When Someone Stole $2K From Adam Savage

[@tested]

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[@Fribee83]

One of my first jobs as a 3d modeler/drafter was a client wanted a mock-up of a memorial statue for cancer survivors. Took all the notes, super eager because it sounded like fun, and did dozens of sketches, getting approval along the way but was he was always kind of cryptic. It was going to be a figure 8 with a constantly rolling ball that symbolized the constant fight and relief. Spent maybe 100hr on this and when I handed it in, the client was livid, just furious because I had included mechanics for how the ball would roll along the figure 8. He wanted everything move naturally. Turns out, he was expecting me, a 20 year old drafting major, to invent perpetual motion and refused to pay; just ghosted and back in 2002, it was easier. Biggest life lesson was get everything in writing and set expectations because you never know how stupid a client might be in what they imagine can be done on the cheap.

[@nicazer]

aside from the crappy client, that seems like a really interesting and thoughtful memorial

[@adamgh0]

Figure 8 horizontally or vertically? You would only have to mechanically move the ball from the bottom to the top (sides) of a horizontal 8. Gravity would roll the ball through the center.

[@Fribee83]

@@adamgh0 Horiziontally, but they wanted it to have absolutely no moving parts, to have it a sphere placed in it, give it a single push, and move constantly on its own. There's so many ways it could've been made with some hidden mechanics to give the look of unmanned movement but they wanted it completely free of any mechanics. Dude might've been a little bit crazy looking back.

[@adamgh0]

@@Fribee83 Yeah, what flat earth were they living on?

[@JMMC1005]

​@@Fribee83Could be done with electromagnets (filling the 'no moving parts' requirement) but obviously it's going to need some source of energy.

[@Gunpaw1958]

Early on, I did a project for a customer. I was very proud how it turned out and even did a little extra over what they had asked for. When I delivered it, I could tell they weren't happy. Turns out they had reasons for being very specific and the "little extra" I did, didn't fit in their plans. After trying several things and discussing it endlessly, I said..."i have an idea, Let me redo it to your exact specifications". They were very a nice and said no we can make it work. I insisted and loaded it back up. When I delivered the new one, they were overjoyed, paid me extra and told all their neighbors. I got so many jobs in that Upper scale neighborhood simply because they told everyone about me redoing it to make them happy. Sometimes you have to let the customer be right and it pays off.

[@brumby92]

A lesson learned in client expectations.

[@billincolumbia]

Yep, the reason we are discussing my expectations is because I want it built to my expectations. Good lesson, and good for you for making it right.

[@katout75]

VP of sales at a microchip company I was an engineer at had a great saying. “You only wanna please 95% of your customers cause that last 5% are the ridiculous unrealistic unreasonable people. You’ll just waste time and money trying to please them when you should please the 95% of the logical rationale reasonable customers who’ll help grow your business “

[@andrewahern3730]

80/20 rule

[@tomhorsley6566]

I worked in the IT department of a university not to be named, and the university library said they wanted new software to deal with recording who checked out books, who owed late fees, etc. so they sent me over to talk to the library folks about what they wanted. The conversation went in a loop like this for a few hours: "What is wrong with the existing program?", "It doesn't work.", "How should it work?", "It should work exactly like the existing program.", "If it is exactly the same, why do you need a new program?", "The existing program doesn't work."... At some point I got to see the equipment they used to record the student ID and list of books on a reel of magnetic tape (this was ages ago back when stone knives and bearskins were peak technology). Anyway, they must have bought their technology from the lowest bidder because rather than being a normal tape machine that collected the written tape onto another reel, after being written, the tape just went down a hole into a big bin under the counter where it would pile up any old way collecting whatever dust and dead bugs made it into the bin. It was then clear why the existing system "didn't work" 🙂

[@JoshZanders]

Oh, boy... Never underestimate a customer's capacity for illogical stupidity. I used to work for a granite shop as the CAD guy and sawyer, and I've got many stories but one stands out. We had a sweet older lady come in and sit with me for several hours dialing in the layout of her kitchen countertops, which of course were on the last slabs in the country of a batch of exotic material that was no longer being quarried. It was a tight layout, and we were splitting hairs trying to get everything to fit, but I made it work. Well, come the day of the install, our guys are almost done installing the countertops when she walks in, starts cussing a blue streak and physically kicks our guys out of the house. Apparently "we" had oriented the pattern on the island 180⁰ from how she wanted it and how could we do this to her and we weren't going to get paid a single red cent. Y'know, after her and I spent four hours going through her layout with a fine-toothed comb, making sure everything was flawless because we only had one shot, and then I emailed her the layout for reference as well. She's the reason we started requiring physical signatures on hardcopy customer layouts before commencing fabrication. We went technologically backwards to keep our collective butts thoroughly covered.

[@mromutt]

I am going to be honest, it sounds like she planned on doing that lol. I have heard horror stories like that and it became clear the customer never planned on paying in the first place and uses that type of tactic often. Part of why a lot of stores no longer bother trying to make it right for customers, they got burned to many times.

