How do you deal with family and friends who wants discounts? I own a small cookie business. I make about $200-$300 per order for my work so these aren’t cheap cookies. I get family members and friends sometimes messaging me to do custom cookies for them for events for such a small (basically just covering my expenses without making me any money at all) amount or sometimes I feel they even expect it for free and it’s really awkward for me to tell them my actual pricing because I know they won’t spend the money. However, my time is valuable and making these orders is very time consuming - time I can be working on another order that’ll bring me a lot more money.
So, how do you deal and gently tell them “no” or “it’ll cost you XY amount” which would be pretty much the same as any other client? I have done a few free orders for close family and friends and a few really cheap ones but I’m done with this. I’m busting my ass for nothing.
I’ve owned a cookie business for 40 years, I would never ever ever charge friends and family full price. You send them the price list and offer a certain percentage off. Don’t forget in big, bold letters what your custom cookie surcharge is along with required lead-time. Itemize the invoice so they see their discount. If you’re not making money with a reasonable discount, your pricing is off. I completely understand though, it’s the expectation that’s frustrating.
With that said, you’ve got to get used to it, it will never end. When I go to our bank, I always get asked, “Did you bring cookies?” I don’t bring them every time, just when I feel like it. It’s a good problem to have and you’ll eventually embrace the fact people are eager for your arrival, no one is excited to see a proctologist