Free event... demanding customers

[Sherry]

I did a crazy busy event this weekend.  It was a trade for advertising that I'd agreed to do.  Then the coordinator came back and asked if I had any other artists free to come.  I did have 2, but with the slow season, I couldn't really afford to pay them.  I told her I would still offer it to them to work for tips, but since it wasn't paying I didn't know.  They ended up wanting to come out for the practice.

So we were swamped and our part of the event had long lines all day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

At the last hour, I estimated that we could each do approximately ten and I numbered the customers left in both our lines.  The other artist was on the other side of the hall, so she was on her own.  Angela next to me was a new artist, so I thought I could make up for speed any she may have left over.

We're painting away and shutting down and I took my last customer when my watch said we had 5 minutes to go, so I estimated by the time I finished this customer it was approximately 4 p.m.  Even though we were closed I continued to get people coming to ask for one more.  I turned down one guy and then he went to the other side of the table and asked Angela.  Too funny!

Anyway, as we're cleaning up a lady comes up and asks for our card.  Then she looks at her watch and says, "I thought you were painting until 4 p.m., it's 4:02."  I can't remember what my first response was, but she asked again in an accusatory way, so I said, "we were painting for free."  Thinking what's the big deal here when we've been painting all day like maniacs for a pittance.  She says it again, so I tell her that we have to estimate how many more we can do with the time left when we shut off the line.  She says it again, so I tell her we need time to clean up our kit and area.

Then she says nevermind, she doesn't want our card and sets it back on the table and takes off.  I turn to Angela and say that she was starting to make me mad.  Probably not a good thing to say, but I was annoyed.  Then she turns and comes back and decides she DOES want my card.  I'm not sure what that whole thing was about?

I get home later and realize that my watch was set 5 minutes fast.    But still!  Sometimes I think people are more demanding when it's free.  We're out there working our tushies off and with barely a break and this woman is interrogating us at the end.

[sparklingfaces]

Awe. I hate leaving a charitable event with a bad taste in my mouth.
I think everyone wants more regardless if it's free or not, good for you for setting a stopping point and sticking to it.
I think the only thing that irks me more than pushy parents are kids that want EVERYTHING painted. Full face, a necklace, both hands and if there's space an arm band... Holy geeze

[Glitterfly Faces]

Ya, what is it with people wanting everthing in life for free?  Do they not realize that we have been working all day with barely a break and they want to take our last breath.

I figure if they are rude enought o argue the point, then I am rude enough back and stick to my end times.
Way to go Sherry.  It is a hard thing to do.
But, if you lost HER as a customer....good riddens.  She probably woulda jipped you outta pay or expected you to paint 4000 kids at her paid 2 hour party.

I love donating my time for free advertising....but, sometimes the free customers are so pushy.  I fnd at free events the parents just send their kids by on their own.  At that point the kids get pushy and demanding.

I did an event at a school for barely peanuts and this little boy asked for a free painiting.  I was charging $4 for a half face.  He begged that he had no money.  So, I painted the kid and 15 minutes later he brought all his friends over asking for free paintings.  And he actually asked me for 2 free glitter tattoos to go with the face painting.  WHAT?? 

I guess sometimes we gotta learn to be hard and demanding back.

[Sherry]

I think the only thing that irks me more than pushy parents are kids that want EVERYTHING painted. Full face, a necklace, both hands and if there's space an arm band... Holy geeze

Being honest, this really bugs me too.  Especially when there's a line of people behind them.  "Oh, can I have one on this side too?  And can you put my name on it?"  Meanwhile, I'm thinking, don't they notice that there's this line of people waiting?  Even when there's not a line, I'm ready for a new customer instead painting and tattooing up the same child.

I've noticed some artists put on their websites that there is one glitter tattoo per person.  It happens so often at events that they want a tattoo on each arm, that I've thought about putting this as part of the package on my site too.


Kim, I've had this same thing happen to me.  Kids coming over begging for free paintings.  The times when I've given in, I've had them bring others over for more of the same.  I had one girl stick around and continue to ask for more free stuff.  She didn't seem to appreciate the face painting I'd given her.

