What would you do in this situation?

[Kev]

Good Luck Annabelle!

[Barbara]

Hope you got the cash before she stopped the check.  Only right since she gave them the glasses

[Graham]

Cash it, as quickly as you can.
She's trying to take advantage of you.
To but it biblically "Screw her, lest thine ownself be screwed"

[annabelle]

OK, Folks, here is the status of the situation as of 3:30 today.   I went to her bank and cashed the check.  When I got home, there was another email from her.  She knew the check had been cashed and stated that she felt it was inappropriate for me to have done it.  She said that she had taken 3 hours of her day on Saturday to meet me to pick up the glasses (I could have mailed them, but we discussed it, and she said it would be fine for her to pick them up at the show).  Referring to my offer to meet her on Sunday to get the glasses, she stated that that had been a rediculous suggestion (since she had already taken 3 hours on Saturday to pick them up).  She of course will tell her family and friends about her experience and will never do business with me again....I did email her one last time, apologizing again for not pleasing her.   I did remind her that she received a hand crafted item made to her specifications, and imperfections are normal.  I reminded her that the only way she would have recieved a refund would have been to return the glasses, and since that was not possible, I assumed she accepted the merchandise, and cashed her check.  I suggested that for any future engraving work, she go to Things Remembered, or a similar store that does laser or blasting work, so she would not encounter any imperfections.   I do not intend to have any further conversation with her.   Thanks for all your imput.  You verified my position and decision to take a stand here.   annabelle

[Amber]

I'm glad you held firm and balanced being professionally polite and not giving into her spoiled behavior! Best of luck in not encountering another like her ;) .

[ct4mom]

Good for you Annabelle and I hope this is the end of it, for your sake!!! You did the right thing.

[Audrey]

Good girl! I hope you don't feel bad about any of this, as it was not your fault and you handled it the fairest, most professional way. She sounds like she was trying to take advantage of you. Someone that orders hand made crafts has to expect it not to look machine made. That is the beauty of hand made.

[Malinda]

Glad you got the money and sorry she was a jerk of a customer. Hopefully it is all done and overwith and you won't hear from her any more.

[Tre V]

I absolutely agree with the above. The only caveat would be..perhaps in the future, insist that your client actually inspect the work prior to taking the item.

[annabelle]

Thanks for all your support, folks....It is easy to 2nd guess yourself sometimes....2 new things have come from this experience.  1.  always insist they examine the product before leaving with it.  2.  There will be a disclaimer in every delivery of hand engraving stating that they are receiving and one of a kind hand engraved item.  Imperfections are normal.   annabelle

[Rebecca]

One thing I do, Annabelle, is have the piece unwrapped when they pick it up. After they see it, then they have to wait for it to be wrapped.  I agree that you did the right thing and she was trying to pull something. There is no way that you can keep an item AND get a refund.

Rebecca

[Judy K]

I am glad this worked out so well. It had all the earmarks of a night mare

[JoanFrances]

Annabella everyone is spot on.  If they keep the item and gave it as a gift to boot, then you are entitled to the money.  There are scammers everywhere Dear

Years ago, I did a lot of selling of personal items on ebay along with selling off my ceramic samples from when I taught, I sold a one of a kind butterfly piece to a con artist.

I had only just started on Ebay and had no experience of CYOB (cover your own butt), yet.  When I asked the woman if she wanted the piece insured, she said that wouldn't be necessary as she had read all the kind posts about my pieces always arriving so we packed and in perfect condition.

Something deep down told me beware, and I didn't listen.

Low and behold the woman claimed she got the piece and it was smashed in a million pieces.  I contacted a friend of mine who was a big seller on EBAY and he gave me the advice to tell her to send it back to me, so I could take a look at it, and possibly either repair it, or refund her the money.

Guess what, I never heard from her again, and EBAY stuck behind me all the way, thank God.

Soooo sorry that you had to deal with someone like this person.

[annabelle]

Thanks, Joan.....I have owned about half a dozen small businesses in my adult life, and dealt with some really strange customers.  I rarely second guess myself, but on this case, I kind of thought...."Well, maybe my final inspection missed something"....I would have been glad to give her a refund, had she returned the item.  Since my last post to her, suggesting she go to a retail store next time, I have not heard from her again.  I hope I never do....Thanks to all of your support folks......annabelle

[crazyone]

I'm glad you got your money she sounds like she was trying to pull a con. I was afraid since she kept telling you not to cash the check, that you would find out it was a bad check when you did try to cash it. I am glad that was not the case. Its a shame people have to be that way, she wanted her gift and she wanted to get it for nothing. What a scumbag.

[Kev]

I totally agree!

[annabelle]

Thanks, everyone!  It has been a little while, and no more word from the problematic customer.  I just hope this really is the end of this adventure!  We all try to "do the right thing" in business....because it really is the right thing to do...We try to respect our cusomers and treat them fairly...but we all have our limits of endurance.  Thanks for your insight, all.....and Merry Christmas to you all.....annabelle