Take a look at one of Bored Panda’s publications on choosing beggars (here and here) and you’ll realize there’s an endless supply of entitled jerks demanding things for free. While most of these stories are amusing, they speak to a larger issue. One that many freelancers face every day.
Many people don’t value creative work. Even if they admire it deeply. And unfortunately, the carpenter behind Katarina’s Furniture Facelifts got to experience it firsthand. The woodworker recently had a conversation with a particularly obnoxious customer who just wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.
A furniture restorer from Pennsylvania, United States, posted this photo to showcase her skills
Image credits: katarinasfurniture
“I’ve been painting furniture for 6 years. It’s been pretty awesome, to be honest. It’s something I really love doing,” the founder of Katarina’s Furniture Facelifts told Bored Panda.
“My clients are normally very pleasant, but I do sometimes get the choosing beggar here and there.”
Impressed by the vanity, a woman contacted her to discuss a possible project
Some time ago, Bored Panda also spoke to The Freelancer Club about their #NoFreeWork campaign, an initiative fighting exploitative unpaid work.
“Artists are sometimes looked down upon as hobbyists and yet it takes years of hard work, natural ability, and creativity to produce thought-providing, meaningful [rasults]. Artists enrich our lives, provoke thought and conversation,” a representative of The Freelancer Club told us. “We must start to value artists for their contribution to society and the economy. Try going a week without art, music, and film and see how grey the world would be.” Something tells me this woman would really benefit from such an experiment.
But the client turned out to be a great piece of work herself
Image credits: steadyshecomes
The woodworker said she’s experienced this once before when someone thought her $450 price was too high, so they offered me $200 instead. “They told me that they couldn’t afford more than that, so I should just accommodate them.”
The representative of The Freelancer Club team said: “Artists throughout history have always been supported by the aristocracy. Patrons such as the Medici family would commission the masters to create works of art in the Renaissance era. Perhaps it stems from childhood. The idea of kids doodling with finger paints is seen as an infantile pursuit and this leaves an association in the adult mind.”
“We have found amongst our members that freelancers who turn their passion into their profession often struggle with the business side of things,” they continued. “Knowing how much to charge, asking for money, writing a business plan, or setting business goals is not why they chose to get into freelancing. They also tend to work in sectors that leverage their cache to undervalue and exploit young talents such as the fashion, music, and film industry. It’s a vicious cycle based on fear. Say ‘no’ to an unpaid ‘opportunity’ and someone else might take it. When the talent is willing to work for free, [businesses and individuals] take advantage.”
Luckily for this carpenter, she handled the situation perfectly.
Here’s what people said about the entire ordeal
Unfortunately, the potential customer will never comprehend how awful her behavior was. She'll tell that story over and over, embellishing it each time to show how clever she was.
She humored this woman's behavior for much longer than I would expect. The "I don't understand so you should sell it to me" was soon enough to see what kind of person she was.
I see this all the time on BP, why? Dr. Laurance Doyle says; "You can't have a conversation with a liar" Well, you can't with someone who can't think straight either. Don't waste your breath.
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Okay but I have never seen any piece of furniture that I love as much as I love that vanity. If that is indicative of the work this person does, $750 or let alone $400 is WAY too low. With her talent, that price is an absolute STEAL. Good luck finding something like that in Ikea; that's a piece you can pass down to your grandchildren.
"Why are posting a picture on your business page if it's not for sale?" Maybe because their business is not selling, but restoring? It could have been another customer's property.
Yes! Clearly this fool has no idea that people frequently show work they have done as an idea for others.
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$400 to strip and repaint that giant cabinet?! I would expect to pay $2000!
Exactly, I would feel terrible not paying more, it's too much work (including the transport and supplies) I'd offer much more and insist she accept it. That's marvelous work, she's very gifted and skilled.
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"I could get one at IKEA for $200!" Then go to sodding IKEA, you dozy cow. Wanting custom antique furniture for less than flat pack? That Karen needs to get her brain in gear.
'Have the day you deserve' - We're all going to use that now, aren't we? 😆
Man, I have asked people for things and they come back with the price and I realize that I just can't afford it. Guess what, I say, thank you for the quote, that falls outside of my budget unfortunately. Have a great day. That is all there is to it. I can't afford it, I don't commission it. Why do people get angry and fight? Never will understand that. I have seen a lot of things I think are incredibly overpriced, typically when you go to one of those tourist type towns, but I just don't buy it. I know I am cheap, which is why I make my own art, fix my house myself, and refinish my own furniture. I know I can't afford the human labor so I just do it myself. Might not be the best but it is what it is and you eventually get fairly good at it.
