I'm thrilled for you because you know what a lot of people do not understand the time and moeny that goes into making a quilt. They think you can just whip one out. Good for you. And if she does decide to ask you for one, be sure to get a non-refundable down payment and signed contract. Congratulations.

i was selling a washer and dryer with a 3 year warrenty left on it and a lady called to come and see it. she told me she was coming from out of town i had told her the price was 700.00 ( less than half price) i also told her that i wasn't about to lower the price just so she wouldn't make the trip for nothing. she said she was thinking of offering me 500.00 but i said no she wanted to come see it anyway so i said ok. about 10 minutes after i talked to her another lady called and said she wanted the items for amount i was asking sight unseen so I called the first lady and she was very upset and offered me more money than i was asking but i went with the lady who said i'm on my way to pick them up with cash in hand. that is the only way to things but that is only my experience

This is your business. Make some contracts on your computer that state YOUR terms (I think there are some quilting and crafting books on this. Check you library)
Be as detailed as you can.
Yes, I think you're right. She never intended to do anything but take advantage of you. You appeased your customer by dropping your price. Did you have to do that with the mailman? No, he appreciated your work and paid for it.
Don't do business with her again. Even if she bad mouths you so some people, they probabaly already know her.
Stick to your detailed contract, which will be signed by you buyer before any work is done.
You can even say in the contract that if the item is not paid in full and picked up within 30 days, the quilt is on the market and for sale, NOT ON sale.
I like your idea of paid in full at the beginning you can have acontract written up for that alos. You may find it in your best interest to keep photo records of each quilt you sell, so there can be no quibbling about the condiiton of the quilt later. You're not Sam's Club with returns. You are a craftman. When you value yourself for your skills, others will too.

Hi Joan, I did not see your previous post but I am glad things turned all right for you. I so agree that your new idea for handling this situation is the proper way to handle business. I would also add that even for family and friends, if they are commissioning you to create a quilt for them that you handle the business part professionally.

I am sure you received lots of great advice in your earlier post. :thumbup:

Just what I was thinking :) Will serve her right.

--------------------------
Probably will. Too bad.
He he he...giggle. She got what she deserved. Nothing.

Good for you .... besides, you have one "very happy" mailman. There are people out there, who have "no concept" how much fabric costs - how much time is involved - the dedicated work and artistry it takes to put together a "one of a kind" quilted master piece. They do better to shop at Wal Mart or K Mart .... these stores are "cheaper"!

That's awesome!!! It turned out good plus you learned how to deal with sales before you actually got stiffed. Dontcha just love it when a plan comes together :)

Ok Joan, if she comes back and wants the quilt, you owe us a picture of her face when you tell her you sold it!!!! Good for you, you can't let people walk on you......go girl!!!

Lucky Mail Man Lucky you

What goes around comes around and she just lost out.

I get the cost of the fabrics up front. Then if the person wants to back out, I get the materials at least. So far I have been lucky....5 quilts ordered and paid for as agreed. I am not looking forward to the first one that goes awry. So glad you got it worked out with another buyer.

Good for you. A positive ending.

congrats on selling it and it must of been meant for the mailman to have it

Custom orders should always require 1/2 down,change of mind does not mean a refund in my opinion.

What if you had not found a buyer so quickly ?
Congrads that you did sell the quilt,I am sure it was beautiful !!

Good for you - glad it all worked out for the better!

Well, if she does call and wants the quilt, just tell her that it is too late. That it has been sold to a person who appreciates the work that you put into it. I am very happy that you sold it.

NICE... I love a happy ending!

Your gain, her loss.

You said it right :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Good for you. Always get a down payment and in writing. Glad the mailman was there to receive the quilt, that was intended for him. Long before anyone knew.

Good for you! Now when this woman asks about the quilt you can truthfully tell her you sold it for what it was worth. End of case.

It was his lucky day he obliviously knew the work and love that goes when making a quilt, and your gain :) :thumbup:

I bet you'll never loose any mail from now on :)

You just did not know you were actually making it for HIM! LOL! :thumbup:

If/when she comes back for "her" quilt, will she ever be surprised that you moved on and sold the quilt. I just hope she doesn't expect you to make another one for her.

Once bitten twice shy!!

every thing happens when it is supose to any way. it wasn't meant for her to get it.

Even with it in writing, you would have to go to court to enforce the contract. Better to collect the entire amount of all materials and half your labor UP FRONT. This will form a commitmemt on the part of the purchaser that they probably won't walk away from, and leave a small enough balance at the end that they can probably come up with. You may need to explain to the potential buyer why you are asking for this amount, but most can understand that you are not a bank, and shouldn't advance monies for their fabric, and that you are certainly entitled to half of your labor to get started. Sounds reasonable and is. :D

that the way it goes sometimes
people just don't how much time & work goes in making & quilting a quilt .
if they did they wouldn't want to pay less
i have had people ask me to quilt for them & when i told them my price ,that WAS THE LAST I HEARD FROM THEM
but thats ok.
it gives me more time for something else

I think you handled the situation wonderfully.

I had a customer special order a quilt, filled out and signed my forms....ordered special materials for her...copied over 25 photos onto fabric for her.

Allowed her to take the top to her sisters to "show & tell," so she could collect "their parts" of the monies due.

Found out later, she used the quilt top at the 50th wedding anniversry, (without being quilted), but none the less returned it to me to quilt.

A day or two later, I asked for second installment of payment due, and she said, she was unable to get money from her sisters.

Long story, many phone calls...but needless to say I was stuck with a customer 50th wedding quilt top. Well, I kept her CD of photos, ripped the fabric photos out of the quilt, reused the sashing and backing purchased. However, I had also been given the original birth certificates and marriage licsene from this wonderful family to scan onto fabric....I informed her, the photo CD, photos, and certificates will stay in my possession until she pays as promised. (Have not ever been contacted again by her, and that was 4 years ago. But I lost nothing but time and gained a lot of experience from this. Hope you have many more pleasant experiences in the future. Most of my custom work has been with outstanding people since. When they interview my skills...I am now interviewing the clients! lol

So glad it worked out in your favor. :-)

YEA,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I am doing the happy dance for you. All things happen for a reason. Sometimes we can't see that reason but sometimes we do!!!

I really hopes she calls.
:D

I am so glad that you had a great outcome! Her loss!

I'm with those who name a price to see how fast potential customers will walk away. And if they're serious, I'd take them to select and buy the fabrics and batting, and obtain half the labor and quilting cost up front. And then I'd work non-stop to give them a great quality product in record time.

If you wanted custom window coverings or furniture coverings, you wouldn't expect to have it all done on spec, a significant deposit would be required.

The response to the Walmart comment would be "Oh so you don't really want custom work or a one-of-a-kind quilt, no problem - I'm sure Walmart has exactly what you need".

Okay, I'd only think about saying that last thing, I'd just nod and smile and walk away.

I bet she will ,AND get a nasty surprise-----serve her right!!