lmnopquilter

Lots of great advice! Thanks again to all the latest posters. Just some additional info on many of the quilts for quilting in my area - Along with the awesome quilts that you guys are quilting (which I'm not good enough to work on) there are the Walmart sale fabrics quilts, the cotton sheets used for backing, the occasional 'cut up my old velour jumpers' and used those old polyester pants of dad's - and this particular customer is a Sister (yep the religious kind) - so not a lot of disposable income for some. This is the reason I was charging the area's going rate of .01. I assumed (yep.. it always gets ya) that since the going rate was common knowledge I believe she knew what she was agreeing to. I think she figured $80 was a lot of money and that I wouldn't charge above $50. Anyway, I only thought to do quilting for others to offset some of my own quilting expenses - just a few hundred a year. But, hearing about the hassles...I'm thinking its not worth the effort. I'm gonna become Cinderella and stay in my own little corner of my own little room. :-) However, if I do any quilting for others in the future.. I will definitely make sure customer and I are on the same page!

justflyingin

It does make one wonder, doesn't it?

twinkie

Sometimes I have found that I say things I wish I had worded differently, however to tell her to take the next one to her sister was exactly what I would have told her. Makes one wonder, if her sister was so inexpensive and good, why did she decide not to use her? Best wishes with your business.

lindaschipper

In the area I live the price is 2.5 cents for even simple quilting. It will cost me over $300 to have a king size quilt done. I'd say she got a bargain!!

MaryKatherine

I have a form we full out together showing size of each piece, price, special requests and quilting description. Everyone signs or initials Before I mount their quilt. Then there are no surprises.
To this day I have difficult discussing money with customers. Having a printed requisition helps.

Sandygirl

Her sister has dealt with her demanding personality for years. This is the reason she has unsuspecting long armers do the job. Ah, family dynamics! Sister is RELIEVED.

Sandy

red-warrior

I am sorry for your bad experience also! I agree with the previous comments that agree your price was fair, you were right not to change your price, and I too would let your guild know about her!

toverly

Your protection is professionalism. Have paperwork to document the size of the quilt, price and total costs of what is included. Also have a clause about unforeseeable problems. i.e. too small back, waves ect. If you total it out before hand everything is up front and have them sign. You deserve to be paid. Some people may try to cut your prices on you after the fact but you will have documentation backing it up. Working for others in a personal business is hard but worthwhile if you are protected.

greaterexp

I agree with this advice. It's hard to argue with what you agreed with in writing, and seeing a quilt top first will give you clarity about your agreeing to do the work at all. There will always be difficult people, but we always keep learning in how best to deal with them diplomatically.

JENNR8R

This "religious sister" is probably short of funds after buying that many bottles of Crown Royal. That stuff is expensive.