Purchasing Christmas Gifts from Friends WWYD?

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I have a good friend who lives several hours away...and she's gone into business for herself making jewelry.

I thought I would swing a little bit of business her way this Christmas, and I ordered several pieces from her. We conversed back and forth about the specifics of my order. I asked her several times to give me a price before she sent any jewelry because she said she was giving me a "great friend" discount.

Well, two of the necklaces she sent me had pendant crosses on them for my daughters who are young. They aren't at all what was listed on her website on the day I ordered them, and they are freakishly large for kids their size. They are also $5 more than the ones I originally ordered.

I helped her with her marketing materials and did quite a bit of research for her on similar merchants' goods. I spent several hours working on it, and I didn't charge her at all. As a result, I was able to see her wholesale and retail price lists.

She charged me full retail price on the majority of the pieces--the only ones she discounted were the freakishly large cross necklaces....which weren't even what I asked for.

I don't want to lose a friend over this issue, but I really feel like she's not appreciative of the work I did for her, and she must not consider me to be that great of a friend considering the prices she charged me.

The jewelry is pretty. Don't get me wrong. I just think her prices are high for costume jewelry and never would have purchased these items in a store if she wasn't my friend.

What would you do?

 

[mom2grace]

I think that I would chalk it up to a lesson learned and just not buy anything else from her in the future.

 

[Pam]

I think that I would chalk it up to a lesson learned and just not buy anything else from her in the future.

I agree -- and I wouldn't offer her my help in the future as well.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would be honest with her and tell her that it's very pretty, but not what you had in mind for your daughters. Also, tell her that she must have made a mistake in the charges because she charged you retail costs for most of the items.

I wouldn't let it go, personally, but I would give her a chance to make it right since she is a friend.

 

[crz4mm2]

I would be honest with her and tell her that it's very pretty, but not what you had in mind for your daughters. Also, tell her that she must have made a mistake in the charges because she charged you retail costs for most of the items.

I wouldn't let it go, personally, but I would give her a chance to make it right since she is a friend.

If she is a pretty good friend, then I agree with this. I would want a 'friend' to tell me the truth, even if it was something I really didnt' want hear. I woudl not want it to come between us. If you never say anything, I think it will fester and ruin a friendship.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I'm still pretty torn.

I know she's trying to start a business, but it seems like it would have been a much smarter move for her to offer me wholesale prices or slightly over that amount knowing that I'll share her business with other friends, family, and some of the local businesses in my area.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

 

[rascalmom]

Give her the benefit of the doubt & call her up & let her knew you would like to return the necklaces. Make a point of telling her that you are sorry that she misunderstood about the crosses being for your young daughters & that they are way too big & not what you expected from what you saw.

Then remind her (timidly, with a little honey) that she may have forgotten about the "good friend" discount, because you can see that you order was charged out at full retail. She probably just forgot, because it is such a busy & hectic time of year, right?

Talk to her - if you don't you are going to have bad feelings about this. If she is truly a good friend, the two of you should be able to work this out with the friendship intact.

 

[tmt martins]

NOTHING can come between true friends but lack of communication.If you talk about it and be truthful then thats that.