u/Dependent_Light_4457

ETA: I am going to give her a partial refund. I don’t want the item returned to me for a full refund because it’s a custom item and I have no use for it and no one else will want to buy it (it has text very specific to her family.)

Someone bought a custom ceramic mug from me. If you make ceramics you know that colors can be unpredictable. She wanted it to match the color of another item in my shop which was made from a different type of clay (a very groggy clay I would not use for mugs.)

After the item arrived she sent me a long message that she was disappointed in the item for a variety of reasons, the primary one being the color. I explained why the color was slightly out of my control, and that colors in ceramics can be somewhat unpredictable, but I could give her a store credit or a partial discount.

She then asked if I can ship her the item we were originally color-matching for free. This is something I’m selling on my shop for $45, and even that is a steal.

I have almost no money in my ceramics business at this point as it is, so even offering her a discount on the item or a partial refund feels like a big hit.

I get that she’s disappointed but I can’t give her another item for free to make up for it… also I actually thought the mug I made for her was beautiful.

what would you say in response?

These mugs are by far my most popular sellers. They are just so whimsical and sweet.

Options that I can make are: a bear, an otter, a squirrel, a fox, a quokka, a rabbit, a puffin, manatees, a badger, a duck, and a mouse! And they are all engaged in some whimsical human activity. Just so special.

ETA: I will only fire to cone 6, but my understanding is that I need a kiln that has higher temp capabilities as it’ll last longer if repeatedly fired to a cone 6.

I’d like to get a small kiln that plugs into a household outlet; something I can fire 3 or 4 mugs in at a time, and which goes to cone 10.

I already know about the Vevor and I don’t know if I want something that will die in a few years.

Any recommendations?