I might be being a little dramatic, as I never had an empire so much as an inkling of an idea that I could sell my bucket mushrooms locally when I did a grow for myself. In this way it wouldn't cost me anything but time, and I'd make a wee profit that would pay for the next bags of spawn.
When I shouted out for anyone who was interested, I got over twenty excited people saying yes please. I contacted them, got confirmation and let them know the price. Excellent.
But then, when the buckets were ready, the problems began.
Three of twenty picked them up immediately and gave me the cash. Three. The others delayed and made excuses about why they couldn't pick them up until I had to just write it off as a loss. Two I delivered to friends, because if I didn't, they wouldn't have picked up as they were 'busy' and seemed to think the mushrooms would sit there for months until they were ready to pick up.
One of those woman I'm still waiting for the money three months on. She wanted to give me the cash when we caught up, but I haven't seen her for a year, so how long did she want me to wait? I texted her about it Friday, saying to transfer via bank account, and she has seen the message, but hasn't replied.
As I was doing more grows last week, I said yes to a friend who wanted two buckets. A week later and she still hasn't picked them up, and I am not convinced she will get around to it. Another woman said she'd pick up this week, but is vague about when. Another I insisted on bank transfer before I did the mushrooms and they insisted, in return, that they'd have cash on pick up and definitely want them. I asked how many buckets, and then - silence. No reply.
What the actual fuck. What is wrong with people?
I feel let down and really annoyed. And disappointed and upset! As well as broke. Do people not understand or appreciate that it costs me time and money to do the mushrooms? Do they not care? Do they think I'm unreasonable to ask for the measley $25 for the bucket (cheaper than anywhere else) and think it's not a big deal to pay or pick up 'whenever'?
So for now, I'm not making buckets for anyone unless I get payment first. And I'll make a firm pick up date, and if they aren't picked up by then, they'll lose their cash.
I don't like being taken advantage of, it upsets me. Alot. I really don't have mush room in my life for that kind of bullshit.
With Love,
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Ugh, Sorry! That's a not-unfamiliar story. I remember when my broke mother was trying to survive on (non)payment from the milk she supplied to members of the church she attended... If you could find a nearby market or supply a food outlet, you'd be in a much more stable place
I just don't get it @nikv. It's super upset me today. I think it's because I would NEVER do the same - I'm always super conscious of how my own actions affect others and if I owe someone money I immediately pay them! And if I can't, I certainly communicate when I can. I don't really want to do a market or supply anyone - I was just doing this to spread some mushroom love and feed people's excitement over it. So I guess it doubly hurt as my intentions have been totally punched in the face by the universe.
That sucks a lot. I learned many years ago that working for friends was likely to end in tears
You took the words right out of my mouth ... those are some beautiful mushrooms, @riverflows ... a market or restaurant or catering service is better than direct retail. ALSO: take beautiful pictures of your buckets and mushrooms and market them in advance. Find willing buyers and create interest AND COMPETITION for them.
Thanks lovely. I'm not that interested in marketing or selling. People kept asking me via my insta/Facebook posts sharing my own grow. I thought it'd be cool to spread some awareness and feed people's desire to grow their own but not having to do the hard bits. More fool me. Definitely bitten and shy now. I'm over it!
It sucks to read this, but anything that involves humans is high risk lately, you just simply can not rely on them and words mostly means nothing.
That's how low humanity got.
Is there any chance to sell them on local market or something, spread the word trough some social network like fb or Instagram?
Next time ask for the payment in advance, unfortunately that's the only way you can secure yourself.
Don't throw them away, dry them, preserve them and enjoy your tasty labor.
Fingers crossed for the happy ending 🍀
It's depressing as I like to see the best in humanity but this week it's being a giant asshole.
Don't worry, we can eat as many as the buckets produce, or give them away in the spirit of abundance.
Those mushrooms are gorgeous. It must be super annoying dealing with these unreliable people. It takes the joy out of the whole project. It is good that you will change the way you do things to avoid the frustration. I totally get that u have no mush room space. Under these circumstances I wouldn’t either.
