 · answered by N L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Explain that you are doing friends cards for free because you are able to put stickers on the back as a form of advertising, and that you expect to receive revenue from the stickers in the form of orders from recipients of the cards/invitations.
It is a form of bartering.
However, going forward, charge 1.2 price for friends cards that let you have the sticker on them until you start getting orders.
Why did she get the cards before you put the stickers on? Going forward, do not let the customers get the cards before you put the sticker on, and put stickers on all of the cards you make. After all, Hallmark has their logo on all of their cards. so should you.
I am sure she already knows this, but you need to be honest and to the point.
Since she did not allow this to happen, she should gladly reimburse you for the materials for the invitations.
It would also be fair for her to pay fee for your time, but for the sake of friendship, just ask her for the cost of materials.
Say all of this in a nice, steady tone. It is presumptuous of her to think you would spend your time and materials for free.
2007-12-16 06:07:00 · answer #2 · answered by maxmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why did you send them to her without the sticker to begin with?
Be nice, but yes, explain the lost of advertising to her and ask if she would mind verbally recommending your work.
Next time, include a cover-your-cost only discount for friends. If this is a serious business thing for you, then separate friends/family from making money. It's not easy, but it is real.
2007-12-16 06:15:46 · answer #3 · answered by Sandie B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a bizwoman, why is it you are doing the biz for free for your friends? Yes, that's nice, but obviously, this 1 trounced all over you. There comes a time where you have to start charging for your biz, otherwise, people will take advantage & expect even more from you & FOR FREE---& your time & effort is worth alot more than those 'free headaches', wouldn't you agree?
2007-12-16 06:04:49 · answer #4 · answered by Angel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg YES! my mom makes cards too! well just for fun, not a business! but i mean crap you gave her 100 cards FREE the least she could of done is called and said she recieved them and said a nice thank you! advertising on them would of been a huge sucess! i would definately either make her pay for them or something!
2007-12-16 06:00:29 · answer #5 · answered by Spa Consultant PB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either she was making a b*tchy move, or she simply just forgot. Talk to her and ask her intentions, and that you were already nice enough to give her cards, why not help u in return?
2007-12-16 06:01:56 · answer #6 · answered by ♫♪ ki+k@+ b@r ♪♫ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you cant let her walk all over you. maybe you should charge hlf your normal price for m8s rates and if there is only one or two cards for free. she has been selfish.... expecting you to do them for free AND not letting you advertise your company especially if you have dont them for her and saved her fortune. speak to her through e-mail saying you thought it was unfair and if she falls out with you... you wont have to do her free crds anymore. she is very selfish and ungrateful.
xx
2007-12-16 06:03:31 · answer #7 · answered by blazinsquad93 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A friend wouldn't do that to a friend,sell her the cards and make a good profit.Business is Business.If she doesn't like it
she can go to Hallmark.
2007-12-16 06:08:30 · answer #8 · answered by msgtpepper 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if she knows about the sticker advertising part, i would
possibly say something, but i would be nice and gracious
about it.
2007-12-16 06:00:06 · answer #9 · answered by Jerry S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes ay something den she won't kno how u feel. express yoself den move on wit life.
2007-12-16 06:00:07 · answer #10 · answered by Wise Girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