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We have all been there. I have a machine embroidery business and am constantly being asked by friends to make a "little something" for them or for them to give as a gift. We buy our shirts, caps, jackets, etc. from suppliers, but they usually want to go buy a cheap shirt at Walmart and have us digitize a design to put on it. They don't seem to understand that the digitizing takes a lot of time. They think all you have to do is push a button and it is done. If they offer to pay at all, it doesn't begin to cover the actual cost. We buy shirts wholesale and then charge retail price plus the digitizing and setup charge. We still don't make a lot of money, but when we do things for family, and friends (and friends of friends!) we don't break even. We are retired now and because of the presumption of family and friends that we "wouldn't mind doing a little something as a favor" we are shutting the business down. It just isn't worth it any more.
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I have always told them to buy there own fabric and I would make one, and they never have made me make them one. I only make them if I want to. Solves the problem.
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That is sad. I hope you have more reasons than just rude neighbors, friends, and family for shutting the business down. I would never presume on family to give me something when they get paid for there service from others. It is like taking food out of there mouths. In this day and age I would imagine more people realize that but I guess not. Well, just wanted to let you know my heart goes out to you. Beth
Originally Posted by nstitches4u
(Post 4952638)
We have all been there. I have a machine embroidery business and am constantly being asked by friends to make a "little something" for them or for them to give as a gift. We buy our shirts, caps, jackets, etc. from suppliers, but they usually want to go buy a cheap shirt at Walmart and have us digitize a design to put on it. They don't seem to understand that the digitizing takes a lot of time. They think all you have to do is push a button and it is done. If they offer to pay at all, it doesn't begin to cover the actual cost. We buy shirts wholesale and then charge retail price plus the digitizing and setup charge. We still don't make a lot of money, but when we do things for family, and friends (and friends of friends!) we don't break even. We are retired now and because of the presumption of family and friends that we "wouldn't mind doing a little something as a favor" we are shutting the business down. It just isn't worth it any more.
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The only person that does this to me is my baby sister and I dont mind because she does other things for me and is very generous with birthdays, etc. So it all washes in the end.
The rest of the people, I ignor. |
This happened recently at my job.I was asked for a "memory" quilt for a coworker and then she asked how much would the materials be.I said that I could give her a list of yardage I need for the quilt and she could pick up the fabric.She said she would have NO IDEA what would look good together so would I mind doing it.I did;then made the quilt (and quilted it).Then I gave it to her,(it was for her husband for a xmas present);we went on vacation from work the day after that.When we came back she paid me for the material I had bought for it(queen size) and had gave me a "tip" for doing such a wonderful job!The tip was 80$.So my lesson was learned that if or when someone asks for a quilt- I most definitely include my portion along with the cost of the fabric.
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Aren't people amazing? A long time aquaintance was here for a visit a few years ago. I am a long-arm quilter and she asked what I charged to do the quilting. When I told her she replied, "Why would anyone pay that kind of money for something like that!!!" This was a woman that had just inherited close to a million dollars from her sister.
And I've had a few customers gasp when I told them how much the quilting would be. One even took her quilt back and said "so and so will do it for $30 AND furnish the batting!" Gotta love 'em!(or not) I only make quilts as gifts so that I can avoid dealing with customers who "don't get" what it costs to make quilts. As the saying goes, "Do they argue with the plumber and electrician when they are presented with the bill?" |
Originally Posted by RST
(Post 4948977)
I think that people sometimes assume that because you like quilting, and do it as a hobby (presumably) that they need not pay you for your time and skills. They also mostly likely underestimate how much time goes into a quilt. And faced with a $300+ total for two quilts, they are likely to think that is a lot of money for two "blankets", and never once think that really, for skilled custom quilt making, they should be doubling that figure.
So, take it as a lesson learned, and in future, if you want to do a quilt for pay, talk specific numbers from the get-go, and get it all in writing. If you don't mind occasionally doing a favor for appreciative recipients, then so be it -- take pictures of your work so you can enjoy them, and think happy thoughts about two little girls who have nice new quilts. And tell them that this is a one time thing just for them, otherwise all their friends will think they are doing you a favor by giving you that same kind of "business". RST If you want to add more 'punch,' suggest they get the quilt appraised for insurance purposes. ali |
Originally Posted by RST
(Post 4948977)
I think that people sometimes assume that because you like quilting, and do it as a hobby (presumably) that they need not pay you for your time and skills. They also mostly likely underestimate how much time goes into a quilt. And faced with a $300+ total for two quilts, they are likely to think that is a lot of money for two "blankets", and never once think that really, for skilled custom quilt making, they should be doubling that figure.
So, take it as a lesson learned, and in future, if you want to do a quilt for pay, talk specific numbers from the get-go, and get it all in writing. If you don't mind occasionally doing a favor for appreciative recipients, then so be it -- take pictures of your work so you can enjoy them, and think happy thoughts about two little girls who have nice new quilts. And tell them that this is a one time thing just for them, otherwise all their friends will think they are doing you a favor by giving you that same kind of "business". RST ali |
i love to quilt and do it as a hobby...they tend to accumulate around the house, so some i gift to others. and most, i take to a art craft mall and sell them...and i charge for them too...i dont make quilts to order for anyone...i figure if they like what i have made then they can pay for it...i do negotiate terms though and will discount the price if someoe has something in fair trade. after adding the costs of materials to make a quilt, i measure the quilt length and width and figure up the square inch...then i charge anywhere from 3 cents to 10 cents per square inch... our quilts are original pieces of art...we rarely make two quilts just alike....we never know, but someday one of our quilts might be loved and cared for enough to hang in a museum somewhere.
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Nancy, great idea! I will use it.
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