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Advice needed re: friend asking favours
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<blockquote data-quote="Star*" data-source="post: 271574" data-attributes="member: 4964"><p>Well, I've been in this EXACT position and got burned. I got burned because my friend called me at night begging me to help her son design forms and internet service and setting up brochures and printining them and putting all the forms I created (EXTRA EXTRA difficult Excel sheets) and put them on a CD for mass print for customers. </p><p> </p><p>The exchange was supposed to be moving my AC vent cold air return as his business was HVAC. </p><p> </p><p>I......jumped right on the project for him - working well into the early wee hours of the morning. It took me three days but when it was done - it was fantastic. HE was VERY impressed and had he gone to a person with my mad skillz - it would have cost him 10 times more than moving a vent. </p><p> </p><p>I waited - I waited........finally three months later I said "Hey how about asking your son to finish our deal?" And she said "Here call him yourself." And it kinda didn't set right with me - SHE called ME for the help and I thought she could call him but instead made me continue to call him long distance. After eight months of excuses he finally sent 2 inexperienced kids (18 and 19) out to my home who looked at the situation and said "We have to cut a hole in your floor in the hall." WTH? Oh no.....I don't think so call your boss adn have him come look at this - this is ridiculous...</p><p> </p><p>He never showed, he never came back or called. It's been over a year now - and I finally hired someone to fix my bathroom. For 15.00 and some pop rivets - he fixed the problem in under 10 minutes. What I had given in my time and talent was in my humble opinion worth about $500-plus. I don't see that friend anymore and yes, in the back of my mind part of it was her pleading and begging because her grandkids needed food - rent - and getting this done so he could start his business was VERY important. So I was svckered in. </p><p>While I love my friends - this last scam cost me myfriendship with her. I tried to continue to be friends - but she never returned my calls BECAUSE she thinks every time I call - I'm going to ask about her son not coming. So I left her with her own thoughts. I figured four times being blown off was enough to tell me - not wanted. Or in my mind - Got what we wanted. </p><p> </p><p>What I would do - is offer my services at a discount. If I would make $500.00 doing for my friends what I would do for clients? I would tell her that I would be glad to do this at a discount - but that I'm so busy the time it takes me away from (whatever life throws at you) has to be compensated - but since you're friends - fairly. I would say - HEre's my deal - I can do 1 hour for free /instruction to get you started. If you decide you want me to continue to work on your account? We will keep this like a business agreement, draw up a written contract, have it notarized with a payment schedule. </p><p> </p><p>I'm not kidding - I recently had a guy from my office that I give HUGE jobs to repair parts of my bathroom......I paid for ALL the materials, I worked as a helper, I helped hand tools, pick up tools, brought him drinks and cleaned up the mess. He charged me $300 - which is 1/2 of what I would have paid anyone else. I think that's fair. </p><p> </p><p>I'd tell her the same. BECAUSE - I did it myself...and neither of us feel cheated or used in our deal. I got a floor, joists and a rebuilt ac vent - HE got $300.00 - I got what I wanted at a huge discount.....he got paid for his work - and knowledge.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Star*, post: 271574, member: 4964"] Well, I've been in this EXACT position and got burned. I got burned because my friend called me at night begging me to help her son design forms and internet service and setting up brochures and printining them and putting all the forms I created (EXTRA EXTRA difficult Excel sheets) and put them on a CD for mass print for customers. The exchange was supposed to be moving my AC vent cold air return as his business was HVAC. I......jumped right on the project for him - working well into the early wee hours of the morning. It took me three days but when it was done - it was fantastic. HE was VERY impressed and had he gone to a person with my mad skillz - it would have cost him 10 times more than moving a vent. I waited - I waited........finally three months later I said "Hey how about asking your son to finish our deal?" And she said "Here call him yourself." And it kinda didn't set right with me - SHE called ME for the help and I thought she could call him but instead made me continue to call him long distance. After eight months of excuses he finally sent 2 inexperienced kids (18 and 19) out to my home who looked at the situation and said "We have to cut a hole in your floor in the hall." WTH? Oh no.....I don't think so call your boss adn have him come look at this - this is ridiculous... He never showed, he never came back or called. It's been over a year now - and I finally hired someone to fix my bathroom. For 15.00 and some pop rivets - he fixed the problem in under 10 minutes. What I had given in my time and talent was in my humble opinion worth about $500-plus. I don't see that friend anymore and yes, in the back of my mind part of it was her pleading and begging because her grandkids needed food - rent - and getting this done so he could start his business was VERY important. So I was svckered in. While I love my friends - this last scam cost me myfriendship with her. I tried to continue to be friends - but she never returned my calls BECAUSE she thinks every time I call - I'm going to ask about her son not coming. So I left her with her own thoughts. I figured four times being blown off was enough to tell me - not wanted. Or in my mind - Got what we wanted. What I would do - is offer my services at a discount. If I would make $500.00 doing for my friends what I would do for clients? I would tell her that I would be glad to do this at a discount - but that I'm so busy the time it takes me away from (whatever life throws at you) has to be compensated - but since you're friends - fairly. I would say - HEre's my deal - I can do 1 hour for free /instruction to get you started. If you decide you want me to continue to work on your account? We will keep this like a business agreement, draw up a written contract, have it notarized with a payment schedule. I'm not kidding - I recently had a guy from my office that I give HUGE jobs to repair parts of my bathroom......I paid for ALL the materials, I worked as a helper, I helped hand tools, pick up tools, brought him drinks and cleaned up the mess. He charged me $300 - which is 1/2 of what I would have paid anyone else. I think that's fair. I'd tell her the same. BECAUSE - I did it myself...and neither of us feel cheated or used in our deal. I got a floor, joists and a rebuilt ac vent - HE got $300.00 - I got what I wanted at a huge discount.....he got paid for his work - and knowledge. [/QUOTE]
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Advice needed re: friend asking favours
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