SO stressed out...Please help! Undercharged a customer by mistake? -

OK, I don t know if there is anyone out there who can help, but I am so stressed out and just don t know what to do about this. In this economy I haven t been able to find a job so I was forced to find another way. I started a small boutique business out of my home for Christmas. I sell Christmas decorations, collectibles, etc. In particular, I have a huge collection of vintage barbies I am selling. I didn t have the prices completely worked out and I was just setting up as someone came over to look. She wanted to buy many of my barbies, and I was kind of overwhelmed by it. When she finally left with her purchases I realized I did not add the numbers correctly and undercharged her by $60! I am a very small business just starting out and sometimes I don t even make $60 in one day. I know that sounds crazy and I hope I don t seem petty, but in this economy with no job, $60 is a lot and I just don t know what to do. I was thinking about calling her and asking her if I could buy the barbies back from her for the price she paid me. I was also thinking of telling her about the $60 undercharge and seeing if she might pay part of it - maybe asking her to pay half ($30) since it was my mistake. But I don t know, I don t want to create an untrustworthy reputation for myself especially since I am just starting out. I started this thing with no experience or business education, and now I am regretting that. I just have no idea what to do and have been stressing out about it for 2 days. I need help! She seemed really nice and probably would work with me about it...Should I just eat it because it was my mistake or should I call her and see if we can work out a compromise? Anyone with an opinion would help, but especially someone with experience or education in owning or managing a small business/boutique.

I agree with Calico. What you could do is call her and let her know you are a new business. Tell her you are happy that she shopped with you, and ask for her feedback on her shopping experience, and any suggestions she could give on improving your business. Ask her if she is satisfied with her purchase. She will be delighted that you followed up, the care and concern for your clientelle. Ask her to spread the word around of your business. Get some business cards printed up, send her one in a Christmas card. Have a supply on hand to give to new/potential customers. Post them around on shopping/store bulletin boards, etc.Do not cal her asking for more money. no no no. You want to bring in more business, not lose more.Good luck!

It never hurts to communicate with customers. Tell her your story. Start by asking for the full price (the 60 back to you). Compromise at half the amount. Do not be disappointed if she says No way .Good luck to you.

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Welcome to being self employed!I suggest you call your customer and tell her the truth! Explain to her that you added her purchase incorrectly and in order to reconcile your books you NEED to ask her to pay the difference or return the object for a refund. (Don t sound desperate just be polite and professional) If she works with you: you lucked out!! If she doesn t then at that point, let it go. I know times are tuff but you made a mistake that many people do when they first start a business. you live and you learn Good Luck

I hate to tell you this, but you ve just got to suck this up. The customer already paid. The deal is closed. It s not her responsibility to cover your mistake.When you run a business, you need to act like a professional. It is very unprofessional to ask people to pay more for an item they have already bought. Negative word-of-mouth is just as important to you as positive, and you don t want her telling all her friends about the ditz who asked for more money after the deal was done. Just do your math better next time.