u/Wonderful_Seaweed_82

I run a small delivery business supplying product to convenience stores and liquor stores. As part of my service, I sometimes provide a freezer to clients (it’s necessary for the product). Either they already have one, or I provide one myself.

The thing is, these freezers aren’t cheap, they range anywhere from $500 to $2,000. I’ve been offering them for free as a way to secure and support clients, especially since bigger freezers usually mean more product movement and more consistent weekly orders.

On top of that, I’ve also been giving some of these clients very low pricing on the product itself — honestly lower than I probably should.

Here’s the situation:

One of my clients (who already gets one of my lowest prices because she knows my husband and she referred me to someone else) called saying she was completely out of product. I told her she was already scheduled for delivery today and asked if she could wait, she agreed.

When I got there today, I saw she actually had my product in the back and another company’s product in the freezer. So she wasn’t really “out,” and it looks like she brought in another supplier. I know this because the product I sell comes from a different vendor, so the difference is clear. Also the product I sell needs to be delivered in a refrigerated truck, diesel prices are Averaging $7 here.

Important context:

• The freezer in her store is mine (not rented, I just placed it there)
• It’s one of the more expensive ones (~$2,000)
• She’s getting some of my lowest pricing

So now I’m stuck wondering…

As a small business owner, would you take your freezer back in this situation? Or leave it and try to keep the account?

I’m trying to balance being fair vs. not letting people take advantage of me. I’m a small business owner. I am able to financially handle to let her go, but she was my client since I started so continuing to service her location is also out of respect appreciation that she was willing to take a small business owner starting off.