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This Etsy Store Owner Shares How She Put A Rude 'Choosing Beggar' In Their Place

"You should give me a friends and family discount or something, you took forever to respond to me."

Stephanie
This Etsy Store Owner Shares How She Put A Rude 'Choosing Beggar' In Their Place

It's fair to say that the mass production of modern times has made a large difference to the way we, as consumers, look at and value goods. But, despite this, we still love and desire items that are handmade and unique.

Etsy is undeniably one of the best places online to find such items - beautifully handmade with love. One of Etsy's store owners, Katt from Kraft Katt's Creations, recently discovered just how little value some customers place on the hard work put into handmade goods.

Katt received a request from a customer for a 100% woolen queen-sized blanket, done in a complex stitch. Katt was happy to oblige, however, she soon realized that this customer was one of the biggest bullies and "choosing beggars" she had ever encountered.

"I’m just a hobby crocheter and trying to keep it that way," Katt said.

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"I rarely do commissions, usually just done to reinvest money in my hobbies," she explained. "Most people are extremely polite when inquiring about prices; I’ve been told one other time that I overcharge and that was as rude as it got before this."

Digital marketing consultant, Claire Beveridge, says that although it may be tempting to let such demanding customers have it, it's important to always remain calm. "Leave their request until you’ve had a chance to calm down and reflect – whether this takes twenty minutes or twenty hours," she said.

Digital marketing consultant, Claire Beveridge, says that although it may be tempting to let such demanding customers have it, it's important to always remain calm.

"Of course, deadlines are important but it’s worth taking the time to respond in a manner that will strengthen your professional relationship rather than destroy it. People hire freelancers because of their skill-set and expertise, not as a dogsbody."

"If a client is going against your professional opinion, you have a right to explain why you think they’re wrong. If they don’t respect this, the options are simple: grin and bear it, or fire them."

Claire says the key to successful negotiating is to be clear and straight with the customer. “Communicating with clients is really important in getting to the bottom of their concern,” she said.

Claire says the key to successful negotiating is to be clear and straight with the customer. “Communicating with clients is really important in getting to the bottom of their concern,” she said.

“If your client is truly abysmal to work with – get rid, life is too short!” Beveridge said. “Yes, they may be paying lucratively for your services (or, even worse, paying you very badly – in which case, why are you sticking with them?) but are they really worth the hassle?”

Katt did a great job handling the situation. “I’m not a business, so I really don’t consider anyone a ‘potential customer’, and if they’re rude I have no problem dishing it back,” Katt explained.

“If your client is truly abysmal to work with – get rid, life is too short!” Beveridge said. “Yes, they may be paying lucratively for your services (or, even worse, paying you very badly – in which case, why are you sticking with them?) but are they really worth the hassle?”

“I don’t need to worry about negative reviews or anything like that, the repercussions for me are virtually zero.” And you only have to take a look at Katt's reviews to see that the majority of her customers are more than happy with her service.

“I don’t need to worry about negative reviews or anything like that, the repercussions for me are virtually zero.” And you only have to take a look at Katt's reviews to see that the majority of her customers are more than happy with her service.

Here's how people reacted.

Here's how people reacted.
Stephanie