This happened a while ago when a household generally had one computer for the whole family. We, however, had two: my mother’s computer, strictly for her job — she was working from home as a copywriter/proofreader and couldn’t easily let us use hers — and my brother’s and mine. Since we only used the computer for fun and kept downloading stupid games, it was less performant than our mother’s. We often complained since ours was extremely slow, and our mother was planning to buy a new computer for us.
At some point, one of her clients offered her a deal: she would give him a big discount on the corrected documents and, in return, he would offer her two brand-new computers. She agreed to the deal and enthusiastically told us about it.
However, after a few jobs were completed, there was still no sign of the promised computers. Plus, the client was very late on his bill. At some point, she sent him an email.
Mother: “Hello, [Client]. I hope this email finds you well. I couldn’t help but notice that the last bills haven’t been paid on your end. Could you please send me the payment before the end of the month? Thank you and kind regards.”
The next day, the answer came.
Client: “Hello, [Mother]. I am certain I don’t have to remind you of our agreement about the computers. Kind regards.”
Yep, that was all. My mother replied.
Mother: “Hello, [Client]. Thank you for your fast answer. The terms of the agreement were a discount on the corrected documents in exchange for the computers, not that I would work for free. Can I ask you again to please pay your bill? Thank you and kind regards.”
His answer came soon after. It was an extremely aggressive email, telling my mother she was awful and a fraud, that the deal was off, and that he would never work with her again. And he basically called her a whore; if I recall correctly, he told her she probably preferred working with someone who would give her more pleasure and satisfaction.
In shock, she showed my brother and me the email. Furious, we told her that we didn’t want the computers anymore as no computer was worth having my mother called a prostitute. She agreed and sent the guy an email saying that, since the deal was off, the full amount for the proofreading was in the new bill attached, to be paid by the end of the month; otherwise, late fees would be applied.
A few days later, the guy sent her another email requesting another proofreading “with a discounted price, according to our deal”. She refused the job. The next day, the client’s wife called for the same job. My mother told her she would not do it and that she would not work with the client ever again, and she summarised the content of the email he had sent her. His wife said she understood and apologised.
The bill was paid in full the next day.
