How do you deal with people who "expect" free eggs?

[wombat]

Giving eggs and tomatos away at work is fun. There are a lot of other people gardening and even "hobby farming" there, and I might not have met so many had I not been giving away extras. Even the people who don't garden at all but are happy to get our extras "pay back" by bringing in home baked cookies, pie, or brownies. That beats the few dollars I'd get for the extra eggs I take to work.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

If you feel it would be worthwhile to 'harvest' your relationship with this woman, give her some 'when you can'. Otherwise, Say "Oh, I'm sorry, we're just barely keeping up with orders! If more hens start laying, would you like to be put on the customer list?"

 

[mikesbigroo]

i would give them maybe 6 free, then say this is what ya can get for $3 a dozen, eggs aren't free to the chicken owner

 

[Reinbeau]

Quote:
That's how I'd do it. I'd be very upfront that they are $3 and that I'd put her on my list if she is interested. It's not like the egg cartons she gave you cost her anything really anyway. She would have thrown them away otherwise. Now if it was MY carton, with MY CUTE LITTLE LABEL on it, I'd give her a 25 cent discount on her next REFILL.

I like the way you think - now to finish my cute little labels

 

[patman75]

Great topic, I get asked all the time for eggs and I only have 4 hens and only 2 are laying and a 3rd just started a few days ago. Or when can we come over for breakfast. I have never had even a full dozen in my frig at on time.

I ONLY HAVE 4 HENS!!!!!!

How can I possilbe have eggs for everyone at work and all of my family??

Back to the topic....my vote is for $3.00 a dozen with $0.50 off with returned carton.

 

[Jenski]

Quote:
Oh dear. You need more chickens!!!

 

[maf2008]

My neighbor ASKS me to pay for the eggs per dozen. I REFUSE the money.....

instead she bakes cakes and pies.... We trade eggs for desert!

I'd rather trade 18 eggs each week for a tunnel of fudge cake.

I am WWWAAAYY ahead! She trades me about 2 deserts per week! No money changes hands

 

[Wifezilla]

Oh dear. You need more chickens!!!

It is amazing how many of life's problems can be solved by "more chickens!"

(Or, in my case...MORE DUCKS!)​

 

[patman75]

Quote:

It is amazing how many of life's problems can be solved by "more chickens!"

I'm have under estimated how addicting chickens are.

I started small this year with only 4 hens and a tractor, thier little winter coop is turning into a huge coop that can house meat birds in the summer. And thier little tractor is very undersized if I going to add another 6 birds or more....

 

[DawnSuiter]

[puts on flame retardant suit]

forgive me... I read and reread your post.... allow me to voice my interpretation...

It didn't sound to me like she's looking for anything for free. It's safe to assume that this lawyer & her husband likely know the cost of goods, and are collecting egg cartons in hopes that you'll add them to your list of egg customers.

I would never assume that she expects them for free. They have a price, when you fill her first egg carton, IF you do, then you can say.. these are XX dollars. If she is unwilling to pay.. just look at her like she's CRAZY and don't give her the eggs. Explain you'll return her egg cartons asap and if she changes her mind, to let you know.

and move on...
most people will value the hard work YOU put into those eggs!!!

I charge $3 a dozen for new "egg friends".. and $2 to those original friends who were on the list from the get go and who still return their cartons