[@Robert32064]

A friend of mine is a specialty carpenter. He built an entry doorway for a guy. The guy refused to pay. He didn't have a complaint, he just refused to pay. He went on vacation and, while he was gone, my friend took his doorway back. 🙂

[@Lizlodude]

And that is how you learn about liens 😅

[@julietardos5044]

I knew a guy who was a general contractor. He had remodeled a bathroom for someone who didn't pay. He smashed the bathroom up with a hammer. Took about 2 minutes to destroy it.

[@mromutt]

I watched something about a guy that came back with his truck and pulled down a porch be built (including video of it lol) because the customer refused to pay and it was very clear they never intended to. Turns out he was within his rights to do so XD.

[@aikumaDK]

2 grand in '94 is about $4200 today. For a non-trivial part of this community, that's probably a few months' income.

[@JACKOFALLFATES]

who's making $13.125 an hour/160 hours a month?

[@JACKOFALLFATES]

maybe if you're working part time....

[@bzqp2]

That's a lot for an RC boat restoration though...

[@MrSteewped]

More like 2 weeks pay. On the low end I was swinging a hammer for 25$ hr in 95.

[@breakinginferno6774]

@@JACKOFALLFATES Somewhere between 21% and 43% of American workers, many of whom earn less. Studies are a little inconclusive, but a significant portion of the American workforce are below $15/hr.

[@om617yota8]

One of my first orders in my current job as a sales rep, I discussed specs of a part back and forth via email with a customer for days. We got it nailed down, then he called me on the phone and said "I like it, order it." I was new to the industry, I said you bet and got it rolling. He received the part, and a week later emails saying hey this isn't what I ordered. This was a DEVASTATING blow to a new sales rep. I said ridiculous, we spent almost a week nailing down exactly what you wanted. He said OK well send me a copy of my PO(A PO is a legally binding contract). You son of a gun, you called me on the phone and told me to order it, you know there's no PO. He wound up getting his money back for that one item, I never accepted an order without written confirmation from anyone ever again, and he paid far more than the cost of that item in PITA fees tacked onto future orders he placed with us, for years to come.

[@dionh70]

Ya, I made a similar mistake years ago as a lead installer at a security company, when the department manager asked for an intercom system at the delivery dock door that connected to his desk. I didn't fully understand the corporate bullshit that was entailed, I simply ordered the parts when I got back to the shop, installed them upon arrival, and then was summoned along with the company owner to a meeting with the corporate security director for the region when the bill landed on his desk. As it happened, that director liked me on a personal basis, so he never doubted my statements that the department manager requested the work of his own volition, and knowing what I know now, I strongly suspect that manager earned himself a nasty reprimand in his personnel file. I do know that the manager left that company less than 18 months later, and I also suspect that his departure was due in no small part to that one incident.

[@JustinDrentlaw]

My web design partner and I have ran into so many of these scenarios where we deliver the finished website and expect to get paid, then the customer says, "wait, no, I want some more functionality or cosmetic changes or whatever" and we say to them, "Okay, we can do that for you. But you need to pay us for what we've already done." Needless to say, the customer never likes hearing that but we feel like that is fair. Especially since we very clearly lay out and understand our customer's wants/needs/expectations before we even get started. What really gets my goat is when we deliver the finished website and the customer drags their feet for ages to pay us. It's like, walking into a store and picking up an expensive item and walking out with it, with the customer saying "Oh don't worry! I'll pay you soon!" Ridiculous.

[@MichaelKieweg]

Im a bowyer and fletcher from Germany. I spent a lot of time and therefor money, to make sure, that a client, who orders custom items and I are exactly on the same page about what I will deliver when and for what amount of money. I have that agreement on paper. If the client is not happy with my delivery, I refund the money and take back my work AND will never ever talk to him or her again. I will refuse all further communication with that person and I tell that up front, because I allways do the best I can do at that moment in time to deliver what was agreed on. And if my best isn't good enough there is no need for further talking.

[@Yeoman742]

That RC boat is probably sitting in someone's garage that will never see the light of day until they die!

[@paraglidingprospector]

I’d like to imagine karma intervened on its 1st voyage out, maybe it caught fire, he tried to self-rescue using the onboard fire hoses, and while it started to sink, an actual speed boat ran it over……. twice.

[@ok9nja741]

​@@paraglidingprospector And just before it completely disappeared beneath the waves, an alligator ate it.

[@ShadowDragon8685]

I would *not* be surprised if that description resonates with someone who recognizes the description, emails Adam to ask if the boat was [description more detailed than this], and if so, tells Adam where to find the guy and the boat that he might technically be able to throw a lien on.

[@mromutt]

@@ShadowDragon8685 imagine adding on 30 years of interest on that boat lol

[@ShadowDragon8685]

@@mromutt That would be quite a lot of interest.

