Advice needed: Best way to handle very deluded customers

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Ninja Blacksmith

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I've dealt with deluded or misinformed enthusiasts and collectors before, but sheesh! The one I'm trying to get off my back now is absurdly persistent...I'm seeking advice about how to deal best with "stubborn" customers who want something unrealistic.

I started to get all excited when he said he wanted me to make him a blade. The excitement turned to irritation when he requested a set of "adamantium throwing knives" - and wants them for a flea market price. :grumpy: I keep explaining day after day that adamantium is not real, and that charging $2 - $5 per knife is also a dealbreaker - and he keeps coming back insisting I'm wrong about both, begging me to give in and make the throwers.

If any of you have successfully dealt with these sort of people, I would very much appreciate knowing how you were able to do it.
 
if it was me I would tell him this is my price and if you can get someone else to make them cheaper then go talk to that person. sorry I could not help you out.
 
Tell him he has to supply the materials and set a price for labor. It's a lot easier to give your price up front before you get too far into a conversation. It helps keep customers grounded in reality. At some point you're just going to have to end the talks and tell him your price set and if he doesn't like it then there are other knifemakers he can talk to.
 
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I don't understand your question.

Edited to add: i might not have been clear. He (the maker) should tell the customer to supply this unattainable material and tell the customer his (the maker's) price for labor, which should include whatever he (the maker) thinks he needs for compensation of his time/tools/other overhead costs.
 
fumbler said:
Tell him he has to supply the materials and set a price for labor. It's a lot easier to give your price up front before you get too far into a conversation. It helps keep customers grounded in reality. At some point you're just going to have to end the talks and tell him your price set and if he doesn't like it then there are other knifemakers he can talk to.
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That's the thing; I have ended conversation after conversation, day after day, with this guy and clearly he's not taking the hint. I guess to clarify, I'm looking for a way to finally get him off my case that maybe another maker has had success with (I'm sure there are other makers who have had encounters with people like this guy) - preferrably without turning this into a genuine fight.


@me2: I'm not sure if you're referring to the deluded customer or the thread. If it's the thread then I apologize - I'm relatively new to the forum and wasn't aware that I had crossed any lines, and will refrain from posting similar threads in the future.
 
He believes in fantastical materials and has a shoe string budget. Are you sure its not a kid?

Just tell him that at those rates you would be working losing money on the abrasives alone, let alone your time, materials, and shop cost. Just refer him to the current price of sand paper...
 
I long ago learned the best way to end a conversation is to NOT contribute to it. Eventually he will figure out he's talking to himself.
 
TJ Smith is right, Just say no ! Its easy and you don't have to explain anything. Is this person a FRIEND ? That might change it.
 
I would definitely ignore this person as politely as possible. But then, if he's bugging you everyday about it, it sounds as if you may be in a position where you're stuck with him...
 
tryppyr said:
I long ago learned the best way to end a conversation is to NOT contribute to it. Eventually he will figure out he's talking to himself.
Click to expand...

This is usually how I deal with it. I can only say no in so many ways, so once I've repeated myself a few times I just let them refer to those conversations with any future questions.
You could have some fun with him and make him think you're even further off your rocker than he is (just tell him youre waiting for the inter-lunar space transport from the Galactic Steel Baron to deliver your next order of adamantium, it's been back ordered for weeks due to supply problems on Uranus and the Klingon delivery pilots are on strike until Santa Claus agrees to increase their weekly allowance of elf-ear cookies)
 
Sounds like you've said no, followed by no, followed by no. At this point, is it approaching harassment levels? You've repeatedly and politely tried to educate, tried to decline, and tried to end the conversation. At this point, I'd probably tell him to leave your property and not return and block his number. It's probably overboard, and I don't know this person, but I also try and be armed when I'm in my shop if it's open to outside access. You just never know anymore.

--nathan
 
Thanks to all of you for the input; I will give completely ignoring a try, rather than just continuing to say no.

@ oic0: He's actually about my age, maybe a year or two older (26 - 27). Just one of those people who sees movie magic as legit material science.

@ David and silver: I'll be cautious. He doesn't seem like the brightest crayon in the box, or exhibit homicidal behavior as far as I can tell. You're right though; you just don't know anymore.
 
I have a couple weird quote request/emails I've been putting off answering, too. The great thing about the internet is that anyone can find you and your work. The bad thing about the internet is that anyone can find you and your work.

Sometimes all you can do is indeed just say NO and stop responding. You could just quote really high, but sometimes they'll call your bluff.
 
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