How do you deal with family and friends who wants discounts? I own a small cookie business. I make about $200-$300 per order for my work so these aren’t cheap cookies. I get family members and friends sometimes messaging me to do custom cookies for them for events for such a small (basically just covering my expenses without making me any money at all) amount or sometimes I feel they even expect it for free and it’s really awkward for me to tell them my actual pricing because I know they won’t spend the money. However, my time is valuable and making these orders is very time consuming - time I can be working on another order that’ll bring me a lot more money.
So, how do you deal and gently tell them “no” or “it’ll cost you XY amount” which would be pretty much the same as any other client? I have done a few free orders for close family and friends and a few really cheap ones but I’m done with this. I’m busting my ass for nothing.
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If they are going to be offended for having to pay a discounted rate for cookies that you can’t give them for free due to fees and resources than that’s their problem.
You tell them how much to pay, how they react is up to them. One thing I have just began learning is I can’t control peoples emotions even if I want them to be ok with something and in my mind I believe there is good reason; the simple fact is not everyone thinks alike. So do what you can but after that it’s their fault if they make a big deal over some cookies.
I’m a mobile auto detailer OP and if anyone in my family wants their cars cleaned I tell them they have to come to me and they’re buying lunch or dinner and zero of them have taken me up on the offer.
Personally, I wouldn’t be too worried about pissing off family. If they have no respect for you and your work, you shouldn’t have respect for them.
I offer a fam/friends code to use. The ones who want a low price, make any judgement about your pricing or don’t want to pay are not supporting you. A lot of us creatives don’t get taken seriously, no idea why! Stay strong on prices and be confident in what you offer ❤️