[@jeromethiel4323]

I was recently on a job for the manufacturer of oil vapor collection equipment. Save the planet and all that. Fine. Was asked to come, because the VFD's (variable frequency drives) were tripping on overload or over temperature. Super fine, those are easy to figure out, usually. Arrived onsite, with a senior engineer of the company who built the equipment, and outside troubleshooter they brought in to help, and another FSE sent in my the builder of the compressor my motors were driving. Excellent! We have a dream team! Or so you'd have thought. Was asked a bunch of questions, answered them. We tried to start the machine, would not run. VFD's continually tripping on overload. Everything i checked on my end looked good. Eventually uncoupled the motors, to find the compressors had rusted solid. Freed them up and lubricated them (roots style rotary compressor), and thought we had it. Ran the system, and everything looked good, except the motors were running close to overload the whole time. Not the VFD's, mind you, the MOTORS. Raised this issue multiple times, and included it in my job report. "This is an issue, there is something else wrong with this." Ignored completely, "it's fine," i was told. Weeks later, they refused to pay for my services, because "i didn't find the problem." Hello? There were 3 other people there, and you blame me? The guy who kept saying "this isn't fixed, there's a problem here." Customers are stupid. Learn that important lesson and move on. And never work there again.

[@RG-Models86]

To quote Dr. Peter Venkman from Ghostbusters 1... "Somebody blows their nose, and you want to keep it?"

[@pistolannie6500]

And THAT ia today's lesson in WHY U ALWAYS take a Deposit... UP FRONT! Then DON'T let them leave with it ..B4 Paying the rest.

[@boatbeard7767]

A third up front, a third Halfway through, and a third on advice of completion... Also, when dealing with the client I will NEVER discuss the job with anyone not involved from the first meeting - that means if the wife is the one whop I discussed things with, or the husband I won't discuss anything with the other unless they are both together. And yes, I've been burned a few times over the years so my quotes are very specific these days

[@EastyyBlogspot]

The customer is always right...is something that should be banned forever and changed to "give the customer the benefit of the doubt if they treat you nicely" , I do wonder when Adam did a commission and the customer says that is not what i ordered and adam thinks...that is exactly what you ordered and specified

[@oscarinacan]

"The customer is always right, in matters of taste." Is the full saying. For some reason it got shortened and the meaning changed. But the og says that you can't be mad at a customer for what they want, no matter how ridiculous Edit: it's like that saying "great minds think alike" .... what people forget is the second half which is "and fools seldom differ"

[@blindleader42]

No need. Just complete the quotation: "The customer is always right, in matters of taste."

[@erikallen863]

It's like, no, you're not right if you are a jerk. Customers can absolutely be wrong. Many people turn into lords and ladies when they deal with people in any service industry. It doesn't even matter if they themselves are less fortunate in life. Something about service industries makes customers and clients think of themselves as above those "servants" serving them. That's when the customer is not right. You actually can learn a lot from someone by how they treat those in any service industry like restaurants, groceries, retail, repairs, etc. That would transfer to how they treat the scientist or artist they hire.

[@EastyyBlogspot]

@@blindleader42 Oh i have worked in so many customer service jobs in the years and strangely they never mention that last part of the quote in training lol

[@meej33]

@@oscarinacan That is not correct. The original saying is "the customer is never wrong", and it comes from French hotelier Cesar Ritz. The coda was added later on.

[@xealen2166]

I used to go around town with a friend of mine offering to paint house numbers on the curb (or elsewhere) for like 5 dollars. It was a fun way to make a small amount of cash for a 14 year old. There were a good number of people who I think were determined to not pay simply because they wanted to get one over on me.

[@charlesm.1638]

I feel makers are like software engineers. You are given what the customer/client wants and you meet and update them on the progress but when completed they are still not happy or they suddenly ask for features that they didn’t ask for at the initial meeting for the scope.

[@exeggcutertimur6091]

Software Engineers are digital makers.

[@aikumaDK]

I think there's an xkcd for that. Someone makes an app feature request and the other one says "Sure, I can do that in a week." and then the requester adds a feature request that sounds trivial to the human ear and the other one says "I'll need a team of researchers and 5 years." A lot of clients don't always realise what they're actually asking for.

[@dionh70]

And THAT, my friend, is what written & signed scopes of work were created to handle. If the client starts changing the scope of work, then they get to sign change orders and authorize the additional cost. The best way for a change order to be presented for signatory approval is on a Time and Materials basis, too, because that really makes them sit back and thoroughly evaluate their (usually moronic) requests.

[@senseisecurityschool9337]

Over 25 years of (mostly software/ systems) engineering, I've learned it's invaluable to thoroughly understand what the user intends to DO with creation. What workflows do they have in mind? They will very often request that you build a cube and they plan on using it as a wheel. By thoroughly understanding how they intend to USE it, in context, I can ensure it effectively accomplishes its purpose.

[@MrRedstoner]

@@aikumaDK Photo is in a national park vs is of a bird. XKCD 1425

[@adventure_arsenal]

I'm glad you paused and started with setting expectations. It is so important to not over sell. Under sell and over impress. Especially with a new customer.

[@dionh70]

I'm a self-employed handyman, and I've had a very few clients that weren't someone I could make happy, no matter what. That said, anyone who is self-employed WILL eventually run into this, as I have. I also live in California, where lawsuits (frivolous or not) are an ever-present possibility, so one must be ever-diligent with clients and give them as little avenue for legal recourse as possible. As Adam said, setting those expectations and limitations before ANYTHING ELSE happens is essential.

