This Etsy Store Owner Shares How She Put A Rude 'Choosing Beggar' In Their Place

Some handmade sellers learn the hard way that not every customer respects the work behind a custom order. For Katt, the owner of Kraft Katt's Creations, a simple request for a 100% wool queen-sized blanket quickly turned into a frustrating lesson in entitlement.

She was happy to take on the commission at first, but the conversation soon revealed a customer who pushed back on price, effort, and basic courtesy. What started as a handmade blanket request became a full-blown clash over value, time, and respect.

And once Katt decided to stand her ground, the reaction was exactly as messy as you'd expect.

"I’m just a hobby crocheter and trying to keep it that way," Katt said.

storebukkebruse

"I rarely do commissions; usually, they are just done to reinvest money in my hobbies," she explained. "Most people are extremely polite when inquiring about prices; I’ve been told once before that I overcharge, and that was as rude as it got before this."

Digital marketing consultant Claire Beveridge says that although it may be tempting to let such demanding customers have it, it's important to always remain calm. "Leave their request until you’ve had a chance to calm down and reflect—whether this takes twenty minutes or twenty hours," she said.

That is where the tone started to shift.

She was not about to be talked down to.

This also echoes the WIBTA dilemma of whether to support friends failing business after ignored advice.

"Of course, deadlines are important, but it’s worth taking the time to respond in a manner that will strengthen your professional relationship rather than destroy it. People hire freelancers because of their skill set and expertise, not as a dogsbody."

Then the customer kept pushing.

"If a client is going against your professional opinion, you have the right to explain why you think they’re wrong. If they don’t respect this, the options are simple: grin and bear it, or fire them."

Claire says the key to successful negotiation is to be clear and straightforward with the customer. "Communicating with clients is really important in getting to the bottom of their concerns," she said.

Here's how people reacted.

"If your client is truly abysmal to work with—get rid of them; life is too short!" Beveridge said. "Yes, they may be paying lucratively for your services (or, even worse, paying you very poorly—in which case, why are you sticking with them?), but are they really worth the hassle?"

Katt did a great job handling the situation. "I’m not a business, so I really don’t consider anyone a ‘potential customer,’ and if they’re rude, I have no problem dishing it back," Katt explained.

"I don’t need to worry about negative reviews or anything like that; the repercussions for me are virtually zero." You only have to look at Katt's reviews to see that the majority of her customers are more than happy with her service.

Here's how people reacted.

Want a different kind of Etsy pricing fight? See if OP should fake a discount for their friend.