I started working on a new shop sample this morning. Right away discovered an error in the cutting instructions. Went to the designers site to find that they did have updated instructions, and was surprised to see how vastly different the update was from the original.
And now, I’ve discovered that the update has an error as well. Minor, but still.
I’ve now got two blocks made, but I’m so irritated with the whole thing, I don’t even want to keep going on it right now.
Phooey.
How’s your day going? Irritation free, I hope.
Suzanne
Updated later in the afternoon: earlier, I sent an e-mail to the author of the book that I was discussing above. I am happy to say that I received a very nice phone call from her, in which she apologized for the frustration and let me know that the revised revision would be on their site as soon as possible, it was supposed to have been there already, but….
Anyway, she assured me that this was the only pattern in the book that had such problems, and that the second printing of the book would be out in a few weeks, with all of the corrections in place.
Needless to say, I am no longer irritated — I was really pleasantly surprised to have gotten a personal phone call, and I’m feeling better about getting on with the project.
Having self-published my own projects, I know that no matter how many times you go through something you’ve written, errors creep by. I still recall, many months after my first book came out, when my brother was reading it and found a really blatant grammatical error. I am glad that to find out that this designer was on top of the problem, and took the time to take care of me.
I’m sure you are wondering WHO this is, and in a couple of days, when my sample is pieced, I’ll fill you in….
I think that would make me wonder if I truly wanted to sell the pattern. Will it create an irrated feeling among customers if they know you know it’s not right and sell it anyway… openly promoting it….. goes down to an integrity thing and keeping a good relationship with the people keeping your lights on……
suzanne here: i’ve e-mailed jan privately, i think she was posting her comment just as i was adding my update…i had been trying to figure out what i was going to do with the books i have on hand, but i’m feeling much better about the situation now….
Yes, my response was submitted before Suzanne updated the post. And let me clarify that I have NO clue what designer she is referring to. But more of the observation that every business owner faces the challenge of what to do when a product isn’t right. It could be a class where the teacher turns out bad, a fabric that runs, a ruler that is off… whatever the product is, you have to decide how to handle that to keep your integrity with your customers or it can have a VERY negative impact on your business.
That is so great that the designer contacted you personally. The personal touch goes a long way in smoothing ruffled feathers and twisted knickers! Looking forward to seeing your finished sample.