[@EastyyBlogspot]

I wonder what the dumbest comment anyone has heard from a customer...for me it was " I want this the same size but bigger"

[@HKlink]

I sell antiques. Someone asked me what material a shiny metal bowl was made from. I take it off the shelf and check, and tell them that I'm not quite sure what it is, but the lack of marks (and the fact that I hadn't polished it and it looked clear) tells me it's not made of silver. The customer takes it and taps their fingernail against it and proudly proclaims that it's made of metal!

[@writerpatrick]

@@HKlink It could have been silver plated (which is often thought to be solid silver) but it sounds more like stainless steel.

[@cmdraftbrn]

#1 do you work here? me: no #1 where is womens robes?

[@NOTNOTJON]

Just say it's in Isle 8 next to the fresh pickles.

[@alaskansummertime]

I worked in Denali Park , Alaska. Various departments actually kept physical log books of the dumbest things tourists said....."When do they let the animals out? Can you turn down the river I'm trying to sleep. What bus goes to the top of Denali? (Tallest mountain in North America BTW). "

[@paulhugo1623]

“Managing expectations “… this the hard learned, ever being proven right, advice I live by and share with those who ask….

[@Anonymous-fu5ok]

5:43 “That is part of being a person man” -I’m going to use that a lot from now on

[@andrewbarbour7475]

Oh I so wish that someplace.... RC boat guy is watching this video.... and in the past has bragged about knowing you and how you worked on his RC boat... and is dreading that his friends will watch this video!

[@nicorovertsthesecond9069]

I really enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, thanks Adam and the Tested team!❤

[@AxGryndr]

I have a small woodshop that I mostly do work for people I know. A friend of a friend reached out, and I thought great, this is a turning point from working for people I know to bringing in people outside of immediate social circle. The job was to create two bed frames, a desk, a dresser, and a set of stairs with drawers. My son had a similar bedroom set so I had some good reference material but they wanted a 'fort' theme. I had some ideas on how to make this work and we agreed that my limited schedule meant that I would work on one piece at a time so they would pay a deposit for material, I would do the work, they would pay for the work then we would discuss timeframes from the next piece and repeat. I explained up front that I am not a production shop, I have a full time job that supports my family that is not the shop and I was working on a undergraduate degree. In other words, the bed room set will be my lowest priority however, because of that, I would adjust my pricing to account for the longer timeframes. Everything seemed to be going well, I built the first bed frame, delivered and got paid. I took a deposit for the second bed frame and got to work. Then things went downhill, 'Why haven't you delivered everything, when is it going to be done, my kid is disappointed because I told them this was their birthday present and it would ready for them, ...' and so on. I explained the situation again but they weren't happy. Finally I had to tell them that I would deliver the second bed frame, since it was almost done, I would not be seeking the remaining payment and I would not be taking on the job to complete the three other pieces. They refused to take the finish bed frame. That frame has been in storage for almost 3 years now because I feel terrible for how things turned out and I don't feel right selling it. I think at some point I will give to a child in need instead.

[@6Sally5]

This is so applicable in residential construction and subsequent customer service.

[@Mr_Oggie]

Back in the 'olden days on Day 1 when we signed contracts and got initial info/etc I would give them 5 "Change Request Forms" and tell that if they email me or phone me with a change I'm not going to do it unless it comes through on a change request form... and right at the top the first thing was a checkbox for them to tick to acknowledge that whatever is their request it will most likely cost them extra. I know people don't want to come across like a jerk or risk losing a customer by making demands, but you get screwed over a couple of times or have one of those customers that will never be satisfied and it makes it a whole lot easier to be more demanding up front.

[@dionh70]

All of my change orders are strictly on a T&M basis, too. It nearly always motivates the customer to STRONGLY re-evaluate how badly they want to change shit up.

[@johnderoy916]

Now I am imagining going back in time, putting an apple gps tag on the RC boat, building an RC submarine like the Disney version of The Nautilus (built for ramming things), waiting for the dude to put the boat in the water, deploying the sub, and BAM ...sinking the boat 🙂

[@billbucktube]

It is sad to say that for $2000 a person would stain their reputation and have to look over their shoulder at all times in case Adam was nearby…

[@drumsNstuff79]

When I was studying graphic design is college I heard some stories from designers who come and give talks.A client could tell exactly what they wanted and you could design exactly what you thought was that in YOUR head, but to the client it could be the exact opposite of what they wanted and they would get enraged at you. One poor designer got his work mounted on a display mat board thrown at his head! Why are people like that? Designers aren't mind readers and clients shouldn't be hotheads when asking someone to generate ideas for them "but generate exactly what I'm thinking of without me having to even explain any of it to you, Just magically present me with exactly what I wanted."

[@cyberhikerdd]

Had someone ask me to make a custom sign to go in a playroom. They provided a photo of something similar. I gave them a price - $25 as I only wanted to cover the cost of materials as it's hobby time for me. Did the design, texted a mockup. Got the OK to build it. Build completed, texted a photo of the finished item, they liked it. Asked when they wanted to meet for pickup - ghosted 😢. Cheap lesson - no work without a deposit in future.