It's worth every penny. I just don't have that many pennies.
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She should be charging a lot more for that level of work. Also don't explain your costs, it's not their business.
An artist was asked "How long did it take you to paint that?" "A lifetime" she said.
Load More Replies... It’s really sad how people abuse artistic people!! There is an amazing amount of work going into stripping and refinishing any piece of furniture. And artists and crafts people frequently photograph their work to display it, so people have an idea of what they can do. This person contacting the artist obviously has no clue how artist and crafts people work.
I really don't understand why she humored her and described all that. She could tell right away she was dealing with a garbage person with zero tact or manners.
I do hate such people. Good things have a price. And there is a reason for that. If I cannot afford something, I would say that. I will not go insulting people because of my tight budget.
No hating, it's not good for you and they're not even aware of it. Just leave them to wallow in the ignorance of their resentment. -and if you like the Bible; "The laborer is worthy of his hire" 'nother words "Pay da man/woman"
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This makes me sad for the china cabinet … that it’s owned by that nightmare of a woman is a shame.
I'd like to have seen it before the white paint.
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Beats me why the artist, craftsperson or business person tries to talk sense to the vulgarian who belittles and insults them about the work they wanted -but for free or at little cost. We see this over and over on BP. Just hang up.
I will never understand people who do this. I posted a guitar I made for sale. The first person to see it said why would you think you can charge so much for this? Just because you took some wood made it a shape, drew some pictures on it and painted it like wow. I'll give you 250. It was entirely covered in hand done pyrography and the paint alone took 2 days.... but he clearly wanted it. Like you don't get to do this with any other business. I want a Rolex. They seem to expensive though.... so I don't get one.... I don't go into the store tell them they make shitty ugly watches and then say I'll do them a favour and take one off your hands for 59 bucks.....
I would have bet some money that the beggar made some your/you're mistakes!
Oh my goodness! You think your time and labour is only worth $4.85 an hour? I sew and make children's clothing, and I don't charge less than $10 per hour plus materials costs. If someone wants something special, they pay for the privilege, and my time. If they just want to clothe their child (which is absolutely fine!) then go to Walmart and get that cute little dress for $10.
Where do these people get their sense of entitlement from and their belief they can treat people in the service, retail, and hospitality industries as inferior. This is why I can't be in retail. I would be fired on day one because I wouldn't tolerate any kind of n karen nonsense from anyone.
I know the time and effort it takes to build a cabinet like her show piece. I helped build many cabinets with my father out of solid wood. We got a feel for people when they stuck their nose up at the prices. They don't understand the perspective of the material in hand to creating something so beautiful. It was telling as well for them in their character - like this Karen. I would have no issue paying her for the price she asked. Wood and materials aren't cheap in these days.
Choosing beggars are especially ridiculous when the prices are actually fairly low. 400 dollars is quite inexpensive for something like that!
Amazing, people in any, business deal with the weird, they say, it takes all kinds, to make the world go around, my first experience, as a teen working, a customer, a grown woman, with that attitude, being young, I was stunned !!!
Please stop validating and explaining art. People like that never actually buy, so validating it just fuels their arrogance. I would have stopped responding at the point of her lowballing my personal item.
Listen up, you entitled bitch - what part of IT'S NOT FOR SALE do you not understand? Just WOW.
"I'm going to tell everyone I know how awful you are", something tells me anyone in her life is so sick of her bullshit and they aren't going to listen to her.
I refurbish furniture, I know how much supplies cost, I quote people $30.00 per hr plus the cost of supplies. So many do not understand, it is not just paint and primer, it is dust masks, safety glasses, etc, and also time and effort i.e. manual labour.
That vanity is remarkable! And you were much more patient with Ms. Crazy than anyone, ever!
why... just... why.... I also sometimes though something will cost less than they told me... well. I was wrong, I thanked them saying I will think about it and dont contact them anymore.... The fact that I can't afford it or I dont know the correct price is my own problem....
Yeah $400 for a custom paint job on a hutch that big is pretty great. Also how effing stupid do you have to be to not understand why an artist would want to show a sample of their work even if isn’t for sale? Also to not understand how she came up with the price of $750 for something she ALREADY FINISHED? The artist knows how much material and time was spent on something that’s already finished, it’s pretty easy to come up with an estimate based on the stuff they already used.