It gets easier and easier to stick firm to my cut off times.  There's pluses and minuses.  I love big events, but I'm ready for a break at the end of the day.   

[Alison]

I would not recommend doing Free Paintings when there is a price set on them.
It's not the end of the world if a person doesn't get a free painting.
This is the way we earn our living - nobody is giving us free telephone-service, free land, free heat......
It not only costs our time and talent, but also our quality supplies.

I give Charity when I'm giving charity.
I'm friendly and open when I'm on off-time.
But I'm working when I'm at work.

I used to be a clerk in Gimbel's Art Department.  If I ever gave away free stuff just because someone said s/he didn't have any money (aka - chose to spend his/her money elsewhere), I probably would have lost more than my job

[Wildcatfin]

At the very least I stick up a big sign saying 'today's 'free' face paints were paid for by' and the name of the charity or whatever or a sponsor. Helps people realise you are usually NOT painting for free and in fact ARE a paid service. Also if you were sponsored they like to be recognised - free advert for them too!

Something about 'free' brings out the worst in many people.... I must say I am just as strict if not MORE school-teacher-ish at those sort of gigs.

cat x

[reginanewsum]

I understand your flustration! In Sept of 2009 I had a schedualed Sunday Birthday Party, at 3:00 pm. It had been booked and paid for, for about a month. I got a call on Friday from a gal who was having a picnic for the abused children organization on that same Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. I also am a sexual assualt advocate (have been for 9 years) and I do alote of volunteer work for the children of that service. She wanted me to face paint there, and it would be for free, no charge to anyone, not even paid for my materials, but I said I would do it, but that I had to leave about 2:30 to get to the birthday party! So I went and arrived at 12 noon! I thought I would get started early and do anyone hanging around! Well the place was packed and I began painting, and painting, and painting! I found out that there was over 400 people that attended that day! My line was over 100 person deep at all times! I announced that I would only be doing children, no adults, and that I would not be doing any full faces! Just to get threw it! so I did fast cheek art and half faces and masks. At 2:00 pm I announced that I only had time for 15 more, that I had to leave at 2:30, I got up and went to the line, counted my people and told a dad that his children would be my last clients! He stated that he was not going to be the one to tell the people behind him to leave, so I shouted it out myself! At 2:30 when I announced I was done, all war broke out! I had a mom that came up to me and said, YOU WILL STAY HERE AND PAINT MY KIDS, AND ANY OTHER KIDS THAT WANT IT! IT IS YOUR JOB TO PAINT ALL THE PEOPLE HERE! I politly said, "no mame I have to leave, I have another event that I have to paint at. Again she yelled loudly, NO IT IS YOUR JOB TO STAY, EVEN IF IT TAKES ALL EVENING! bY THEN I WAS PISTED! Trying to stay professional I explained,  no it is NOT my job to stay, this was a volunteer face painting, that I volunteered for until 2:30, how would you like to be the one that paid for a party at 3 pm, and I didn't show up? She rudely said, who gives a s__T! I packed my stuff and started to load my car, with a group all hanging around! Thought I was going to get tared and feathered! I lost track of how many I painted that day, around 180 I believe! Kids touched my stuff, adults touched my stuff! Gheesh! When it is a free event for public, they go nuts, and they think that you owe them a service! I DID IT FOR FREE! Never the less I called my birthday party group, explained to the gal, and I was 15 minutes late, completely different there! I had a great wonderful time, and hung out painting one hour past my time, because I was having such a great time! They invited me to eat and listen to music, but thats the difference in a paying gig and a volunteer gig! I already have been called for this years volunteer event for the abused child group! Hmmm I said yes, but with a $100.00 material fee, and a body guard! And a line manager, At all times. I think thats how I will do it now, I will paint for free, but with a material fee for my stuff!

[Alison]

Wow - what a story Regina ~ 
It just proves what I always say - when people pay you your going rate, they treat you better than when they get something for nothing (or for bargain prices).  Hey, just look at the different way items are handled in a bargain-store than in a classy store (where the stuff will cost a whole lot more).  And look at how much more valuable the stuff is considered when there's a real price-tag on it.

BTW - Are you a teacher also, Cat?  I did that for a while.