tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post1601053444014026029..comments2023-11-05T05:10:04.199-05:00Comments on With Michelle Armas: On loosing your professional coolMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-63269367742120865312012-08-05T09:59:28.749-05:002012-08-05T09:59:28.749-05:00Dammit...EVERY time I walk past the livingroom it ...Dammit...EVERY time I walk past the livingroom it feels like I am getting the royal finger.<br /><br />~signed Caroline.Linda@ Lime in the Coconuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04551293394719390382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-61642488035678624132012-08-04T10:22:25.480-05:002012-08-04T10:22:25.480-05:00Oh my Lord. I am so sorry this happened to you, bu...Oh my Lord. I am so sorry this happened to you, but I am really grateful you've posted this cautionary tale. Stay strong, love.Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17708526348612155627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-43894032792276472812012-08-01T09:33:41.463-05:002012-08-01T09:33:41.463-05:00i feel ya! sometimes it feels really good to tell ...i feel ya! sometimes it feels really good to tell people NO YOU MAY NOT BE MY CUSTOMER. most people are fine, but there are certainly a fair share of crazies out there.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16414338303147968202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-60465922385273139242012-07-30T19:07:01.536-05:002012-07-30T19:07:01.536-05:00Oh, thank you, thank you for posting this. I have...Oh, thank you, thank you for posting this. I have been in exactly this same position. I feel like you've said "fuck you" for all of us that wish we could have had the cahones to say it when in that same, distressing situation.MOThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02004635712113911703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-87041709689244375052012-07-29T17:53:22.167-05:002012-07-29T17:53:22.167-05:00I predict "Roses" will become a worldwid...I predict "Roses" will become a worldwide best seller. It's the story behind the painting that makes the painting, right? ;) You're awesome. -Rachelalteregohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05715912369828000446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-43080065468962913792012-07-27T16:21:00.941-05:002012-07-27T16:21:00.941-05:00Thanks Jamie. I learned that next time I can say w...Thanks Jamie. I learned that next time I can say what I need to say before I get all pissed-off frog, awesome by the way. I am lucky that I get to dictate my company culture :)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-24925864675394747162012-07-27T16:13:57.375-05:002012-07-27T16:13:57.375-05:00You rock.
Number 1, for writing this, and number...You rock. <br /><br />Number 1, for writing this, and number 2, for not taking her crap! Seriously though, I think it's really awesome that you put this kind of stuff out there, because we've all done it in some form. Kudos to you for turning it into something positive! You seriously have such a great outlook. And just because it's a business transaction doesn't mean the customer is always right; I've been in too many positions where I've had to give in to people like her (not my company, not my rules), and I can't even tell you how gratifying it would have been to go all pissed off frog on some of them. Live and learn. :)Jamiehttp://www.theanticolor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-10229201472731104612012-07-27T07:59:39.864-05:002012-07-27T07:59:39.864-05:00Thank you E, I am so glad that you have my back! I...Thank you E, I am so glad that you have my back! I am pretty sure I would have laughed out loud reading it too :P<br /><br />K, awww, your the best! I imagined a frog, and wrote that before I ever found the frog image. I searched "fight" in Pinterest. HA!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-76313120766415677362012-07-26T21:42:45.097-05:002012-07-26T21:42:45.097-05:00That frog might just have to be my new screen-save...That frog might just have to be my new screen-saver. I love you Michi! You make me feel normal. ;-)Katie Hackworthhttp://www.h2designandbuild.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-6237788338053953802012-07-26T19:11:23.821-05:002012-07-26T19:11:23.821-05:00Michelle, from someone who wants to flip the bird ...Michelle, from someone who wants to flip the bird to A LOT of clients behind their backs ("oh, you want that tagline rewritten for the 379 time for free because it still doesn't reflect your vision/mantra/crazy? Perfect.") I just want you to know that I laughed out loud reading this post. I didn't mean to, but it happened. Suck it, Caroline, that laugh was for you. <br /><br />That first part was written as a friend, and as a client? I can tell you that I know you to go out. of. your. way. for your customers 100% of the time. And I'd throw down Cable-Guy-Duel-At-Medieval-Times style with anyone who said otherwise. BOOM!2 by Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115968434625809488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-47201830935668900542012-07-26T14:30:24.066-05:002012-07-26T14:30:24.066-05:00Always a kind word from you :) Thank you for havin...Always a kind word from you :) Thank you for having my back, and for making me feel better. Oh, and congrats on OKL!!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-23965572736659000952012-07-26T10:21:33.160-05:002012-07-26T10:21:33.160-05:00So eloquent. I really like how you reserve your en...So eloquent. I really like how you reserve your energy and spirit for the people who come into your life who deserve to get it. Such a wise perspective.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-57188980735206156242012-07-26T10:20:03.919-05:002012-07-26T10:20:03.919-05:00Such a great perspective. I love that you say your...Such a great perspective. I love that you say your business ethics come from a sense of gratitude. I just love that. You are right about people coming with issues, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt when they are rude, you never know what they are dealing with in their personal lives. I am so pleased that you found this post helpful! I hope you never have to deal with a person like Caroline.