If ever there is an appropriate use of profanity to describe someone, oh so deserving, this is it. And personally the word "c**t" is what I would use.
I agree that 750 is ridiculous. It should be more. For all the time and beautiful work she put in to that, I would ask more then 750.
You vanity is worth thousands. Fine, one of a kind, furniture is priced like art. Especially when done by an artist- it's stunning.
Hard to believe there are jackass' like the woman who contacted him and even 750 IF were to sell it seems awful cheap. I'd pay 750 in a heartbeat for it. I would expect it to easily for 2K
That person has never bought any furniture,I even doubt IKEA, because even their stuff can be more expensive. Both estimates are a steal! (When I first saw the vanity on top of the page I was easily estimating four figures, and not the lowest at that.) I've done a few tiny things around my own furniture, and just the fact that I wouldn't have to strip that thing by myself would be worth 400 to me.
That vanity is honestly so gorgeous! This flipper definitely has talent.
This *artist* definitely has talent. (Fixed it for you)
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Personally I think that cabinet looks pretty good as it is. With a little care the chipped spots could be repaired. I strongly suspect that this is a totally invented piece. Possibly just for fun (fiction) but also possibly to try to drum up more restoration business and justify her high prices, Not to mention the metallic blue dresser looks ghastly. The blue is SO out of character with the piece.
Unfortunately, the potential customer will never comprehend how awful her behavior was. She'll tell that story over and over, embellishing it each time to show how clever she was.
She humored this woman's behavior for much longer than I would expect. The "I don't understand so you should sell it to me" was soon enough to see what kind of person she was.
I see this all the time on BP, why? Dr. Laurance Doyle says; "You can't have a conversation with a liar" Well, you can't with someone who can't think straight either. Don't waste your breath.
Load More Replies... Okay but I have never seen any piece of furniture that I love as much as I love that vanity. If that is indicative of the work this person does, $750 or let alone $400 is WAY too low. With her talent, that price is an absolute STEAL. Good luck finding something like that in Ikea; that's a piece you can pass down to your grandchildren.
"Why are posting a picture on your business page if it's not for sale?" Maybe because their business is not selling, but restoring? It could have been another customer's property.
Yes! Clearly this fool has no idea that people frequently show work they have done as an idea for others.
Load More Replies... $400 to strip and repaint that giant cabinet?! I would expect to pay $2000!
Exactly, I would feel terrible not paying more, it's too much work (including the transport and supplies) I'd offer much more and insist she accept it. That's marvelous work, she's very gifted and skilled.
Load More Replies... "I could get one at IKEA for $200!" Then go to sodding IKEA, you dozy cow. Wanting custom antique furniture for less than flat pack? That Karen needs to get her brain in gear.
'Have the day you deserve' - We're all going to use that now, aren't we? 😆
Man, I have asked people for things and they come back with the price and I realize that I just can't afford it. Guess what, I say, thank you for the quote, that falls outside of my budget unfortunately. Have a great day. That is all there is to it. I can't afford it, I don't commission it. Why do people get angry and fight? Never will understand that. I have seen a lot of things I think are incredibly overpriced, typically when you go to one of those tourist type towns, but I just don't buy it. I know I am cheap, which is why I make my own art, fix my house myself, and refinish my own furniture. I know I can't afford the human labor so I just do it myself. Might not be the best but it is what it is and you eventually get fairly good at it.
It's worth every penny. I just don't have that many pennies.
Load More Replies... She should be charging a lot more for that level of work. Also don't explain your costs, it's not their business.
An artist was asked "How long did it take you to paint that?" "A lifetime" she said.
Load More Replies... It’s really sad how people abuse artistic people!! There is an amazing amount of work going into stripping and refinishing any piece of furniture. And artists and crafts people frequently photograph their work to display it, so people have an idea of what they can do. This person contacting the artist obviously has no clue how artist and crafts people work.
I really don't understand why she humored her and described all that. She could tell right away she was dealing with a garbage person with zero tact or manners.
I do hate such people. Good things have a price. And there is a reason for that. If I cannot afford something, I would say that. I will not go insulting people because of my tight budget.
No hating, it's not good for you and they're not even aware of it. Just leave them to wallow in the ignorance of their resentment. -and if you like the Bible; "The laborer is worthy of his hire" 'nother words "Pay da man/woman"
Load More Replies... This makes me sad for the china cabinet … that it’s owned by that nightmare of a woman is a shame.
I'd like to have seen it before the white paint.
