Thursday, November 20, 2008

What to do???

How lucky am I to be able to do what I love from home and make money. I might be the luckiest girl EVER. But lately I have been having a hard time with some unruly customers. Now don't get me wrong 98% of my customers are amazing...but I don't know what to do about the other 2%. Sometimes I feel like I should just stop all together...maybe I'm extra sensitive because Im pregnant. Its hard when you make something from scratch with your hands and you get angry customers like "this had one less petal on it than in the photos", "It didnt get to me fast enough"
Nothing serious...just things that take the joy out of getting payed for doing something you love. I know a lot of people who get to do things like this for a living and would love to know your secret for keeping the enjoyment there? Maybe I shouldnt be blogging about this but it has been on my mind and I have nothing else to blog about...other than the fact that Sarah got to see her little baby yeaterday and I couldnt be more happy for and SO jealous! 

And...sister and I are in the market for some tickets for the midnight showing of twilight tonight? We might be a bit of procrastinators.  But let me know if you have any ideas!!!

16 comments:

Desiree said...

Awe, don't let the 2% get you down <3 You and your sister's work is fabulous ^_^

themisswhit said...

I'm a lurker coming out because this is important! I say poo-poo on them!

Seriously you should take pride in your elbow grease using, hand made, gorgeous, intracate creations! They are works of art and you're using your God given talent here. Anyone can see that you've worked your little fingers to the bone making these wonderful beauties! If they could make them themselves they wouldn't be buying them from you! Don't let them get you down anymore! I mean it! It sounds like a personal problem for them to deal with. (really they need a major attitude adjustment!)

Suggestions though...Maybe you could refund if they return it, but not "fix" the creations unless it really is a major defect. To help ward off these nasties maybe you could put a disclaimer of sorts on your shop that each piece is unique and individual from the other and will look as close as possible to the one online.(unfortunate that you have to do it though, duh people use your brain.) And about the time, maybe add to the disclaimer that it will take up to XX# weeks for each order and round up so if they get it way sooner they'll be that much more happy! And maybe you could charge more for the rush orders?

Hope that helps! Don't let Miss Crabby McCrabby-Pants out there get you down! Shame on them! Seriously!!

*stepping off my soapbox now, sorry for the novel* :)

Shauna said...

hey i am a blog stalker, one of sarahs friends...and i have bought some stuff from your shop and am obsessed everytime i see you added something or whenever i wear any of the baby items that i purchased (yeah, so what? i wear baby hair clips in my hair...). I also have an etsy shop and understand the dissapointment and stress that comes from complaints. I think people just need to chill out and realize that we arent walmart and things dont get shipped the second the order is made.

Your work is great and darling and people and some people are just nasty.

Unknown said...

Hi I am a {creepy} blog stalker too but I wanted to tell you that I love your products and you should keep doing what you love. There always has to be a little bitter with the sweet.

I love your headbands {and everything else} and I wanted to show you some pics of us enjoying one of your headbands on my wee one's blessing day! Baby Lola thinks you rock! {EVERYONE always asks me about the headband when she wears it and I direct them to your Etsy shop!}

Blessing day: http://adayinthelifeofdari.blogspot.com/2008/11/polaroid-blessing.html

and her newborn babe pics:
http://adayinthelifeofdari.blogspot.com/2008/09/pretty-princess-first-photoshoot.html

XOXO

Celeste said...

geez, the blog-stalkers are really coming out of the woodwork, aren't we? I'm a friend of Jessica Kettle's, and I also do wedding cakes, which I LOVE & feel like the luckiest chic ever also. Your pieces are beautiful & you really shouldn't ever feel like you have to apologize for anything about it. All the other advice people have given you is exactly what I'd say too. My hardest thing is separating myself from my creations. It isn't a rejection of you, you know? (or maybe that's just my own insecurity) If they don't like what they got, it's really more of a reflection on them, because it's what THEY ordered, right? Sorry if you have buyer's remorse or decision making issues, deal with it. This is hand-made, quality, shish we're talking about!

cassaundra said...

I have no idea how discouraging that would be but I love your work, your craftsmanship is impeccable and it always comes on time...keep it up or Ruby's little head will be nude.

Tiffany said...

Um. I don't even know what to say. Not only are you the sweetest person ever I refuse to believe anyone would have anything bad to say about lou and lee! Just wore my mary headband yesterday and of course loved it!

sarah marie. said...

call your friends mom!

Jewels said...

Oh, Ann - I'm sorry you've had to deal with lame customers. Sadly, they are everywhere! When my sister was working from home she dealt with the same thing. My biggest frustration with people like that is, "Do you not have anything better to do? Does common sense not linger in your head?" I mean, one less petal?? Get a hobby, dude. Obvious, my feisty-ness is probably not the best route to take, but just know that you are in the right. Just take a deep breath and have a snack...that didn't help at all, did it.

Anonymous said...

90% of the population just don't get it...seriously.

Who cares...you are the BOMB...your shop is the BOMB and your creations are the BOOOOOMMMMMMB!

Love you and Lou and Lee!

Jinii said...

Know that those people just always have to find something to complain about. I absolutely love your stuff and every time Addyson wears one of her bows we get non stop compliments!!!! Just tell those people if they don't like it then go some where else.

Leah said...

Yeah, people can really suck sometimes for sure.

patrice stanford said...

When we had the KFC we had a customer that ALWAYS complained. So, Uncle Tracy GAVE HIM A FREE MEAL and he STILL COMPLAINED. Some people. I love you

TX Girl said...

As a Lou and Lee customer- I LOVE your stuff and will cry if you stop (sorry about the guilt). I actually wore my fancy headband yesterday and honestly before y'all came around I would have never even tried. I'm not that cool. But, yesterday I put it on and went to a birthday party for my daughter's friend. Wouldn't you know it, another girlfriend was wearing your rose headband. Mind you, I live in Texas, so what are the odds..

I love your stuff. Don't let some crazy people put a damper on your fun.

Unknown said...

Ann, I am an occasional blog reader and I have ordered things from your store. I LOVE what you do. As someone who owns her own business doing what I love, it can be hard and challenging sometimes to keep perspective. I have just learned that sometimes we can't please everyone. Sometimes people are just horrid and say something isn't right just to get a freebie. It happens to me ALL the time. It is in certain people's nature.

In those instances, it is much easier to write them off and move onto the next best customer. I for one love what you do, I am inspired by your work and I pray all the time that we will be blessed with another baby and hopefully another girl so I can buy all of your cute hairbows!

Much love!

The Clevelands said...

Hey Gurl, well being an owner of two businesses, I know the feeling, and it sucks. But some people wont be happy no matter what! It is just their personality, and sometimes their culture. When I have bought stuff from you, you have had he best customer service ever! I give it an A++. And your products, well they make me die. In a totally good way.

Loves