[@Zedsdead83]

Look at the organisation in those cases behind Adam. Beautiful.

[@armageddonready4071]

Expectations should be in writing these days, because if it’s not someone won’t be happy. Some people are NEVER happy. TY Adam you are an inspiration. PS I figured out to get the cement out the truck truck from like season one. I can’t afford to run any testing, but I am 90% certain it would work, without the dynamite.

[@tomkam9783]

I did some professional youth sports photography when my kids were in Little League. One of the first jobs was a whole team and was worth about $700. I made the mistake of handing over the product while the money was in transit. HA. What a ma-roon! Who would have thought that sweet Team Mom would abscond with the money she collected. Even before that, I was hired as DP and operator for a short vanity film. I ended up doing all the post production as well, edit, music edit, final mix, vfx...I did get paid about 20%, and gave a discount for the rest to be paid over time. Yup. Never saw the rest.

[@Bacterx1]

I built machine learning systems for big banks a while ago - truly some of the most unhinged meetings I’ve ever been a part of, when it came time to deliver the product. I was warned going in that some of the managers tried to look tough on contractors by getting them to do as much free follow-up work as possible, but I was NOT prepared for how aggressive and mean it’d be. The guy guaranteed his boss (and my boss) what I built would fall apart within a month, and when it didn’t, and in fact over-performed based on our goals, he didn’t seem to get any blowback. Paid well, opened doors etc. but man, it was a rough gig.

[@mokopa]

This video brought back many very bad memories, because truth. Sometimes, some people are just *#@^$ and life just is not fair. To those who still have to learn this the hard way...good luck and make sure you retain your integrity.

[@tedchirvasiu]

Can't wait to read the horror stories in the comments 🍿

[@joelnowland2196]

Regarding expectations - As a custom guitar builder working alone- many years ago - I had to stop agreeing to a delivery date. When you work alone there are soooo many factors you can't control. Also, an acoustic guitar takes as long as it takes. If you have some delays, you can't simply speed up the process to deliver on time. I'm sure other custom processes are the same. Managing expectations - doing your best to find out what it is they want - making sure they know what you can provide - what they are going to get - in as fine a detail as possible - is not easy to do but it is very important.

[@jackcoogan310]

Not a maker, but in my work I’ve been able to tell how satisfied a customer will be by the end of the first consult. In my experience, customer complaints are rarely about solely the result, but the process leading up to that result

[@Birkguitars]

Am I the only person who barely listened because I was staring at the storage boxes?

[@tested]

Ha!

[@theElemDragon]

@@tested I had to scroll too far through the comments for this. Seriously.... what's with the utter wall of SEALED storage boxes?

[@marscaleb]

A couple weeks ago my semi-truck broke down in Nevada, and a mobile truck repair guy had to come to fix an air line. I was talking with the repair guy and he was having problems getting payment from his last job because the driver (from a foreign country) was trying to haggle the price down after the repair job was already completed. Apparently he's repeatedly had problems with people doing this, and even a number of people who later call their banks to report him for fraud to get their money back after he's made a repair. If you sell goods, you have people shoplift from your store. If you sell services, you still have people steal from you anyway.

[@martincohen21]

You just described the life of a Contractor or Carpenter

[@dionh70]

Or handyman, or really, anyone that does anything even remotely custom.

[@nicholastrawinski]

For the ectoplasm, the nitrogen saver is a great idea. Even better if you get the heat seal system for containers. So it can never leak.

[@mattparkent440]

I worked with my Old Man as a carpenter for a decade. But when he first started at that business the company was doing test work for DeWalt tools. They had been lent a brand new (1995) not even released compounding mitre box. It would have retailed for $1500 at the time. They were on a big construction site and basically showing it off to all the other contractors. When they went to lunch they put their tools in the delivery truck and locked the truck. When they came back from lunch the padlock was cut open, the door was wide open and the mitre box and 2 drills were gone.

[@button-puncher]

Adam's Sortimo wall is like band with a wall of Marshall amps behind them.

[@Intabih]

6:40 Glass oil sample bottles.

[@heyjustj]

As a graphic designer I’ve had a few jobs go sideways. The ones that have frustrated me the most were people saying the job wasn’t what they asked for, refusing to pay, and then later finding out they are using the design. If they don’t like it and don’t use it, whatever. But having the gall to straight up steal the design work is next level shady in my opinion. When working for a design company I had a boss find out someone stole the design and had it produced, he went over yelled at the guy, took all the prints and destroyed them. Not what I would have done, but he was the boss and it was pretty hilarious.

[@Lumibear.]

I once tried being a freelance creator, simple hand drawn stuff, my first few jobs came and went no problem, then I hit one nightmare client who literally made me cry, and after that all I seemed to get were sharks and asshats, courts got involved and I found the whole thing so traumatic I have never done it again. So, I understand that furrowed brow.