What have you done with those extra buckets?
I'll let them grow and give the extra mushrooms to people I 💕💕💕 Love.
People are the worst!
Indeed. The older I get the more they annoy and upset me. But then again, the more I think they're pretty cool too. 💚 like yourself.
Oh I am sorry to hear this. It sucks that so many have let you down, especially when you were providing them with such a wonderful service. Yeah some folk are just really unreliable. Big lessons learnt here. Sending you love xxxxxx
Most people are unreliable if I'm honest! It feels worse as me and Jamie do out best to never let people down. Still, we will keep doing that cox what else can we do? Be assholes ourselves?
My goodness that really sucks! I can't imagine doing that to anyone! But those gorgeous mushrooms! I'd want them the moment they hit the bucket. So sorry. It's very weird that so many of them didn't show up.
I can understand not wanting to get involved in a more official mushroom business, such as supplying restaurants. That would involve a level of administration that could take the joy right out of producing mushrooms.
Dehydrate? Perhaps folks would be better able to satisfy their responsibilities if they could take their time doing it. I'm so surprised that you are having this much trouble.
Welcome in the world of commerce!
Luckily olive oil is much more flexible about the pick up date but we have had a lot of disappointments and frustrating deals, on the way. People seem to be very willing to pay good money for garbage from the supermarket but when it comes to a natural product that someone prepared with care and passion, they get outrageously picky and weird! Don't get discouraged. Just place your rules and whoever likes it!
People ARE so wierd. Worse, they are inconsiderate and unthoughtful! If I lived nearby we could do a trade... Mushrooms for olive oil sounds a match in heaven.
Oh, yes! That would have been amazing :)
Yup, non-refundable deposit, that's what my husband always did. But rods will sit for a year, mushrooms won't.
Here, 10 mins away, we have a local foods market. They have bought things from us off and on over the years. If there's anything like that near you, any buckets not picked up in a reasonable time might be offered to the market...
And yeah, that's pretty much how things operate these days, sad to say...
It's awful everyone agrees with me! Proves it's a thing. With one friend, I'm leaving it a week and asking if I've done something wrong or if everything is okay in her world, because I just don't get why she hasn't replied. It's rude!
Cash money. Up front. Gotta be a gangster about this.
Hahah just call me the mushroom gangster for sure!
That's ugly. Especially when it happens with friends. Thanks for reminding me owing money to my buddy, btw. LOL
I would probably ask a restaurant, too. Only do business with professionals.
Oh I hope you pay your friend or at least tell him you haven't forgotten 😂 It's not a nice feeling.
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WhaAat???? I thought it is only happening here, I never thought you also have some experience like that. Oh! Me too hate those kind of people who don't know how to do as promised.
It was a lesson learn and it's good to have a payment first rule. Hopefully your mushroom little business will grow.
I love mushrooms, just gave some to me lol, just kidding.
I think it happens everywhere!! I'd give some to you if you were here...
Wow, I wish being there to have some mushrooms hehehe.
nice red mushroom
Call me immoral but I have my own diabolical way to get these "seen zoners" attention or to get back at them LOL
You: Hey dude someone's looking for you...
Dude: Huh who??? (replied within 2 secs lol)
You: The mushrooms!!!!! (😅 ) OR
You: .... (seen)
of course the latter is more like Me lol as a serial ghoster and being diabolika.
And as you know people are selfish, make it always about them.
Perhaps you should you make it a requirement of non-refundable full or half payment BEFORE you start growing a bucket. Then everyone is committed. This will save you a good deal of stress.
What a nice ending with a pun.
People suck for sure, we’ve learned that. There’s also a lot of people who feel peer pressured into something if you ask them to do it, they agree because they feel like they can’t say no. Others are just assholes sadly.
We’ve learned that we can’t do these types of things with friends because of the negative consequences it ends up having. Best to sell them or something at a farmers market.