Load More Replies... Beats me why the artist, craftsperson or business person tries to talk sense to the vulgarian who belittles and insults them about the work they wanted -but for free or at little cost. We see this over and over on BP. Just hang up.
I will never understand people who do this. I posted a guitar I made for sale. The first person to see it said why would you think you can charge so much for this? Just because you took some wood made it a shape, drew some pictures on it and painted it like wow. I'll give you 250. It was entirely covered in hand done pyrography and the paint alone took 2 days.... but he clearly wanted it. Like you don't get to do this with any other business. I want a Rolex. They seem to expensive though.... so I don't get one.... I don't go into the store tell them they make shitty ugly watches and then say I'll do them a favour and take one off your hands for 59 bucks.....
I would have bet some money that the beggar made some your/you're mistakes!
Oh my goodness! You think your time and labour is only worth $4.85 an hour? I sew and make children's clothing, and I don't charge less than $10 per hour plus materials costs. If someone wants something special, they pay for the privilege, and my time. If they just want to clothe their child (which is absolutely fine!) then go to Walmart and get that cute little dress for $10.
Where do these people get their sense of entitlement from and their belief they can treat people in the service, retail, and hospitality industries as inferior. This is why I can't be in retail. I would be fired on day one because I wouldn't tolerate any kind of n karen nonsense from anyone.
I know the time and effort it takes to build a cabinet like her show piece. I helped build many cabinets with my father out of solid wood. We got a feel for people when they stuck their nose up at the prices. They don't understand the perspective of the material in hand to creating something so beautiful. It was telling as well for them in their character - like this Karen. I would have no issue paying her for the price she asked. Wood and materials aren't cheap in these days.
Choosing beggars are especially ridiculous when the prices are actually fairly low. 400 dollars is quite inexpensive for something like that!
Amazing, people in any, business deal with the weird, they say, it takes all kinds, to make the world go around, my first experience, as a teen working, a customer, a grown woman, with that attitude, being young, I was stunned !!!
Please stop validating and explaining art. People like that never actually buy, so validating it just fuels their arrogance. I would have stopped responding at the point of her lowballing my personal item.
Listen up, you entitled bitch - what part of IT'S NOT FOR SALE do you not understand? Just WOW.
"I'm going to tell everyone I know how awful you are", something tells me anyone in her life is so sick of her bullshit and they aren't going to listen to her.
I refurbish furniture, I know how much supplies cost, I quote people $30.00 per hr plus the cost of supplies. So many do not understand, it is not just paint and primer, it is dust masks, safety glasses, etc, and also time and effort i.e. manual labour.
That vanity is remarkable! And you were much more patient with Ms. Crazy than anyone, ever!
why... just... why.... I also sometimes though something will cost less than they told me... well. I was wrong, I thanked them saying I will think about it and dont contact them anymore.... The fact that I can't afford it or I dont know the correct price is my own problem....
Yeah $400 for a custom paint job on a hutch that big is pretty great. Also how effing stupid do you have to be to not understand why an artist would want to show a sample of their work even if isn’t for sale? Also to not understand how she came up with the price of $750 for something she ALREADY FINISHED? The artist knows how much material and time was spent on something that’s already finished, it’s pretty easy to come up with an estimate based on the stuff they already used.
If ever there is an appropriate use of profanity to describe someone, oh so deserving, this is it. And personally the word "c**t" is what I would use.
I agree that 750 is ridiculous. It should be more. For all the time and beautiful work she put in to that, I would ask more then 750.
You vanity is worth thousands. Fine, one of a kind, furniture is priced like art. Especially when done by an artist- it's stunning.
Hard to believe there are jackass' like the woman who contacted him and even 750 IF were to sell it seems awful cheap. I'd pay 750 in a heartbeat for it. I would expect it to easily for 2K
That person has never bought any furniture,I even doubt IKEA, because even their stuff can be more expensive. Both estimates are a steal! (When I first saw the vanity on top of the page I was easily estimating four figures, and not the lowest at that.) I've done a few tiny things around my own furniture, and just the fact that I wouldn't have to strip that thing by myself would be worth 400 to me.
That vanity is honestly so gorgeous! This flipper definitely has talent.
This *artist* definitely has talent. (Fixed it for you)
Load More Replies... Personally I think that cabinet looks pretty good as it is. With a little care the chipped spots could be repaired. I strongly suspect that this is a totally invented piece. Possibly just for fun (fiction) but also possibly to try to drum up more restoration business and justify her high prices, Not to mention the metallic blue dresser looks ghastly. The blue is SO out of character with the piece.
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