[@mickleman52]

6:40 Hey Adam, when you are looking for those specimen jars try the search term "dram" (if you haven't already). For those who haven't heard of a dram before, it is an old unit of measure that has all but fallen out of use. My experience with drams was back when I worked in an old independent pharmacy, in the late 00s (lunch counter and all), and that is how we referred to Rx bottles (aka pass me an 8 dram bottle). I am fairly certain all modern pharmacies use CCs now, but this might help you find some new old stock lab/pharmacy bottles. Heck, if you live near any old independent pharmacies, you might even be able to ask them if they have any old glass bottles in the basement they would be willing to sell (g-d knows we had a bunch floating around in ours lol).

[@RoryStarr]

I was a contracting consultant that did technical writing. In the contract was language that defined revisions. A certain number of minor & moderate revisions were included in the cost. Major revisions required renegotiation. When you hire a consultant, you are hiring a person to mesh with your goals not to perfectly align with your goals. We are teaming up, I'm not becoming a client's hands.

[@Zachafinackus]

I'm always of the mind that if you're creating anything you need to get at least half of the payment up front as a non-refundable deposit and then get the latter half after the fact so you don't get screwed out of everything (especially if what you're making is entering four figure or more territory).

[@RFC3514]

I had a client (who still owes me like $7k) who, for several years, would call me every six months or so to say "I'll send you the money next week", and then never did. I can only assume he had some sort of debt-related fetish.

[@carlbyington5185]

Auto shop here in Redwood City.... A client stole a bunch of work from me about 20 years ago, and I remember her telling me to my face, "sometimes you just can't have all your monkeys in 1 barrel!" Like, telling me, I can not always collect. Errrrrrrrrr

[@DoubleDoubleWithOnions]

Finish carpenter here. I worked at a big house where the owner was contracting the subs. He was a retired engineer. He was NEVER happy with the results and sued everyone that worked for him. I would see his superintendent do exactly as he instructed and still be unhappy and fire him. NOTHING was ever good enough. I finally left the job. It was exhausting.

[@otislynnreeves9882]

As a tradesman, Master Electrician, I get a written scope of work with written approval before every project. This includes drawings, material and spec sheets, payment schedule and rates and change order procedures.

[@johnanon6938]

Its same with repairs when it comes to scammers. I still go on about the time I negotiated $20 dollars, yes a meager 20 bucks in the 1990s. After my initial assessment it looked like a quick repair of a 1956 Olivetti portable typewriter. But to fix it correctly it required taking a lot more strikers and keys off then I initially thought, in fact it was pretty much a full removal and after a full 3 days of mostly straightening keys, striker arms, etc. I had it reassembled and working like new. I wasn't far from the person and so I go to deliver and they immediately try to get me to just leave it and they'll pay me later since they had no cash. But I could see $50 bill on kitchen counter, they didn't want change and were super angry when I left with typewriter and for the next 2 years I'd ask them if they have that $20 and always no until the month they were moving and they said yes. Perfect I replied all you need now is another $30 to pay for the interest fees... I kept that typewriter until 10 years ago when I gave it away, still working perfectly.

[@diamon8125]

I'm totally understanding when it comes to maker setbacks. A guy made a functional ghost trap for me, his hard drive crashed and he lost the CAD files. Another guy made a belt gizmo and he had to shutter his main business while doing it.

[@captain_coleton]

5:45 I have heard of people saying payment upon delivery. One Instance I heard of someone just trying to take the item with out paying and the creator destroying the item.

[@gpaull2]

I had a coworker ask to switch shifts with me. I worked three days for him (that he got paid for) and he quit shortly after never returning the favour. He also offered to come help me build a fence, and then sent me a bill afterwards. Some people are just a-holes.

[@michaelhazen8658]

"You are never gonna get over it" Boy aint that the truth? But you will hopefully also learn to not let that have free rent in your head. Like lots of people I know stuff about some things. and sometimes people ask me advice about those things. I had a local shop totally hose me on a personal project. I have since had people ask me for advice and some even mentioning that specific shop. "Welp, I had them do a job for me once. and here is what my experience was..." I take no small comfort in being certain that I have cost that shop several times the amount they extracted from me. I'm not looking to exact any sort of punishment or revenge. But if I'm asked, I'm gonna answer.

[@matthostetler5422]

I build high end farm toys for collectors. I started building them for myself and eventually I put some on the market and they sold quickly. I made a choice from the start that I would not build "to order." I build what I want and how I want. If someone likes it, perfect. If not, I still have something that I like in my case until someone likes it more than I do.

[@onomatopoeia7505]

As a human technology engineer, this comes from experience: get EVERYTHING in writing, and update your client every other day. Set deadlines for requirements and don't start/ continue unless the client agrees with himself on what he wants. Make sure you repeat back to your client what he gives you. When the client is vague, make his wishes/ requirements real. If the client isn't sure, either wait until they know, or offer to help them. All a lot of work, but worth it every step of the way.

[@Kuh415]

I am a Custom Tailor. ALL OF THIS. You're gonna lose because of something weird at some point.

[@YarrowPyxie]

So i sold paper quilled art for a couple of years. I was super lucky to sell to mostly friends or friends of friends. But, after reading horror stories of bad customers, i shaped my policies from the beginning since 99% of my work was all custom. Only ever got snubbed for about $15 once because customer ghosted when it time to pay the other half and shipping for an item.

