And here I thought it'd be better working for myself

[Jinxy]

Just a little background, I recently decided to try and take my sideline and make it into a full-time business. I design and sell purses, gothic baby things, costumes and accessories. Everything is geared toward the geekier side of things and I get a lot of word-of mouth business.

Today I wish one of my regulars would have shut up.

I got a referal from a great customer that I've done a ton of work for, she gave my card to a woman who'll we'll call Miss Priss.
Miss Priss just started dating a guy really into the convention scene and she wants a costume so she can "fit-in" at her first upcoming con. The only thing she know is she wants the costume to stand out and make her look hot.

In fact her first email to me was basically just that, "I heard you sew and I need a costume to make me stand out and look hot"

I reply to her that I'm sure I can help her and I need a little info from her about what she wants and attach a few examples of things I've done and what my prices range. I ask her what she's into and I get this back. (word for word names changed to prevent id-ing.


"Dear Jinxy,
I don't really care what dumb show I dress up for, no one I know will be there just pick something that will make me look hot. His friends are all a bunch of retards & geeks so it's not like they matter was thinking that maybe I could model the outfit you make me instead of paying you for it I could put it on my myspace and lj and tell everyone you did it and then if you get a lot of hits from it maybe you could cut me in for a share?? plz let me know asap

Miss Priss

I had to share before I replyed, I can't stop feeling bad for her bf.

Jinxy

[Andara Bledin]

Oooh... I'd make her a nice outfit.... with some geeky references that you know she'll never understand but that might be rather embarrassing for those that do.

Then again, I might just refuse to make her anything at all for the sake of principle.

Regardless, I would not be making it for free. No way, no how.

(now I wanna know what convention she's going to... so many going on)

^-.-^

[BookstoreEscapee]

Wow, I hope they invite you to the wedding...cuz that just sounds like one promising relationship!

[Gurndigarn]

"Dear Jinxy,
I don't really care what dumb show I dress up for, no one I know will be there just pick something that will make me look hot. His friends are all a bunch of retards & geeks so it's not like they matter was thinking that maybe I could model the outfit you make me instead of paying you for it I could put it on my myspace and lj and tell everyone you did it and then if you get a lot of hits from it maybe you could cut me in for a share?? plz let me know asap

Methinks I see a price spike in the costume business in the immediate future. And/or a quiet "I'm sorry, but I will be unable to complete anything before [conventiondate]."

Or... she wants something hot? How about a wool burka?

[aqutalion]

If it were me, and I were feeling evil, I'd have her go as Hamuko from Kakugo no Susume.

(Yes, obscure. For those who've never heard of it, Hamuko is a huge, ugly, obese villain with a spiky leather costume that doesn't quite cover up the hair in some very embarassing places. She'd stand out, all right, but not in a good way.)

[myswtghst]

What a twit. Yes, please, I don't like to be paid for my efforts. I'd rather someone not into the culture embarrass me by parading around in an outfit she doesn't understand and make a fool of herself. Don't forget, you have the right to refuse service.

[auntiem]

No way would I make her anything - she could do serious damage to your reputation. If she already is asking for it for free - she has obviously never hired a seamstress before and she will be a serious pain. Right now I can nearly promise you that she will not only complain about your labor cost, but the cost of the fabric and the at least two fittings she'll need because you know she will send you measurements that are totaly wrong (most people don't know how to take proper measurements). You would be much better off hiring a "hottie" that you know well that is really into it and giving them a good rate for making their costume in exchange for them handing out your buisness cards at the con.
By the way have you tried etsy.com to sell your purses and baby items - some folk really swear by it and you will (for the most part) people that understand why the prices are what they are because they make items too.

[InverseHellion]

If she decides that maybe payment might be a good idea I suggest Naga the Serpent from Slayers. Regardless of what her figure is like.

[BlackIronCrown]

HAHAHAHA! Computer says NO. I've known too many costume designers to say otherwise.
Wait a second. *checks* Ah, you're in my state. I bet I know what convention it's for too. Figures; I've seen a dozen of those type each year, male/female, who dress to impress their SO while denigrating every other part of the subculture. They don't last long...

[BusyBee]

Wow, let's see...
Vague in her demands, insulting and demeaning to both people and subculture, egotistical ("I can model it for you, teehee!"), expecting free stuff/entitlement b***h, and expecting you to 'cut her in for a share' from something she wants for free.
It's like she sat down and really thought about how sucky she could be before writing that email Bonus points if she's not giving you much/enough time to make anything decent in time for the con!

[Shironu-Akaineko]

Oh goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood I hate that.... I'm not a seamstress but I AM a cartoonist and do comissions and it's always "my biggest faaans" that come up and want super complicated drawings for freeeee that they'll post on their site and show everybodyyyyy...

And when the work is not to their liking oh golly gee, and I thought I got yelled at at work. Profanities with some words sprinkled in between and how much I suck as an artist and how they'll make sure nobody sees my stuff...

DUDE, PRELIMINARY SKETCH!

But nooooooo explanations are for chumps!

No more free art.

[Jack T. Chance]

My suggestion...

Okay, Jinxy, let's see what we've got here:

1. Going to a convention.
2. Wants to look "hot".
3. Stuck-up bitch that thinks she should be given something free for "modeling" it for you.

By Jove, I've got it!

Gather up some carpet scraps, preferably heavy, deep pile carpeting, and make her an outfit to dress up as...



The Carpeted Man, as seen on The Tick!

Not only will she look "hot", she'll BE hot... and sweaty, too!

Also, be sure to remind her that for extra authenticity, she should shuffle her feet along the ground, so as to build up a tremendous charge of static electricity to use to shock the bejeezus out of the forces of evil!

[Becks]

The sad thing is, she was more than likely SERIOUS.

[ArenaBoy]

The Carpeted Man, as seen on The Tick!

Off-topic: Holy crap THE TICK!!!!! *Gets excited* I used to watch the show and I owned comic books that had him in them. I gotta dig up my comics!

On topic: Might I suggest a straight jacket and a muzzle for this woman? Or would the Arthur costume from the Tick be better?

[Daphne]

I really can't comprehend the audacity of people at times. This is one of those times.