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-33455716005804022152012-07-26T10:16:55.815-05:002012-07-26T10:16:55.815-05:00As a professional blog voyeur I almost never comme...As a professional blog voyeur I almost never comment on posts. However, your story was so "spot on" that I felt obligated. As an artist, yes it's relatable, but moreover for anyone who sells and/or ships anything can certainly identify with this story and your feelings. I love your takeaway and that you outlined a clear path of action to deal with the inevitable unreasonable/rude customer. You've completely taken the power back, which is what needs to happen in these cases. LIke you, I ALWAYS bend over backwards, forward and everything in between to ensure a customer has a fabulous experience. In-part b/c it makes great business sense, but at the end of the day for me, it comes from a place of gratitude. I believe anyone who has spent their hard earned money on my art deserves nothing but a great experience. However, b/c you are dealing with people and people come with issues (including myself) there are going to be times where it doesn't matter what you do or don'/t do --they will find fault. Bravo and thank you for sharing this story, as I will be banking it for the next unreasonable and rude customer that I come across.albiedesignshttp://albiedesigns.com/no-place-like-home/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-26621102794660670652012-07-26T09:08:29.718-05:002012-07-26T09:08:29.718-05:00Wow, I can really relate to your story. As you sai...Wow, I can really relate to your story. As you said, some people are just crazy narcissists who make up their own reality and refuse to acknowledge or respect anyone else. You are totally right - nothing is worth dealing with people like this. They are emotional vampires who suck the life and joy out of you. I have learned the hard way to pass on dealing with folks like this because there is no financial renumeration that can make up for the grief that they cause. Their trick is to try to make YOU feel guilty for a reaction they generate because of their abuse/unreasonable behavior. I admire your courage in taking responsibility for going over the edge, even if it was provoked and justifiable. It shows the person you are. Every time I reject doing business with such a person or lowering my prices so they can de-value my work and abuse me, it creates another opportunity and more time to work with a person who is humane, respectful, SANE and a joy to deal with. Not to mention conserving my emotional and spiritual energy to create and be at my best for those who deserve it. Life is TOO short to dance with ugly men (or Carolines!). Keep up the good work - I love your paintings.annechoviehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04058312210924851934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-12881252838506012012-07-25T21:20:00.300-05:002012-07-25T21:20:00.300-05:00Keri thats awesome! I am going to be around so thi...Keri thats awesome! I am going to be around so think of the best days and times and send me an email and we can get something on the calendar!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-84598159672621972682012-07-25T21:18:06.380-05:002012-07-25T21:18:06.380-05:00good for you :) p.s. I'm in Atlanta next month...good for you :) p.s. I'm in Atlanta next month for work, I don't know if you are open for visitors but I will be there a few days if you areKerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06392036142436127628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-77106048007479122952012-07-25T21:07:30.729-05:002012-07-25T21:07:30.729-05:00You are right about Crazies. I suppose I am so luc...You are right about Crazies. I suppose I am so lucky that I almost never have a bad experience with another person. She paid, and I proved that she got her painting, so I expect VISA will refund me. But I have to admit I am already over it, don't care what happens. Moving on!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-5333946809135693662012-07-25T21:05:49.755-05:002012-07-25T21:05:49.755-05:00Sarah, I am so glad to hear you had a good experie...Sarah, I am so glad to hear you had a good experience with us! That makes me so happy, we work so hard to do our best. Thank you for your compliments, a girl never tires to hearing how awesome she is :)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-76316979268027709642012-07-25T21:02:24.476-05:002012-07-25T21:02:24.476-05:00Hahaha this made my day! I know you probably wish ...Hahaha this made my day! I know you probably wish you hadn't done that, but seriously, it's a pretty great story! You did learn something from it so it's not that bad. Also, being a person who has bought and received one of your pieces, that lady might have needed to hear that. I was actually really impressed with how quickly we received it, and correspondence with your assistant was lovely. You are my favorite modern artist... that lady was just crazy! Keep up the good work, don't let her get you down. <br /><br />SaraSara D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10311122678899243459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-63526009296672868222012-07-25T19:09:32.811-05:002012-07-25T19:09:32.811-05:00As i tell my husband all the time, you can't r...As i tell my husband all the time, you can't reason with Crazy. But I applaud your efforts. In the end, you will never get them to change the story they have created in their head so you are right, in the future, just move on. I'm very curious how it will end: will you get your painting back? Will she pay you? It really would be like you are flipping her off every day if she did keep it :)Kerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06392036142436127628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-89666973651849780552012-07-25T17:05:47.064-05:002012-07-25T17:05:47.064-05:00Oh dear, what a bad experience! I had to laugh whe...Oh dear, what a bad experience! I had to laugh when I read what you said to her, but if it was me I would have felt pretty bad after. I agree, go with your gut, it's just not worth the hassle of having a bad customer. Chalk it all up to a great learning experience!Sarah Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12869923063594203447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-11724608616133866512012-07-25T16:36:33.645-05:002012-07-25T16:36:33.645-05:00People are just ridiculous, don't feel bad; yo...People are just ridiculous, don't feel bad; you were a pleasure to work with as far as I'm concerned! You don't need Caroline's for customers.MK and Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12735293540749129122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-17881381238984347042012-07-25T15:33:36.979-05:002012-07-25T15:33:36.979-05:00HA! A PIA charge, that is priceless. Great idea.HA! A PIA charge, that is priceless. Great idea.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022819745626507951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872712733955065437.post-64248788732287605882012-07-25T15:32:14.949-05:002012-07-25T15:32:14.949-05:00Hate that you had to go through this but LOVE that...Hate that you had to go through this but LOVE that you learned from it and have formulated a plan for dealing with such ugliness in the future! Back in my gallery days, when working on projects, we would very occasionally add a PIA charge ( Pain In the Ass charge ) when a client was incredibly demanding, unreasonable and/or rude. And on the rare occasion, we did fire a customer that just wasn't worth dealing with. <br /><br />Hope all transactions will now be filled with love, light & joy!Artsy Foragerhttp://artsyforager.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com