I found out the hard way, again, not to do business with friends. I made a cake for a friend quite some time ago who still has yet to pay me for it. Not half, not some, all of it. The client did not pay a single penny.
Now, I am torn between the fact that we’ve been friends for so long and the fact that this person is prone to flake-outs, blow-offs and disappearances.
I have been friends with this person long enough to forgive and forget when it is something like a flake-out or a blow-off but this is not personal, it is business and therefore an ethical and moral issue .
I have since left numerous voice mails, messages at the clients place of work and numerous text messages. As expected, have received several asinine excuses as to why the money was not delivered and have not received a return call or text in the last week.
One thing is for sure, I will never bake anything for this client ever again. Not until this order is paid in full. And even then, I will expect full payment prior to delivery.
This is ridiculous and sad.
I should have known better than to do business with a friend. I feel hurt, used, abused and blown off. I am officially pissed.
Friends don’t do this to friends, they value the friendship too much to ever do this.
I guess I should chalk this up to being an idiot. I am obviously an idiot if I thought otherwise.
**UPDATE 3/6/09**
I sent a paypal invoice, a myspace message and left a verbal message at the clients office. I finally received a message via myspace to F*CK OFF, stop harassing the client and to not contact the client ever again. I was instructed that I would receive the money via US mail after March 13. The client then removed me from their friends list on myspace and blocked me.
We’ve been friends for nearly 15 years. I guess it just really didn’t mean that much to the person. I could give a rats ass about the money, I’m hurt double deep now because it was so simple for the client to write me off over not being able to afford a damn cake.
Shame on me, again.
Just so you know, not all friends are like that.
Some of us would treat you with respect.
But still, I would pay up front!
Cupcakes? I can has some?
I know we already kinda discussed this via tweets but I just had to reiterate… That farking blows!! Sheesh! Some friend. With friends like that, who needs enemies! Seriously. Don’t ppl feel bad? I’d feel like crap for doing that to someone. I know it’s not a real consolation but I guess try to learn from the experience: 1) All monies paid in full before event, 2) Money and friends don’t mix. I am sorry. That really aint right. Maybe email her to the link to your post.
Clara @ iheartcuppycakes!
Hillary -
You can HAS cupcakes any time you want. I can bake you some, put the icing in a separate container and overnight them to you!
CUPCAKES! I loves cupcakes! Can they be giants?
ABSOLUTELY.
I made giant almond amaretto cupcakes for my bffs bday.
It's a tough lesson to learn and a really crappy way for that person to act. I'm fairly certain Kroger wouldn't let her walk without paying. I just don't get people sometimes. Sorry that happened.
You and me both. :/