[@troyphillips8823]

For the ectoplasm, try an ampoule. Put some in a long test tube. Some argon, amd then melt the tube half way with a torch until it's sealed. Maybe make a movie inspired test tube holder to display it.

[@Neamerjell]

Short answer that solves the problem: get it all down on paper and both of you sign it. Once it is in contract form, those who ordered the work can't legally back out on a technicality that isn't written on paper.

[@MyMW3Channel]

It goes to show you that there's a time and place to exact vengeance and get even. Else, you'll be angry decades later about someone stealing $2k from you.

[@billincolumbia]

Adam, for the ectoplasm, there is a glass container called a VOA vial. It holds 40ml and has a definite laboratory look.

[@prozacgod]

God I felt that annoyed bitter remembrance of the boat from the bottom of my soul, it was a mix of being annoyed, then annoyed that you're still able to be annoyed by it, and then followed up with a righteous, no ... that jerk stole from me, you're allowed to be miffed... :P

[@danielweston9188]

Constant written communication . . after every meeting I send a memo detailing what was said and agreed to.

[@frollard]

I'm reminded of another tested Adam answer to this in the past...be as thorough as possible with your contract at the start so that nobody has any ambiguous feelings at the end. I will deliver this, of this quality, as demonstrated by this sample, in this timeframe; you will pay that, in these proportions, due on whatever delivery/down payment schedule. That way, everyone is protected. They can go after you for the down payment, you can go after them for the deliverable payment, etc.

[@user-neo71665]

Looks like lab glass and cheap is soda bottle preforms. Get the bottle caps for them and they will seal. I'll say being organic if left in light the stuff will most likely change color over time. Most are clear but you might find some from the green tinted brands that will work and add an extra touch.

[@jfbeam]

Never deliver without payment. Everyone learns that lesson the hard way.

[@ronwalsh]

I think no matter what industry you work in, there will always be some out there to screw you over. I rebuilt an old MG gearbox for a guy, it had water in it when I got it. Got the parts, gave him a total, and never heard from him again. I still have the gearbox, but no cash.

[@hellomark1]

If you're making something, you should already have examples of what you made so you can demonstrate what the client will be getting, or if it's something completely new, you need a very detailed contract describing what it will look like. When I worked at a company making websites, we needed this with every site since each site can be completely different. What type of font, colour scheme, examples of other pages they like and what specifically they liked about them, etc. And ALWAYS get a deposit up front in case they ghost you later.

[@johnbenson4672]

We've had some issues with customers having "Buyer's regret", only they are claiming to have never ordered something. It's bad enough to have cost the company owner a considerable amount of money. I suggested that he get half before starting but he insists that no one would order anything if he did.

[@us3rnam3144]

worked my ass off for a client doing small batch manufacturing, they told me to keep track of my hours to be reimbursed, they gave me money for supplies but never paid for all the labor, lost about 12grand + all the other jobs i turned down while working for them. talked to a lawyer and was told it wouldn't even be worth it to even go after them.

[@DannyWilliamH]

3:54 I work in electronics repair and engineering. Some people are just crazy. Truly. Another thing that is real but hard to explain to others is that people make momentary decisions that they will make YOU pay for in time, money and stress. Frankly, in many cases it seems like they just wanted the human interaction. They wanted someone to call and talk shop with, negotiate with, etc. They never actually wanted to do business. Me: "Do you understand what this will be?" Customer: "yes, absolutely" Then you deliver it and they go back on everything. Some have gone so far as to claim that specifications they asked for in writing were never asked for or prices they agreed to were never agreed to. Then some try to do it all over again! LMAO. Weeks of chaos and torture only for them to say "So, what I'm thinking next is..." And they don't see how their behavior in CRAZY.

[@AuroraTheAvali3735]

my father was a freelance graphic designer and sign maker, i was his employee, and the last job we had done, we spent almost a full week on, got the sign delivered to the client, and were gonna put it up for them a few days later, at which point they were gonna pay us (idk how much it was gonna be total, but it was somewhere around $600-$1000ish (my father had a consistent problem with undervaluing his work, that thing should have been at least $1500). just before we were gonna get paid, our landlord kicked us out of our house (for cause she suddenly wanted to sell it) our whole family got sick with Covid, and my father passed away. the client then should have given the payment to me for making the sign, but instead, she ghosted me, and paid someone else to put up the sign. to make things even worse, this client's business where the sign went up at, is directly across the street from my sister's business.

[@paulclancy4221]

Years ago I created a Web site for a small business. Before I'd even finished the site, the business closed down (site only took about 3 days to do). Guess who didn't get paid!!!. Now it's my policy to get 50% of cost upfront and the rest when completed.

[@adamgh0]

"Holy Sortimo, Batman!"

[@mikegrier2829]

Absolutely. Had a client who stole from me - took my effort without paying, about $1500 in material and at least that much again in labor. An attorney advised against a lawsuit as it just wasn’t likely to be worth it due to his fees. In the end I had to move on with one thought: that client will meet the karma train head-on someday. They’ll get their comeuppance. I won’t be there to see it, but it will happen. 25 years later I remember.

