plainjane, the little muffin in your avatar is adorable! Every time I see her/him? it just makes me smile!

Happy for you that you sold the quilt to someone who really will take care of it and love it. I only make quilts for my family.

I stand in front of the mirror and practice saying NO over and over. I dont make things for people to make money because of what just happened to you. People are surprised to find out that fabric actually cost money and so does having it quilted. My last quilt cost me $150 for fabric and $150 to have it machine quilted. If push came to shove and someone really really wanted it I would not take less then $800 and I am serious. My time, fabric, thread, use of my machine etc. cost me and now if you want it, it will cost you. And its cash only. My dh does woodworking and he gets 50% of the cost of the item for a deposit and its not refundable. I'm glad the mailman bought it, it was meant for him and he will enjoy it

Everything happens for a reason. :)

I always get a deposit before I start the quilt. Sounds like the right person got the quilt!

Good for you for standing your ground and how wonderful the Mailman just "happened" to love John Deere. What the enemy intends for evil the Lord turns around and uses for good. You go girl!!

Good for you, Joan! Shame on her for being such a twit!

The mailman got what he wanted, you were paid a price you are happy with and the lady got what she deserved! That sounds like a happy ending to me.

Julie

cONGRATS. iT IS A CRYIN' SHAME THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY "RELATED" TO THIS LADY AND YOUR PATHS WILL always cross - If she ever wants you to make her another quilt, I would tell her that you are so backed up that you can't take any extra orders...................

I'm not good enough at quilting to sell anything.That's a blessing,cause those kind of "deals"...such as you went thru would drive me bonkers!

Glad the mailman bought it.Good deal for him & you.

Great resolution to a bad situation. I guess we live and learn. It is hard to ever know what to do when dealing with other people.

It's hard for some people to understand how much effort actually goes into making a quilt. They like the look of the quilt, but then say things like "I can get that at WallMart for only $50". Just goes to show they don't know what they are talking about.

the old saying YOU Snooze you Lose and shame on her if you don't realy want it bad enough don't order it

Great idea ..i always get a non-refundable deposit...

It still blows my mind away when someone does something like this to you. If this person had spent the time and work you did doing a quilt she would not expect you to "give her a break" and she sure would make sure she had her money ready when you had the finished product. You did your job and had a thing of beauty and her loss is your mail man's gain. If your mail man is like mine, I care dearly for him. Mine is so nice and I even gift him for his birthday and his family for Christmas. So your quilt went to someone who will remember you every day he sees you. What a win-win for you. (Can you see the smile on this mail man's face every time he passes your home?) Good for you.

Oh, I love stories like this! Good for you. This turned out to be a win win for you. Lesson learned and shared. Congratulations!

I agree, but I also think it's a God Wink!!

WAY TO GO! I am glad you held in there. It would serve that woman right to call and want it after all. So glad you found a deserving person for your quilt.

Good for you, I am glad the other person bought it!

Sounds like it was meant for the mailman... good for you and him..lol

I agree totally. We humans are very impulsive, and American Humans in particular are impulsive buyers. Otherwise avoiding or getting out of debt would be easy! This lady probably feels bad that she did this to you, and will be relieved that you sold it.

So glad your quilt got such a good home with the mailman...that's a great ending.

Not to be crass but I hope you didn't give her back her $25.

I'm glad it worked out for you.

It's time for some new thinking. Stretch your definition of "payment" and think of the different ways you interact with this customer. Is she also a friend? A neighbor? Can you think of ways to bargain with her, so that she pays in service? or gives you something that she owns, but does not need at this time. Gardeners have excess veggies; maybe you can bargain for child care? Or maybe she will perm your hair? Involve her in creating the answer; she may know just the way to offer you a substitute, but may be hesitant to bring up the subject. Give her an opening, give her more time, and keep the communication lines open. You want a win/win situation, as we all do. Times are hard; your generosity in this situation may reap a reward in the future.

You must have had a reasonable price on it. Congratulations!

If somene asks me to make a quilt for them, I tell them too provide the fabric. They can invest in the quilt before it is made. people do not believe the price of fabric.
I am happy that you got it sold! Yeah for You!

AGREE!!!!!

I am so sew happy for you....that was a lesson well learned!!!!

Things always work out the way they are supposed to, don't they. I am glad for you.

Just the reason why I don't take orders. Especially without them at least paying for the fabric. I make what I want price it and sell it in an antique shop near me.

Obviously your customer doesn't know the "Golden Rule" ... so she paid
the Piper, huh?

Well SHE was the one who said she couldn't afford it right now.. Well, Someone else could - its not your responsibility to 'store' it for her when she decides shes finally ready.. too bad for her.. but should she ask for another one ask for the full price up front before you even get started..

I wouldn't give it back- id tell her it'll be used towards credit for another quilt if she decides she want one.. and have her pay it in full up front

He will love the quilt and sounds like he was happy to pay the right price. Good for you.

Good for you! So I'll add "check with the mailman" if I want to sell a quilt!!!!

One has to wonder what she would say if her employer told her on payday that he/she really couldn't afford to pay her this week! I am so glad this worked out well for you...AND for the mailman!!!

Patti

I must be evil, but I'm smiling at the thought of the mailman telling a friend about the wonderful quilt he bought and him turning and seeing her standing there with a not too pleased look on her face. I've had several people ask me how much I'd charge to make a quilt for them and so far I've managed not to actually have to make one. I haven't actually gotten far enough to quote a final price because my standard answer is usually that they couldn't afford what I'd have to charge. I'm not sure I really want to sell my quilts to people I work with. I've done some embroidery for people and taken things to deliver to them at work and listened to comments about how they could buy the same thing at Walmart for half the price I'm charging, so I don't even want to put myself in that situation.

Congratulations on your sale! I'm sure the mailman will take great care of your quilt. My dad was John Deere dealer so anything to do with John Deere designs gets my approval!!

Maybe she didn't have the guts to tell you she no longer wanted it.

As someone who was in the mailmans shoes once, I can tell you that I still have (some four years later) and still love the quilt I was lucky enought to snatch out from under a reluctant payee.

You can't tell a contracter who installed custom cabinets in your kitchen that you no longer want them / that model / that color. You should not be able to do that to a quilter for the same reasons.

I'm so happy for you. People who don't quilt do not understand your cost of supplies, the cost of your machine, and the cost of your time that they want your product for nothing. Getting 1/2 of the price, non-refundable in the beginning is a good idea. Be sure you draw up a contract and have both of you sign, even if it is a friend, just say you have to do this to keep record of the quilts you make for others. Glad you recovered on this quilt.