craftgrrl | A Business Question (Reply)

This is a slightly complicated question about freelancing. I'm in kind of a fix, I think.

BACKGROUND:

I did freelance work for a guy who wanted a leather loincloth thing for a modern dance performance. He'd already bought the leather, which I wouldn't have recommended. He asked me to do the work. I said I was only slightly experienced with leather. He said that was okay and I accepted. We settled on $10 an hour, plus $5 an hour for postering for his event. I wanted to do two fittings but he insisted on only one. Fine, I said after a little more arguing. I made the thing in 7 hours, handsewing the entire thing. I recorded my time very carefully. I had odd pieces to work with, and I told him that it would be hard to get it perfect. He said fine, but I never felt comfortable with this.

Pickup day rolls around, an even to occur on a sidewalk near a bus stop. He's late, he takes it, discovers a bill of $110. This is after he has already paid $20 for the leather, before he consulted me. This is after he talked about how much this performance event was costing him. He seemed really upset by the bill but didn't say much. He paid me $70 and said he would bring me more later. He wouldn't look at the timetable I made, even though I pressed it on him. He just took my word for it that he owed me $40. He drove off a ways, stopped the car and was assumably studying it. Then he left. I haven't heard from him since.

The main point of this story: I am afraid that he didn't like my work. I am therefore unsure of whether or not to ask him for the rest of this money. Yes I emailed him, and I don't know for sure what his opinion is. However, despite doing my very best, I have a sinking suspicion that he's not happy with it.

Now, keeping in mind the expense, I am wondering how and if I should do some kind of refund. On the one hand, he ought not to be forced to buy something he hates. On the other hand, my time is my time. I'm in a quandry and would rather not be in trouble over this.

And while I'm at it, I'd like to know if you other freelancers get annoyed when a new customer praises you a lot before your work is done. This guy did that to me and he never saw my other work, mostly because I don't have a portfolio. I said I wished I could show him one but he said not to worry. Honestly, I don't buy that confidence. The point is, high praise like that makes me really nervous because I'm scared of disappointing him. This part is probably a major cause of my stress.

Ideas and support would be very much appreciated.