[@kcmule]

I'm really surprised you don't mention drawing up a detailed and specific contract. You can go over as many details as you want verbally, but if push comes to shove and it ends up in front of a judge the only recourse you are going to have is to what can be proven in court.

[@watcher1326]

Felt like I got 2 pieces of useful advice and some emotional support. Great clip.

[@TheGreatAtario]

That guy from the shop across the street should have been pretty easy to track down, given you knew he was from the shop across the street

[@gcewing]

Making their own ectoplasm... I'm now imagining the effects crew holding a seance, putting a jar in the middle of the table and saying "Can you fill this up, please?"

[@gallaghergreen2053]

That is the world of selling or working on anything for people! Go talk to your local small mechanic, ask them if they have ever been stiffed on a job, then get ready for a huge rant! LOL My dad was a great machinic back in the 1980s, he went out of business because people would never pay their bills. Once, relatives he fixed a car for came in the middle of the night with an extra set of keys and took their car because they wouldn't pay. It is the worst part of working for yourself in any type of sales, repair, or building.

[@astrophysicistguy]

On Etsy there are folks selling small glass files from 5ml to 25ml with cork stoppers or screw on metal caps

[@Justtrash82]

Had a job that the guy refused to pay on because he thought his insurance was going to cover it. Turns out he was telling our boss that to get out/delay paying us, since it was a simple job and was about ~5k in materials and labor. After about a month of dodging my boss, we finally sent a crew to take down the work and save what we could in material costs.

[@dmg4415]

Always get a 30% pay at signing, and 30% midway at inspection, 30% when finished and the last 10% when installed/deliverd. Then both of you are somehow protected, and for larger projects, get an insurance against the customer failing to pay. And always do a credit check, its easy online and doesn't cost much. The reasons for this 30/30/30/10 is that your pay is not in a distant future, you may have the funds for materials and some investments in tooling. At the next 30% You must have a conversation and inspection from the customer to see if you are on the same page, the same with the last 30% you should be finished and ready to demonstrate functionality and only have finishing touches left. The last 10 insure that YOU deliver/install the finished product and it functions as agreed on.

[@shanepye7078]

I once had a jar of the old school slime used in ghostbusters, the fly, and older films like that. It dried up a long time ago.

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great video sir ❤

[@MagicPlants]

if you make the creative process impossible because of your attitude, and I've spent weeks on it, don't be surprised when your project needs to be funded again to continue

[@gergerflarg]

I do 3d printing and custom modeling and "someone will steal from you" hit home. In my case it wasn't money, but they stole my time. I went back and forth for weeks refining a design only for them to drop off at time of payment to begin the printing process. It sucks.

[@stuntmatt7124]

Communication, communication, and then more communication.

[@ess2870]

Personal Chef, I've had ALL those types of clients as well. I shot blood all over a bridesmaid one time, she laughed and said it was an ugly dress anyways. Other clients have wanted to moon for a song. You lay out everything beforehand. Underpromise and over deliver.

[@ZGryphon]

I feel like there's a buried lede here. _Why_ were you projectile bleeding on a bridesmaid? I mean obviously you lived, but...

[@ess2870]

@@ZGryphon It was a steamship round "Google that bad boy!". The veins and arteries were still intact, and they're about 3/4" thick I.D. in some places. I pushed with the carving knife and the pressure shot it out like a fountain in Vegas. I was doing a carving station for 1,000 ppl. Fancy smancy stuff. So I was terrified, but it wasn't an issue. Thankfully!

[@ZGryphon]

@@ess2870 Oh, so it wasn't _your_ blood. OK. That's a somewhat less alarming mental image. :)

[@TheScrawnyLumberjack]

I make knives. I had someone buy a knife of mine on the secondary market. He then wrote to me asking for me to do a touch up to the bevels which wasn’t really needed. I give the knife a nice spa treatment sharpened it up to razor sharp and sent it on its way. The guy got the knife had it for a week or two and then claimed I had messed up the knife when giving it a spa treatment. He wanted me to make him a new knife or refund his money that he paid the other person. I said no and all hell broke loose.

[@ithinkihadeight]

Being stolen from sucks is definitely Confirmed. I had a coworker who quit without notice (and without means of me getting in contact) while he was in possession of my hardcover of Watchmen and my Firefly box set that I'd loaned him.

[@scotto9448]

Money is one thing, but that right there requires a multi-State search operation without mercy to recover them!

[@jonjdoe]

As someone who has commissioned 1 item to be built it is very disappointing when you are the one being ripped off. I tried to have a reproduction of an F-14 throttle quadrant for a flight simulator made and very clearly described how it functioned and gave the written descriptions, photos, and video with estimated sizes. When it was done they sent a short video showing the finished product which lacked the single feature I had emphasized over and over that I wanted which was that the throttles have to shift sideways to engage the afterburners. They got upset that I was not okay getting a quadrant that could not do that. They finally agreed to rebuild it and once received it did not last 1 full day before it began falling apart on top of the fact I could never get the computer to recognize and calibrate it. $1200 wasted on a paper weight.